Client-Server Model.
A Peer-to-Peer architecture does not impose an organizational structure on an application, nor does it dictate when or why peer applications interact. To aid in the development of distributed applications there is a need for an organizational model, one such model which is the prevalent organizational model for distributed applications, is the Client-Server paradigm
The Rendezvous Problem.
A main motivation for the Client-Server model arises from the rendezvous problem. The unresolved issue is how can two application entities organize their actions so that they initiate communication. To clarify this consider a human attempting to start two programs on separate machines and have them communicate. By the time s/he attempts to start the second program, the first would have already attempted a few times to contact the other, and having found that it is not there it would have given up. The client-server model addresses this issue in that it asserts that in any pair of communicating processes, one, the server, must start execution first and wait indefinitely for the other, the client, to contact it.
Client and Server Analysis (Posla93).
A client is characterized by the fact that:
a client is started after a server.
a client starts the communication dialogue.
a client makes requests to a server.
a client never makes requests to other clients.
a client never carries out requests.
Whereas a server is characterized by the following:
a server must start before a client.
a server waits for requests (from client).
a server carries out request (for client).
a server reports results of request to client.
a server never makes requests of clients.
a server may make requests from other servers (delegation).
The design and implementation of a client is usually simpler to that of a server. Often a client is a normal user program that acts as a go-between the user and the server. It interacts with the user to get his/her requests sends these to the server, gets their reply from the server and displays these. The server on the other hand, requires to be constantly resident, has to do the bulk of the processing, as it has to carry out the user's requests, and do this in an efficient manner.
Due to their complexity servers can be classified according to various characteristics, three of which are:
state: stateless and stateful
concurrency: iterative and concurrent
network service: connection and connectionless
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
WHAT MOBILE SERVICES WILL THE AVERAGE LONDONER BE USING IN 10 YEARS TIME?
WHAT MOBILE SERVICES WILL THE AVERAGE LONDONER BE USING IN 10 YEARS TIME?
SECTION 1
1.1 MOBILE TELEVISION AND MOBILE SHOPPING
Mobile services which the average Londoner will be using in five to ten years time will be investigated. The interested areas will be mobile television services such as the slinbox technology by slingmedia, bskyb’s mobile service through the leading UK networks and other companies looking to break into the market. Availability and effectiveness of the services in terms of cost and maintenance will also be looked into. Most importantly the future services such as “NFC” based systems the revolutionary mobile shopping services which will be introduced in the near future will be a key focus point.
1.2 MOBILE TELEVISION SERVICES
The majority of mobile phone users these days have internet connection Bluetooth connectivity and cameras on their mobile phones not only to take pictures but also to record videos. They can also watch videos downloaded from other sources onto their handsets. Reports suggest the number of mobile phone users have increased since 2005 with an increase in the number of downloads on mobile phones. As a result this has encouraged service providers and technological companies to try and profit by introducing the ability to access television whilst on the move [1].
1.2.1 WHAT IS SLINGBOX AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
Slingbox is a technological device by Slingmedia that lets you access your home components such as DVD/DVR players, TV, and stereo players with all of its programming tools on your peripherals such as Windows Mobile devices, Palm OS or Symbian cell phones, PDAs and laptops inside or outside of the average Londoners home. This means you’ll have “out-of-this-world mobility - or perhaps it should be said all-around-the-world mobility” [2].
Slingmedia has introduced different types and versions of the slingbox device they range from the slinbox AV, slingbox Solo to the slingbox Pro. These devices in the next five to ten years have the capability to become the ‘norm’ or standard gadgets in the homes of the average Londoner because of its usefulness, cost and relativity to other products which most people are now filling their homes up with like the sky boxes, flat screen TV’s, PC’s and wireless routers.[2]
Slingboxes are at the moment quite expensive compared to your average DVD, stereo players, sky and cable boxes, they start from £99.99 for the AV while the SOLO will cost you £129.99 the PRO cost a staggering £134.34, due to its prices and lack of publicity the slingbox is at the moment quite unheard off compared to products like wireless routers and the Iphone.[1] This will surely change in a few years for variously reasons, for starters it is a revolutionary product, competition is growing and major companies and organisations are starting to join alliance and backing the product such as The carphonewarehouse who are Britain’s biggest mobile phone retailer.
1.2.2 SLINGBOX TECHNOLOGY
SlingStream™ is the technology within the Slingbox that dynamically adjusts video quality to provide the best possible viewing experience for the user. It functions by taking into account a variety of factors, including network bandwidth, SlingPlayer device characteristics (slingplayer is the programme which users install on to their devices in order to use the slingbox technology), video content, and the type of video input being used. SlingStream automatically adjusts compression level, video bit rate, and frame rate using patent pending algorithms and other settings to create a continuous quality video streaming experience. Also SlingStream works regardless of the connection type, whether it's LAN, Internet, or even wireless from your mobile phone. [2]
1.2.3 WHAT TO EXPECT
In terms of future products and development – Slingmedia has announced 2 products for the future which are very exciting, the SlingCatcher and the Clip+Sling. “Clip+Sling is a fantastic device which dramatically changes the way consumers socialize around TV by enabling users to clip and share limited segments of their favourite television programming”. The idea of being able to clip or save a particular part in television programmes like “Eastenders” and for sports lovers “Match of the day” then share it with a friend straight from your TV will be fun and useful for many Londoners.[3]
1.2.4 COMPETITION
Competition from other companies or though small at the moment is good and will encourage more Londoners to use mobile television devices like a slingbox because it will spur companies like slingmedia on to innovate and develop better, advance, cheaper and easy to use products in the future. The introduction of Sony’s “LocationFree” device which allows users to watch their television from anywhere anytime is evidence. EchoStar’s recent announcement in agreement to acquire slingmedia is also evidence of what can happen as a result of competition introduced in a small but growing technological market. It’s worth bearing in mind that EchoStar Communications a huge multi million US Corporation, specialised in “DISH Network” is the third largest pay-TV provider in the United states” [4].
For them to get involve with slingmedia’s slingbox revolution signifies the immense value and potential in the mobile television industry. In a press interview earlier this year Charlie Ergen, CEO and co-founder of EchoStar expressed, “With today’s increasingly mobile lifestyle, EchoStar’s acquisition of Sling Media will allow us to offer innovative and convenient ways for our customers to enjoy their programming on more displays and locations, including TVs, computers and mobile phones, both inside and outside of the home. This combination paves the way for the development of a host of new innovative products and services for our subscribers, new digital media consumers and strategic partners.”[4]
1.2.5 TV VIA NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDERS
As the mobile television revolution increases competition also increases as we’ve just seen. Here in the UK numerous companies and organizations are starting to offer mobile television services to customers. BSkyB introduced a similar service in 2006 to their customers, where people were able to record television programs from wherever they are through their mobile phones or laptops this service is currently still running. This year they have joined forces with three network service providers in the UK to provide real time television programs to customers on their mobile phones. [5]
1.2.6 WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
So far as the customer is with T-mobile, Vodafone or Orange and has a 3G technology handset they will be able to have this service from Sky. There are two ways to access the Mobile TV on your phone either directly through sky or through the network service providers, Sky has 3 packages which consist of entertainment pack, news and sports pack or music pack all of which can be subscribe at a fee of £5 a month per pack. The network service providers give some variety channels for a fee of £3 a month or £1 for twenty-four hours; however some customers could find themselves opting for a non subscription fee type of service, such as a one off payment or just accessing streaming online. [6]
1.3 MOBILE SHOPPING
When it comes to shopping there are few places across the globe where glamour, style and fashion are highly sought after than on the high streets of London. But these days thanks to the influx of advance mobile phones and high-tech internet technologies more and more people in London and across the world are shopping online, either paying to download a favourite ring tone on your mobile or paying for a music cd or video on sites like “play.com” and “hmv.co.uk”. This phenomenon has introduced numerous mobile payment mechanisms in the last year or so here is a few.
1.3.1 WHAT IS NCF AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
NCF (Near Field Communications) based system is a fantastic new mobile payment mechanism which lets users use their mobile phones to pay for anything that they will normally pay for on a day to day basis. Items like travel or oyster cards, motor fuels, groceries from supermarkets and phone top-up cards can all be paid for on the move with your mobile phone.
Experts have already predicted this form of mobile shopping to be the way for the future, the reason for this is not just its ease to use but also the backing it has received from all major mobile network service providers in the UK and around the world. [7]
1.3.2 THE TECHNOLOGY
The idea behind this mobile service is to replace or incorporate with cash and plastic card payment methods. NFC works through a short range wireless connection between an embedded chip place in users’ mobile phone, and a reader based at retailers till, filling station or at a ticket booth. It is also connected to the users debit and credit account details, which means they are billed from their bank account for spending not from their phone contract which some Londoners will find very useful because of high bills already in place. The majority of the Uks high street banks and all 5 of the mobile network service providers have teamed up for this technology and are backing it to be successful. It’s worth bearing in mind that NCF is one of three different types of mobile payment mechanism competing to be the best technology for mobile shopping [7].
