BIF to Partner 3GPP

April 16, 2018 (update, original story January 22, 2018)

An official signing ceremony took place last week, in Beijing, following the approval of the Broadband India Forum (BIF) as a 3GPP Market Representation Partner (MRP) in January 2018.

According to the BIF President, T.V. Ramachandran, the Forum will bring Indian market requirements for services, features and functionality to 3GPP. In a letter to the 3GPP Coordination Group (PCG) he outlined the BIF’s mission to support and enhance all policy, regulatory & standards initiatives for the proliferation of broadband in India.

News from our Partners

November 23, 2017

A sweep of the 3GPP Market Representation Partner's web sites reveals important papers and reports on 5G. Here are some of the most eye catching deliverables:

The GSA’s Evolution from LTE to 5G study was updated in October. It looks at mobile markets worldwide, with details of deployments “across a variety of technology innovations and spectrum bands”.

Some of the key facts expanded on in the study relate to the:

• 644 LTE networks in 200 countries
• 212 LTE-Advanced networks in 105 countries
• 60 NB-IoT and 21 LTE-M/Cat-M1 networks planned or being trialled
• 103 operators investing in 5G

Look out for the next edition of the GSA “Evolution from LTE to 5G” study, to be published in January 2018.

Marine e-Navigation over LTE

 October 4, 2017 (update)

LTE and 5G systems will feature in a workshop dedicated to marine communication, with SA1’s Hyounhee Koo delivering an update on the status of TR 22.819 - the 3GPP study on Maritime Communication Services - due for publication in June 2018 and Erik Guttman, the SA Plenary Chairman presenting our broader vision on  future broadband communication via 3GPP systems.

The ETSI workshop, held in Sophia Antipolis (November 7-8, 2017), will specifically look at how capacity and data rates in maritime radio communication may be improved – to allow for ‘e-navigation’ solutions from 2019. There will also be discussion on how the Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS), which uses satellite and terrestrial radio communications equipment to keep vessels in contact, could impact the ETSI and 3GPP standards work.

The two day event is free to attend. 

TCCA forms industry group with LTE and 5G focus

BIG inaugural meeting, September 1, 2017

The TCCA has just beefed up its work to ensure 3GPP-compliant products and services meet the evolving needs of all critical communication industries, including; public safety, transportation, utilities, and mining.

Their Broadband Industry Group (BIG) will be the place where vendors will meet “to accelerate the adoption of broadband critical communications based on latest 3GPP LTE standards”, according to the group’s Chairman - Philippe Agard of Nokia.

TCCA CEO retires amid plaudits for 3GPP role

July 21, 2017

Phil Kidner has announced his retirement after eleven years at the helm of the TETRA and Critical Communications Association. The TCCA is a Market Representation Partner in 3GPP.

TETRA became operational in the mid-90s being built on the ETSI standards and the TETRA Association’s expertise to bring it to market.

During Phil Kidner’s leadership the Association has been a major driver for the success of TETRA amongst Governments, Operators, Vendors and – vitally – the Users from the public safety and transport sectors.