Critics doubted it would work. However, now even competitors have embraced CDMA as the next-generation standard. The result of over five years of research, this provocative report examines CDMA technology, applications, markets, competition, and future developments. Also included are in-depth profiles of more than 60 operators and manufacturers and CDMA growth forecasts for North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world. If you are a wireless strategist, this is essential reading.
The report describes many of the new products, services, and business models enabled by CDMA. New consumer products will include Internet radios that download music on-demand, wireless cameras that print to the Web, personal navigators providing turn-by-turn driving directions, and electronic wallets offering the convenience of cash with guaranteed security and privacy. The report also examines how Internet-based business models will transform the mobile telephone industry.
Global CDMA Business Opportunities includes an executive summary presenting market forecasts for North America, Asia/Oceania, Latin America, Europe, and the rest of the world. The enabling technologies section analyzes and compares different flavors of CDMA, competing wireless data solutions, and related technologies. The business opportunities section discusses dozens of new applications and business models. The markets section discusses CDMA status and plans in more than 45 countries. Over 55 manufacturers and operators are featured in the vendor profiles section, including Qualcomm, Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, Lucent, Motorola, KDDI, Sprint PCS, and many more.
Additional conclusions found in Global CDMA Business Opportunities:
1. CDMA is operators' near-unanimous choice for third-generation wireless services, because it is the only air interface that can satisfy both tomorrow's voice and data requirements. Despite competing flavors, cdma2000 and W-CDMA, harmonized standards and multi-mode handsets promise to expand roaming and boost economies of scale.
2. Wireless Internet success depends on three new services: mobilization, personalization, and localization. Mobilization makes existing Internet and enterprise applications available to users on the go. Personalization gives users the features and content they want regardless of where they are or what type of device they are using. And localization provides mobile users with information and services specific to their current location.
3. Qualcomm's high data rate (HDR) technology will give cable modem and DSL services a run for their money. HDR offers unprecedented Internet portability (access from different locations) and mobility (access while en route). HDR delivers a new level of "always on" performance because, unlike fixed solutions, it is "always there." And HDR will enable ISPs to offer high-speed access in locations not served by cable modems or DSL.
4. cdma2000 has major advantages over W-CDMA. cdma2000 will deliver full IMT-2000 capabilities (speeds of up to two Mb/s) in one-third as much spectrum. Commercial cdma2000 service will be introduced first, most likely by early 2001. And cdma2000 is backward compatible with the cdmaOne technology already used by nearly 70 million subscribers.
5. W-CDMA, the preferred solution in markets dominated by GSM, will also be successful. W-CDMA will be first deployed in new spectrum allocated for 3G services; then it will slowly replace GSM and U.S. TDMA in existing spectrum. However, W-CDMA is likely to take longer to develop and commercialize than proponents claim.
6. CDMA will enable new wireless business models. Greater network capacity means less reliance on usage-based pricing and more use of advertising-subsidized and e-commerce-based models. CDMA's robust data performance leads the way to a plethora of enhanced services.
