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When do the patents expire?When do the patents expire?Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:09 UTC (Tue) by Per_Bothner (subscriber, #7375)Parent article: The trouble with OpenBTS While OpenBTS may have limited/uncertain usefulness in the short term, it could still be a useful investment for the future, ready for when the patents run out.
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When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 24, 2009 22:48 UTC (Tue) by JoeBuck (subscriber, #2330) [Link] Given that the GSM standard was published in 1990 and the first GSM network was deployed in 1991, it would seem that the patents should run out very soon now.
When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 24, 2009 23:49 UTC (Tue) by jonth (subscriber, #4008) [Link]
Only if you use the 1991 versions of the specs. The specs are constantly updated, adding all sorts of features. From memory, 14.4kb/s circuit switched data (remember that?!) was added around 1995, GPRS was deployed in 2000 or so, then 3G, then HSDPA, then HSPA, HSPA+, LTE...
If you want to go with a 1991 standard network, you'll get voice at crappy quality and that's about it.
Every time a new feature is added, there's a massive bunfight over whose "essential IP" gets into the spec. So within the industry there's a big push to keep adding new (encumbered) features to the standard no matter how unnecessary. The more the merrier. It's sort of like a nuclear escalation, 1960s style. As long as all the interested parties have roughly equal parts of the IP, everyone's happy.
When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 25, 2009 3:36 UTC (Wed) by eru (subscriber, #2753) [Link] If you want to go with a 1991 standard network, you'll get voice at crappy quality and that's about it.The voice quality problems of the 1991 GSM were mainly implementation issues in the first generation equipment. Also, text messages and 9600bps circuit-switched data were already in the original specs (although not initially implemented). For the archetypical "cellular service for the poor rural masses", even these features should be plenty. More could be added as the patents expire...
When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 25, 2009 13:53 UTC (Wed) by chsnyder (subscriber, #52714) [Link]
Indeed. One could do A LOT with wide-area 9600kbps wireless data coverage and/or free sms, now that we have tiny linux devices that can speak to those networks.
As with any other industry where service providers build a wall of IP around their offerings, the innovation that comes with casual use is stifled in favor of a few narrow channels of maximum profitability.
One needs only to look at Twitter to see that there is enormous value to society in free short mobile messaging services. Someone could have realized that back in the 90s, and probably did, but the phone company's business models prevented most people from thinking of sms that way. How can you imagine building a city- or region-wide sensor network on top of gsm services when each node would cost $30/mo plus 25 cents per message? You can't.
Change the cost per node to $20/year (or free!) and it becomes doable.
When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 25, 2009 16:54 UTC (Wed) by Cyberax (subscriber, #52523) [Link]
A lot of operators still use 9600 bit rate for voice. It's not that bad.
Actually, 1991 standard should suffice, since you probably won't need GPRS for your local base station.
When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 25, 2009 21:21 UTC (Wed) by jonth (subscriber, #4008) [Link]
Actually, it's 13kb/s, and it's not the rate, it's the codec. A new, enhanced FR codec was introduced in around 1996. Trust me, the difference is extraordinary.
When do the patents expire? Posted Feb 25, 2009 1:37 UTC (Wed) by ncm (subscriber, #165) [Link]
It may be useful immediately in places where patents restrictions don't apply, or are unlikely to be enforced.
At last report McMurdo station (Antarctica) had no GSM cell. Given McMurdo's telecomm difficulties, one might only be useful for talking to others near McMurdo, but that alone could be useful enough to bother setting it up.
Antarctica - What law applies? Posted Mar 6, 2009 15:30 UTC (Fri) by jimwelch (guest, #178) [Link]
According to Wikipedia, Antarctica by treaty belongs to no country! (yet) So no laws apply?
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