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Industry News
Leap Wireless International Signs Memorandum of
Understanding To Acquire Three Operating Licenses in Georgia; Cricket Portfolio
to Exceed 30 Million Potential Subscribers
San Diego, CA, December 15, 1999 -- Wireless communications carrier
Leap Wireless International, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a
memorandum of understanding to purchase PCS operating licenses in Macon, Columbus
and Albany, Georgia for an undisclosed amount. Leap and the seller expect to
finalize a binding agreement by Feb. 28, 2000. The agreement, if executed, will
give Leap the right to add approximately 1.3 million POPs (potential subscribers)
to the Company's holdings for use by its domestic subsidiary, Cricket Communications,
Inc. The acquisition will be subject to certain conditions and approval from
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
"Upon closing of this and other pending transactions, we would hold licenses
covering more than 30 million POPs," said Susan G. Swenson, president and chief
operating officer of Leap and CEO of Cricket. "This agreement will allow us
to introduce the affordable, flat-rate Cricket(SM) concept to new markets in
the Southeast."
Principais Considerações Feitas Pelo
CDG - CDMA Development Group em Relação À Alocação
Do Espectro PCS Pelo Governo Brasileiro
São Paulo, 13 de dezembro de 1999 -- Os pontos a seguir são um resumo
do que será submetido pelo CDG - CDMA Development Group em resposta à Consulta
Pública no. 198 intitulada "Utilização de Faixas de Frequências para Prestação
de Serviços de Comunicações Móveis Terrestres" datada de 3 de dezembro de 1999.
Este material forneceu à Anatel- Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações subsídios
da indústria sobre qual espectro de banda PCS (Personal Communication System)
deverá ser alocado pelo governo brasileiro para os serviços móveis terrestres.
A Anatel solicitou sugestões sobre qual das duas faixas possíveis de frequência
- 1.800 MHz ou 1.900 MHz - trará mais benefícios à população, através do estímulo
à competição de mercado, e corrigirá as ineficiências criadas pela atual estrutura
de duopólio da indústria de telefonia celular.
Embora o CDG acredite que, alocando o espectro de uma maneira neutra quanto
à tecnologia possa permitir que as forças do mercado determinem a mais apropriada
tecnologia de acesso, ele acredita também que o cdmaOne é a melhor e mais apropriada
tecnologia de acesso para o século 21.
O cdmaOne é um padrão comercialmente comprovado e a base para a maioria das
futuras comunicações sem fio no mundo, já no próximo milênio. Assim, a alocação
de espectro no Brasil deveria permitir que os novos operadores de PCS do país
tivessem a oportunidade de usar este padrão.
O CDG acredita que é de interesse da Anatel, da indústria brasileira, bem
como da população do país, a adoção da faixa de 1900 MHz (1870-1910/1950-1990
MHz), pois isto possibilitará que se alcancem os seguintes objetivos:
1) Maximização do 'roaming' em nível nacional, regional e futuramente, o 'roaming'
global sob o IMT-2000, o novo padrão mundial para os serviços de comunicação
de terceira geração;
2) Consistência com as recomendações de alocação de espectro PCS dos estados
membros da CITEL (Comissão Interamericana de Telecomunicações), que promove
a concorrência, o 'roaming' regional e a economia de escala para os PCS nas
Américas, além de manter a coordenação e harmonização regional da alocação de
espectro na mesma região (região 2);
3) Criação de uma maior flexibilidade para os fornecedores, bem como mais opções
de tecnologia que permitam implementar sistemas de PCS de forma comercialmente
bem sucedida (ou seja, uma abordagem neutra em termos de tecnologia, que maximize
a concorrência no mercado ao oferecer aos operadores diversas alternativas de
tecnologia);
4) Suporte para uma enorme variedade de serviços inovadores e competitivos (transmissão
de dados em alta velocidade, telemática, posicionamento global, vídeo etc) assim
que estiverem disponíveis;
5) Compra de redes de infraestrutura e sistemas de otimização disponíveis localmente,
a preços competitivos e comercialmente comprovados;
6) Possibilidade para que a indústria local de equipamentos de infraestrutura
e aparelhos de telefone obtenham economia de escala, de escopo e oportunidades
de exportação;
7) Maximização do número de aparelhos de telefone celular já configurados e
comercialmente disponíveis para a banda PCS e que possam se conectar com outras
redes digitais IS-41/analógicas existentes;
8) Migração, de forma econômica e compatível, dos serviços 2G (2a. geração)
para os serviços 3G (3a. geração) do IMT-2000;
9) Oportunidade de competir com as operadoras estabelecidas através de opções
flexíveis de tecnologias e instalações para 'roaming' nacional/regional;
10) Possibilidade para que os novos operadores comecem a fornecer serviços mais
rapidamente e a custos mais viáveis, ao permitir que seus clientes se conectem
com as redes celulares existentes, antes que a rede PCS esteja completa.
