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| bearer technologies |
What does GSM stand for?
Are there any other networks besides GSM? Could you name a few?
What is the connection and relationship between GSM and GPRS?
How many transmitters does Orange have?
How is Orange meeting the needs to customers who want to use wireless LAN hotspots?
What does GSM stand for?
Global System for Mobile Telecommications. A standard in place since the early 1980s which defines how the majority of digital cellular mobile phone work (outside of USA, Korea, Japan).
Are there any other networks besides GSM? Could you name a few?
USA, Korea use CDMA networks. Older analogue technologies include TACs. GSM advances to UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) which encompasses WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Mulitplex Access) and CDMA200 (these are different radio techniques in use in Europe and USA respectively). USA networks also refer to 1eVDO and other terms referring to transitory network technologies.
What is the connection and relationship between GSM and GPRS?
GPRS is a standard with GSM. It is a means of using GSM mobile network to provide an 'always on' IP based data connection.
How many transmitters does Orange have?
About 12.5 k 2G base stations, increasing by upto 50 / month. And about 3.5k 3G increasing by 200 + / month.
How is Orange meeting the needs to customers who want to use wireless LAN hotspots?
Orange is looking into providing wireless hotspot access through established vendors.
Does Orange plan to use coding schemes 3 and 4 for GPRS?
Does Orange have any plans for always on GPRS?
Does the DBE platform buffer intercept content before supplying it to the mobile?
Why does GPRS outperform 3G for small data transmissions?
Does Orange plan to use coding schemes 3 and 4 for GPRS?
Yes, once we can get the radio side of things sorted. The use of CS3 and 4 is dependant on the signal to noise ratio on the radio environment.
Does Orange have any plans for always on GPRS?
Yes. The plan is to allow this shortly. There will need to be some network enhancements and obviously there will need to be devices too, but soon there will be handsets that establish a pdp context on power up and maintain it. This will improve network performance.
On occasion I encounter problems that seem to suggest that GPRS access to the Internet passes through a firewall with certain ports blocked; what is the policy regarding open ports for GPRS and 3G?
At present, Orange do not block any ports when accessing the internet through GPRS/3G.
Where a GPRS network connection is not available, what failover methods are there for an application?
Wherever the is GSM, there is also GPRS. If GPRS is unavailable, that may be due to a fault within the core network. However, HS/CSD and SMS may still be available to use as a bearer, if the application with which the device is communicating is able to accept it.
Does the DBE platform buffer intercept content before supplying it to the mobile?
Content is buffered by the DBE server, then delivered to the GPRS device.
Do customers have a choice of which service they wish to use, e.g. can we choose to use GPRS over EDGE or vice versa, if both are available at the same time?
In this case, choice of EDGE over GPRS when available, is down to the device (manual or automatic) that is attaching, rather than the network.
Why does GPRS outperform 3G for small data transmissions?
GPRS outperforms 3G for small data transmissions as requests for radio resources are quicker over GPRS.
Is EDGE the same as GPRS or as UMTS?
What is the plan for EDGE / 3G rollout?
What % of new handsets are EDGE enabled?
Is EDGE the same as GPRS or as UMTS?
EDGE is a new way of getting more bandwidth from existing radio spectrum (it uses 8PSK rather than QPSK). With an EDGE enabled network and EDGE handsets (hardware dependant) you can get speeds of approximately 200kb/s on a 2G network. EDGE is sometimes referred to as 2.75G.
When using EDGE the data service is identical to GPRS over GSM. It is sometimes referred to as EGPRS.
What is the plan for EDGE / 3G rollout?
Orange is looking at EDGE. In the main, operators who backed 3G are reviewing their EDGE strategy with a view to using it as infill to supplement 3G. Those that did not go with 3G, are pursuing an EDGE rollout.
What % of new handsets are EDGE enabled?
For now, about 20% of new handsets are EDGE enabled. This will however increase as the technology gets cheaper.
What is the plan for EDGE / 3G rollout?
What is a realistic 3G throughput?
Why does GPRS outperform 3G for small data transmissions?
3G was supposed to be broadband for mobiles. When will this really happen?
What is the plan for EDGE / 3G rollout?
In the main, operators who backed 3G are reviewing their EDGE strategy with a view to using it as infill to supplement 3G (in areas where 3G deployment is uneconomic). Those that did not go with 3G, are pursuing an EDGE rollout.
What is next for 3G?
HSDPA over the coming months and the HSUPA. HSDPA has a theoretical throughput of 14 Mbps, but we will limit this to 2 Mbps per user. As with all radio enhancements the ability to provide bandwidth is restricted by the backhaul. We currently plan to deploy 2 x 2 Meg circuits to each Node B.
What is a realistic 3G throughput?
That really depends on what you are doing. If your application is attempting an ftp you could get speeds of over 300 kbps. If you are browsing or downloading small quantities of data, you will get 64 – 128 kbps.
