iDEN technology targets broad consumer market

GPRS, CDMA. WAP, GSM and now, iDEN technology.

As wireless technology advances, one can just imagine how high-tech things will be in so short a time. Existing applications can be performed to our advantage and new ones are anticipated as to how they can make a dent in our time. Technologies are impressive, but they must be practical enough to have an impact in our lives. One such technology, iDEN, has been earning raves because of the many advantageous functions it has, especially for business users.

iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) is a platform that brings out the convergence of trunk radio, voice, SMS and wireless IP-based packet data services. Developed by Motorola in 1995, it is a technology newer than both GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).

There are no directly competing technologies under development, mainly because the market is a typical niche market with limited volumes, and the development costs are very high due to the complexity. Currently, there are over 14 million users of iDEN technology worldwide.

"It’s a technology unlike others which targets a broad consumer market. Effectively, iDEN represents 2.5G with added dispatch features. The packet data service is comparable to GPRS (Group Packet Radio Service).

iDEN is almost like TETRA which, however, was designed for public services like police, fire brigades and transportation but is too expensive for commercial use.

iDEN represents the most advanced digital trunking radio for the "white-collar market," Henrick Nyqvist, Next Mobile chief technical adviser, said. By white collar, Nyqvist meant sales forces, distribution, company management, courier companies and professionals, among other sectors.

In technical terms, an iDEN radio channel is 25 kHz wide. One iDEN channel is split into six slots through its digital encoding (TDMA or Time Division Multiple Access). This means that one RF (radio frequency) carries three duplex calls (called "interconnect" in iDEN slang) or six dispatch calls (called "direct connect"). Thus, the iDEN technology has a three-fold spectrum efficiency for duplex calls compared to an analog trunking system, and a six-fold spectrum efficiency for dispatch calls.

Suffice to say, iDEN offers a broad range of features in a cost-effective way due to its multiple functionality. Incidentally in the Philippines, only Next Mobile, formerly Nextel Communications Phils. Inc., uses this technology.

Utilizing its packet-data feature, Next Mobile is offering its users unlimited Internet access without the need for a laptop or Internet subscription anywhere they are using their mobile phones. This gives subscribers access to e-mails, data services and connectivity to their office or teams in an "always-on" mode.

iDEN will soon double its packet data speed. Next Mobile will also introduce new specialized terminals like built-in handphone GPS (Global Positioning Service), which gives accurate location-based services; PCMCIA card terminals (plug-in for laptop and PDAs) which provide mobile Internet access; I-Link terminals that offer PABX connection (for remote subscriber applications and PABX lines), and color-screen handsets.

Nyqvist said more applications are being developed by Next Mobile to maximize the benefits of the technology. "The new iDEN phones are now SIM-based and by moving this SIM to a GSM phone, you can roam with (our partners)," he said.

Next Mobile has roaming agreements with over 70 GSM operators worldwide, in addition to all Nextel networks in North and South America.

In the first quarter, Next Mobile will launch its new handset models: the Motorola i30sx and i60c that are both ergonomically designed, user-friendly and packet-data capable.

The i30sx, which has an interchangeable faceplate, has an easy-to-operate, icon-based user interface and has advanced data capabilities that offer conveniences such as retrieving e-mails and sending a fax right from your phone.

The Motorola i60c is a compact, lightweight and sturdy clam-shaped phone with an easy-to-operate, icon-based display for simple scroll and select functionality. It comes with advanced data capabilities and an "always-on" Internet microbrowser connection that offers multiple conveniences such as mobile e-mail and two-way messaging. It also has a 250-entry phonebook, messaging services and group and private call features.