Nokia Siemens Networks has successfully completed testing of Orthogonal Sub-Channel (OSC) support for Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channels on One Slot (VAMOS) handsets with the mobile chipsets provided by MediaTek. For operators, the benefit is that they can further reduce the spectrum capacity required for GSM.

Orthogonal Sub-Channel makes VAMOS GSM handsets, which boost receiver capacity, work even harder. Part of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Liquid Radio Software Suite, OSC is an innovative GSM feature that has been commercially available since 2011. It supports up to four devices in one radio timeslot, providing up to double voice capacity in GSM. Nokia Siemens Networks is the inventor of OSC and the established market leader in GSM spectral efficiency features. The OSC feature is currently in commercial use in networks serving more than 500 million users.

By enhancing OSC with support for VAMOS handsets, an average capacity increase of 5% can be provided, helping operators further reduce the capacity required for GSM and dedicate more network resources to WCDMA and LTE when they are re-farming spectrum. Successful compatibility testing with VAMOS capable chipsets is a major milestone in this development.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Nokia Siemens Networks, which has a long record of driving innovation in this area. Enhanced VAMOS chipsets have been available since December 2012, which was fully in line with Nokia Siemens Networks’ expectations,” said Jeffrey Ju, general manager of the Smartphone Business Unit at MediaTek. “VAMOS functionality has now become a baseline feature of MediaTek powered handsets.”

“Collaboration with MediaTek to implement OSC enhancements for VAMOS-capable devices puts us in a position to offer even better GSM spectral efficiency to our customers,” said Kimmo Virkki, head of GSM product management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “We will continue innovating in this area.”

Nokia Siemens Networks has over 70 OSC customer references today. Nokia Siemens Networks’ OSC support for VAMOS handsets has been available since the end of 2012 and is compliant with 3GPP GERAN release 9.

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About Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is the world’s specialist in mobile broadband. From the first ever call on GSM, to the first call on LTE, we operate at the forefront of each generation of mobile technology. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and the services to make it all work seamlessly.

With headquarters in Espoo, Finland, we operate in over 120 countries and had net sales of approximately 13.4 billion euros in 2012. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

About MediaTek

Since 1997, MediaTek has been a pioneering fabless semiconductor company and a market leader in cutting-edge systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile devices, wireless networking, HDTV, DVD and Blu-ray. Our tightly-integrated, innovative chip designs help manufacturers optimize supply chains, reduce the development time of new products, and extend a competitive edge in crowded markets. Through MediaTek Labs, the company is also building a developer hub that will support device creation, application development, and services for the Internet of Things era. By building technologies that help connect individuals to the world around them, MediaTek is enabling people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals. We believe anyone can achieve something amazing. And we believe they can do it every single day. We call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything we do. Visit mediatek.com for more information.