UTRA FDD and TDD, a harmonized proposal for IMT-2000

The key requirement on third generation mobile radio systems are presented. Based on these requirements the international standardization process is ongoing in different regions and the ITU with the goal to achieve a global standard as harmonized as possible. In this overview paper the technical approach of the UTRA, FDD and TDD component of ETSI SMG including the parameter harmonization for a candidate third generation mobile radio interface based on the consensus decision in the ETSI SMG in January 1998 and the evolution of the core network based on the GSM system are described from the European perspective.