Embora o CDG apóie o uso da tecnologia cdmaOne, a organização não encoraja
a Anatel a fazer alocações de espectro que requeiram o uso específico de cdmaOne
ou de qualquer outra tecnologia.
O CDG acredita ainda, que os objetivos acima não serão alcançados com a alocação
do espectro 1800 MHz. A alocação deste espectro traz as seguintes implicações:
1) Interromperá o roaming nacional, regional e global;
2) É inconsistente com os princípios e recomendações do CITEL quanto à alocação
do espectro na Região 2;
3) Alocará uma banda que não está sendo considerada como uma banda IMT-2000
no curto prazo;
4) Eliminará a possibilidade de implementação de sistemas cdmaOne e TDMA;
5) Eliminará a possibilidade de que as operadoras de telefonia celular existentes
que queiram obter licenças para PCS, ofereçam serviços integrados entre celulares
(800 MHz) e PCS (1900 MHz);
6) Limitará a escolha das operadoras quanto aos aparelhos telefônicos comercialmente
disponíveis capazes de fazer o 'roaming' com múltiplas interfaces aéreas;
7) Limitará o crescimento, a economia de escopo e as chances de exportação de
produtos produzidos por fabricantes brasileiros;
8) Eliminará a possibilidade de implantação de uma interface aérea com a maior
eficiência de espectro para transmissão de voz e dados em alta velocidade;
9) Eliminará a opção de se selecionar um processo economicamente viável e evolutivo
para a 3a. geração que preserve o investimento da operadora na nova tecnologia
e minimize o risco de introdução de novos serviços baseados em uma demanda incerta;
10) Atrasará a introdução no Brasil de sistemas relacionados à 3a. geração.
Estas implicações limitarão o aumento da competição entre as novas operadoras
e as existentes, que por sua vez limitará a introdução de serviços básicos e
avançados de telecomunicações a custo baixo para a indústria e para os consumidores
brasileiros.
Na Europa, o CEPT indicou que os serviços de 3a. geração só estarão disponíveis
na banda 1800MHz depois que a provisão de espectro adicional para o IMT-2000
esteja disponível, por volta do ano 2010. É bastante impreciso em relação a
quando e se os sistemas 1800 MHz vão evoluir para a 3a. geração. Isto indica
que as novas operadoras que usarem a banda 1800MHz para o PCS no Brasil estarão
em desvantagem competitiva no curto prazo.
Recomendação
Em vista dos pontos acima o CDG considera que selecionar a faixa de 1900 MHz
para os serviços de PCS será a alternativa que melhor atenda aos interesses
da indústria brasileira e do público em geral. Esta alocação permitirá a implementação
de todas as tecnologias, incluindo o cdmaOne - uma tecnologia líder para sistemas
PCS. Ela permitirá ainda aos operadores a flexibilidade de escolher a tecnologia
que desejem adotar, selecionando a que melhor atenda a seus objetivos de negócios.
Esta recomendação é apoiada pelas seguintes empresas de telecomunicações e membros
do CDG: Leap Wireless International, Lucent Technologies, QUALCOMM e Ericsson
do Brasil.
O CDG crê que, se a legislação permitir que o mercado se aproxime do maior
número possível de operadoras, este modelo propiciará uma perfeita concorrência
de mercado, distanciando-se, desta forma, do atual modelo pouco adequado de
oligopólio.
