Kineto Adds 3G to UMA Platform

Kineto Wireless says that its UMA client software now supports 3G/UMTS. Kineto says that it is responding to strong operator demand for UMA-enabled 3G/Wi-Fi mobile handsets. UMA technology has been announced as the technology of choice for extending mobile services onto the broadband IP access network by Telecom Italia, Orange/France Telecom, Telia Sonera, and British Telecom.

"When the 3GPP standardized UMA/GAN, both 3G and 2.5G modes were supported, yet so far devices have only supported 2.5G/GSM/GPRS/EDGE," said Mark Powell, vice president and founder of Kineto Wireless. "With the introduction of our 3G capable client, we are satisfying a clear market demand and addressing a common misconception by showing that UMA supports 3G/2.5G dual-mode devices."

UMA enables consumers to seamlessly roam and hand-over between the cellular network (3G/UMTS or 2.5G/GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and Wi-Fi access points in the home or office. The UMA/GAN specification defines support for 3G devices, but Kineto is the first company to productize a solution.

"In June, the UMTS Forum predicted that global 3G/UMTS subscriptions will reach 100 million during the fourth quarter of this calendar year," said Mark Rowland, partner with broadband consulting firm IBB Consulting. "The addition of UMTS support presents a huge market opportunity for UMA. With this announcement, Kineto is addressing that opportunity by expanding its technology capabilities and meeting the demand for 3G/2.5G dual-mode devices capable of supporting high-speed data services including IMS."

Posted to the site on 30th August 2006