Personal communications network evolution

The introduction of personal communications networks (PCNs) coincided with the change in mobile cellular technology from analog to digital. However the rapid growth and take up of personal communication services has been affected as much by regulatory and marketing changes as the introduction of second generation technology. A key characteristic foreseen for the next generation is that of bringing together all attributes of a personal communications service into a single unified system. In the short term, multi-mode terminals will link networks based on cordless, cellular, satellite and fixed network technologies. A single number and single bill for all telecommunications services will become common. As IN techniques are used more fully, least cost routing and consistent service features will be achieved. The proposed third generation standards, the Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunications System (FPLMTS), and the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) will extend the range of services including those utilising higher speed data, such that new radio air interfaces and access methods will be required. However, due to the investment in existing networks the universal personal communications services of the future will be provided by a combination of evolved second generation networks with enhanced features and functions of third generation systems. At the service level, these mobile systems will provide the primary access to the `Information Society´ in which the availability of information, anytime, anywhere will revolutionise lifestyles