Third generation (3G) mobile communications systems

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) began studies on globalization of personal communications in 1986 and identified long term spectrum needs for future "third generation" mobile wireless telecommunications systems. These 3G mobile telecommunications systems are expected to provide worldwide access and global roaming for a wide range of services. This paper describes the proposed 3G air interfaces of Europe, Japan, and North America. This paper highlights ETSI activities in the 3G arena and provides a brief description of the FRAMES (future radio wideband multiple access) multiple access (FMA) mode 1 and mode 2 air interfaces. Evolution of GSM and North American TDMA (TIA-IS-136) to wide-band code division multiple access (W-CDMA) via the EDGE system is also presented, as well as a discussion on industry trends.