iOS 4.2 supports technology for reducing network congestion
Nokia Siemens Networks revealed Tuesday that the company had conducted tests confirming that the iOS 4.2 update for iPhone supports its Network Controlled Fast Dormancy technology, which minimizes network congestion and improves battery life.
Network Controlled Fast Dormancy (NCFD), which was developed by Nokia Siemens Networks, reduces network congestion by keeping smartphones in an "intermediate state" instead of alternating between idle and always active on the network.
From this intermediate state, smartphones can "wake up" more quickly while conserving battery life when not in use. NCFD also reduces the number of signals needed to start a data connection between a smartphone and a network.
The post did not explain what kinds of tests Nokia Siemens Networks ran to confirm the iPhone's support of the technology, but did state that the iPhone will take advantage of NCFD on networks that support it. Nokia implemented NCFD into its own smartphones earlier this year, the post noted.
According to one Middle Eastern operator, smartphones on a Nokia Siemens Networks network had 11 hours of battery life compared to 6 hours on a competing network. Testing in North America found that Nokia Siemens Networks' "smart networks" generate "up to 50 percent less smartphone signaling."
It is unclear to what extent NCFD has been implemented on the AT&T network, but the new technology could serve to lighten the load for the sole carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., which has been criticized for poor coverage in major cities such as New York and San Francisco.
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T executives had flown to Apple's Cupertino, Calif., campus to give iPhone designers a "crash course in wireless networking." As a result, Apple "rejiggered" how its smartphones communicate with AT&T towers, reducing the strain on the AT&T network.
Network Controlled Fast Dormancy (NCFD), which was developed by Nokia Siemens Networks, reduces network congestion by keeping smartphones in an "intermediate state" instead of alternating between idle and always active on the network.
From this intermediate state, smartphones can "wake up" more quickly while conserving battery life when not in use. NCFD also reduces the number of signals needed to start a data connection between a smartphone and a network.
The post did not explain what kinds of tests Nokia Siemens Networks ran to confirm the iPhone's support of the technology, but did state that the iPhone will take advantage of NCFD on networks that support it. Nokia implemented NCFD into its own smartphones earlier this year, the post noted.
According to one Middle Eastern operator, smartphones on a Nokia Siemens Networks network had 11 hours of battery life compared to 6 hours on a competing network. Testing in North America found that Nokia Siemens Networks' "smart networks" generate "up to 50 percent less smartphone signaling."
It is unclear to what extent NCFD has been implemented on the AT&T network, but the new technology could serve to lighten the load for the sole carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., which has been criticized for poor coverage in major cities such as New York and San Francisco.
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T executives had flown to Apple's Cupertino, Calif., campus to give iPhone designers a "crash course in wireless networking." As a result, Apple "rejiggered" how its smartphones communicate with AT&T towers, reducing the strain on the AT&T network.
Comments
Of course, if I watch a feature film on it, and then play Rage HD, I'll need a charge by 5:00 in the afternoon.
From this intermediate state, smartphones can "wake up" more quickly while conserving battery life when not in use. NCFD also reduces the number of signals needed to start a data
It is unclear to what extent NCFD has been implemented on the AT&T network, but the new technology could serve to lighten the load for the sole carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., which has been criticized for poor coverage in major cities such as New York and San Francisco.
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T executives had flown to Apple's Cupertino, Calif., campus to give iPhone designers a "crash course in wireless networking." As a result, Apple "rejiggered" how its smartphones communicate with AT&T towers, reducing the strain on the AT&T network.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Great technology now hopefully the carriers are capable of implementing it on their towers..
Have got 48% battery remaining after 3 days on my IP4 under 4.2.1. This feels like about double the performance of my 3GS under 4.1.
Nice one, Apple.
AT&T must be like "Where was this 3 years ago!"
They'll have to wait a little while since they don't use NSN's RNCs. They'll have to wait until Ericsson brings the same feature out as well. NSN is the first to bring it out, but it is an open 3GPP standard so Huawei and Ericsson are likely to introduce the feature as well since it doesn't take a whole lot of development on the network side.
Another interesting thinkg would be to know if iOS 4.2 supports CPC and CS over HSPA. If it does these, it would improve talk time by another 50% for voice calls with the right networks.
Regs, Jarkko
This is one of those things that are hard to bullet point, but is great for consumers. Way to go!
Big win for everyone - the consumer, AT&T, Nokia and Apple. No 'zero-sum-game' here!
Something does not add up for me - if Nokia had to run undisclosed tests to verify that the iPhone is using their technology - does that not imply that they did not know whether the technology had been licensed by Apple in the first place? or is that not patented or require license fees or royalties of some sort?
Why would there be a lawsuit about added software that works with systems that Nokia Siemens Network services provide?
Something does not add up for me - if Nokia had to run undisclosed tests to verify that the iPhone is using their technology - does that not imply that they did not know whether the technology had been licensed by Apple in the first place? or is that not patented or require license fees or royalties of some sort?
Just because something has been licensed, doesn't necessarily mean it's been implemented yet.
Something does not add up for me - if Nokia had to run undisclosed tests to verify that the iPhone is using their technology - does that not imply that they did not know whether the technology had been licensed by Apple in the first place? or is that not patented or require license fees or royalties of some sort?
It's more likely they just verified that the technology was properly implemented to spec and that it works as expected.
Just because something has been licensed, doesn't necessarily mean it's been implemented yet.
That did occur to me - that it might be checking to see if it had been implemented or that it had been done correctly.
Why would there be a lawsuit about added software that works with systems that Nokia Siemens Network services provide?
Why indeed - I was just speculating that there might be some tenuous reason - and aren't Apple and Nokia already involved in one lawsuit or another with each other?
Something does not add up for me - if Nokia had to run undisclosed tests to verify that the iPhone is using their technology - does that not imply that they did not know whether the technology had been licensed by Apple in the first place? or is that not patented or require license fees or royalties of some sort?
This is just a tweak to the signalling and clarification of some of the specifications wording. No patents needed.
Regs, Jarkko