TDMA convergence for packet data services

Provisioning of packet data services with evolutionary cellular networks is a challenge for current operator;. For packet data services, two widely us ed TDMA-based systems, GSM and TIA/EIA-136, will evolve toward a common rad io interface. This article discusses the benefits of that convergence. It p resents the network planning principles for the common technology, and esti mates the network performance with simulations and by evaluations based on measurements from a current network. The article will also discuss the bene fits of the convergence for implementation of a mobile handset.