Unicom runs world's first GSM1x trial

Qualcomm, which is spearheading the code division multiple access (CDMA) mobile-phone standard, has conducted the world's first GSM1x technology trial, with China Unicom.

The trial will enable China Unicom's global system for mobile communications (GSM) subscribers to access the high-speed data services of Unicom's CDMA2000 1X wireless network.

China Unicom has an installed base of more than eight million CDMA users and 60 million GSM users.

The GSM1x trial is intended to show the technical feasibility of GSM1x technology as an option for China Unicom's GSM subscribers, who will be able to access CDMA2000 1X services without having to sacrifice their SIM-based GSM subscriptions.

The initial stage of the trial will demonstrate CDMA2000 1X data service on a GSM network and enable testing of dual-mode GSM/CDMA2000 1X handsets. The following stage will add roaming between CDMA and GSM networks.

'This trial is a significant step in the progression to the next generation of wireless services and demonstrates a cost- and spectrum-efficient means of providing current GSM subscribers with the benefits of CDMA2000 1X,' Qualcomm chairman and chief executive Irwin Jacobs said.