Next wave of mobile networks

A group of big mobile phone operators, including China Mobile, Vodafone, KPN, DoCoMo, Orange, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, has established the Next Generation Mobile Networks initiative (NGMNI). The group aims to shape the development and standardization of mobile technologies that go beyond 3G and 3.5G. More clearly, what is at stake is "a more transparent and predictable intellectual property rights regime," Operators are very upset to pay for heavy IPRs for standards such as CDMA and 3G for the main benefit of few companies (i.e. Qualcomm). Of course, end users will also benefit from the initiative with higher levels of data throughput, competitive broadband performance, compatibility with legacy networks, support of high levels of authentication and security, and differentiated quality of service.

Can a new standard be really universal? Let us hope!