MURRAY HILL, N.J.-Manx Telecom, a subsidiary of O2 Group plc, has partnered with Lucent Technologies Inc. and Qualcomm Inc. on a UMTS and HSDPA field trial using 900 MHz spectrum on the Isle of Man.
The trial, which began last week, leverages the lower frequency to extend UMTS voice and HSDPA data coverage and evaluate the potential benefits of UMTS at 900 MHz as opposed to 2100 MHz, which is the common band for UMTS services in Europe.
Lucent is providing base stations for the trial, which also employs Qualcomm’s test terminals running on the company’s Mobile Station Modem chipsets.
The 900 MHz band is expected to be more cost-effective and enable better in-building coverage, the companies said.
“UMTS 900 may help solve the 3G coverage issues in Europe, since providing full coverage at 2100 MHz is very expensive,” said Dave Williams, O2 Group’s chief technology officer. “Working with Lucent, we hope to demonstrate how UMTS 900 can complement deployments at 2100 MHz, improve coverage, lower capital expenses and improve the customer’s experience.”
Radio frequency transmissions generally travel further on lower frequency bands.
Manx operates wireless service to the Isle of Man, and several times in the past has been one of the first areas to test new wireless technologies, in part because of its small geographic area. The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland.