1.3.3 COMPETITION
The other mobile payment mechanisms available at the moment offer similar type of services but quite different, the first is a replicate of desktop ewallet services such as paypal called “payforit” it works as a mobile internet portal through your phone. “Payforit” is widely supported by all the major UK networks, T-mobile, Vodafone, O2, Orange and 3 are all involved with this particular scheme. Users can pay for an item on the internet on their handsets by selecting payforit as the payment method. Its usefulness comes in situations where access to funds might not be available to a user for small or large purchases, but with payforit the user can still make the purchase and get billed for the item through his or her mobile phone contract bill each month.
The second is “2shop4” SMS purchases through short-code based mobile internet. This type of payment service is widely used worldwide and also here in the UK at the moment through ring tones and themes purchases for mobiles; it looks set to be around for a few more years because of its ease to use. The long term success of services such as payforit is very oblique purely because the mobile internet is seen as for entertainment and not an environment of world economy [7].
Here in London the most likely mobile shopping service to be used by the majority of residents in the five to ten years time looks to be the NFC payment mechanism because it is already in use in Asia and reports suggest its success is very high and various organisations are starting to conduct trials of the system with the general public in London. In the last week of November 2007 a report in the free newspaper “METRO” revealed that 500 selected O2 customers was to trial out a new system for using mobile phones in place of Oyster cards on public transport for 6 months [8].
SECTION 2
2.1 MOBILE BROADBAND
Mobile broadband; in my view is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the 21st century. Working or in other words browsing on the move is easier than you might think, with this new invention. If you want to enjoy fast download speeds wherever you are, mobile broadband is the solution. It has a fantastic coverage at home and abroad. Mobile broadband can support speeds of up to 12Mbps, which is much better than an average broadband connection at our homes. [9]
The technology behind this new service is the “High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)” system. My colleague explained it in detail under the “Wireless” section. Basically, HSDPA is a 3G (third generation) mobile telephony communications protocol. Introduced to the UK about a year ago and about 60% of the mobiles (almost all the new handsets) are capable of using it. [9]
In the UK there are a few mobile broadband providers and the cost if this service varies from one provider to another. There are two main devices that you will need to use this service and they are;
Usb modem Express card
[10] [12]
Then you need to sign-up or get a contract from a service provider such as Vodafone or T-mobile, it’s basically like getting a phone contract; and after that you are ready to go, just like that. It is not complicated as a lot of people think. There are price plans starting from £9 and goes up to £35 per month.[10][12]
2.2 VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VoIP)
VoIP is another revolutionary technology that has captured the telecommunication market at the present time. It is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other internet protocol-based network. [8] Basically if you have a descent internet connection (at least 512kbps); you can call/connect to another PC/phone via the internet, provided that you have the relevant software.
There are so many software in the current market;” Skype” is the leading provider (software) of this service. Two main features that they provide are making a call from a PC to another PC and from a PC to a phone. Making calls to a phone can actually cost you a bit, depending on the particular provider but the PC to PC service is absolutely free. VoIP has developed over time so much that it is as good as an average phone. VoIP is quite like using a mobile phone as long as you have internet, and currently with the development of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) hotspots/areas/zones, you can actually buy a VoIP handset and use it on the move. There is a big demand for these handsets and they cost a lot cheaper than a mobile phone plus you can make free calls to anywhere in the world.
Figure
2.1 [ 5]
2.3 DEVICES AND SERVICE AVAILABLE NOW
This is the newest skype phone produced by Belkin and it has more features than the one before and it shows how quickly these products develop and in the future they will look smart and sleek as the current standard mobile phones available in the market. Few features are list below;
2.3.1 BELKIN SKYPE PHONE
• Skype certified to work just like your existing Skype account.
• Connects to any secured or open access
WiFi network that does not require browser- based authentication.
• Exceptional voice quality.
• WEP, WPA and WPA2 with PSK support. [14]
2.3.2 BT FUSION
British telecommunications have taken the initiative to prepare for the future and recently they launched “BT Fusion”, meaning providing their customers with VoIP calls and Wi-Fi together in one package. There is also the standard free bundle of miniutes and texts. Also gives a free Wi-Fi enabled handset. But can only use the service if you’re in range of your BT home Hub or one of the BT Openzone hotspots (Wi-Fi service area). [15]
[15]
2.4 IMPROVEMENT OF THIS SERVICE IN THE FUTURE
Currently in the UK, average broadband speed is around 2Mbps and in about another 10years time this will surely grow. With the development of Wi-Fi and the concept of Wimax (4G) around there could be alot of changes. Services such as “web&walk” (HSDPA service), you will be able make unlimited VoIP calls for free via your standard mobile. Currently I can use “Skype” to call my friends through my Pocket PC( PDA with Internet) using the “Skype” software. This software is available free and it is totally free because I already got mobile broadband on my phone. But unfortunately due usage policy I cannot use it a lot.
The figure shown below is a map of the London city showing clearly the areas covered by Wifi and was launched sometime back in April this year. So I believe the entire city will be covered in the near future. Meaning every Londoner will get a chance to use VoIP calling. Just imagine the development of this new technology in another 10 years down the line. Such a development might be a big treat to the standard mobile telephone network providers such as Vodafone, T-mobile, O2 etc. Infact Londoners might prefer to use the free VoIP service over the costly monthly contracts. But it is quite hard to predict anything regarding technology. [11][13][14][15]
Even though VoIP calling sounds great, there are many disadvantages such as security, health issues and many other facts. Belkin is the leading Wifi handset manufactures in world and they will do all the research in order to implement a better VoIP service. [11][12][13]
[11]
SECTION 3
3.1 WIMAX, WIFI AND HSPA
WiMAX stands for interoperability for microwave access [16]. WiMAX and Wi-Fi (wireless-fidelity) define and create the next generation of communications. The recent case studies on WiMAX have brought forth a massive turning point in wireless communications. After considerations had been made by the Wireless gurus, it nearly took a decade to meet the right speculation and its right solution to provide customers a perfect wireless backbone service. The first step achieved was the successful implementation of the IEEE802.11b WLAN (wireless local area network) standard, also known as Wi-Fi [18]. This implementation had a massive impact on economic feasibility mainly in places such as Starbucks cafés, McDonald’s, shopping complexes, beach resorts, hotels, community halls and convention centers. Even though WLAN was compressed within a small limited area, users/customers have now broadened their expectations to access wireless network services in a large-scale area. This has led the wireless research team in producing an innovative idea with a greater solution for providing wireless coverage and access in a large scale. The moderate version of wireless invention became WiMAX and the technologies of WiMAX and WMAN (wireless metropolitan area network) are designed to cover a larger area [18]. Britain is one of the 165 countries that is included in the database after the official launch of the WiMAX Spectrum and Regulatory database, in November 2006 to implement the new innovative creation of wireless communication service [17].
3.2 CURRENT STAGE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Until WiMAX’s emergence in real-time communication systems, current wireless services such as IEEE802.11a (WLAN) and IEEE802.11b (GPS) will continue to play their major role in other applications apart from communications. One such aspect is the in-car wireless communication, in automotive technology, where a Complex RF filter design is used with RF antennas that utilise WLAN’s 802.11a’s 4.9-5.9GHz, 802.11b’s 2.4-2.48GHz for operation of GSM and GPS [19]. Another swift example is the OTS WLAN solution where nearly 90% of the security door application uses the PIC controller equipped with 802.11b wireless protocol [20].
WiMAX has taken its first step into the community but due to many broadband wireless failures in the past it is not completely trust worthy to implement immediately to the public/city. Even though WiMAX was given its certificate, it is ‘still treated with caution’ [21]. Currently, BT and UK broadband, Spain - Iberbanda, Mexico - MVS, Brazil - Neotec, India Infocomm have taken WiMAX installations and trials in their suburban areas as they had planned since 2005. Pakistan is the first country to implement the wireless backbone nation wide as a trial. Even without caution, the results were successful with the communication tool provided.
According to research of the AWTG, the Middle East will be one of the first places where WiMAX will be implemented-completely within the next 10-18 months. Users in the Middle East prefer 3G and wireless mobile services. In addition, Arab’s geography is sufficient to provide WiMAX to customers. According to statistical reports, BT and UK broadband is one of the largest telecommunications to take interest in WiMAX and is expected and also implemented with trials in rural areas [21].
