3G Wireless Data Services
If you own a mobile phone like nearly everyone on the planet then it’s quite likely you’ve heard the buzz term “3G”. For those who are not wireless data junkies, 3G encompasses several different wireless technologies designed to deliver Internet data at broadband speeds to mobile users. This is fundamentally different than previous data services (like the GSM CSD service used with Matrix) because it’s only connecting you to the Internet, not placing a data call back to your studio. In our codec environment (using the ACCESS) the call is handled over the Internet to a device in your studio that also has Internet connectivity. 3G does not offer connections directly to phone lines, and that is why 3G is not compatible with the Matrix.
The information provided here will focus primarily on GSM (like Cingular/AT&T) and CDMA (like Sprint and Verizon Wireless) cellular services and in particular the high-speed data services that are offered by network carriers in the U.S. There is a wealth of information about these and other services that can be easily found on the World Wide Web. To help you find what services might be offered in your home country or those that you might be visiting (or doing a remote from) in the future we’ve included some useful links throughout and at the end of this article.
At Comrex, we’ve been keeping our eye on the development of these various technologies realizing that high-speed wireless data services will and indeed are changing the way broadcasters do remotes. While it is possible to use these various services by connecting a data-enabled handheld phones to one of our codecs, service providers have indicated to us that more reliable connections are achieved by using the CardBus style cards which are commonly referred to as Air Cards. This is why you will find a CardBus slot on our Access Portable BRIC IP/POTS codec.
GSM
Currently, there are two major national providers of GSM service in the U.S. – T-Mobile and AT&T (formerly Cingular). As of this writing, T-Mobile has not made any announcement regarding the implementation of high-speed data services. AT&T/Cingular, on the other hand, has implemented two data services throughout North America – EDGE and UMTS.
EDGE --Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution
Average download speeds of 70 to 80 kbps, slightly less for upload
Cingular/AT&T’s EDGE service covers virtually their entire voice coverage area (see the coverage map below). The service is actually considered a “2.5G” service because it was implemented to bridge the gap between the much slower GPRS (2G) data service and the faster broadband speeds of 3G services. The upload and download speeds are considered comparable to fast dial-up Internet service but the throughput can be considered “bursty”. As such, delays in the transmission of data packets can exceed several seconds. While some of our customers have used EDGE service with our Access codecs with some success, Comrex does not recommend this service for live remote applications.
UMTS --Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
Average download speeds of 400 to 900 kbps - 100-400 kbps upload
UMTS is used as the high-speed data service on GSM networks worldwide. Today, over 70 GSM networks in over 25 countries provide UMTS data service. In the U.S., AT&T (formerly Cingular) currently offers expanding UMTS/HSDPA coverage in over 60 cities with plans to cover most of the major metropolitan areas.
The data rates are truly broadband with download speeds approaching 1Mbps. Comrex tests in Europe where UMTS has been widely deployed found the system to be quite reliable for most remote broadcast applications when using UMTS CardBus cards.
AT&T's/Cingular's deployment of UMTS in the U.S. came relatively late compared to that of the EVDO data service on the CDMA network (discussed below). This is largely due to the fact that Cingular decided to hold off on initial deployment of UMTS to accommodate a major upgrade to the technology known as HSDPA or High-Speed Downlink Packet Access. This upgrade provides for higher network capacity, faster data speeds and lower latency. This service is available on certain handheld phones and well as on CardBus cards for use in a laptop. Comrex has been testing the ACCESS Portable BRIC IP/POTS codes using AT&T's Option GT MAX 3.6 3G LaptopConnect Card on the 3G Broadband Connect network. The service seems to provide very low latency with consistent connection speeds resulting in a very stable bidirectional transmission of broadcast quality audio.
AT&T/Cingular’s EDGE coverage map 
AT&T coverage maps for both EDGE and UMTS service are available at:
AT&T Coverage Map
General information on GSM and UMTS:
www.3gamericas.org
Option GT MAX 3.6
Please read our Tech Note regarding compatibility of various 3G Cards with ACCESS Portable.
