IMT-2000 STANDARDS - RADIO ASPECTS

One of the key characteristics of IMT-2000 is the advanced radio techn ologies that will offer a whole new range of capabilities to the users of international mobile telecommunications. This article starts by co mparing the significant differences between second-generation mobile s ystems and the major objectives envisioned for IMT-2000, with particul ar emphasis on the satellite component. It also describes the flexible modular architecture for IMT-2000, which will facilitate the introduc tion and evolution of new capabilities. The article overviews the tech nology facilitators that, by the year 2000, will greatly assist the ec onomic implementation of these new systems. Finally, the ITU process f or the selection of radio technologies that will fulfill these ambitio us requirements is also outlined.