UMTS/IMT

UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) is a third-generation (3G) mobile cellular technology recognised by the ITU/ITU-R. The ITU recognises six 3G mobile technologies (see Recommendation ITU-R M.1457):

• IMT Direct Spread (IMT-DS; also known as UMTS/UTRA-FDD);
• IMT Multi-Carrier (IMT-MC; also known as CDMA2000);
• IMT Time Code (IMT-TC; also known as UMTS/UTRA-TDD, TD-CDMA and TD-SCDMA "narrowband TDD");
• IMT Single-Carrier (IMT-SC; also known as UWC-136 or EDGE);
• MT Frequency Time (IMT-FT; also known as DECT);
• IMT OFDMA TDD WMAN (also known as Mobile WiMAX).

UMTS is based on WCDMA and can used paired (FDD) or unpaired (TDD) spectrum. UMTS delivers higher data rates than are possible with 2G technologies. HSDPA enables transmission rates of up to 14.4 Mbit/s, while normal UMTS can provide speeds up to 384 kbit/s. GSM (2G) combined with EDGE offers maximum bandwidths of 220 kbit/s.

All four network operators in Germany use the UMTS standard. The specifications for UMTS are developed by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). 3GPP's specifications are converted by ETSI into harmonised European standards, which in turn are transposed into national standards by the national standardisation bodies (in Germany DIN/DKE).