3.3 FUTURE PROPOSALS
3.3.1 WIMAX EMERGENCE – THE COMPARISON BETWEEN WIMAX AND HSPA.
TECHNICAL ASPECT
WiMAX is designed to cover a large area, which will provide a massive bandwidth allocation than other wireless technologies such as 3G and Wi-Fi in a metropolitan area. More than 330 companies have welcomed the implementation of the technology [16].The fundamental concept of the WiMAX operation is based on its physical layer - orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) [16]. This design illustrates the importance of the data efficiency over a massive spectrum. This system splits the large transmission radio channels into smaller signals and then transmits the different frequencies at the same time. According to the research of Johnston and Aghvami, OFDM system squeezes 72Mbit/s data rate out of 20MHz of channel spectrum. Another advantage of this system is that it uses a massive spectrum which will overlap with a number of channels in its multi-path. This will prevent the fading effect caused by buildings and trees, as we experience with the present wireless system within a metropolitan area.
As OFDM is already in use via the advanced Wi-Fi systems (IEEE802.11a-g), we can predict that OFDM technology will dominate the entire wireless technology [16]. A normal antenna can only adjust and tilt power but not the beam whereas the OFDM technology in WiMAX uses smart antenna with multiple transmit elements with GSM technology [16]. According to research, with this characteristic more power can be received without multi-path effect. On consideration of these benefits, many companies such as the UK-based Arraycom and BT are in the process of developing smart antennas. As a result, the implementation and its design have led to 50kms of coverage at 70Mbit/s [16]. The 50 km coverage is well suited for a city such as London. The 70Mbit/s rate and its trial have made WiMAX a highly successful service which is now termed WiBRO. It is designed to cover an entire city/capital with reduced numbers of base stations [16].
3.4 MARKET RESEARCH
Another, major step forward for the mobile users is that the two giants of mobile services are now creating a new connection. Nokia and Intel are taking their first step into the forthcoming mobile internet axis with high-speed data rate [21]. Initially, it was a major risk for both industries to join hands and create a new mobile internet service to include both broadband wireless and the ordinary mobile service. Nokia is now using the Intel’s baxter chipset in its first internet tablets, the first handset with WiMAX built in, which is expected to be shipped in mid 2008 [21].
The main importance of Intel-Nokia collaboration is to understand the importance of their market and to create a milestone ahead of any other mobile services’ imagination. Nokia has its own charter in creating the user-friendly mobile phone and its mobile-quality over the past 15 years. Intel has been focusing on producing chipsets for PCs (fixed) in many aspects, but now Intel is focusing on building chipsets which can support both fixed and mobile standards [21,22]. The next generation centrino duo will provide Wi-Fi and WiMAX for all notebooks and PCs [18]
The market strategy and technologies of all mobile services have now turned their heads towards WiMAX. While Nokia plays its own role, Sony Ericsson plans to stick with its own pride, HSPA. The Ericsson Company has given potential to its own service with UMTS/HSPA, as wireless watch commented. Ericsson is now preparing to focus on a new technology called LTE (long-term evolution), which is quite similar to WiMAX. The company itself disagrees with WiMAX, as they believe that WiMAX will not be able to provide the 3G qualities that are even present in current video calling options. In a broader point of view, VOIP (voice over internet protocol) is still hidden amongst WiMAX services. Another great step ahead is that while Siemens mobile had signed the contract with Intel, Motorola & Nortel were willing to adopt the 802.16e IP technology in their products to come [18, 21]. According to market research, WiMAX forum says, ‘The answer will partly depend on whether other important vendors and operators take their cue from Ericsson.’ Many mobile and PC companies are welcoming the new era in communication via their own research of public needs for communication/information and a very few companies (Ericsson, Qualcomm) risk their market by still under-estimating the WiMAX technology and sticking to their own ‘centric’ technology [21, 22].
The major conflict with Europe and mainly Britain is that the frequency/bandwidth allocation is not made possible easily due to the overcrowding spectrum. Many communication-companies are forcing the FCC (federal communication group) to allow the bandwidth to be used as the agreement is not too far from reach. Another advantage of WiMAX is that it can be used temporarily in sites such as tour de France, the Olympics and construction sites (London 2012).This is a major turning point in the British telecommunication era [16]. WiMAX offers video surveillance cameras with broadband to control vehicles in a busy capital like London to make accurate judgments in real time. An average Londoner would require a traditional cellular (voice call), a faster access to the internet and a navigation system to travel places safely in real time. All these general requirements are being satisfied by the WiMAX technology. From these technical and market researches, it is quite obvious that WiMAX and its counter part HSPA are the new mobile services of the near future, where public will be able to use both IP (internet protocol) and traditional cellular.
SECTION 4
4.1 SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEM
I will be focusing on what services satellite navigation systems will bring in the near future to Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices such as Handheld PC’s, PDA’s and mobile phones.It is estimated that the total number of GPS enabled devices will double in 2007 than that of 12 million which were sold in 2006 according to a research firm Canalys. “With the most likely consumers the Europeans, wanting to know exactly where they are at anytime.” [23]
“According to the mobile industry, 2007 is the year when GPS will finally lock on to phones across Europe” and Marcus Dacombe, head of product marketing at handset manufacturer Nokia stated that it is also the year when “GPS will come to the masses.” Mobile phone users will be able to take advantage of a range of new services, from finding the nearest ATM machine to systems that alerts the user how far a bus is and its estimated arrival time.” Developments in chip design and the increased processing power of mobile phones will mean that GPS can now more easily be incorporated into a handset.” [23]
4.1.1 ASSISTED-GPS
A new technology called assisted-GPS (AGPS) has been introduced to enhance the performance of current GPS devices. This technology takes advantage of the current network, used by mobile phones, to speed up the process of finding a location, within an accuracy of a few centimetres, even when indoors. The technology has allowed multitudes of location based services to be implemented in US as well as Japan and is now destined for Europe. The services include "buddy finders" that alert you when a friend is nearby, how long you have to wait for the next bus and how far is it from the bus stop to allowing you to track other people through their mobile phones.However the accuracy of current GPS signals is not good enough for some services to work well in certain areas. "It still requires a bit of faith particularly in urban settings,"[24]
The solution to this problem led to the development of European version of the GPS otherwise known as Galileo, which will consist of 30 orbiting satellites that will provide precise timing and location information to users. The development of European GPS will bring further hosts of services in the near future. [24]
4.2 MORE GPS ENABLED NOKIA HANDSETS
As Nokia purchases route-mapping firm Navteq which provides digital maps for GPS devices, it will likely to mean more GPS-equipped Nokia handsets in the near future. The two firms coming together would create a “leading global player in the fast growing location based services market.”[25]
Nokia has already made plans to introduce Assisted GPS functionality on all its N series phones and has said that “the A-GPS service can reduce the time a connected mobile device with built-in GPS needs to find its current position. The reduction in time can enhance usability for all Nokia location based experiences.”[25]
SECTION 5
INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE PHONES
In this section of the report the following will be discussed, the introduction to mobile phones and the main services that a mobile phone provides, the history of mobile phones, as well as what is on the market now, and the future of mobile phones.
WHAT IS A MOBILE PHONE?
