In Brief

Publications Pictures of the Future Spring 2002

Mobile Communications

Mobile communications are currently undergoing a period of radical change. They are moving away from pure voice and text communication toward a rich form of multimedia mobile communication. Data, audio and video services will all be integrated into tomorrow's mobile equipment, whether cell phones, pocket PCs or personal digital assistants
The challenges for mobile communications can basically be divided into four categories. Three of these are technical. They are data transfer rates, displays and power supplies. But the biggest question is what services will provide the best benefits for customers
Data transfer rates:Systems and standards now being developed for mobile communications (GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, etc.) boost the volume of data that can be transmitted per second to between five and forty times the current level. This allows for numerous innovative services. Even higher transfer rates will be achieved at hot spots such as airports, hotels and trade fairs with supplementary broadband systems like W-LAN
Displays:Many new ideas are being developed for displaying multimedia data in brilliant color resolution on small cell phone displays. These include software solutions and flexible displays made of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), as well as units that transform cell phones into video projectors
Power supply:Since multimedia cell phones consume more power than today's units, developers are studying power-efficient solutions such as OLED displays and new high-performance power sources like lithium polymer batteries, mini gas turbines and small fuel cells that can be "filled up" with alcohol
Both technical features and future applications are now being tested (April 2002) in countless pilot projects and field tests. The UMTS network on the Isle of Man and the FOMA service in Japan are currently the most advanced
Services: When all the studies are taken into account, it becomes clear that four main areas of application will guarantee the future success of mobile communications. Multimedia messaging services: the development of SMS into a system for image and sound e-mails and their transmission from cell phone to cell phone. Entertainment applications: games, short videos or chats in three-dimensional virtual rooms. Information on the move: personalized messages (e.g., market updates) or location-based services such as city maps showing the locations of nearby restaurants, parking, theaters, etc. The mobile office: allowing businesspeople to utilize office services and access company networks from almost anywhere
Siemens develops technical solutions for all these areas, offers platforms for innovative solutions (e.g., m.traction) and supports start-up companies