The GSMA is endorsing a new 3GPP standard for mobile data and broadcast services that aims to speed adoption of technology like mobile television.
The Integrated Mobile Broadcast (IMB) standard is based on WCDMA technology but also allows for deployment in the TDD spectrum. IMB re-uses aspects of existing technologies such as UMTS and Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) and can be used within segments of spectrum already allocated to 3G.
"IMB being a 3GPP standard is part of the industry mainstream technology track, giving the biggest scale advantage for mobile broadcast. As such, IMB is complementing existing HSPA and MBMS delivery of rich content," said Erik Ekudden, vice president of Ericsson, in a statement.
The GSMA also collaborated with operators including Orange and Vodafone to write a white paper on the standard. The paper covers spectrum requirements and necessary network capabilities.
"IMB has been created through collaborative mobile industry effort and offers mobile operators an opportunity to launch new services to their customers," said Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at the GSMA, in a statement. "The GSMA is delighted to be endorsing this technology and we look forward to seeing the advanced services the mobile operator community will deploy using this flexible new mobile broadcast standard."