Qualcomm and Teleepoch Enter Into a 3G CDMA Subscriber Unit License Agreement, October 6, 2007

MTN chooses Cambridge Broadband Networks for multi-service wireless network in Rwanda, October 6, 2007

Brazilian government to publish 3G bidding rules soon, October 6, 2007

KTF 3G service suffers from technical problems, October 6, 2007

Argentina’s Personal lunches 3G service in Rosario, October 6, 2007

Russia has it's first 3G network, October 6, 2007

AT&T could drop Alcatel-Lucent as 3G mobile network supplier, October 6, 2007

Enea Extends License Agreement with ZTE for 3G Handsets, October 2, 2007

LG to unveil premium handsets in Brazil, October 2, 2007

KTF 3G subscribers doubled in less than 3 months, October 2, 2007

3G policy in India will be non-uniform, October 2, 2007

- previous news

3G chipset design for music, gaming, video and TV

February 23, 2006

After many stops and starts, 3G mobile telephony is coming on with a vengeance. In 2004, ABI Research counted 17.3 million 3G subscribers worldwide, but by the end of 2005 there were 42 million: a year-on-year growth of 142%. And by the end of 2010, 3G will comprise fully 30% of the mobile marketplace, equating to about 1 billion subscribers.

For 3G chipset vendors this would seem to be good news. But how do you differentiate your products in a world crowded with robust competitors such as Agere, Broadcom, Ericsson Mobile, Freescale, Icera, Philips Semiconductors, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments? Some of these have been offering 3G solutions since 2004; do they have an insurmountable lead over the others? Is it possible to uproot a vendor that is entrenched in a handset OEM's platform? Is there any hope for a brand new vendor in this space?

According to Alan Varghese, principal analyst of wireless research at ABI Research, to answer these questions we need to identify the chipset differentiators for today. "In cellular's early years, the primary focus was the cellular modem, and on improving its design. In later years, as cellular networks switched on high-speed data, the design focus veered away from the modem and towards applications such as digital imaging, music, and video."

ABI Research has just released a new study, "3G Chipset Architectures for Video, Music, Gaming and Television" which identifies two simultaneous movements: second-generation links need to be upgraded to 3G and HSDPA; and operators are switching on advanced mobile video, stereophonic music, 3D gaming and television.

"Thus," says Varghese, "it is no longer an either/or game; the chipset design focus has to be on both the modem and the applications in order to enable robust wireless connections, low power consumption, and enjoyable user-experiences. 3G chipset architects find they have a full plate on their hands. The good news is that the 3G and HSDPA cellular tide is rising; the bad news is that this rising tide may not lift all chipset vendors' boats."

3G Chipset Architectures for Video, Music, Gaming and Television discusses these issues in detail, examining market drivers, mobile applications, technology trends, and a side-by-side comparison of the various 3G chipsets. It forms part of ABI Research's subscription "Wireless Semiconductors Research Service", which includes a number of research reports, regular market updates, forecast and industry databases, ABI Insights, and analyst inquiry assistance.