New UMTS-Ready Wireless Prototyping Environment Arrives from UK's 3G Lab

date: 22nd February 2001, source by: thetuckshop.com

3G Labs on Wednesday unveiled a development platform for UMTS (3G) applications which promises to speed delivery of content and services ramped for the performance and feature set that 3G can provide. The news is being welcomed by network operators, infrastructure suppliers and content providers.

Dubbed APP (Application Prototyping Platform), the solution is designed to help companies extend business applications to mobile devices ahead of the roll-out of UMTS networks over the next couple of years.

At this stage 3G Lab are remaining hush hush about their partners which include a major network infrastructure provider and a UK UMTS licence holder. These partners have worked with 3G Lab in combining wireless experiences with 3G Lab's multi-disciplined team of technical architects, graphic designers and web developers who are working on APP.

The Application Prototyping Platform comprises several components to design and test 3G applications, and is based on 3G LAB's own UMTS application 'test-bed' in Cambridge, UK. The platform demonstrates full 3G functionality on a concept terminal, which is designed to run audio and visual applications.

APP aims to enable content providers to develop and implement a suite of multi-media applications that are attractive and immediate to the end-user in a format that mimics the style and qualities of next generation mobile devices.

3G Lab's new application platform provides a stable and robust development platform for UMTS applications that has previously been impossible to achieve due to the constraints of today's infrastructure.

Fully supported by 3G Lab consultants, application developers can test the capability and functionality of their 3G applications by using the APP Wireless Expansion
Pack to create a realistic UMTS pilot trial environment.

"Recent market predictions following heavy investment rounds in securing operating licenses demonstrate the pressing need for next generation network operators to maximise revenue generating opportunities," said David Cleevely, Managing Director of Analysys. "Operators can only re-coup their investment by offering compelling, service-assured applications as soon as
3G networks come online. Organisations need a way of exploring all the possibilities and probabilities that surround UMTS so that new 3G applications really do deliver on their potential. This is the kind of test bed that 3G applications need."

"Perceptions of 3G have been off target because until now it has been impossible to visualise applications or see how services will work," said Steve Ives, CEO, 3G LAB. 3G LAB has developed this platform for application development to enable network operators, infrastructure suppliers and content developers to visualise the reality of 3G and eliminate the hype surrounding voice and data convergence. APP will benefit all players in the next generation of telecommunications to deliver quality services in real time."

APP uses a concept terminal based on Compaq's iPAQ unit, but with improved functionality. 3G Lab have re-engineered the iPAQ to mimic future 3G platforms and user interfaces. The device includes a polymer overlay keypad to help simulate single-handed key driven navigation.

The platform will also include an enhanced video player including animator software and a sound clip player supporting the MP3 format.

top