Mobile telecommunications and nomadic computing in Asia

In November 1996 a number companies joined together with a research consortium known as the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) to form a North American team on a strategic technology benchmarking tour of Asia. The team met with several companies and government authorities. This paper describe the state-of-the art and anticipated future trends observed during the tour. In particular we found high growth in both personal digital cellular (PDC) and the personal handyphone system (PHS) which are projected to reach 50 million subscribers by 2000. We also gained insights into third generation research activities and a road map to fourth generation wireless networks.