What is the 3G chip rate?
3.84 Mcps
Why does GPRS outperform 3G for small data transmissions?
GPRS outperforms 3G for small data transmissions as requests for radio resources are quicker over GPRS.
3G was supposed to be broadband for mobiles. When will this really happen?
With the arrival of always on GPRS devices and the evolution towards IPv6 in the network, the mobile device will become the same as your ADSL connected PC at home and this will in turn open up the opportunity for peer to peer applications. Also, the upgrade to HSDPA will provide improved data speeds, in the order of 2 Mbps.
On occasion I encounter problems that seem to suggest that GPRS access to the Internet passes through a firewall with certain ports blocked; what is the policy regarding open ports for GPRS and 3G?
At present, Orange do not block any ports when accessing the internet through GPRS/3G.
What are the plans for the rollout of HSDPA?
How fast will HSDPA actually be?
What are the plans for the rollout of HSDPA?
HSDPA is the next step for 3G. Orange will be testing the viability of HSDPA in 2006.
How fast will HSDPA actually be?
Realistically, 2MB/user based on 2users/cell. An increase in the number of users will see a reduction in bandwidth.
Does UMA pose a threat to current mobile operators?
What is Orange doing with UMA?
What security concerns currently apply to UMA?
Does UMA pose a threat to current mobile operators?
UMA is an additional access method that can be used by mobile operators, so it is not a threat, more of a complimentary technology.
What is Orange doing with UMA?
Orange is investigating UMA technology.
What security concerns currently apply to UMA?
It's too early to say, the technology is still being developed.
What's the realistic data rate of WiMAX?
Could WiMAX replace cellular in the future?
What's the realistic data rate of WiMAX?
Using mobile WiMAX, built into a laprtop, you could see speeds of 2mbps.
Could WiMAX replace cellular in the future?
Potentially. Some new operators may attempt to use WiMAX as a cellular bearer, but probably for large urban areas rather than for national coverage.
What are the plans for DVB-H (digital video broadcast for handheld)?
How would DVB-H networks slot into the current networks in terms of speed and reliability?
What are the plans for DVB-H (digital video broadcast for handheld)?
DVB-H is in its infancy. UK operators are working with academic institutions and vendors to develop DVB-H services.
How would DVB-H networks slot into the current networks in terms of speed and reliability?
The DVB-H bearer would be transmitted by the existing television broadcast agencies, who therefore support reliability.
What effect will new high capacity mobile phone hard drives have on system design of DVB-H (download DVD then watch later?)
You can already compress DVDs onto an SD card and watch them on a mobile. DVB-H devices will undoubtedly have the capability to take memory cards, and may accept micro drives.
This will of course depend on the DRM status of the media and device.
| networks |
Do other operators treat roaming in the same way as Orange? If not, how do other networks work?
Can you please explain briefly how billing is implemented while the user is roaming?
SMS roaming – do SMSs also come back to the home network?
Does UMTS roaming work approximately the same way as GSM?
Do you have specific services for roamers in Dominica?
Do other operators treat roaming in the same way, or is this information Orange-specific? If so, how do other networks work?
All GSM network work this way. GSM was designed to make roaming easy. Pre-GSM roaming was not considered important, and was generally not possible.
Does Orange plan on offering a location verification service for content owners who have legal obligations to prevent UK licensed content being viewed in other countries, where separate legal agreements may exist.
Currently, Orange has no plans to offer a location verification service for content owners in this scenario.
Can you please explain briefly how billing is implemented while the user is roaming?
The visited network MSC (Mobile Switching Centre) generates Voice CDRs and the SGSN generates Data CDRs (Cal Details Record). These CDRs are then routed to the home network via an international exchange agreement. This agreement is the roaming agreement between networks. The CDR is then applied to the customer's bill as usual.
Can you provide a listing of the GPRS access services that are limited to PrePay and PostPay customers in different countries?
This is changing all the time. Please see the roaming information section on the relevant home network site, or start with www.orange.com.
How does the choice of the visited network work (simple roaming)? I'm in Spain using a French Orange SIM; sometimes I use the Vodafone network, and at others times I use Movistar? Why does it change?
The choice of network is determined by the handset. It measures available signal strength and attaches to the 'best' network. It will stay attached to one network until the signal strength drops below a certain threshold. The initial choice of network can be influenced by a preferred network list on the handset or SIM card or by manual selection.
SMS roaming – do SMSs also come back to the home network?
Yes. The SMS is carried by the signalling channel back to the home network SMSC (Short Message Service Centre).
Does UMTS roaming work approximately the same way as GSM?
UMTS roaming is identical to GSM roaming.
Do you have specific services for roamers in Dominica?