Mobile phones are also known as a cell phone, it is an electronic device which is used for communication, and how the communication is achieved is by having a mobile device which communicates to a specialized network base station. The main type of communication that mobile phone was designed for is voice communication and as mobile phones have developed, the increase of services was crucial were by services such as SMS, MMS and lately the VoIP. [1]
WHAT IS SMS
SMS stands for Short Message Service and it is also called text messaging this is basically send a short text of up to 160 characters from a mobile phone to another. This service was part of the GSM series of standerds which was introduced in 1985. Since then, support for this service has increased to include alternative mobile standards and also landline but as is well known most usage of SMS is from a mobile to another mobile this has been the case for the last decade or more since SMS was introduced. [17]
WHAT IS MMS
MMS stands for multimedia messaging service it is basically a service which is built on the SMS the main difference between them is that MMS allows sending messages that include multimedia e.g. images, audio video. Other services that also use MMS would be mobile instant messaging and mobile E-mails. [3]
THE HISTORY OF A MOBILE PHONE
In 1945 the zero generation of mobile telephones was introduced and they were not officially categorized as mobile phones, because they did not support the automatic change of channel frequency during calls, which allows the users to move from one cell to another cell (a feature called "handover" area) which meant that the user needed to be stable i.e. not move when talking on the phone due to that reason they were not called a mobile the usual name for this device was 0G telephones. [1]
In 1984, bell labs invented a feature called "call handoff" which allowed mobile phone users to travel through several cells during the same conversation and it has been considered widely that Motorola is the inventor of the first practical mobile phone for handheld use in a non- vehicle setting. So therefore this was the first generation of mobile phones it was introduced in 1980’s. [1]
Until the early 1990s, most mobile phones were too large to be carried in a jacket pocket, so they were typically installed in vehicles as car phones. With the miniaturization of digital components, mobile phones have become increasingly handy over the years. And over the years mobile phones are becoming smaller and this is due to integrated circuitry. [1]
The most current service would be the TV and video service which are pushing the third generation to the future to a low cost and high speed data transfer and by saying this consideration of 4G should be thought about were by 4G allows a short range of communication as well as application ubiquity, with a high degree of personalization and synchronization between various user appliances, will be another driver. [1]
CURRENT MOBILE PHONE OR DEVICES ON THE MARKET
Nokia N810
announced 17-Oct-07 [5]
What makes this the most current mobile device at the moment it is the features that this phone has which is the Voice-over-IP (VoIP) Internet and video calling it also has the feature of having a keyboard and a touch screen apart from that it will allow the user to be connected to internet while the user is on the move using WLAN and also has GPS receiver which allows the use of navigation system and it all most all the normal features that a current mobile phone has e.g. camera, a music player and stereo speaker built in. [5]
Technical specification of the phones above
The most up to date mobile Device:
•
Nokia N810 Technical Specs
Operating System:
Internet Tablet OS 2008 Edition
Developer Platform:
Maemo
Regional Availability:
Americas
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Middle East
Display:
Resolution: 800 x 480
Color Depth: 16 bit
Memory:
Max User Storage: 2 GB
NAND Memory: 256 MB
SDRAM Memory: 128 MB
Memory Card: Mini SD
Max Memory Card Size: 8 GB
Memory Card Feature: Voltage: 1.8V, 3V, Hot Swap
Local Connectivity:
Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR
Micro USB
Mini Stereo Plug 3.5mm
Nokia microUSB Cable CA-101
UPnP
USB OTG
WLAN Support:
802.11b/g
WEP
WPA
WPA2 (AES/TKIP)
VoIP:
VoIP Video Call
Bluetooth Profiles:
DUN, FTP, GAP, HID, HSP, OPP, SAP, SPP
Browser:
Mozilla Based
Messaging:
IM
Email Protocol:
IMAP4
POP3
SMTP
Camera:
Video Resolution: 352 x 288
Video Format: H.263, MPEG-4
Video Features:
Video Call
Video Player
Video Sharing
Video Streaming
Video Formats:
3GPP formats (H.263)
H.264/AVC
MPEG-4
RealVideo 7,8,9/10
WMV
Audio Features:
Audio Streaming
Music Player
Stereo
Audio Formats:
AAC, MP3, M4A, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, RealAudio 7,8,10, WAV
Document Formats:
PDF, Zip
Graphics Formats:
BMP, GIF87a, GIF89a, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WBMP
Extra Features:
Flash 9
GPS
Internet Radio
VoIP
Keypad Description:
5-way Scrolling
Backlit Touch Screen LCD & HWR
On-screen Touch QWERTY Keyboard
Slide-out QWERTY Key Mat
Power Management:
2.0mm Charger Connector
Battery Capacity:
BP-4L 3.7V 1500 mAh
Talk Time (estimated):
VoIP: up to 4 hours
Standby Time (estimated):
Up to 12.0 days
Size:
128 x 72 x 14 mm
Weight:
225 g
This on wards I have not changed yet or modified but apart from that every think els is ok
REFERENCES
[1] Survey by KPMG Communications,
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2c93a0b2-b786-11da-b4c2-0000779e2340.html, article on technology
[2] http://slingmedia.com article on slingbox products, Sunday 02/12/07
[3] http://slingmedia.com/get/pr-echostar-slingmedia.html article on Ecostar announces agreement, Sunday 02/12/2008
[5] http://mysky.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/skyproducts/remoterecord
Sky products, article on remote record. Thursday 06/12/2008.
[6] http://www1.sky.com/mobiletv/
Sky products, article on sky mobile TV. Thursday 06/12/2008.
[7] http://inbabble.com/2007/09/07/opinion-payforit-may-be-a-less-attractive-proposition-than-it-sounds/ article on “payforit” Sunday 08/12/07
[8] http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html article on “Mobile phones to pay for travel”, Wednesday 28th November 2007.
[9] http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=47428&in_page_id=34, accessed on the 5th of November 2007, Article released date Tuesday, May 1, 2007, Topic: “City in Bloom”
[10] http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/internet/pay- monthly/?ref=newhome_dataplans_link , Accessed: 30th October 2007, T-mobile web site; Topic: “Broadband on the move”
[11] http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23392339-details/Wireless+internet+zone+to+cover+City+of+London/article.do , Article from the “Evening Standard”, released date: Sunday 09.12.07,Accessed on 13th November 2007: Topic: “Wireless internet zone to cover City of London”
[12]http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=templateBlank&pageID=MI_0001, website of Vodafone; accessed on the 15th of November 2007, Topic: “Mobile Internet”.
[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol; accessed on the 24/10/2007
[14] http://www.belkin.com/skype/howitworks/ ; website of “Belkin”; accessed on the 17th of November 2007, Topic: “WiFi Phone”.
[15]http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-BT-FUSION-R1&s_cid=FURL-personal/fusion&com.bea.event.type=linkclick&oLName=link.searchresults&oLDesc=personalfusion: ; website of “BT”; accessed on the 27th of November 2007, Topic: “BT Fusion”.
[16]Johnston N. and Aghvami H., 2007. Comparing WiMAX and HSPA – a guide to thetechnology. BT Technology Journal 25 (2), 191-199.
[17]www.wimaxforum.org//2007
[18]Dhama Prakash Agrawal; Qing-An Zeng, “introduction to Wireless and mobile Systems”- second edition, chapter 14 ( pp358-398)
[19] Electronics World; Volume 112, ( issue 1848), December 2006
[20] Electronics World; Volume 112, ( issue 1691), June 2006
[21]http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/01/27/wimax_approaches_tipping_point/ : accessed on 23rd November 2007.
[22] in class presentation 30th October 2006, “Wimax and WiFi”- AWTG Group:
[23] Jonathan Raper, (2007), Imaginative solutions, [online], Available from: [Accessed 22nd October 2007].
[24] A, Lagerkvist, (2007), Nokia to buy Navteq, [online]. Available from: [Accessed 13th November 2007].
[25]A, Lagerkvist, (2007), Nokia helps you find yourself, [online], Available from: [Accessed 13th November 2007].
Author : CHALIN & Co aka friends
SECTION 1
1.1 MOBILE TELEVISION AND MOBILE SHOPPING
Mobile services which the average Londoner will be using in five to ten years time will be investigated. The interested areas will be mobile television services such as the slinbox technology by slingmedia, bskyb’s mobile service through the leading UK networks and other companies looking to break into the market. Availability and effectiveness of the services in terms of cost and maintenance will also be looked into. Most importantly the future services such as “NFC” based systems the revolutionary mobile shopping services which will be introduced in the near future will be a key focus point.
1.2 MOBILE TELEVISION SERVICES
The majority of mobile phone users these days have internet connection Bluetooth connectivity and cameras on their mobile phones not only to take pictures but also to record videos. They can also watch videos downloaded from other sources onto their handsets. Reports suggest the number of mobile phone users have increased since 2005 with an increase in the number of downloads on mobile phones. As a result this has encouraged service providers and technological companies to try and profit by introducing the ability to access television whilst on the move [1].
1.2.1 WHAT IS SLINGBOX AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
Slingbox is a technological device by Slingmedia that lets you access your home components such as DVD/DVR players, TV, and stereo players with all of its programming tools on your peripherals such as Windows Mobile devices, Palm OS or Symbian cell phones, PDAs and laptops inside or outside of the average Londoners home. This means you’ll have “out-of-this-world mobility - or perhaps it should be said all-around-the-world mobility” [2].
Slingmedia has introduced different types and versions of the slingbox device they range from the slinbox AV, slingbox Solo to the slingbox Pro. These devices in the next five to ten years have the capability to become the ‘norm’ or standard gadgets in the homes of the average Londoner because of its usefulness, cost and relativity to other products which most people are now filling their homes up with like the sky boxes, flat screen TV’s, PC’s and wireless routers.[2]
Slingboxes are at the moment quite expensive compared to your average DVD, stereo players, sky and cable boxes, they start from £99.99 for the AV while the SOLO will cost you £129.99 the PRO cost a staggering £134.34, due to its prices and lack of publicity the slingbox is at the moment quite unheard off compared to products like wireless routers and the Iphone.[1] This will surely change in a few years for variously reasons, for starters it is a revolutionary product, competition is growing and major companies and organisations are starting to join alliance and backing the product such as The carphonewarehouse who are Britain’s biggest mobile phone retailer.
