Số di động không dây (WNP), bắt đầu vào năm 2003, rất có thể sẽ là một chất xúc tác cho xu hướng này, theo công ty nghiên ngành công nghiệp không dây đang tìm kiếm cách thức mới để thúc đẩy số thuê bao và sử dụng, hầu hết các hãng đã lập kế hoạch mạng thế hệ thứ tư (4G). | 6 ON THE MENU TELECOM SERVICES in the long run. Airline travel is cheaper than ever before but few customers are happy with the experience. Given the present state of wireless competition it s only a matter of time before unlimited calling plans are available nationwide. Wireless number portability WNP which began in 2003 likely will be a catalyst for this trend according to the research firm. FOURTH-GENERATION MOBILE SERVICES With the wireless industry looking for new ways of boosting both subscriber numbers and usage most carriers are already planning fourth-generation 4G networks. As a result mobile phone networks are destined to become much faster and more uniform over the next several years. Today s networks restricted by low bandwidth and a patchwork of incompatible standards will give way to an interoperable system that supports an array of devices and offers seamless roaming. Imagine a wireless world in which networks provide broadband data and voice giving users high-quality audio Internet and even video services. Users can go anywhere in the world and automatically be handed off to whatever wireless service is available including cellular satellite and in-house phone systems. Higher-speed third-generation 3G mobile services has now rolled out but 4G technology is waiting in the wings. Upcoming 4G services intended to provide mobile data at rates of 100 Mbits per second or faster could begin arriving as soon as 2006. According to the Fourth-Generation Mobile Forum an international technical body that s focusing on next generation broadband wireless mobile communications the technology is about to undergo explosive growth. In 2000 only eight organizations were involved in 4G research and development. In 2002 over 200 companies and research institutions were conducting 4G projects. By 2008 over 400 billion will be invested in 4G services. Several major carriers have already started 4G testing. Japan s NTT DoCoMo for example has been conducting research .