GSM customers are able to roam in Dominica on Orange Caraibe's network, but we do not offer specific services for roamers. You can find out more information about the Orange service in Dominica at www.orange.dm.
| services |
Which WAP version is used by Orange?
What is the speed of the standard GPRS download on an Orange mobile?
Who can get access to dedicated business links from the GSM network, and how is access restricted?
What kind of price is data generally charged?
Which WAP version is used by Orange?
The WAP gateways typically support the latest version (WAP 2.0), but there are still a variety of gateways in place in Orange networks around the world.
What is the speed of the standard GPRS download on an Orange mobile?
Typical speeds are aimed at being between 20-40kb/s. This may be higher, but is dependant on usage, since GPRS is a pooled service (i.e. available bandwidth is shared between users) just like domestic ADSL.
Who can get access to dedicated business links from the GSM network, and how is access restricted?
The access to dedicated business links is controlled at the network level. This can be delegated to the company, however the network HLR (home location register) typically has a strict list of APNs accessible per user.
What kind of price is data generally charged?
In our operations where GPRS has been launched, data is charged by MB, except in Orange Dominicana where WAP usage is charged by page impression.
Is it possible to communicate from a device to a fixed IP, if so how is this done?
Does the HLR assign the cell phone its IP address?
How can we query the IP address from MSISDN?
What sort of IP address does a phone get? A public or private one? Is it possible to make a choice, and if so, how is this done?
Typically the internet access IP address is a private IP address. The control of addressing policy is based on the choice of APN. Orange networks provide APNs for specialist purposes with specific policies, and generic business APNs with VPN (virtual Private Network) friendly policies.
Is it possible to directly communicate between two users via their IP address? If so, does this cost the GPRS charges?
Conceivably yes this is possible. However it is not recommended nor reliable. It is still charged as usual since the traffic all goes through the SGSN which generates the charging records (CDRs)
Is it possible to communicate from a device to a fixed IP, if so how is this done?
Yes, in the same way as you would from any other IP node. Imagine the phone as a PC in a private data network behind a firewall and you can follow basic networking techniques.
Does the HLR assign the cell phone its IP address?
The GGSN assigns the IP address based on the IP addressing policy defined for the APN that has been requested.
How can we query the IP address from MSISDN?
The operating system will provide facilities to query the IP address. However remember this is likely to be a private, externally non-routable address which is subject to NAT (Network address translation), and should not be used as an identity.
It is much better to use the MSISDN (phone number) as the identity. This can be accessed by the appropriate OS call.
Can you tell us some more about HLR and VLR?
Why is there really a need for an HLR? What would happen if there isn't one?
Can you tell us some more about HLR and VLR?
HLR holds the subscriber database for the network. It handles all the records describing what services a subscriber has, their phone numbers and any access permissions. The VLR is a means of having the relevant data shared with a visited network, it holds a temporary copy of the HLR data when the subscriber has registered onto that visited network.
Why is there really a need for an HLR? What would happen if there isn't one?
Without an HLR there is no network. The system could not identify subscribers or route calls to them. This database translates telephone numbers to find the phone.
We need to connect to Orange to send SMS at the MAR level. We have not had much luck with doing this - where do we start?
MAR access can be obtained in the UK by completing the contractual process. There is often a waiting list for this since we have a large number of people wishing to connect and a limited number of connections are made each month for stability reasons. You have two options:
Use an SMS broker, and we can refer you to some.
Apply for the MAR access, by emailing us at developers@orange.com
Our Game Engine has been currently coded with a HTTP POST method of sending/retrieving High Score data. The High Score functionality is provided from our own server, using MySQL / PHP. Is it necessary to use the Orange High Score API?
No it is not necessary to use the Orange Hi-score system. Please feel free to use your own.
| devices |
How do I unlock my Smartphone in order to install unsigned applications?
How do I perform a soft reset on my Smartphone?
How do I unlock my Smartphone in order to install unsigned applications?
A link to the tool is exclusively available to Orange Partner members.
How do I perform a soft reset on my Smartphone?
In order to soft reset your handset, just remove the battery from the handset (without switching it off) and leave the battery out for about 20-30 seconds.
Are handsets predominately owned personally, one each, or is a single handset typically shared (so a single account could have a high ARPU - but shared over 10 light users)?
Handsets are predominantly owned personally in most of our markets, but in Africa some handsets are shared, for example amongst a family.
Would you say that there will be a "push" to make the devices more high-end in the Emerging Markets? Or will the trend remain low/mid-range due to socioeconomics?
High end devices are already available to the operators who wish to launch them, however their higher cost does not usually make them attractive to the mass market.
| testing |
Will Orange help with waivers in the Symbian Signed process?
Will Orange help with waivers in the Symbian Signed process?
Orange is working with Symbian Signed to improve the process. In some cases we may help with waivers where there is a clear need for it. We will deal with these situations individually.
