Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is one of the third-generation (3G) mobile telecommunications technologies, which is also being developed into a 4G technology.

Features

UMTS, supports maximum theoretical data transfer rates of 21 Mbs. Also it offers access to the World Wide Web and other data services on mobile devices.

UMTS networks in many countries have been or are in the process of being upgraded with High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), sometimes known as 3.5G. Currently, HSDPA enables downlink transfer speeds of up to 21 Mbs. Work are also progressing on improving the uplink transfer speed with the High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). Longer term, the 3GPP Long Term Evolution project plans to move UMTS to 4G using a next generation air interface technology.

The first national consumer UMTS networks launched in 2002 with a heavy emphasis on Telco-provided mobile applications such as mobile TV and video calling. The high data speeds of UMTS are now most often utilized for Internet access: to the World Wide Web either directly on a handset or connected to a computer via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared or USB.

To enable a high degree of interoperability. Now there are 11 different frequency combinations used around the world. Also another SIM is given with name of USIM which supports all UMTS and GSM systems. In addition to user subscriber information and authentication information, the (U) SIM provides storage space for phone book contact.

Difference between UMTS and EDGE

The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) are competing mobile communication technologies. These are both third generation (3G) communication technologies with new features and capabilities that advance the options for cell phones, particularly those that use Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Generally, these systems differ mainly in speed and the way that users access the networks that transmit radio signals. The rapid evolution of UMTS has made it the more dominant of the two technologies.

Salient features of EDGE

1. The maximum data rate for EDGE is 236 kilobits per second (kbps).
2. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a recent enhancement to EDGE that expands its capability for handling multimedia at higher speeds.
3. EDGE networks are capable of decent speeds for text and graphics.
4. EDGE uses the normal GSM frequencies.

Salient features of UMTS

1. It has maximum data transmission rates that top 3.6 megabits per second.
2. UMTS networks use High Speed Packet Access at transmission rates that support large file transfers and mobile data-intensive Internet activities like video and music streaming.
3. UMTS use 5 MHz bands. The majority of UMTS carriers operate on the 1700 and 2100 MHz radio frequencies
4. UMTS handsets currently on the market are dual-band devices that can seamlessly switch to the GPRS system for data transmission from GSM.