1.2.2 SLINGBOX TECHNOLOGY
SlingStream™ is the technology within the Slingbox that dynamically adjusts video quality to provide the best possible viewing experience for the user. It functions by taking into account a variety of factors, including network bandwidth, SlingPlayer device characteristics (slingplayer is the programme which users install on to their devices in order to use the slingbox technology), video content, and the type of video input being used. SlingStream automatically adjusts compression level, video bit rate, and frame rate using patent pending algorithms and other settings to create a continuous quality video streaming experience. Also SlingStream works regardless of the connection type, whether it's LAN, Internet, or even wireless from your mobile phone. [2]
1.2.3 WHAT TO EXPECT
In terms of future products and development – Slingmedia has announced 2 products for the future which are very exciting, the SlingCatcher and the Clip+Sling. “Clip+Sling is a fantastic device which dramatically changes the way consumers socialize around TV by enabling users to clip and share limited segments of their favourite television programming”. The idea of being able to clip or save a particular part in television programmes like “Eastenders” and for sports lovers “Match of the day” then share it with a friend straight from your TV will be fun and useful for many Londoners.[3]
1.2.4 COMPETITION
Competition from other companies or though small at the moment is good and will encourage more Londoners to use mobile television devices like a slingbox because it will spur companies like slingmedia on to innovate and develop better, advance, cheaper and easy to use products in the future. The introduction of Sony’s “LocationFree” device which allows users to watch their television from anywhere anytime is evidence. EchoStar’s recent announcement in agreement to acquire slingmedia is also evidence of what can happen as a result of competition introduced in a small but growing technological market. It’s worth bearing in mind that EchoStar Communications a huge multi million US Corporation, specialised in “DISH Network” is the third largest pay-TV provider in the United states” [4].
For them to get involve with slingmedia’s slingbox revolution signifies the immense value and potential in the mobile television industry. In a press interview earlier this year Charlie Ergen, CEO and co-founder of EchoStar expressed, “With today’s increasingly mobile lifestyle, EchoStar’s acquisition of Sling Media will allow us to offer innovative and convenient ways for our customers to enjoy their programming on more displays and locations, including TVs, computers and mobile phones, both inside and outside of the home. This combination paves the way for the development of a host of new innovative products and services for our subscribers, new digital media consumers and strategic partners.”[4]
1.2.5 TV VIA NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDERS
As the mobile television revolution increases competition also increases as we’ve just seen. Here in the UK numerous companies and organizations are starting to offer mobile television services to customers. BSkyB introduced a similar service in 2006 to their customers, where people were able to record television programs from wherever they are through their mobile phones or laptops this service is currently still running. This year they have joined forces with three network service providers in the UK to provide real time television programs to customers on their mobile phones. [5]
1.2.6 WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
So far as the customer is with T-mobile, Vodafone or Orange and has a 3G technology handset they will be able to have this service from Sky. There are two ways to access the Mobile TV on your phone either directly through sky or through the network service providers, Sky has 3 packages which consist of entertainment pack, news and sports pack or music pack all of which can be subscribe at a fee of £5 a month per pack. The network service providers give some variety channels for a fee of £3 a month or £1 for twenty-four hours; however some customers could find themselves opting for a non subscription fee type of service, such as a one off payment or just accessing streaming online. [6]
1.3 MOBILE SHOPPING
When it comes to shopping there are few places across the globe where glamour, style and fashion are highly sought after than on the high streets of London. But these days thanks to the influx of advance mobile phones and high-tech internet technologies more and more people in London and across the world are shopping online, either paying to download a favourite ring tone on your mobile or paying for a music cd or video on sites like “play.com” and “hmv.co.uk”. This phenomenon has introduced numerous mobile payment mechanisms in the last year or so here is a few.
1.3.1 WHAT IS NCF AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
NCF (Near Field Communications) based system is a fantastic new mobile payment mechanism which lets users use their mobile phones to pay for anything that they will normally pay for on a day to day basis. Items like travel or oyster cards, motor fuels, groceries from supermarkets and phone top-up cards can all be paid for on the move with your mobile phone.
Experts have already predicted this form of mobile shopping to be the way for the future, the reason for this is not just its ease to use but also the backing it has received from all major mobile network service providers in the UK and around the world. [7]
1.3.2 THE TECHNOLOGY
The idea behind this mobile service is to replace or incorporate with cash and plastic card payment methods. NFC works through a short range wireless connection between an embedded chip place in users’ mobile phone, and a reader based at retailers till, filling station or at a ticket booth. It is also connected to the users debit and credit account details, which means they are billed from their bank account for spending not from their phone contract which some Londoners will find very useful because of high bills already in place. The majority of the Uks high street banks and all 5 of the mobile network service providers have teamed up for this technology and are backing it to be successful. It’s worth bearing in mind that NCF is one of three different types of mobile payment mechanism competing to be the best technology for mobile shopping [7].
1.3.3 COMPETITION
The other mobile payment mechanisms available at the moment offer similar type of services but quite different, the first is a replicate of desktop ewallet services such as paypal called “payforit” it works as a mobile internet portal through your phone. “Payforit” is widely supported by all the major UK networks, T-mobile, Vodafone, O2, Orange and 3 are all involved with this particular scheme. Users can pay for an item on the internet on their handsets by selecting payforit as the payment method. Its usefulness comes in situations where access to funds might not be available to a user for small or large purchases, but with payforit the user can still make the purchase and get billed for the item through his or her mobile phone contract bill each month.
The second is “2shop4” SMS purchases through short-code based mobile internet. This type of payment service is widely used worldwide and also here in the UK at the moment through ring tones and themes purchases for mobiles; it looks set to be around for a few more years because of its ease to use. The long term success of services such as payforit is very oblique purely because the mobile internet is seen as for entertainment and not an environment of world economy [7].
Here in London the most likely mobile shopping service to be used by the majority of residents in the five to ten years time looks to be the NFC payment mechanism because it is already in use in Asia and reports suggest its success is very high and various organisations are starting to conduct trials of the system with the general public in London. In the last week of November 2007 a report in the free newspaper “METRO” revealed that 500 selected O2 customers was to trial out a new system for using mobile phones in place of Oyster cards on public transport for 6 months [8].
SECTION 2
2.1 MOBILE BROADBAND
Mobile broadband; in my view is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the 21st century. Working or in other words browsing on the move is easier than you might think, with this new invention. If you want to enjoy fast download speeds wherever you are, mobile broadband is the solution. It has a fantastic coverage at home and abroad. Mobile broadband can support speeds of up to 12Mbps, which is much better than an average broadband connection at our homes. [9]
The technology behind this new service is the “High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)” system. My colleague explained it in detail under the “Wireless” section. Basically, HSDPA is a 3G (third generation) mobile telephony communications protocol. Introduced to the UK about a year ago and about 60% of the mobiles (almost all the new handsets) are capable of using it. [9]
In the UK there are a few mobile broadband providers and the cost if this service varies from one provider to another. There are two main devices that you will need to use this service and they are;
Usb modem Express card
[10] [12]
Then you need to sign-up or get a contract from a service provider such as Vodafone or T-mobile, it’s basically like getting a phone contract; and after that you are ready to go, just like that. It is not complicated as a lot of people think. There are price plans starting from £9 and goes up to £35 per month.[10][12]
2.2 VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VoIP)
VoIP is another revolutionary technology that has captured the telecommunication market at the present time. It is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other internet protocol-based network. [8] Basically if you have a descent internet connection (at least 512kbps); you can call/connect to another PC/phone via the internet, provided that you have the relevant software.
There are so many software in the current market;” Skype” is the leading provider (software) of this service. Two main features that they provide are making a call from a PC to another PC and from a PC to a phone. Making calls to a phone can actually cost you a bit, depending on the particular provider but the PC to PC service is absolutely free. VoIP has developed over time so much that it is as good as an average phone. VoIP is quite like using a mobile phone as long as you have internet, and currently with the development of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) hotspots/areas/zones, you can actually buy a VoIP handset and use it on the move. There is a big demand for these handsets and they cost a lot cheaper than a mobile phone plus you can make free calls to anywhere in the world.
Figure
2.1 [ 5]
2.3 DEVICES AND SERVICE AVAILABLE NOW
This is the newest skype phone produced by Belkin and it has more features than the one before and it shows how quickly these products develop and in the future they will look smart and sleek as the current standard mobile phones available in the market. Few features are list below;
2.3.1 BELKIN SKYPE PHONE
• Skype certified to work just like your existing Skype account.
• Connects to any secured or open access
WiFi network that does not require browser- based authentication.
• Exceptional voice quality.
