Coverage of mobile Wireless
Description
This is about how much mobile phones are used in the world, and how the network coverage can be used for mobile television broadcasting. Speed and connectivity rate of the network are the most important factors here. Network coverage can be improved by setting up more mobile phone towers, and possible improvements on the wireless network standards. Currently, GPRS and UMTS technologies are already widely used, but these technologies are not yet used for broadcasting television signals for mobile phones. This will likely happen after 2009, when the 5th generation (4G) wireless communication systems will be introduced to the public. These new generation wireless technologies will support speeds of up to 1Gbit/s, sufficient for streaming HDTV content. It is expected that around the same time, new wireless standards such as 802.11y will also be supported by the next-generation mobile phones, increasing the wireless coverage even more.
Enablers
- Implementation of new 4th generation network standards (newest UMTS developents HSOPA/LTE, wireless standards 802.11y and 802.11n, and more frequent use of multicast)
- IPv6 protocol being fully developed, implemented, and used
- New wireless media
Inhibitors
- Health hazards
- Insufficient security
Paradigms
Before: Mobile phone wireless coverage only in developed countries, in urban areas, and with a low worldwide market penetration (~30%).
After: Mobile wireless markets growing in underdeveloped countries due to the leap-frog effect, telecom operators extending coverage to more rural areas, worldwide market penetration currently around 80%, and over 90% by 2010.
Timing
Mobile wireless technology developed, and is still developing itself in 5 generations (0G-4G). Technology of later generations has more coverage, usage possiblities and faster connections. As of 2007, 3G wireless technologies are still most commonly used. 4G technologies are expected to be in use around 2010.
- 0G - 1946: Pre-cellular, half-duplex mobile radio phones, mainly used in transport trucks that had to travel long distances. Also used by loggers, construction foremen, realtors, and celebrities. Not available to the general public until 1962, and in the US only.
- 1G - 1980: Analog cellphones. First available in the US, Europe, Russia, Australia, South Africa, and Japan.
- 2G - 1991: First digital cellphones, using radio towers for more coverage. Introduction of GSM standard and beginning of mobile television market. Mobile phones are able to send SMS text messages. Now also coverage in the rest of Asia and South America.
- 3G - 2001: Digital cellphones capable of transferring multimedia, as well as supporting more advanced services, such as MMS, GPRS and UMTS. Phones are also smaller than the ones of previous generations, and thus easier to carry in one's jacket pocket. This has led to more people in the world buying a cell phone, and increased the need for more coverage.
- 4G - Expected after 2009: Mobile phones capable of high-speed data transmission and interactive television over wireless IP networks. Cost is getting lower while quality is rising, enabling 3rd world countries to adopt its use. By this point, worldwide coverage will be over 90%.
Web Resources
Go Back to The future of television 2015