Vodafone makes first 3G roaming call

[KevinJames]

Vodafone makes first 3G roaming call
By: Jørgen Sundgot, 19.12.01 16:59

The world's first 3G roaming call was recently conducted on the morning of Dec. 19 between Vodafone in Spain and J-Phone in Japan using a single mode 3G handset.

Making 3G work isn't easy - and adding international roaming to the equation doesn't exactly simplify things. On the morning of Dec. 19 however, the world's first 3G roaming call was successfully conducted between John de Wit, Chief Executive, Vodafone (Spain), using a single mode 3G handset, and Darryl Green, President of J-Phone, using a Japanese single mode 3G mobile.

The call demonstrated both mobile originated and mobile terminated 3G roaming calls. The call was carried from and to Vodafone's Spanish and Japanese 3G networks using the signaling links and high capacity global network of Cable & Wireless, Vodafone's preferred international carrier.

Vodafone (Spain) was awarded its 3G license in March 2000 and a progressive roll-out of its 3G network to the 3GPP standard with its principal 3G infrastructure supplier, Nortel Networks, has been underway since August last year. Currently it has a network of 120 masts with UMTS coverage in 20 cities in Spain. Vodafone (Spain) is on target to launch its 3G network in the second half of 2002, subject to the availability of dual mode GPRS/3G handsets.

J-Phone was awarded one of three licenses to operate 3G mobile services in Japan in May 2000. J-Phone is currently well advanced in its development of a 3G W-CDMA mobile platform and expects to commence offering 3G services in Japan in June 2002, initially from the Metropolitan Tokyo area using an Ericsson W-CDMA network and subsequently in all major Japanese cities from October 2002.

Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone said: "Today's roaming calls have brought the benefits of 3G mobile technology a step closer to reality. By operating as one company, we have demonstrated the new possibilities 3G's global standards bring. Vodafone will bring seamless multimedia services to increasing numbers of its customers across the world over the coming years."