The GSM Association and China’s TD-SCDMA Forum today announced in Beijing an agreement to coordinate the development of two third-generation mobile-phone standards.
The accord is designed to foster interoperability and international roaming between GSM, the world’s most prevalent mobile-phone technology, and TD-SCDMA, a technology unique to China. The two groups said the accord will maximize economies of scale for the benefit of subscribers and operators.
“TD-SCDMA and 3GSM are compatible technologies, a factor recognized in the decision to standardize TD-SCDMA through the 3GPP,” said Rob Conway, chief executive officer of the GSM Association and member of the board. “The synergies mean opportunities for TD-SCDMA to complement 3GSM not just within in China, but on a global basis.”
Today’s announcement appears to defuse one of the many trade controversies involving China.
“3GSM is building on the seamless roaming, interoperability and economies of scale that have created a global market of more than 1 billion GSM users. Through cooperation with the GSM Association, we aim to extend these world-beating values to TD-SCDMA,” said Ling Haifeng, secretary- general of the TD-SCDMA Forum.
