t its enhancement, going by names such as LTE, Beyond 3G, Super 3G (NTT DoCoMo's terminology; www.nttdocomo.com), and Ultra 3G (KDDI's term; www.kddi.com/english). In 2005 we saw the number of 3G networks deployed increase appreciably, with more networks also extending their coverage. At the same time, there was growth in the number of available 3G-capable devices, with reductions in their price. As the number of networks and customers grows, service providers are also extending their networks beyond the footprints initially planned. The bottom line is that 3G is making strides, despite its slow start. With the pace of technology development speeding up each day, many indus- try players are working on enhancing the capabilities of 3G networks. Much of the research and development work is coming out of Japan, although efforts are occur- ring around the globe. The types of enhancements envisioned for Beyond 3G include IP technologies for the back end, faster data speeds, new business applica- tions, and many other applications, including interactive games, video services, audio downloads, and location-based services. Given the range of advanced appli- cations involved, higher-speed data services, QoS features, and new back-end sys- tems that support the bridging between wireless and wired networks will substantial components of the enhanced 3G networks. We are just beginning to see the range of services and content that can be delivered over 3G networks, and as discussed later in this chapter, there are also movements in the introduction of 4G networks, with 5G technologies already on the drawing boards. Chapter 14 Wireless WANs The Beyond 3G vision involves today's 3G technologies, whether W-CDMA/ UMTS or CDMA2000, but goes on to support bandwidths greater than 5MHz and adds smarter and more efficient IP-based back-end infrastructure and additional one-way or two-way airlinks to provide further capabilities. The intended result is to improve spectral efficiency, allowing for a great increase in system capacity, lo