Samsung Electronics has developed the first commercially available LTE mobile modem

     Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that it has developed the first LTE(Long Term Evolution) mobile phone modem and that the modem meets the latest 3GPP standard released in March 2009. Utilizing 3GPP version 8 of the standard, this LTE modem is ahead of the industry standard released in December 2008.

     The Kalmia modem has two receiving and transmitting antennas (MIMO 2X2) and can support download speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 50Mbps at a bandwidth of 20MHz. Equipped with this mobile modem chip, mobile phone users can download an 800 megabit high-definition movie file in less than one minute at a speed of 100Mbps, while ensuring that four high-definition movies are downloaded without buffering.

     Samsung also announced that it has successfully developed a 3G baseband modem based on the 7 standard, with HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) evolution platform. Called the Broom modem, it offers upload and download speeds of up to 28Mbps and 11.5 Mbps. This makes version 7 run twice as fast as version 6 of HSPA Service, with download speeds up to 14.4Mbps.

     Since LTE shares a platform with other HSPA models, this newly released LTE modem is fully compatible with earlier standards. With this technology, mobile service providers can upgrade to HSPA or switch to broadband while entering LTE networks.

     In the future, this flexibility will be crucial, and mobile service providers will demand system compatibility to provide LTE technology in urban areas while also supporting 3G networks in suburban or rural areas. The modem offers a variety of modes for LTE developers who need interoperability within existing 3G networks.

     JongKyun Shin, Executive Vice President and Director of Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics, said: "Our latest LTE standard chip will help drive the world's first commercial LTE terminal. "Samsung is working with LTE developers to launch an LTE service in 2010. We will offer a wide range of LTE devices, including memory cards, handheld devices and MIDs."

     In addition, Samsung Electronics has developed a mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) modem chip, which is also well received in the mobile market. In South Korea, Samsung has incorporated the product into the commercial field of WiBro handheld devices. With this modem, Samsung has delivered WiMAX and LTE solutions to serve the two main wireless mobile communication systems for next-generation mobile systems. The company also showcased its 2G/3G modem product line as well as an upgraded HSDPA modem for the next generation of mobile communication systems.

     Samsung has also strengthened its leading position in mobile communications system standards. Currently, Samsung Electronics holds the majority of board positions in the IEEE 802.16 Working Group of the WiMAX Standardization Association and chairs the WiMAX Forum organized by the consortium. In addition, Samsung maintains its leading position and significant influence in other organizations such as the Technology Working Group.