High bandwidth everywhere is a key requirement of future communication systems. The big challenge is that the mobile user also be able to benefit. The UMTS, a member of the IMT-2000 family of systems, will offer global universal services up to 2 Mb/s for the mass market in the near future. For users demanding more capacity for "bit-hungry" high-quality applications, broadband mobile radio access systems are being developed, such as wireless LANs and the Mobile Broadband System. In this article broadband mobile systems are classified, taking into account services and quality, spectrum, and standardization issues. The practical experiences gained in two European research projects-ATM Wireless Access Communication System (AWACS) and System for Advanced Mobile Broadband Applications (SAMBA)-are described. Finally, a realistic look at possible future deployment is given.
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