Leap Wireless International Signs Memorandum of
Understanding to Acquire Operating Licenses in Denver, Pittsburgh; Cities to
Become Largest Markets Offering Unique Cricket Service
San Diego, CA, December 10, 1999 -- Wireless communications carrier
Leap Wireless International, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWIN) today announced that it has
entered into a memorandum of understanding to purchase PCS operating licenses
in Denver, Colo. and Pittsburgh, Penn. for an undisclosed amount. Leap and the
seller expect to finalize a binding agreement by Jan. 15, 2000. The agreement,
if executed, will give Leap the right to add nearly 5 million POPs (potential
subscribers) to Leap's holdings for use by its domestic subsidiary, Cricket
Communications, Inc. The acquisition will be subject to certain conditions and
approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Leap expects Denver
and Pittsburgh to become the largest markets to offer the unique Cricket(SM)
service, which seeks to make wireless communications simple, worry-free and
affordable for all users by enabling customers to make and receive all their
local calls for one low, flat monthly rate.
"Denver and Pittsburgh are two important markets to add to the Cricket portfolio,"
said Susan G. Swenson, president and chief operating officer of Leap and CEO
of Cricket. "We want to offer the convenience of mobility at an affordable rate
and bring wireless communications to people who've never used a mobile phone
before."
Once the binding agreement is signed, Leap will have licenses or rights to
acquire licenses to offer the Cricket service to approximately 29.2 million
potential subscribers (1998 POPs) in markets across the country such as Albuquerque,
N.M., Charlotte, N.C., Dayton, Ohio, Little Rock, Ark., Memphis and Nashville,
Tenn., Salt Lake City, Utah, Spokane, Wash., Tucson, Ariz., Tulsa, Okla., and
Wichita, Kans.
Leap Wireless International Subscribers Exceed 100,000;
Leap Announces Growth at Annual Meeting of Stockholders
San Diego, CA, December 10, 1999 -- Wireless communications carrier
Leap Wireless International, Inc. today announced that its operating companies'
subscribers grew to 104,200 at the end of Leap's first quarter ended Nov. 30,
1999. Leap, which operates wireless properties in the United States, Mexico
and Chile, announced the strong subscriber growth in conjunction with its annual
meeting of stockholders.
"After laying the groundwork and investing in human resources, technology
and marketing, we now are seeing concrete results as customers sign up for service
with our operating companies," said Harvey P. White, Leap's chairman and CEO.
"While we tailor our strategies to each individual market, our philosophy as
a wireless carrier is to offer simplicity, value and innovation to all of our
customers."
During the quarter, Leap's Chilean operating company unveiled its new name
and branding strategy as SMARTCOM PCS, positioning itself to become the "Intelligent
Choice" for a broader market of consumers. PEGASO, Leap's Mexican joint venture,
launched service in Monterrey in September and in Mexico City on Dec. 9, 1999.
PEGASO, which owns a nationwide license, kicked off service in Guadalajara and
Tijuana earlier in the year, and Mexico City completed PEGASO's launch in the
country's four largest cities. In the United States, Leap's flat-rate Cricket
service concept continued to gain acceptance among consumers, reaching 5 percent
penetration in its initial market.
Chattanooga, Tenn.-in just three quarters of operation. Cricket was launched
in March 1999 using Chase Telecommunications' infrastructure and licenses under
an agreement that provides that ChaseTel controls the business until Leap's
proposed acquisition of ChaseTel is complete.
In total, subscribers at Leap's operating companies grew by 44,300, or nearly
74 percent, during the quarter. Leap's operating companies ended the quarter
with 61,300 subscribers in Chile, 27,000 in Mexico and 15,900 in the United
States. Leap's proportionate share of the total subscriber base was nearly 70,200,
based on its 100 percent ownership of SMARTCOM PCS, 28.6 percent ownership of
PEGASO and 7.2 percent stake in ChaseTel.
Motorola to Offer Fully Operable End-to-end Solutions
for is 801 Standard
Arlington Heights, IL, December 9, 1999 -- Working with customers' requirements
and time schedules, Motorola, Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector (NSS) is pursuing
a multitude of capital- efficient, location-finding alternatives in the development
of advanced emergency 911 (E911) wireless caller location functionality that
meets the Federal Communications Commission's E911 guidelines.
Motorola was a major contributor to the IS 801 standard, fully supports it
and will build to it while meeting the E911 timeline of customers and the FCC.
