TDMA and GSM Union University Knowledge Set

Agenda TDMA Technology GSM Technology TDMA vs GSM TDMA Conversion The 3GSM Evolution Glossary of Terms

TDMA Technology TDMA stands for Time Division Multiple Access This means that we take a single radio channel and split it using time division allowing for 3 times as many phone calls per channel What is the Benefit? This feature gives you the ability to handle more capacity on the network, thus more customer calls can be transmitted.

GSM Technology GSM stands for Global Standard for Mobile Communications GSM, like TDMA, uses a digital time division technology but now the signal is completely digital This gives you many advances in technology and ability Better sound quality Better reception Free and easy domestic roaming and long distance Smaller phones that are more feature packed Much longer battery life Opens the door to 3G technologies

GSM Technology GSM is a gateway technology meaning it opens the door to many other technologies The first is GPRS which stands for General Packet Radio Service GPRS is the protocol that gives you the ability to surf the internet and send and receive MMS or Multi-Media Messaging Service Without GPRS you are only able to get voice calls and send and receive text messages (SMS = Short Message Service) The second is EDGE with stands for Enhanced Data for the GSM Evolution EDGE is the same protocol as GPRS but provides some faster speed for internet and messaging and gives slightly better call quality EDGE is a gateway to 3GSM technologies which we will cover later

TDMA -vs- GSM TDMA Analog service with digital inside Large phones Poor battery life Text messaging No current phones or services Roaming is either expensive or nonexistent GSM Fully Digital Signal Small, feature packed phones Exemplary battery life Text, picture, video and sound messaging The latest and greatest phones Roaming on a national plan using Union’s extended network is free and plentiful

What to say. TDMA -vs- GSM TDMA TDMA is a flatter signal that has a longer range (up to 40 miles) GSM More towers are required because the range from towers is a maximum of 20 miles When a customer states that TDMA is better than GSM you can use any of the following statements: “While it is true that TDMA is the only coverage in a few select areas, we have more than twice the amount of coverage using the GSM technology.” “While there are a couple of small areas where we only have TDMA coverage, by and large, GSM offers a lot more coverage, capability and service at a lower price.” “The coverage area on GSM is a little different than you are used to. However, most people are very happy with the new technology, since we have more towers using it.”

TDMA Conversion The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has designated February 2008 as the date that wireless companies do not need to maintain TDMA and Analog services. Therefore the major carriers in the U.S. and manufacturers of wireless phones have stopped expanding and producing any form of analog or TDMA service technologies Most of the major companies have completed a forced conversion to their digital technologies and manufacturers have ceased all productions of phones, tower equipment and support of any TDMA products

TDMA Conversion We can offer better plan features with GSM technology Better service and coverage in several areas My Top 10, Unlimited Nights and Weekends and Mobile to Mobile (in network) FREE Domestic Long Distance and FREE Nationwide Domestic Roaming We want all customers to convert as soon as possible. Therefore we are offering several motivators to converting to the new technology. TDMA Conversion Credit Up to $ off the activated price of any GSM phone (1 or 2 year agreement is required) TDMA Contractual agreements and upgrade dates will be waived Once we are able to turn off TDMA and Analog, we will have even better service because we will be able to replace any existing TDMA antenna or channels with GSM antenna or channel, thereby vastly increasing the coverage and capacity of our digital GSM network. So it certainly benefits Union and its customers to convert to GSM.

TDMA Conversion Considerations Before converting someone from TDMA make sure: The customer understands their coverage are WILL BE DIFFERENT The customer understands where they will or will not have service They understand that once we change them to TDMA it is no simple task to switch them back Any boosters or amplifiers they are currently using may not work with their new phone To maintain a positive feeling in the conversation: Find out what the customer is using Explain any changes with a smile on your face (even if you are on the phone) Explain the change saying, “the great thing about the new technology is...” “...most customers are very happy with the change because we have more than twice the amount of coverage using the GSM technology.” “...by and large, GSM offers a lot more coverage, capability and service at a lower price.” “...you will receive a lot more capabilities, quality of service and more coverage with the new technology.” “...our new GSM technology is the world standard for wireless service today. In fact 82% of the WORLD uses this technology.

The 3G or 3GSM Evolution 3G and 3GSM are essentially the same thing, but 3G encompasses all technologies, while 3GSM refers to the evolution within the GSM technologies. So when you hear 3G, 3GSM or any other moniker with 3G in front of it; it is likely referring to the 3rd Generation of that technology. 3GSM technologies will be introduced at Union over the next couple of years These 3G technologies will offer many new and improved tools for everyday productivity and entertainment.

The 3G or 3GSM Evolution 3G technologies will essentially offer faster more reliable internet speeds and bandwidth. The 3rd generation of phones will make it easier, faster and less congested than on the 2nd generation (or 2G) network we currently use. These are just some of the improvements made in the 3G world: Video streaming and Video Conferencing GPS location and turn by turn directions Music players with purchase/download ability right on the phone High quality cameras and video capture devices 3G will help the 2G technologies because we will be able to use the 3G almost exclusively for internet and other data applications and therefore free up our current EDGE/GPRS network to handle mostly voice calls and text messaging. This will greatly increase coverage and capacity on both Union’s and our roaming partners’ networks.

The 3GSM Evolution Here at Union Wireless, the next technological step for our customers is called UMTS UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service This technology works similarly to what we are used to with GSM but adds an extreme boost to speed and capability While generally a network for data, it will impact our voice service because we can take some of the burden off of our GSM/GPRS/EDGE network caused by running our data and voice services off the same system So in the coming years you can look forward to more than 1MB of internet speed while surfing the internet and simultaneously be able to make a phone call with no interruption, the possibilities are endless

Review of Terms The following terms are used in the industry to describe technologies. It is important to understand them and to explain these terms to customers as simply as possible and only when they ask. Always try to avoid using acronyms of any kind when speaking to customers. Analog = Common term for non-digital, radio wave based communications sometimes termed “AMPs” or “AMPs 850” GSM = Global Standard for Mobile Communications TDMA = Time Division Multiple Access 3GSM = 3 Generation GSM GPRS = General Packet Radio Service EDGE = Enhanced Data for the GSM Evolution UMTS = Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service CDMA = Code Division Multiple Access, a digital version of TDMA used by Sprint Verizon and Alltel

Questions? Thank you!