My product is Symbian Signed. Do you need to see the Symbian test report? If so, how do I get it to you?
We would prefer to see the test report from any industry standard testing. The report(s) can be attached on the 'Technical Details' page of the product submission form.
What is the relevance of testing?
During development, how can you test against Orange criteria?
Does content need to be signed?
How can I get access to Orange handsets to do my testing?
How do I get to visit a Developer Centre?
What is the relevance of testing?
Industry standard testing is relevant for all applications. Orange Compatibility testing is relevant for both products and content.
During development, how can you test against Orange criteria?
Orange Partner premium members and contracted partners can use the Orange Compatibility Tool on the Orange Partner site that allows testing of WAP sites and content against a range of Orange handsets. The tool allows the parameterised handset descriptions to be stored and compared to the content parameters thus ensuring Orange compatibility.
There is no industry standard test for content.
Does content need to be signed?
Some content does need to be signed, for example ring-tones installed on a SPV as a CAB file must be signed.
How can I get access to Orange handsets to do my testing?
The Orange Developer Centres are cutting-edge test environments that allow you to test and utilise a range of devices and connect to the live 2G and in some places 3G Orange network.
How do I get to visit a Developer Centre?
To book a place at any Orange Developer Centre, please use the booking form.
We require around two weeks' notice, so reserve your space early.
I am interested in application testing documentation but also by Carrier Certification documentation. Does Orange provide the list of Certification test cases or are they only available through the certification process?
Testing is tailored around your products as required. Once you submit your product in to the usual Orange Partner submission process the details of the Carrier Certification documentation will become available to you on an individual basis.
I have an application that my company uses on our phones. I don't want to sell it, but I do need to get it signed?
By getting the product signed you can avoid the warning prompts that you will have been seeing. To get your application signed you can submit it to the Orange Partner programme and we will test and sign it.
We have been developing a client server system that uses a Symbian client application, and an Oracle server. How would Orange go about testing this?
Orange Partner will focus on the client side application and the connectivity. Whilst testing the client side application it will be necessary to prove that the client correctly connects to the server and that the system appears to work.
We will not attempt to test your server application beyond this level.
What is Orange doing to change the standards? Particularly Java Verified?
Do we need to repeatedly test our product on different handsets for Java Verified?
How do you test Java multiplayer games?
What is Orange doing to change the standards? Particularly Java Verified?
Orange is working on many levels with each of the Standards bodies. In addition we are working with other Network Operators on future standards, to move these into a more inclusive position.
With regards to Java in particular, Orange has been elected to the Java Community Process (JCP) executive committee which is made up of representatives of companies and individuals to guide the evolution of Java technologies.
In practice does a Java application written using only standard MIDP 1.0 classes work on all phones supporting MIDP 1.0?
In theory yes, in reality there is a high degree of fragmentation of the Java engines, and the only real way to be sure is to test on as many handsets as you can which is why we provide both the Orange Compatibility test tool online, and the Developer Centres worldwide. These will shortly be enhanced by the Remote device access feature of our Virtual Developer Centre.
Do we need to repeatedly test our product on different handsets for Java Verified?
Technically one handset suffices, we recommend testing on the lead handsets for the various families unless you are targeting a smaller range.
When submitting a Java application to the programme who performs the tests? Orange or another company?
A combination. For some testing we use an external test house, and at other times we test an application ourselves. Java Verified is always carried out by an independent test house, there are a limited number contracted by SUN. SUN control the Java Verified specification and process.
Is there a maximum preferred size for jar files? I am currently just under 60k and trying to balance size against additional functionality.
There is no absolute maximum size in general, although individual phones do have maxima. 60K is not unreasonable, we have seen larger apps run very successfully, but the balance is always key as you suggest.
How do you test Java multiplayer games?
Java multiplayer games are tested using both Java verified and a usability test which proves the multiplayer aspects.
If I want my product e.g.: a Java game to get into the Orange internal product catalogue, are there basic requirements to pass the Java Verified test?
Yes. Basic requirement for a Java application is to pass the Java Verified tests. Applications will not be accepted into the catalogue without Java Verified.
If a midlet has a text file that contains all it's language strings and this was Java Verified – would the midlet need to be retested (Java Verified) if a different language file were dropped in?
The Java verified spec refers to the use of separate resource files, and that is the preferred way to go so as to avoid re-testing unnecessarily. Should the application executable alter, then the signature is invalidated and the application must be re-tested and re-signed.
There is a re-test procedure defined in Java Verified to allow for this.
Will all developers with sufficiently complex midlets fail the AL2 Test – Application Startup, and thus be ineligible (across all handsets) as Orange World content?
We discussed this with UTC during the formation of the test plans. It is expected that this can be waived, and will be as long as the startup time is not excessive (excessive being where an average user would get bored waiting).
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