"This was a major telecommunications industry effort, and Motorola was a very
influential leader in negotiating the standard," said John Cipolla, vice president
and general manager of Motorola Inc.'s code division multiple access (CDMA)
Systems Division. "We are proud that the industry was able to come together
to form a standard that is flexible and offers operators cost-effective solutions
in offering new locator technology to customers," said Cipolla.
Location is the enabler for many subscriber-based services for safety and,
combined with the E911, will create a plethora of other value-added services,
such as traffic telematics, tracking and billing.
The E911 location capabilities will assist emergency personnel in locating
cellular phone users when they are involved in an accident or other emergency
situation. Motorola NSS has participated in assisted global positioning satellite
(AGPS) trials.
"Our infrastructure will provide flexibility by working with operators that
are using Motorola networks and for those using non-Motorola networks," said
Anil Barot, senior product marketing manager for Motorola Inc.'s CDMA division.
"This new technology can give wireless providers the chance to start generating
revenues earlier to offset costs. What makes us unique is that we can offer
our operators total solutions for all their geolocation product needs," said
Barot.
Motorola's wireless geolocation services will be implemented, based on customer
requirements, across all of its products, including: CDMA, integrated Digital
Enhanced Network (iDEN®) and global system for mobile communications (GSM).
Leap Wireless International Joint Venture PEGASO
Launches Service in Mexico City; PEGASO Now Offers Service in Country's Four
Leading Economic Centers
San Diego and Mexico City, December 9, 1999 -- Wireless communications
carrier Leap Wireless International, Inc. today announced that its Mexican joint
venture, PEGASO, launched service in Mexico City. PEGASO initiated service in
one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, home to approximately 20 million
people. PEGASO has now completed launches in Mexico's four leading cities, after
kicking off service in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Tijuana earlier this year.
"PEGASO is dedicated to providing the best coverage and voice quality of any
wireless carrier in Mexico City through the first 100 percent digital network
in the country," said Alejandro Diez Barroso, PEGASO's president. The network
takes advantage of the superior voice quality and security of Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) digital technology.
Wireless penetration has grown in Mexico from 1.8 percent at the end of 1997
to 3.5 percent at the end of 1998 and 5.6 percent in July 1999, according to
COFETEL (Mexico's Federal Commission of Telecommunications).
"We believe Mexico is poised for continued wireless growth, and PEGASO is led
by a strong management team capable of capturing the opportunities for expansion,"
said Harvey P. White, Leap's chairman and CEO. "PEGASO's focus on customer service
and its marketing and distribution strategy are spurring new competition in
the Mexican wireless market."
Leap owns 28.6 percent of PEGASO. Other shareholders include Grupo Televisa,
the world's largest Spanish-language media company; Grupo Pegaso, a privately
held conglomerate; and financial investors Citicorp Equity Capital Latin America,
AIG-GE Capital Latin America Infrastructure Fund, and Nissho Iwai Corporation.
Infrastructure vendor Ericsson is providing CDMA radio base station products,
base station controllers and deployment and network management services. Alcatel
is providing network infrastructure with radio systems, site acquisition, site
deployment and services.
PEGASO, which aims to change wireless telephony in Mexico, has sought to differentiate
itself from the competition with new business practices. Earlier this year,
PEGASO began offering per-second billing so customers pay only for their connection
time, without rounding up to the next minute. In addition, PEGASO does not require
contracts and introduced the user-friendly phone-in-the-box concept, which enables
customers to purchase a pre-activated PEGASO phone that already has 100 pesos
(approximately US$10) of airtime. PEGASO also offers customers an array of advanced
features, including caller ID, call-forwarding, three-way calling and voice
mail. PEGASO's distribution network includes PEGASO stores and chain stores
including 7 Eleven, Gigante, Office Depot, Oxxo, Palacio de Hierro, Price Club,
Sam's Club, Videocentro and Wal-Mart.
GTE Selects Lucent Technologies to Supply PCS CDMA
Network in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, December 7, 1999 -- GTE and Lucent Technologies today
announced they have signed a multimillion dollar contract for Lucent to provide
a wireless Personal Communications Services (PCS) network based on Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) technology to GTE's Argentine > subsidiary, GTE PCS S.A.,
in Buenos Aires. In June, GTE won one of two 40 MHz PCS wireless telephone licenses
for Buenos Aires, complementing its existing wireless licenses in the interior
of Argentina and expanding its subsidiaries' coverage to the entire country.
