DECTnews Archive - 4Q98

4Q98

December 1998 News below:

Evolution to 2.88 Mb/s Data Rates   
In a recent article on DECT standardisation, Gunther Kleindl of Siemens and Chairman of the ETSI DECT Project explained the evolution of DECT standards to support even higher data rates through the use of multi-level modulation.

"To guarantee backwards compatibility two level modulation is still used for the synchronisation and signalling fields.  Only for data are additional levels used."  he explains. "Therefore all equipment is capable of synchronising and reading signalling information.  Only if both sides are capable of using and understanding additional phase levels will the high speed mode be used in the data field.  The four level modulation allows twice the data rate and the eight level modulation allows three times the data rate of the traditional schema".

A conventional DECT timeslot will support 32kb/s.  With the new modulations 64kb/s or 96kb/s can be anticipated on a single slot, 160kb/s or 240kb/s in a double slot.

Consolidation of DECT Data Service Standards 
It would give the wrong impression to say that new data service standards were emerging for DECT.  However, the consolidation of the existing standards around specific product application areas that is happening is undoubtedly helping companies firm up on product offerings.  The original DECT data standards were powerfully and effectively defined some time ago.  However, just as the advent of GAP made it much easier for manufacturers to focus on larger volume markets with interoperable equipment, so it is anticipated that MMAP and DPRS will do the same for DECT data applications.

MMAP:  The Multi Media Access Profile combines a selection of of the DECT data services with optional voice services offered by GAP, allowing DECT terminals to support true voice + data multimedia services.  All MMAP-compliant equipment will offer a common set of fallback options.

DPRS:  The DECT Packet Radio Service represents the combination of a set of the existing DECT data profiles - namely the A/B1, A/B2, C1 and C2 profiles.  Annexes to the DPRS standard detail interworking with 802.3 Ethernet LANs, 802. Token Ring LANs, and IPv4 (RFC791).  Transport of PPP (RFC1661) is also detailed.

Latest DECT Forum Newsletter Available  
The DECT Forum have recently issued their latest edition of their newsletter - vol 2, Number 4.
Topics focussed on this time round include:
* WLL in Latin America - detailed coverage of the situation in the region
* Residential cordless telephony - total cordless market of 100 million units expected by 2002
* DECT data applications taking off - DECT Packet Radio Service - DPRS standard created, combining the A/B and C profiles, plus a variety of new applications are described
* Business applications - summary of the scope of DECT PABS installations provided to date
For details of the DECT Forum, and how to get hold of their newsletter, visit our Global Page

Explosion Proof Basestation    
Alcatel have announced an explosion proof DECT basestation - designed for installation at petrochemical and other hazardous areas, it can be located within the hazardous areas and is certified explosion proof.  (What happens to the wiring back to the PABX though ?).  See our Innovative Products page.

November 1998 News below:

New DECT Baseband Processor Engine Announced                          
VLSI Technology have just announced the launch of their new Vega+™ baseband processor.  Using 0.25um silicon, the new IC is targeted at cost sensitive implementations, both handsets and basestations, and combines on-chip memory, additional signal processing capabilities and lower-pin-count packages with VLSI's previously proven Vega™ processor technology. Samples expected January '99, production 2Q99.

WDCT - DECT Derivative Targets US and Global Markets 
Siemens, having secured the position of market leader in DECT telephones, is leveraging its position in DECT to attack the North American and other global markets which have not yet allocated spectrum for DECT with its WDCT - worldwide digital cordless telecommunications - technology.  A simple derivative of their existing  Gigaset product line, the new products operate in the 2.4 GHz band, which is widely available across the globe, enabling the company to address a raft of new geographical markets.   For more information see our Innovative Products Page and our Residential Products Page

Thyssen Telecom DECT WLL Trial finishes                           
Results from the trial of DECT wireless local loop in Germany, which began in January 1997 and finished in April 1998, are now available on the web [Ed note - subsequently removed from their site].  Use AltaVista's translation facility if you don't read German.

'One Stop' DECT/GSM Testing 
BABT has formed an alliance with the UK Cellular Radio Laboratories to provide an integrated solution for testing dual frequency (1800/900) and dual mode (DECT/GSM) mobile phones.   Manufacturers will only have to approach one of these organisations to service all their testing requirements.

October 1998 News below:
$6.2 bn market by 2003 ?     
A new study of the wireless market, "Wireless '99", written by Micrologic Research and just published by Forward Concepts forecasts the market for European Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) telephones to grow to $6.2 billion in 2003.   The table of contents for the report may be found on their website. 
Rumour has it that the executive summary of the report will shortly be available for free download from there too....

DECT Forum Newsletter - New Issue Available    
The latest issue - vol 2, number 3 - of the DECT Forum Newsletter was published on 26th September.
This issue focuses on the residential cordless sector - with information on price erosion, DECT market share by country and by year, etc.  Did you know DECT products in this market are sold under 57 different brand names in Western Europe - can you find them all on DECTweb ?
The new issue should be up on their website soon...

New DECT Products   
New DECT repeater product from Siemens, along with their first DECT cordless V.24 link product
Philips have launched their C922 Handset, with four line display and alphanumeric messaging

DECT WLL via satellite !    
On September 23, 1998 California-based  STM announced the development of the first integrated satellite/Wireless Local Loop technology which will enable rural telephony service providers to offer a new low cost service to remote subscribers.  The SpaceLoop wireless communications solution is designed to be cost effective, even with as few as 20 subscribers sharing a single DAMA/WLL cell.  The Wireless Local Loop segment is based on the European DECT standard.  DECT offers a simple air interface to help reduce the cost of the subscriber and base radio equipment, while providing wireline-quality voice for the local loop. Each satellite WLL cell can be of order 5 km diameter and accommodate up to 200 subscribers, with local calling within a single cell  supported simply via DECT, without the need to access the Gateway and without wasting microwave or satellite resources. The product is scheduled for shipment in mid-1999.
For more information, e-mail STM or visit STM's website at http://www.stmi.com

DECT features in new WLL Report     
In another newly published market report from Frost & Sullivan "World Markets For Wireless Local Loop Equipment" DECT is featured as one of the technologies successfully addressing the burgeoning opportunities for WLL (see also news item 3 below, which refers to an earlier F&S report).  The new report identifies that technology credibility is key to securing sales in this marketplace - as a proven technology DECT is clearly well placed in this respect. 
F&S report number 5650-65, published September 1998 
More information available on the Frost & Sullivan website http://www.frost.com

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