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<DIV>GSM suppliers working on that already and implementing softswitches in order to increase capacity and lower cost. However GSM is circuit switched - not packet switched (except GPRS) and here is the point cost can't really dropped.</DIV>
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<DIV>The way it will be more probably is that GSM CDMA might be used in the furture in the suburbans and in metropolitan areas we will see a WIMAX/VOIP scenario. This will result in a hybrid network for at least a transitional period. We already experienced it with AMPS/TDMA to GSM transition.</DIV>
<DIV>CDMA (spread spectrum) is almost dead because high cost and leck of roaming capacity. WCDMA/UMTS (spread spectrum 3G) is very expencive and hard to manage (in Europe the launch was delayed by 2 years because hard and software problems). </DIV>
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<DIV>I recently started with a project (small scale) to setup such WIMAX based networks. The aim is to develop a low cost internet/phone network for rural communities in third world countries. Anybody with routing experience who wants to join me on a professional base is welcome.</DIV>
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<DIV>Regards Christian</DIV></BODY></HTML>