IMT-2000
IMT-2000, short for International Mobile Telecommunications-2000, is a global standard for 3G (third-generation) mobile telecommunications, as defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It aims to provide a single, globally harmonized set of standards for mobile services, enabling roaming and interoperability between different networks.
The "2000" in the name originally referred to the year 2000, signifying the envisioned timeframe for its deployment. While the initial rollout was later than anticipated, the name persisted.
IMT-2000 specifies a range of technologies that meet its minimum requirements for data rates and other performance characteristics. These include, but are not limited to:
- W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access)
- CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000)
- TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access)
The ITU defines the framework, but it's the individual standardization bodies (such as 3GPP and 3GPP2) that develop the specific technical specifications for the different air interface technologies that fall under the IMT-2000 umbrella.
The goal of IMT-2000 was to provide enhanced mobile services compared to 2G, including faster data speeds, multimedia support, and improved security. It paved the way for applications like mobile internet browsing, video streaming, and more advanced mobile data services. IMT-2000 was eventually succeeded by IMT-Advanced (4G) and IMT-2020 (5G) as technology advanced.