CDMA
CDMA is widely deployed in the U.S. by three major national carriers: Verizon, Sprint/Nextel and Alltel. While there are several regional and local carriers these three providers offer high-speed wireless data services with national plans. The data services available from these carriers fall under two categories: 1xRTT and EVDO.
1xRTT – Single Carrier (1x) Radio Transmission Technology
Average speed 50 to 90 kbps download/40-50kbps upload
Not unlike the GSM EDGE data service mentioned above, 1xRTT is a rather low data rate service comparable to fast dial-up Internet service. Given its “bursty” nature, it is not ideal for remote broadcast applications. However, it is widely deployed throughout the U.S. and can provide Internet connectivity even in some rural areas.
EVDO (1xEVDO) -- Evolution Data Optimized
Average speed 400 to 900 kbps download/100-400 upload
Of the three U.S. national providers, Sprint/Nextel and Verizon have the largest coverage area of any of the high-speed data services covering as many as 220 million potential subscribers. Alltel’s coverage is currently limited to only about 15 markets as of this writing.
EVDO data rates provide a fairly robust data circuit which is capable of burst speeds up to 2.1 Mbps, with sustained data rates capable of supporting the limited bandwidth needed for transmission of broadcast-quality audio when using the Access codec. Many Comrex Access customers are currently using EVDO for a variety of remote applications with great success. You can read more about these remotes by clicking here.
One concern about the reliability of these high-speed wireless services is that
they have not been designed specifically for multimedia steaming applications, like the ACCESS product. CDMA providers are the process of upgrading their EVDO networks to a technology known as Rev A, which is much kinder to real-time applications like high-quality audio. Sprint expects their entire network to be upgraded by Q3 2007, while Verizon has announced their entire network to be Rev A compatible. Use of Rev A requires a Rev A capable data card, so older data cards may not be able to utilize it. Comrex testing has shown a substantial improvement in reliability and reduction in delay using this upgraded service.
Sierra Wireless PC5750 EVDO Rev. A card
Pantech PX-500 EVDO Rev. A Card Novatel Wireless Merlin S720 EVDO Rev. A Card
Please read our Tech Note regarding compatibility of various 3G Cards with ACCESS Portable.
More information on EVDO Technology:
www.evdoinfo.com
A coverage map for Sprint’s EVDO network:
Sprint Coverage Map
Verizon Wireless’ coverage locator:
Verizon Coverage Map
Info on AllTel’s data services:
Alltel Coverage Map
Quest Wireless EVDO Network (provided by Sprint) coverage:
What’s in a name?
As you are well aware, calling a thing by its technical name doesn’t always help to sell the product or service. Hence, highly paid marketing executives come up with clever names to entice customers into shelling out the cash.
When investigating what services are available in your area it helps to know what the various service providers call them. So, as a public service to you, we’ve provided the information below:
1xRTT = Sprint PCS Vision 1xRTT
1xEVDO = Mobile Broadband
1xEVDO = BroadbandAccess
1xRTT = Axcess MobileLink
1xEVDO = BroadBand Axcess
EDGE = EDGE
UMTS = 3G Broadband Connect
WiMax
Another exciting high-speed wireless data service is something called WiMax. While not available yet, we have high hopes that WiMax will offer yet another alternative for use on ACCESS to deliver high quality audio from within any location covered by the service.
Links
The website of the Federal Communications Commission offers some very interesting details about 3G data services and the PCS network.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/broadbandpcs/
Some very useful comparisons of various high-speed wireless data services can be found at: www.PCMag.com
Various external WWAN devices or EVDO/UMTS routers, such as those listed below, have been used successfully by either Comrex or Comrex customers when used with the Access Rackmount codec. Please note that both the ACCESS Portable and ACCESS Rackmount, do not require these devices for use on 3G Networks. The ACCESS Rackmount accepts 3G Wireless USB modems and the ACCESS Portable accomodates both USB and CardBus 3G modems. The following devices can be used to add flexibility to your remote setups:
TopGlobal 3G Mobile Bridge (MB8000)
(click on image to link to website)
Junxion Box Cellular Router
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