GTE's subsidiary, CTI Movil, was the first to implement CDMA technology in
Argentina. This new phase of GTE's network expansion extends GTE's lead as the
sole provider of wireless CDMA technology in both cellular and PCS frequencies.
CDMA digital technology allows GTE to add capacity, thereby improving quality
of service and enabling new features like text messaging and delivery of Internet-based
content to mobile devices. "Lucent is the leader in development and deployment
of CDMA technology," said Fares Salloum, GTE senior vice president - international
operations. "We are pleased to have the benefit of Lucent's extensive experience
as we expand our services to all of Argentina." Under the terms of the agreement,
Lucent will provide Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) based on the industry-leading
5ESS® Switch platform, PCS Minicells, as well as the GALAXY Power System 4848
and Unigy II batteries.
The contract also calls for the installation of a Wireless Intelligent Network
software platform that will allow GTE to provide to its customers value-added
services such as Over-the-Air Service Activation, Short Message Service Center
(with TeleCommunication Systems), Standalone Home Location Register and Wireless
Virtual Private Network (VPN). The Over-the-Air Service Activation feature means
GTE's customers can activate their phones remotely without ever having to visit
a customer service center or sales office. The Short Message Service Center
feature allows cellular phones to receive and send short text messages and act
as a pager. "By selecting Lucent, GTE will have the best path for delivering
next-generation wireless services to its customers," said Victor Agnellini,
sales vice president of Lucent Technologies for the Southern Cone. "We are very
pleased to, once again, collaborate with GTE in bringing the latest technology
to Argentina." CDMA is a digital wireless technology based on the IS-95 air
interface. This technology reduces the static and cross-talk sometimes heard
on analog systems, and provides a "soft hand-off" capability that makes call
hand-offs between cell sites and mobile switching centers (MSCs) virtually unnoticeable
to customers. Lucent has more than 160 CDMA networks in commercial operation
or under construction for customers worldwide, handling about 10 million calls
per day. In the Caribbean and Latin America region, Lucent Technologies is also
building CDMA networks in Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Hutchison establishes Australia's first international
roaming agreement for CDMA
December 2, 1999 -- Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited's
plans for its Orange CDMA network received a boost today with the Company announcing
completion of a CDMA roaming agreement with Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong
Kong) Limited.
Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Managing Director, Mr Barry Roberts-Thomson
said: "This is Australia's first international CDMA roaming agreement and the
first of several, similar agreements we are seeking with the major CDMA nations
in the region.
"Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) already has CDMA roaming agreements
with Japan, Korea, the United States and Canada and we are keen to leverage
the introductions they are able to provide to operators in these key, CDMA markets."
Asia is driving the growth of CDMA with a 138 per cent increase in subscribers
from June 1998 to June 1999. The CDMA Development Group reported in September
that the total number of CDMA subscribers in June 1999 was almost 35 million,
with 20 million of these in Asia.
The Group also reported on many emerging CDMA markets including: Australia,
New Zealand, India, Russia and China. Anticipated growth in these markets along
with coverage expansion plans in Chile, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and the
Philippines led the Group to forecast CDMA subscriber numbers of 50 million
by the year's end.
The Orange CDMA service is scheduled for commercial launch in the first half
of 2000. It will provide a combined mobile and wireless local loop service to
customers within its Sydney and Melbourne licence areas and national, domestic
roaming on the Telstra CDMA network.
"It is our intention that by mid 2000 Orange CDMA customers will not only benefit
from our unique, combined local/mobile service, but will also enjoy a national
mobile service and mobile service in several, key Asian destinations," Mr Roberts-Thomson
said.