• WEP, WPA and WPA2 with PSK support. [14]
2.3.2 BT FUSION
British telecommunications have taken the initiative to prepare for the future and recently they launched “BT Fusion”, meaning providing their customers with VoIP calls and Wi-Fi together in one package. There is also the standard free bundle of miniutes and texts. Also gives a free Wi-Fi enabled handset. But can only use the service if you’re in range of your BT home Hub or one of the BT Openzone hotspots (Wi-Fi service area). [15]
[15]
2.4 IMPROVEMENT OF THIS SERVICE IN THE FUTURE
Currently in the UK, average broadband speed is around 2Mbps and in about another 10years time this will surely grow. With the development of Wi-Fi and the concept of Wimax (4G) around there could be alot of changes. Services such as “web&walk” (HSDPA service), you will be able make unlimited VoIP calls for free via your standard mobile. Currently I can use “Skype” to call my friends through my Pocket PC( PDA with Internet) using the “Skype” software. This software is available free and it is totally free because I already got mobile broadband on my phone. But unfortunately due usage policy I cannot use it a lot.
The figure shown below is a map of the London city showing clearly the areas covered by Wifi and was launched sometime back in April this year. So I believe the entire city will be covered in the near future. Meaning every Londoner will get a chance to use VoIP calling. Just imagine the development of this new technology in another 10 years down the line. Such a development might be a big treat to the standard mobile telephone network providers such as Vodafone, T-mobile, O2 etc. Infact Londoners might prefer to use the free VoIP service over the costly monthly contracts. But it is quite hard to predict anything regarding technology. [11][13][14][15]
Even though VoIP calling sounds great, there are many disadvantages such as security, health issues and many other facts. Belkin is the leading Wifi handset manufactures in world and they will do all the research in order to implement a better VoIP service. [11][12][13]
[11]
SECTION 3
3.1 WIMAX, WIFI AND HSPA
WiMAX stands for interoperability for microwave access [16]. WiMAX and Wi-Fi (wireless-fidelity) define and create the next generation of communications. The recent case studies on WiMAX have brought forth a massive turning point in wireless communications. After considerations had been made by the Wireless gurus, it nearly took a decade to meet the right speculation and its right solution to provide customers a perfect wireless backbone service. The first step achieved was the successful implementation of the IEEE802.11b WLAN (wireless local area network) standard, also known as Wi-Fi [18]. This implementation had a massive impact on economic feasibility mainly in places such as Starbucks cafés, McDonald’s, shopping complexes, beach resorts, hotels, community halls and convention centers. Even though WLAN was compressed within a small limited area, users/customers have now broadened their expectations to access wireless network services in a large-scale area. This has led the wireless research team in producing an innovative idea with a greater solution for providing wireless coverage and access in a large scale. The moderate version of wireless invention became WiMAX and the technologies of WiMAX and WMAN (wireless metropolitan area network) are designed to cover a larger area [18]. Britain is one of the 165 countries that is included in the database after the official launch of the WiMAX Spectrum and Regulatory database, in November 2006 to implement the new innovative creation of wireless communication service [17].
3.2 CURRENT STAGE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Until WiMAX’s emergence in real-time communication systems, current wireless services such as IEEE802.11a (WLAN) and IEEE802.11b (GPS) will continue to play their major role in other applications apart from communications. One such aspect is the in-car wireless communication, in automotive technology, where a Complex RF filter design is used with RF antennas that utilise WLAN’s 802.11a’s 4.9-5.9GHz, 802.11b’s 2.4-2.48GHz for operation of GSM and GPS [19]. Another swift example is the OTS WLAN solution where nearly 90% of the security door application uses the PIC controller equipped with 802.11b wireless protocol [20].
WiMAX has taken its first step into the community but due to many broadband wireless failures in the past it is not completely trust worthy to implement immediately to the public/city. Even though WiMAX was given its certificate, it is ‘still treated with caution’ [21]. Currently, BT and UK broadband, Spain - Iberbanda, Mexico - MVS, Brazil - Neotec, India Infocomm have taken WiMAX installations and trials in their suburban areas as they had planned since 2005. Pakistan is the first country to implement the wireless backbone nation wide as a trial. Even without caution, the results were successful with the communication tool provided.
According to research of the AWTG, the Middle East will be one of the first places where WiMAX will be implemented-completely within the next 10-18 months. Users in the Middle East prefer 3G and wireless mobile services. In addition, Arab’s geography is sufficient to provide WiMAX to customers. According to statistical reports, BT and UK broadband is one of the largest telecommunications to take interest in WiMAX and is expected and also implemented with trials in rural areas [21].
3.3 FUTURE PROPOSALS
3.3.1 WIMAX EMERGENCE – THE COMPARISON BETWEEN WIMAX AND HSPA.
TECHNICAL ASPECT
WiMAX is designed to cover a large area, which will provide a massive bandwidth allocation than other wireless technologies such as 3G and Wi-Fi in a metropolitan area. More than 330 companies have welcomed the implementation of the technology [16].The fundamental concept of the WiMAX operation is based on its physical layer - orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) [16]. This design illustrates the importance of the data efficiency over a massive spectrum. This system splits the large transmission radio channels into smaller signals and then transmits the different frequencies at the same time. According to the research of Johnston and Aghvami, OFDM system squeezes 72Mbit/s data rate out of 20MHz of channel spectrum. Another advantage of this system is that it uses a massive spectrum which will overlap with a number of channels in its multi-path. This will prevent the fading effect caused by buildings and trees, as we experience with the present wireless system within a metropolitan area.
As OFDM is already in use via the advanced Wi-Fi systems (IEEE802.11a-g), we can predict that OFDM technology will dominate the entire wireless technology [16]. A normal antenna can only adjust and tilt power but not the beam whereas the OFDM technology in WiMAX uses smart antenna with multiple transmit elements with GSM technology [16]. According to research, with this characteristic more power can be received without multi-path effect. On consideration of these benefits, many companies such as the UK-based Arraycom and BT are in the process of developing smart antennas. As a result, the implementation and its design have led to 50kms of coverage at 70Mbit/s [16]. The 50 km coverage is well suited for a city such as London. The 70Mbit/s rate and its trial have made WiMAX a highly successful service which is now termed WiBRO. It is designed to cover an entire city/capital with reduced numbers of base stations [16].
3.4 MARKET RESEARCH
Another, major step forward for the mobile users is that the two giants of mobile services are now creating a new connection. Nokia and Intel are taking their first step into the forthcoming mobile internet axis with high-speed data rate [21]. Initially, it was a major risk for both industries to join hands and create a new mobile internet service to include both broadband wireless and the ordinary mobile service. Nokia is now using the Intel’s baxter chipset in its first internet tablets, the first handset with WiMAX built in, which is expected to be shipped in mid 2008 [21].
The main importance of Intel-Nokia collaboration is to understand the importance of their market and to create a milestone ahead of any other mobile services’ imagination. Nokia has its own charter in creating the user-friendly mobile phone and its mobile-quality over the past 15 years. Intel has been focusing on producing chipsets for PCs (fixed) in many aspects, but now Intel is focusing on building chipsets which can support both fixed and mobile standards [21,22]. The next generation centrino duo will provide Wi-Fi and WiMAX for all notebooks and PCs [18]
The market strategy and technologies of all mobile services have now turned their heads towards WiMAX. While Nokia plays its own role, Sony Ericsson plans to stick with its own pride, HSPA. The Ericsson Company has given potential to its own service with UMTS/HSPA, as wireless watch commented. Ericsson is now preparing to focus on a new technology called LTE (long-term evolution), which is quite similar to WiMAX. The company itself disagrees with WiMAX, as they believe that WiMAX will not be able to provide the 3G qualities that are even present in current video calling options. In a broader point of view, VOIP (voice over internet protocol) is still hidden amongst WiMAX services. Another great step ahead is that while Siemens mobile had signed the contract with Intel, Motorola & Nortel were willing to adopt the 802.16e IP technology in their products to come [18, 21]. According to market research, WiMAX forum says, ‘The answer will partly depend on whether other important vendors and operators take their cue from Ericsson.’ Many mobile and PC companies are welcoming the new era in communication via their own research of public needs for communication/information and a very few companies (Ericsson, Qualcomm) risk their market by still under-estimating the WiMAX technology and sticking to their own ‘centric’ technology [21, 22].
The major conflict with Europe and mainly Britain is that the frequency/bandwidth allocation is not made possible easily due to the overcrowding spectrum. Many communication-companies are forcing the FCC (federal communication group) to allow the bandwidth to be used as the agreement is not too far from reach. Another advantage of WiMAX is that it can be used temporarily in sites such as tour de France, the Olympics and construction sites (London 2012).This is a major turning point in the British telecommunication era [16]. WiMAX offers video surveillance cameras with broadband to control vehicles in a busy capital like London to make accurate judgments in real time. An average Londoner would require a traditional cellular (voice call), a faster access to the internet and a navigation system to travel places safely in real time. All these general requirements are being satisfied by the WiMAX technology. From these technical and market researches, it is quite obvious that WiMAX and its counter part HSPA are the new mobile services of the near future, where public will be able to use both IP (internet protocol) and traditional cellular.
