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March 10, 2004

6 Min Read
Who Makes What: Next-Gen Wireless Infrastructure

The boom and the bust that's occurred in the third-generation (3G) wireless market means that it's time for a roll call on what companies still make equipment in this space.

For starters, we've compiled a list of categories that we believe covers the key components of a 3G network and the vendors that sell them. Now we want your input: If you think there are additional categories needed, or if we missed a startup fresh out of the VC incubator, tell us by jumping on the message board or sending email to [email protected].

A wireless network of any stripe is mind-numbingly complex, so to keep our taxonomy to a manageable size, we've focused on two network areas – the radio infrastructure and the packet core – because these undergo the most changes during the evolution from 2G to 3G. Those categories are:

We've left out the circuit-switched core because it undergoes relatively little change. Of course, eventually the circuit core will disappear as voice traffic is packetized and routed through the packet core, but that change probably won't happen for a least a few more years. But if you, the folks in the trenches, can make a case that the circuit core and equipment such as mobile switching centers (MSCs) should be included, let us know. And don't forget to include a list of vendors serving that space.

That brings us to the next step: Once we've complied a final list of equipment categories and vendors, we’ll use it as the basis for future reports.

So fire away. And if you need a 3G refresher course first, visit A Wireless Taxonomy.

Unstrung Staff

A base transceiver station (BTS) is the connection point between a wireless device and the cellular network. A cell site consists of a BTS and adjunct equipment, such as antennas. However, this study focuses only on the BTS itself, because antennas are often supplied separately by third-party vendors.

In UMTS networks, a BTS technically should be called a "Node B," although the two terms are often used interchangeably. Because a few vendors make only Node Bs, those are covered separately in Section 2: Node Bs. Microcells and picocells are covered in Section 3: Microcells and Picocells.

  • Airnet

  • Airvana

  • AirWalk Communications

  • Eastern Communications

  • Ericsson

  • Fujitsu

  • Hitachi

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Hyundai Syscomm

  • InterWave Communications

  • LG Electronics

  • Lucent Technologies

  • Motorola

  • Nokia

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Siemens

  • Telos Technology

  • ZTE



A Node B is a base transceiver station (BTS) used in UMTS networks. Like a BTS, a Node B is the connection point between a wireless device and the cellular network. This section focuses only on the Node B itself, because adjunct equipment such as antennas are often supplied separately by third-party vendors.

Although the terms "Node B" and BTS are often used interchangeably, Node Bs technically are found only in UMTS networks. BTSs are covered separately in Section 1: Base Transceiver Stations.

  • Alcatel

  • Eastern Communications

  • Fujitsu

  • Huawei Technologies

  • IPWireless

  • Lucent Technologies

  • Motorola

  • NEC

  • Nokia

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Siemens

  • Solar Telecom Technology

  • SOMA Networks

  • UTStarcom

  • ZTE



Microcells and picocells are transceivers that serve as the connection point between a wireless device and the cellular network. They perform the same functions as a base station transceiver (BTS) but on a smaller scale, such as inside a building or a small outdoor area in a busy downtown. (One helpful analogy is a "fat" 802.11 access point: Both have small physical footprints and typically cover areas of a few hundred feet or so.) Repeaters and distributed antenna systems are not included in this survey.

  • AirWalk Communications

  • Contela

  • Ericsson

  • InterWave Communications

  • Ip.access

  • Motorola

  • Nokia Networks

  • RadioFrame Networks

  • Siemens

  • Telos Technology



As its name implies, a base station controller (BSC) controls multiple base transceiver stations (BTSs). In 2.5G and 3G networks, the BSC separates the voice and data traffic. Data is groomed off and sent to the new packet core network. Meanwhile, voice calls are routed to the mobile switching center (MSC), just as they are in 2G networks.

In UMTS networks, a BSC should technically be called a "radio network controller" (RNC), although the two terms are often used interchangeably. Because a few vendors make only RNCs, those are covered in Section 5: Radio Network Controllers.

  • Airnet

  • AirWalk Communications

  • Alcatel

  • Eastern Communications

  • Ericsson

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Hyundai Syscomm

  • InterWave Communications

  • LG Electronics

  • Motorola

  • Nokia

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Siemens

  • Telos Technology

  • ZTE



A radio network controller (RNC) controls multiple Node Bs in a UMTS network. Its functions are similar to those of a base station controller (BSC) – so much so that the terms BSC and RNC are often used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences in their architectures, such as data paths and processing resources, so BSCs are covered separately in Section 4: Base Station Controllers.

  • Alcatel

  • Eastern Communications

  • Fujitsu

  • Huawei Technologies

  • IPWireless

  • Lucent Technologies

  • Motorola

  • NEC

  • Nokia

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Siemens

  • SOMA Networks

  • UTStarcom

  • ZTE



Packet data serving nodes (PDSNs) are deployed in CDMA2000 networks to support packet-data traffic. PDSNs receive data traffic from the base station controllers (BSCs) and then route it to other data networks, such as the Internet. PDSNs can also serve as foreign agents (FAs) by receiving and then forwarding data traffic destined for roamers.

PDSNs are similar to routers in design and function. Not surprisingly, many networking vendors have adapted their router technology and know-how for wireless.

  • AirWalk Communications

  • Cisco

  • Eastern Communications

  • Ericsson

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Lucent

  • Hyundai Syscomm

  • InterWave Communications

  • Lucent Technologies (resells Cisco's PDSNs)

  • Motorola

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Starent Networks

  • UTStarcom



Home agents (HAs) are deployed in CDMA2000 networks to support packet-data traffic. Key functions include keeping track of whether a user is on the home network and forwarding traffic to foreign agents/packet data serving nodes (FAs/PDSNs) when they're roaming.

HAs are optional. They are required to support Mobile IP but not necessary for simple IP.

  • Cisco

  • Ericsson

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Motorola

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Starent Networks

  • UTStarcom



Serving GPRS support nodes (SGSNs) are deployed in GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS networks to support packet-data traffic. SGSNs act as intermediaries between the base station controllers/radio network controllers (BSCs/RNCs) and the gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSNs). SGSNs get user information from network elements such as the home location register (HLR) in order to determine to which GGSN the data traffic should be routed. One helpful analogy is that SGSNs are similar to edge routers, while GGSNs are similar to core routers.

Some vendors combine SGSN functionality with those of other nodes, such as RNCs, in a single box.

  • Alcatel

  • Cisco

  • Eastern Communications

  • Ericsson

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Hughes Software Systems

  • IPWireless

  • Lucent Technologies

  • Motorola

  • Nokia

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Siemens

  • Telos Technology

  • UTStarcom



Gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSNs) are deployed in GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS networks to support packet-data traffic. GGSNs act as intermediaries between the wireless network and other data networks, such as the Internet. Serving GPRS support nodes (SGSNs) route data traffic to the appropriate GGSN based on factors such as the user’s location. One helpful analogy is that SGSNs are similar to edge routers, while GGSNs are similar to core routers.

  • Alcatel

  • Cisco

  • Eastern Communications

  • Ericsson/Juniper

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Hughes Software Systems

  • Lucent Technologies

  • Motorola

  • Nokia

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • Siemens

  • Starent Networks

  • UTStarcom



As its name implies, an accounting, authentication, and authorization (AAA) server handles user requests for access to data resources and services. AAA servers provide information used for billing, and they can be used to support interoperability with 802.11 networks.

  • Bridgewater Systems

  • Cisco

  • Ericsson

  • Funk Software

  • Huawei Technologies

  • Hyundai Syscomm

  • Motorola

  • Nortel Networks

  • Samsung

  • UTStarcom



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