Nokia Siemens makes first call on CPC

Telecommunications services joint venture, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has successfully conducted the world’s first call using a network technology known as continuous packet connectivity (CPC) reports CHARLES OKOH.

NSN said once incorporated into an operator’s High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+ radio access network, CPC will enable 3G users to enjoy significantly longer device battery life, a crucial issue as the use of smartphones for broadband services skyrockets.

CPC could mean up to 100 percent longer battery life when devices are used for data applications, and up to 50 percent during voice calls.

The CPC data call was made using network equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks and a device supplied by Qualcomm using the QSC6295 chipset.

According to the head of Network Systems product management at Nokia Siemens Mr. Tommi Uitto, in a press statement said it is focused on innovations that benefit operators and end-users.

“With CPC, subscribers will enjoy an improved mobile data experience, while operators will benefit from enhanced network capacity -- even with heavy smartphone use -- due to less interference in the radio connection, not to mention higher revenues due to increased usage of the service,” he said.

On his part, the chief executive officer of the analysis firm Signals Research Group, LLC, Mr. Michael Thelander said, “While a lot of attention gets paid to the higher data rates associated with HSPA+, 3G operators are actually placing equal or even greater emphasis on other key HSPA+ features, such as discontinuous data reception and transmission, which can dramatically extend the battery life and improve overall network efficiency.”

During extended HSPA data sessions, there are typically long periods of idle time between transmissions of data packets, during which a device continues to use its battery. The CPC feature of 3GPP Release 7 uses the “discontinuous transmission and reception” method to shut down the device’s transmitter and receiver during the idle phases to reduce power consumption. It has no effect on the actual data rates experienced by the end-user.

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