R2067 MBS "Mobile Broadband System"

The Mobile Broadband System is envisaged as a mobile communications system that will give its users access to the broadband services which are expected to be available in the future to fixed network users. High quality video is expected to be one important component of these services. A set of new technical issues has to be solved before such system becomes operational, in particular those issues resulting from the need for operation in the 60 GHz radio frequency bands. In addition, the successful introduction of broadband mobile services depends critically on the matching of the offered services to the user needs (applications), and on cost-effective provision of those services. The RACE II MBS project addresses the system concepts, techniques and technology required for the transition to the Mobile Broadband System, and the market and economic issues relating to the widespread introduction of the corresponding systems and services. This paper examines the main issues involved in the development and deployment of the Mobile Broadband System. It then presents the structure of the MBS project, and describes the goals and main achievements so far within its workpackages.