MediaTek and Nokia to Demonstrate Extended Coverage Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EC-EGPRS) at Mobile World Congress

TAIWAN, Hsinchu – February 18, 2016 – Preparing for a world where billions of devices and sensors will constantly transmit data, Nokia and MediaTek will demonstrate technology in Barcelona designed to improve power consumption and enhance network coverage. Extended Coverage Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EC-EGPRS) encompasses new innovative features such as Power Efficient Operation (PEO) and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX), paving the way for battery life that can be measured in years and a wider reach than achieved by conventional GSM/GPRS networks today.

The demonstration, shown at the MediaTek booth (Hall 6, E21), makes use of an EC-EGPRS capable Nokia Flexi Multiradio 10 base station and a mobile station, which is based on MediaTek’s modem technology and protocol software.

“Everywhere connected objects that send, share and collect information require innovative chipset technology and advanced networks,” said JC Hsu, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the IoT Business Unit at MediaTek. “MediaTek continues to be at the center of  the Internet of Things, collaborating with Nokia and supporting technology for low power, low throughput, and low cost devices that will drive growth and innovation in the IoT marketplace.”

Coming IoT applications will produce small amounts of data, be in remote locations and need to operate on for years on battery power. By focusing on advanced power savings modes and efficient networks, this joint effort meets the needs for future IoT sensor devices.

Niko Lalu, head of Single RAN, at Nokia, said: “We are very satisfied with the collaboration with MediaTek in implementing this prototype and demonstration system. We are showing that we are on a good path in making EC-EGPRS technology commercially available in networks and devices, meaning our customers can further leverage their investment in GSM network technology.”

EC-EGPRS technology is aligned with ongoing standardization within 3GPP GERAN (3rd Generation Partnership Project GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network). The specification will be finalized and available later in the first half of 2016. Samples of EC-EGPRS capable products are expected to be available by the end of 2016.