WORK PROGRAMME

Scope

To implement the NGMN vision and accomplish the overall objectives of NGMN, a comprehensive Work Programme has been set up within the NGMN Alliance. The NGMN Work Programme covers key aspects that need to be addressed in order to develop a fertile next-generation mobile broadband ecosystem:

• technologies & standards;
• trials & testing;
• spectrum & deployment scenarios;
• infrastructure & end user devices;
• initial services & applications;
• market aspects, and IPR.

The NGMN Work Programme takes into account all technology candidates which have the potential of meeting the NGMN requirements and recommendations as summarised in the NGMN White Paper "Next Generation Mobile Networks Beyond HSPA & EVDO". Currently, the following standards and technologies are within the scope of NGMN and are being evaluated with respect to their suitability for Next Generation Mobile Networks:

• 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE/SAE);
• 3GPP2 Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB);
• IEEE 802.16e/m (Mobile WiMAX).

Objectives

The main objectives of the NGMN Work Programme are:

• To identify and evaluate the candidate technologies for Next Generation Mobile Networks;
• To ensure timely finalisation of the relevant technical standards (first releases by end of 2008);
• To ensure that the relevant technical standards meet the requirements and recommendations of NGMN;
• To validate the candidate technologies and standards through technology and friendly customer trials;
• To pursue allocation of a sufficient amount of spectrum for worldwide deployment of NGMN;
• To foster timely development and delivery of NGMN network infrastructue and end-user devices with excellent cost-performance ratios;
• To facilitate the development of a fertile ecosystem for mobile broadband networks and services;
• To establish a new IPR regime providing ex-ante transparency and an industry consensus on IPR royalty fees for NGMN technologies.

Roadmap

The NGMN Work Programme is guided by a strategic roadmap as illustrated below. It should be noted that decisions on the commercial deployment and launch of NGMN networks and services are up to each individual NGMN Member (operator).