Apple adds Network Controlled Fast Dormancy support in iOS 4.2
In iOS 4.2, Apple has implemented a new UMTS 3G feature created by Nokia Siemens to improve mobile network performance.
The feature, named Network Controlled Fast Dormancy, allows mobile handsets to rapidly power down into an idle state to conserve power, but also resume their network connection rapidly so the user experiences no delay when connecting to the network.
Nokia Siemens Networks noted in a company blog posting that the new iOS 4.2 update implements the NCFD feature when used on networks that implement the technology.
The posting notes that "Nokia also implemented the technology in its smartphones earlier this year. So now the two handset makers that account for half of all new smartphones in the world contribute to an improved user experience and cost reduction for operators."
The benefits are substantial. "One Middle Eastern operator, for instance, found that smartphones on a Nokia Siemens Networks network had a battery life of 11 hours compared to six hours on a competing network," the posting says. "Meanwhile, testing in North America found that our smart networks generate up to 50 percent less smartphone signaling."
In normal use, UMTS 3G devices switch between a dedicated channel mode (where the device operates at full speed) and idle modes (where it falls into a dormant state that saves power). The problem with being idle is that the device takes some time to renew network activity, a delay that can take a noticeable two or three seconds.
With Fast Dormancy, a mobile device can retain its network connection while also dropping into an efficient power saving mode, enabling a rapid reconnection when the user requests information from the network. This not only save battery life on the device, but also reduces the amount of traffic on the network, allowing the operator to handle more subscribers at once.
Nokia Siemen's open development of network technologies related to UMTS allowed Apple to support NCTD without direct interaction between the two, so that Nokia Siemens only noticed the improvement after the iOS 4.2 software update was rolled out.
The feature, named Network Controlled Fast Dormancy, allows mobile handsets to rapidly power down into an idle state to conserve power, but also resume their network connection rapidly so the user experiences no delay when connecting to the network.
Nokia Siemens Networks noted in a company blog posting that the new iOS 4.2 update implements the NCFD feature when used on networks that implement the technology.
The posting notes that "Nokia also implemented the technology in its smartphones earlier this year. So now the two handset makers that account for half of all new smartphones in the world contribute to an improved user experience and cost reduction for operators."
The benefits are substantial. "One Middle Eastern operator, for instance, found that smartphones on a Nokia Siemens Networks network had a battery life of 11 hours compared to six hours on a competing network," the posting says. "Meanwhile, testing in North America found that our smart networks generate up to 50 percent less smartphone signaling."
In normal use, UMTS 3G devices switch between a dedicated channel mode (where the device operates at full speed) and idle modes (where it falls into a dormant state that saves power). The problem with being idle is that the device takes some time to renew network activity, a delay that can take a noticeable two or three seconds.
With Fast Dormancy, a mobile device can retain its network connection while also dropping into an efficient power saving mode, enabling a rapid reconnection when the user requests information from the network. This not only save battery life on the device, but also reduces the amount of traffic on the network, allowing the operator to handle more subscribers at once.
Nokia Siemen's open development of network technologies related to UMTS allowed Apple to support NCTD without direct interaction between the two, so that Nokia Siemens only noticed the improvement after the iOS 4.2 software update was rolled out.
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