Vendor News
QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies Announces First Over-the-Air
Phone Call Demonstration for Complete 3G CDMA 1x MC Solution; MSM5000 and CSM5000
Chipsets to Enable Manufacturers to Accelerate Deployment of Third Generation
Technology
San Diego, CA, December 23, 1999 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and
world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology
today announced it has completed the world's first successful over-the-air phone
calls compliant with the industry standard 3G CDMA 1x Multicarrier (MC) technology
(IS-2000 Release 0) using QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies' MSM5000(TM) chipset and
system software. QUALCOMM also announced that it has separately verified that
the physical layer MSM5000 hardware and software has achieved 153 kilobits per
second (kbps) on both the forward and reverse links. The MSM5000 solution for
mobile handsets, together with QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies' CSM5000(TM) Cell
Site Modem (CSM(TM)) for wireless base stations comprise the first of a family
of chipset and system software solutions that support the 1x MC standard.
"The MSM5000 and CSM5000 chipsets provide an end-to-end solution that will
allow manufacturers to meet aggressive rollout schedules for the next generation
of wireless telecommunications products using the 3G CDMA 1x MC standard," said
Don Schrock, president of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "QUALCOMM's proven and
verified solutions lead the industry in helping manufacturers shorten development
times significantly and bring exciting new products to the marketplace."
The MSM5000 chipset and system software solution, QUALCOMM's seventh-generation
MSM product, is pin-compatible with the MSM3000(TM) product and exceeds the
International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) 3G requirements for data rates
in full wide area mobility of 144 kbps by enabling data rates of 153.6 kbps
on both the forward and reverse links. Compliant with 3G CDMA 1x MC, the MSM5000
solution gives operators up to twice the overall capacity for voice over IS-95A
and IS-95B systems by providing features such as fast 800 Hz forward power control
and new modulation and coding schemes. The system software will include support
for IS-95A, IS-95B and 3G CDMA 1x MC, as well as packet data, a Internet protocol
suite, voice recognition and many other features.
The CSM5000 single-chip solution provides base station manufacturers with
up to 32 simultaneous users on a single chip, a four-fold increase over the
previous generation CSM. It also exceeds ITU's 144 kilobits per second (kbps)
requirement for data rates in full wide area mobility by enabling data rates
of 307.2 kbps on both the forward and reverse links.
Sample shipments for the MSM5000 chipset and system software will begin in
January 2000, followed by sample shipments for the CSM5000 solution in March
2000.
Hyundai Electronics™ Signs Master Purchase Agreement
with AirTouch Cellular for CDMA Pico and Micro Base Stations
San Jose, CA, December 16, 1999 -- Hyundai Electronics Industries Co.,
Ltd. today announced that it signed a five-year agreement allowing AirTouch
Cellular and its affiliates to purchase cdmaOne™ Pico and Micro wireless base
stations for their personal communications systems (PCS) and cellular networks.
AirTouch Cellular is a subsidiary of Vodafone AirTouch Plc based in the United
Kingdom, the world's largest wireless communications firm, with over 31 million
proportionate customers worldwide.
"This agreement facilitates AirTouch and our affiliates' ability to deploy
affordable, modular base station technology, resulting in significant operational
savings in both backhaul and site expenses," said Brent Bettencourt, director
of strategic technology at AirTouch. "It also provides flexibility to offer
improved service in locations where it has not been cost efficient to do so
in the past, such as outlying areas, variable traffic corridors, and inside
buildings."
"Hyundai is delighted to have the opportunity to offer AirTouch and its affiliates
the same advanced technology currently used to support subscribers in Korea,
the largest CDMA network in the world," remarked Kelly Joyce, director of sales
for wireless networks at Hyundai Electronics. "At Hyundai, we are committed
to providing exceptional customer service, and we are confident AirTouch and
other carriers will recognize the advantages of partnering with a network solutions
provider dedicated to delivering advanced technology and superior customer support."
The ultra-compact, lightweight Hyundai Pico base station offers unparalleled
flexibility for mounting nearly anywhere - indoors or outdoors. Its silent operation
makes it ideal for office buildings where the noise of a fan is unacceptable.
Additional base stations can be added for multi-sector or multi-carrier coverage
while sharing a fractional T1 or E1 network connection. The Hyundai Micro base
station offers additional capacity along with many of the same advantages as
the Pico base station.
Hyundai's CDMA Pico and Micro base transceiver stations (BTS) and base station
controllers (BSC) are inter-operable with other vendors' mobile switching centers
(MSC) in accordance with IS-634A and CDG-IOS 2.0 standards.
QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies' Sixth Generation
MSM Selected By SANYO Electric Co. Ltd.; MSM3100 Chipset and System Software
to Power SANYO's Next Generation CDMA Handsets
San Diego, CA, December 16, 1999 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and
world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology,
today announced that SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. has selected QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies'
sixth generation MSM3100(TM) chipset and system software for its next generation
CDMA handsets.
SANYO selected QUALCOMM's MSM3100 chipset and system software because of its
leading features including support for IS-95B with data rates up to 86.4 kilobits
per second (kbps) and higher integration enabling a 50 percent reduction in
handset size.
SANYO is a long-time partner of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies and the companies
continue to work together on a number of leading-edge handset development projects
including future global roaming handsets to be supported by cdmaOne(TM) operators
worldwide.
"We depend on QUALCOMM's on-time delivery and consistent product quality to
deliver the industry's most compelling handsets at present," said Eiji Kotobuki,
officer of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (also vice president, Multimedia Company
and general manager, Personal Telecommunications Division). "Collaborating with
QUALCOMM early in our development process benefits both of us."
"SANYO continues to develop innovative approaches to digital wireless handset
development," said Don Schrock, president of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "We're
honored to be SANYO's development partner and to contribute to their continued
success as they aggressively derive the benefits of using our latest generation
chipset solution."
Audiovox Communications Corp. Begins Shipping
CDM-3300, Company's New CDMA Clamshell-Style Telephone
Hauppauge, NY, December 14, 1999 -- Audiovox Communications Corporation>
(ACC) today announced that it has begun shipping its new CDM-3300, a high-tech,
clamshell-style handset that supports the CDMA 800 MHz frequency. The first
orders are shipping now to select carriers deploying CDMA technology.
The CDM-3300 features a large, easy-to-read display panel and full-sized key
pad in a small, palm-sized design. The handset boasts a large, 4-line x 14-character
display on the upper portion or "lid" of the phone for enhanced viewing options.
Weighing in at just 4.1 ounces, the CDM-3300 offers a variety of easy-to-use
features, including vibra-ring option, menu-driven operation, Caller ID, Short
Messaging Service, Voice/Text Message Alert and 99 number alphanumeric memory.
The handsets also offer superior battery performance, providing 140 minutes
of talk time and 48 hours standby time in digital mode. With this new handset,
Audiovox offers a high-end unit to the company's strong CDMA line-up, and positions
the company as one of the few cellular manufacturers currently able to provide
carriers with entry level and high-end products on the CDMA, PCS, TDMA and analog
platforms.
The CDM-3300 offers a full line of accessories, including Standard Lithium
Ion Battery, Cigarette Lighter Plug-in Charger, Cigarette Lighter Hands-free
w/o Cradle, Desktop Charger, Hands-free Car Kit, Leather Carrying Case, Travel
Charger, Belt Clip, Earphone Microphone.
Original cdmaOne™ brand notebook PC equipped
with Intel® Mobile Pentium® III
processor to be sold in limited-time offer; Cooperation with Intel as
part of promotion of "PacketOne" cdmaOne™ 64kbps packet communications service
December 3, 1999 -- DDI Corp. and IDO Corp. have jointly developed and
plan to jointly market a limited-edition cdmaOne™ original-brand notebook computer
sporting the new Intel® Mobile Pentium® III processor. The new notebook PC,
dubbed the "mobilePC PR450/01," is designed to show off the kind of mobile computing
environment that can be realized when a notebook equipped with Intel's high-performance
microprocessor for mobile computers is combined with the "PacketOne" cdmaOne™
64kbps packet transmission service. A total of 2,000 units of the limited-edition
notebook PC will be sold through the marketing networks of the DDI Cellular
Group and IDO starting from January. (See the "Summary of cdmaOne™ brand original
notebook PC" below.)
DDI and IDO are both offering the "PacketOne" cdmaOne™ 64kbps packet transmission
service, and they want to emphasize to customers the importance of using the
service together with a high-performance notebook PC in order to realize the
full potential of mobile computing.
The companies worked in cooperation with PC industry leader Intel Corp. to
develop this cdmaOne™ brand original notebook computer. Both companies are working
with Intel to promote the use of cdmaOne™ and the Intel Mobile Pentium III processor,
with the aim of cultivating new demand in the mobile computing market.