SECTION 4
4.1 SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEM
I will be focusing on what services satellite navigation systems will bring in the near future to Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices such as Handheld PC’s, PDA’s and mobile phones.It is estimated that the total number of GPS enabled devices will double in 2007 than that of 12 million which were sold in 2006 according to a research firm Canalys. “With the most likely consumers the Europeans, wanting to know exactly where they are at anytime.” [23]
“According to the mobile industry, 2007 is the year when GPS will finally lock on to phones across Europe” and Marcus Dacombe, head of product marketing at handset manufacturer Nokia stated that it is also the year when “GPS will come to the masses.” Mobile phone users will be able to take advantage of a range of new services, from finding the nearest ATM machine to systems that alerts the user how far a bus is and its estimated arrival time.” Developments in chip design and the increased processing power of mobile phones will mean that GPS can now more easily be incorporated into a handset.” [23]
4.1.1 ASSISTED-GPS
A new technology called assisted-GPS (AGPS) has been introduced to enhance the performance of current GPS devices. This technology takes advantage of the current network, used by mobile phones, to speed up the process of finding a location, within an accuracy of a few centimetres, even when indoors. The technology has allowed multitudes of location based services to be implemented in US as well as Japan and is now destined for Europe. The services include "buddy finders" that alert you when a friend is nearby, how long you have to wait for the next bus and how far is it from the bus stop to allowing you to track other people through their mobile phones.However the accuracy of current GPS signals is not good enough for some services to work well in certain areas. "It still requires a bit of faith particularly in urban settings,"[24]
The solution to this problem led to the development of European version of the GPS otherwise known as Galileo, which will consist of 30 orbiting satellites that will provide precise timing and location information to users. The development of European GPS will bring further hosts of services in the near future. [24]
4.2 MORE GPS ENABLED NOKIA HANDSETS
As Nokia purchases route-mapping firm Navteq which provides digital maps for GPS devices, it will likely to mean more GPS-equipped Nokia handsets in the near future. The two firms coming together would create a “leading global player in the fast growing location based services market.”[25]
Nokia has already made plans to introduce Assisted GPS functionality on all its N series phones and has said that “the A-GPS service can reduce the time a connected mobile device with built-in GPS needs to find its current position. The reduction in time can enhance usability for all Nokia location based experiences.”[25]
SECTION 5
INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE PHONES
In this section of the report the following will be discussed, the introduction to mobile phones and the main services that a mobile phone provides, the history of mobile phones, as well as what is on the market now, and the future of mobile phones.
WHAT IS A MOBILE PHONE?
Mobile phones are also known as a cell phone, it is an electronic device which is used for communication, and how the communication is achieved is by having a mobile device which communicates to a specialized network base station. The main type of communication that mobile phone was designed for is voice communication and as mobile phones have developed, the increase of services was crucial were by services such as SMS, MMS and lately the VoIP. [1]
WHAT IS SMS
SMS stands for Short Message Service and it is also called text messaging this is basically send a short text of up to 160 characters from a mobile phone to another. This service was part of the GSM series of standerds which was introduced in 1985. Since then, support for this service has increased to include alternative mobile standards and also landline but as is well known most usage of SMS is from a mobile to another mobile this has been the case for the last decade or more since SMS was introduced. [17]
WHAT IS MMS
MMS stands for multimedia messaging service it is basically a service which is built on the SMS the main difference between them is that MMS allows sending messages that include multimedia e.g. images, audio video. Other services that also use MMS would be mobile instant messaging and mobile E-mails. [3]
THE HISTORY OF A MOBILE PHONE
In 1945 the zero generation of mobile telephones was introduced and they were not officially categorized as mobile phones, because they did not support the automatic change of channel frequency during calls, which allows the users to move from one cell to another cell (a feature called "handover" area) which meant that the user needed to be stable i.e. not move when talking on the phone due to that reason they were not called a mobile the usual name for this device was 0G telephones. [1]
In 1984, bell labs invented a feature called "call handoff" which allowed mobile phone users to travel through several cells during the same conversation and it has been considered widely that Motorola is the inventor of the first practical mobile phone for handheld use in a non- vehicle setting. So therefore this was the first generation of mobile phones it was introduced in 1980’s. [1]
Until the early 1990s, most mobile phones were too large to be carried in a jacket pocket, so they were typically installed in vehicles as car phones. With the miniaturization of digital components, mobile phones have become increasingly handy over the years. And over the years mobile phones are becoming smaller and this is due to integrated circuitry. [1]
The most current service would be the TV and video service which are pushing the third generation to the future to a low cost and high speed data transfer and by saying this consideration of 4G should be thought about were by 4G allows a short range of communication as well as application ubiquity, with a high degree of personalization and synchronization between various user appliances, will be another driver. [1]
CURRENT MOBILE PHONE OR DEVICES ON THE MARKET
Nokia N810
announced 17-Oct-07 [5]
What makes this the most current mobile device at the moment it is the features that this phone has which is the Voice-over-IP (VoIP) Internet and video calling it also has the feature of having a keyboard and a touch screen apart from that it will allow the user to be connected to internet while the user is on the move using WLAN and also has GPS receiver which allows the use of navigation system and it all most all the normal features that a current mobile phone has e.g. camera, a music player and stereo speaker built in. [5]
Technical specification of the phones above
The most up to date mobile Device:
•
Nokia N810 Technical Specs
Operating System:
Internet Tablet OS 2008 Edition
Developer Platform:
Maemo
Regional Availability:
Americas
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Middle East
Display:
Resolution: 800 x 480
Color Depth: 16 bit
Memory:
Max User Storage: 2 GB
NAND Memory: 256 MB
SDRAM Memory: 128 MB
Memory Card: Mini SD
Max Memory Card Size: 8 GB
Memory Card Feature: Voltage: 1.8V, 3V, Hot Swap
Local Connectivity:
Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR
Micro USB
Mini Stereo Plug 3.5mm
Nokia microUSB Cable CA-101
UPnP
USB OTG
WLAN Support:
802.11b/g
WEP
WPA
WPA2 (AES/TKIP)
VoIP:
VoIP Video Call
Bluetooth Profiles:
DUN, FTP, GAP, HID, HSP, OPP, SAP, SPP
Browser:
Mozilla Based
Messaging:
IM
Email Protocol:
IMAP4
POP3
SMTP
Camera:
Video Resolution: 352 x 288
Video Format: H.263, MPEG-4
Video Features:
Video Call
Video Player
Video Sharing
Video Streaming
Video Formats:
3GPP formats (H.263)
H.264/AVC
MPEG-4
RealVideo 7,8,9/10
WMV
Audio Features:
Audio Streaming
Music Player
Stereo
Audio Formats:
AAC, MP3, M4A, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, RealAudio 7,8,10, WAV
Document Formats:
PDF, Zip
Graphics Formats:
BMP, GIF87a, GIF89a, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WBMP
Extra Features:
Flash 9
GPS
Internet Radio
VoIP
Keypad Description:
5-way Scrolling
Backlit Touch Screen LCD & HWR
On-screen Touch QWERTY Keyboard
Slide-out QWERTY Key Mat
Power Management:
2.0mm Charger Connector
Battery Capacity:
BP-4L 3.7V 1500 mAh
Talk Time (estimated):
VoIP: up to 4 hours
Standby Time (estimated):
Up to 12.0 days
Size:
128 x 72 x 14 mm
Weight:
225 g
This on wards I have not changed yet or modified but apart from that every think els is ok
REFERENCES
[1] Survey by KPMG Communications,
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2c93a0b2-b786-11da-b4c2-0000779e2340.html, article on technology
[2] http://slingmedia.com article on slingbox products, Sunday 02/12/07
[3] http://slingmedia.com/get/pr-echostar-slingmedia.html article on Ecostar announces agreement, Sunday 02/12/2008
[5] http://mysky.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/skyproducts/remoterecord
Sky products, article on remote record. Thursday 06/12/2008.
[6] http://www1.sky.com/mobiletv/
Sky products, article on sky mobile TV. Thursday 06/12/2008.
[7] http://inbabble.com/2007/09/07/opinion-payforit-may-be-a-less-attractive-proposition-than-it-sounds/ article on “payforit” Sunday 08/12/07
[8] http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html article on “Mobile phones to pay for travel”, Wednesday 28th November 2007.
