Royal Philips Electronics announced that its technology powers unlicensed mobile access (UMA)-enabled phones to be available in the U.S. market from a major operator. The flexible device using the Nexperia cellular system solution 6120 for UMA, can be used both at home over the fixed line broadband network and on the go for mobile calls. Requiring no additional setup by the consumer, UMA phones switch between cellular networks and Wi-Fi hotspots, automatically detecting the fastest and most cost-effective network -- reducing bills dramatically. UMA is particularly attractive to business users, with Wi-Fi use in the office environment growing exponentially, further reducing bills for corporate users.

UMA is a 3G Mobile standard that allows consumers to access 2.5/3G services like picture messaging and video calling through Wi-Fi in the home, office or hotspots. When a consumer with a UMA-enabled handset moves inside a Wi-Fi network, the phone automatically switches to a Voice over IP (VoIP) call, akin to that of successful VoIP operators. By using a single device, consumers can simplify their mobile experience by using a single phone number at home and on the go, benefiting from the fastest coverage available. Furthermore, given the cost benefits, operators can extend their service coverage and offer attractive billing plans to customers.

Philips has collaborated with Kineto Wireless who provides the UMA-compliant handset software stack in Philips' Nexperia cellular system solution. "Philips advanced mobile solutions are renowned in the marketplace, enabling handset manufacturers to offer attractive new services to customers," said Mark Powell, vice president of client business unit and co-founder of Kineto Wireless. "As the innovator of UMA technology, we are delighted to be partnering with Philips, and expect that our collaboration will increase adoption and deployment of UMA-compliant mobile phones."

"Most operators and vendors acknowledge that UMA is a stepping-stone to a more fully convergent solution that is closely aligned with IP standards, technologies and approaches," said Jeremy Green, principal analyst, Ovum. "UMA has some clear advantages, apart from its current availability. It is closely aligned with the GSM network architecture, and is thus easy for most mobile operators to implement technically and commercially."

"The success of services offered by major VoIP operators has proved that cheap internet telephony has become increasingly popular with consumers," said GertJan Kaat, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile & Personal Business Unit, Philips Semiconductors. "We will continue to drive innovation by providing our partners with exciting new technologies like UMA, delivering the building blocks for superior products designed around the consumer."

Technical information

The Philips UMA platform, based on Philips Nexperia cellular system solution 6120, is an ARM9-based GSM/GPRS/EDGE multimedia platform, providing maximum product flexibility and easy differentiation for handset manufacturers. For WLAN functions, the solution uses the Philips BGW211, a low-power 802.11g WLAN system-in-package (SiP). The BGW211 uses advanced process technologies and packaging techniques to integrate the baseband/MAC, radio, power amplifier and antenna. Furthermore, the solution delivers all the hardware, software validation, support and IOT testing. The Nexperia cellular system solution 6120 can be adapted to include Near Field Communication, the contactless technology that combines identification and interconnection technologies to enables wireless short-range communication between mobile devices, consumer electronics, PCs and smart objects.

Availability

The UMA-enabled Nexperia Cellular System Solution 6120 is currently available to cellular phone manufacturers worldwide. UMA technology will be implemented into the Philips Nexperia Cellular System Solution for 3G by end 2006.

Philips will be demonstrating a live voice connection on a GSM handset, switched via WLAN to a UMA network controller in the cellular infrastructure at the 3GSM congress in Barcelona, Spain, from February 13 to 16, 2006 at the Philips stand (Hall 8 Stand B5).