General News: ETSI approves new Satellite-UMTS Technical Specifications

Date: 26 May 2008

The new Technical Specifications set, referenced ETSI TS 101 851 part 1 - 6 sub part 1, has been approved by ETSI. This set of Technical Specifications describes the necessary configurations and performances of the 3GPP defined UTRA FDD WCDMA radio interface when used over a satellite link. It should be noted that the SUMTS G family radio interface has been adopted by ITU-R as one of the possible satellite radio interfaces for Mobile Satellite Systems operating in the IMT2000 frequency band allocated to Mobile Satellite Services (1980-2010 MHz/uplink, 2170-2200 MHz/downlink).

With this satellite radio interface, 3G devices implementing the UTRA FDD WCDMA radio interface with extended agility in the IMT2000 frequencies allocated to Mobile Satellite Services can operate over a satellite link. It offers the advantage of minimising the cost of satellite-enabled terminals due to technology commonalities with 3G devices, naturally enabling benefit from the product diversity and evolution driven by the large 3G market. In addition, it supports smooth convergence between Mobile Satellite Systems and “terrestrial” Mobile Systems.

For further information, please contact:
Michael Holloway
Director - Communications, Conferences & Membership Care
michael.holloway@etsi.org