[9] http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=47428&in_page_id=34, accessed on the 5th of November 2007, Article released date Tuesday, May 1, 2007, Topic: “City in Bloom”
[10] http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/internet/pay- monthly/?ref=newhome_dataplans_link , Accessed: 30th October 2007, T-mobile web site; Topic: “Broadband on the move”
[11] http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23392339-details/Wireless+internet+zone+to+cover+City+of+London/article.do , Article from the “Evening Standard”, released date: Sunday 09.12.07,Accessed on 13th November 2007: Topic: “Wireless internet zone to cover City of London”
[12]http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=templateBlank&pageID=MI_0001, website of Vodafone; accessed on the 15th of November 2007, Topic: “Mobile Internet”.
[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol; accessed on the 24/10/2007
[14] http://www.belkin.com/skype/howitworks/ ; website of “Belkin”; accessed on the 17th of November 2007, Topic: “WiFi Phone”.
[15]http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-BT-FUSION-R1&s_cid=FURL-personal/fusion&com.bea.event.type=linkclick&oLName=link.searchresults&oLDesc=personalfusion: ; website of “BT”; accessed on the 27th of November 2007, Topic: “BT Fusion”.
[16]Johnston N. and Aghvami H., 2007. Comparing WiMAX and HSPA – a guide to thetechnology. BT Technology Journal 25 (2), 191-199.
[17]www.wimaxforum.org//2007
[18]Dhama Prakash Agrawal; Qing-An Zeng, “introduction to Wireless and mobile Systems”- second edition, chapter 14 ( pp358-398)
[19] Electronics World; Volume 112, ( issue 1848), December 2006
[20] Electronics World; Volume 112, ( issue 1691), June 2006
[21]http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/01/27/wimax_approaches_tipping_point/ : accessed on 23rd November 2007.
[22] in class presentation 30th October 2006, “Wimax and WiFi”- AWTG Group:
[23] Jonathan Raper, (2007), Imaginative solutions, [online], Available from:
[24] A, Lagerkvist, (2007), Nokia to buy Navteq, [online]. Available from:
[25]A, Lagerkvist, (2007), Nokia helps you find yourself, [online], Available from:
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Sri Lanka's model democracy is being ravaged by war Former adviser to the Sri Lanka peace talks, 2002-2004
BOB RAE
From Monday's Globe and Mail
May 12, 2008 at 8:48 AM EDT
A United Nations agency recently declared Sri Lanka one of the world's most dangerous places for aid workers and journalists. It is also a terrifying place to be a soldier. Both the government and its opponents, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), count scores of fighters killed and hundreds wounded during recent fighting. Sri Lanka's already horrific war is entering a quantitatively new phase.
The country's once admired democratic institutions are buckling under the strain. It is worth recalling that the LTTE emerged in the late 1970s against a backdrop of mounting grievances in the north and east of the island country over declining access to language, employment and political rights. A radical leftist group, the People's Liberation Front (JVP) - composed primarily of disgruntled Southerners - raised similar concerns, albeit from a different perspective.
The response of the Sri Lankan government to these grievances was as swift as it was severe. It has waged a virtually uninterrupted military campaign against the LTTE since the early 1980s. For its part, the LTTE, a merciless armed group, has engaged in brutal attacks against civilians as well as assassinations of their opponents, raising support and money in the Tamil diaspora, including the large community in Canada. A conservative estimate puts the number of deaths in the fighting at 75,000. The government also launched aggressive operations against the JVP and about 60,000 civilians died over a two-year period in the late 1980s before the JVP made its transition to politics.
Such wars are inevitably accompanied by authoritarianism and fear. Along with the growing role afforded the military and the introduction of emergency regulations, the government has cracked down on independent oversight bodies and press freedoms.
War-related militarization has far-reaching implications for democracy. Symptoms include skyrocketing military spending and related racketeering. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the President's brother, says he's determined to win the conflict militarily and matches his words with an impressive will to spend. Defence expenditures in 2007 were more than 50 per cent higher than in the previous year. They are expected to grow by another 20 per cent in 2008, to $1.48-billion. Defence now accounts for a fifth of all public spending.
While Western governments have been unanimous in labelling the LTTE as a terrorist organization - the Tigers commit suicide bombings and recruit child soldiers - they have also been critical of the Sri Lankan government. Consequently, Colombo turned to China and Pakistan for support. Even the President of Iran was in the country recently. These governments are far less likely to criticize Sri Lanka for a democratic deficit. They are offering billions of dollars of aid with no strings attached.
There is much that the warring parties can do to reverse this situation. A complete ceasefire and a return of the government and the LTTE to the negotiating table could reverse the escalation in casualties on both sides. Thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced since the resumption of war. Re-engaging independent monitors and getting them on the ground is critical to rebuilding confidence.
Sri Lanka's standing as a model South Asian democracy is suffering under the weight of war. The warning signs are clear. The Worldwide Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, places Sri Lanka in 109th place, tied with Cambodia and right after U.S.-occupied Iraq. Likewise, Transparency International consistently reports corruption at the highest levels of executive and legislative government. The relentless conflict continues. Democracy itself hangs in the balance.
Above all, Sri Lankans need to be able to imagine a country where mutual respect, an abandonment of extremist ideologies and new forms of autonomy and shared governance are possible. It will require extraordinary courage and determination to get there. The alternative - more death, more repression, more corruption, deeper economic stagnation - must not be allowed.
Canada can hardly be indifferent to this conflict. Our own experience with federalism and conflict prevention, our deep attachment to pluralism and our ties to this troubled country should push us to far more active engagement. We need to get the diasporas to talk to each other and put an end to the funding pipeline.
Bob Rae is the MP for Toronto Centre.
From Monday's Globe and Mail
May 12, 2008 at 8:48 AM EDT
A United Nations agency recently declared Sri Lanka one of the world's most dangerous places for aid workers and journalists. It is also a terrifying place to be a soldier. Both the government and its opponents, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), count scores of fighters killed and hundreds wounded during recent fighting. Sri Lanka's already horrific war is entering a quantitatively new phase.
The country's once admired democratic institutions are buckling under the strain. It is worth recalling that the LTTE emerged in the late 1970s against a backdrop of mounting grievances in the north and east of the island country over declining access to language, employment and political rights. A radical leftist group, the People's Liberation Front (JVP) - composed primarily of disgruntled Southerners - raised similar concerns, albeit from a different perspective.
The response of the Sri Lankan government to these grievances was as swift as it was severe. It has waged a virtually uninterrupted military campaign against the LTTE since the early 1980s. For its part, the LTTE, a merciless armed group, has engaged in brutal attacks against civilians as well as assassinations of their opponents, raising support and money in the Tamil diaspora, including the large community in Canada. A conservative estimate puts the number of deaths in the fighting at 75,000. The government also launched aggressive operations against the JVP and about 60,000 civilians died over a two-year period in the late 1980s before the JVP made its transition to politics.
Such wars are inevitably accompanied by authoritarianism and fear. Along with the growing role afforded the military and the introduction of emergency regulations, the government has cracked down on independent oversight bodies and press freedoms.
War-related militarization has far-reaching implications for democracy. Symptoms include skyrocketing military spending and related racketeering. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the President's brother, says he's determined to win the conflict militarily and matches his words with an impressive will to spend. Defence expenditures in 2007 were more than 50 per cent higher than in the previous year. They are expected to grow by another 20 per cent in 2008, to $1.48-billion. Defence now accounts for a fifth of all public spending.
While Western governments have been unanimous in labelling the LTTE as a terrorist organization - the Tigers commit suicide bombings and recruit child soldiers - they have also been critical of the Sri Lankan government. Consequently, Colombo turned to China and Pakistan for support. Even the President of Iran was in the country recently. These governments are far less likely to criticize Sri Lanka for a democratic deficit. They are offering billions of dollars of aid with no strings attached.
There is much that the warring parties can do to reverse this situation. A complete ceasefire and a return of the government and the LTTE to the negotiating table could reverse the escalation in casualties on both sides. Thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced since the resumption of war. Re-engaging independent monitors and getting them on the ground is critical to rebuilding confidence.
Sri Lanka's standing as a model South Asian democracy is suffering under the weight of war. The warning signs are clear. The Worldwide Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, places Sri Lanka in 109th place, tied with Cambodia and right after U.S.-occupied Iraq. Likewise, Transparency International consistently reports corruption at the highest levels of executive and legislative government. The relentless conflict continues. Democracy itself hangs in the balance.
Above all, Sri Lankans need to be able to imagine a country where mutual respect, an abandonment of extremist ideologies and new forms of autonomy and shared governance are possible. It will require extraordinary courage and determination to get there. The alternative - more death, more repression, more corruption, deeper economic stagnation - must not be allowed.
Canada can hardly be indifferent to this conflict. Our own experience with federalism and conflict prevention, our deep attachment to pluralism and our ties to this troubled country should push us to far more active engagement. We need to get the diasporas to talk to each other and put an end to the funding pipeline.
Bob Rae is the MP for Toronto Centre.
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