The GSM Association (GSMA) and TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) Forum signed an agreement on Tuesday to coordinate and boost the development of both third-generation (3G) wireless technology standards.

The GSMA is a global trade association representing more than 630 GSM and WCDMA mobile operators worldwide. The TD-SCDMA Forum was established in China to promote the development and commercialization of the homegrown TD-SCDMA standard.

"The cooperation between the two standards makes a perfect match," said Lei Ming, president of GSMA (China).

Both standards are recognized for 3G by the International Telecommunications Union.

WCDMA employs paired spectrum technology, with users speaking or transmitting data on one transmission channel and hearing responses or receiving data on a second channel. TD-SCDMA transmits and receives data in different time-slots on unpaired transmission channels.

Worldwide, many WCDMA operators have unpaired spectrums.

The alliance will help promote interoperability and international roaming between the two technologies by maximizing synergies between two compatible "brother" systems, said Craig Ehrlich, chairman of the GSM Association. This will maximize economies of scale for the benefit of end-users, operators and manufacturers.

There are 40 live WCDMA networks worldwide with subscriber numbers reaching 5 million. The number of networks is likely to reach 70 by the end of the year, said Ehrlich.

Analysts believe that cooperation should give a powerful shot in the arm to the development of TD-SCDMA.

The Chinese government, to support the domestic standard, allocated 155MHZ of frequency resources to TD-SCDMA in October 2002.

TD-SCDMA technology is expected go into widespread commercial use late this year or in early 2005.

The 3GSM World Congress (Asia) will run from September 27 to October 1 in Singapore. The meeting will address key problems and strategic challenges facing the technology.

(China Daily June 16, 2004)