Summary of cdmaOne™ brand original notebook PC
DDI and IDO have joined forces with Intel to develop the "mobilePC PR450/01,"
a cdmaOne™ brand original notebook PC equipped with the Intel Mobile Pentium
III processor. Limited-edition marketing of 2,000 units will begin from January
through the marketing networks of the DDI Cellular Group and IDO.
The mobilePC PR450/01 is a highly portable B5-size notebook computer equipped
with the Intel Mobile Pentium III processor. Combining this with the PacketOne
packet transmission service, which offers data transfer rates as high as 64kbps,
creates a very user-friendly mobile computing environment.
Main features
- 450Mhz Intel Mobile Pentium III processor
Comes equipped with Intel's newest CPU. Combining this with the PacketOne
service creates a stress-free mobile computing environment.
- 10.4 inch XGA-class TFT color liquid crystal display
Sports an XGA-class TFT color LCD displaying 1,024 x 768 dots.
- 24x CD-ROM drive and external 3.5-inch floppy disk drive come as standard
equipment.
- cdmaOne™ brand original design
Magnesium body with bright silver coloring and cdmaOne™ logo.
Product summary
| Product name |
MobilePC PR450/01 |
| CPU |
Intel Mobile Pentium III processor 450MHz |
| Chip set |
Intel 440BX AGP set |
| System base clock |
100MHz |
| Secondary cache |
256KB (Inside CPU) |
Main memory
(Standard, max.) |
SDRAM 64MB (64MB SODIMM x 1)/128MB SODIMM x 2) |
Expanded memory slot
(# of open slots) |
SODIMM slot x 2 (1) |
| Graphics accelerator |
64bit graphics accelerator SMIS M710 |
| Video memory |
4MB |
| LCD device |
10.4" XGA (1024 x 768 dots) polySi TFT color LCD |
| Display modes |
1024 x 768 (maximum 16.77 million colors)
800 x 600 (maximum 16.77 million colors)
640 x 480 (maximum 16.77 million colors) |
| Hard disk |
Approx. 4GB UltraATA |
| External connection terminals |
IR comm port (IrDA standard Ver.1.1) x1 USB x1
Audio input x1
Speaker output x1
Display output terminals x1 (* see note 1)
Modular jack for modem x1
Serial port x1
Parallel port x1 (* see note 2)
Dedicated connector for CD-ROM drive x1 |
| PC card slot |
Type II x1, CardBus support |
| Audio functions |
Windows sound system compatible (ESS-Solo 1) Internal monaural speaker,
internal microphone |
| Internal fax/modem |
V.90 Maximum 56kbps/14.4kbps (when faxing) |
| Keyboard |
Japanese language, 83 keys (Key pitch: 17.5mm) |
| Pointing device |
Touch pad |
| OS |
Windows 98 Second Edition Japanese version |
| Power |
AC adapter & lithium ion battery |
| Power consumption |
45W (system only) / 48W (when FDD, CD-ROM drive connected) |
| Battery life |
Maximum 2.5 hours (*see note 3) |
| Battery charge time ON/OFF time |
Approx. 6 hours / approx. 3 hours |
| Heat/humidity conditions |
When operating: 5C to 35C, 20% to 80% humidity (No condensation) |
| External dimensions |
254 x 192 x 30mm (W x D x H) |
| Weight |
Approx. 1.4Kg (with battery) |
| Main accessories |
- AC adapter, AC cord & Battery pack (attached in computer) -
- 3.5" floppy disk drive (1.44MB/720MB)
- Max. 24x ATAPI CD-ROM drive
- Soft case
|
| Manufacturer |
Proside |
| Retail price |
Open pricing |
| Sales period |
In and after January, 2000 |
| Outlets |
IDO Plazas and all DDI Cellular Group cell phone outlets nationwide |
Note 1: Supports dual display
Note 2: Shared with floppy disk drive
Note 3: Measured with ZD Battery Mark 3.0
The "PacketOne" 64kbps packet data transmission service:
cdmaOne™ is a cellular/car phone system based on the IS-95 U.S. standard that
provides excellent voice quality, fast and user-friendly data transfers, and
the efficient use of radio frequencies.
In Japan, Kansai Cellular Telephone Co., Kyushu Cellular Telephone Co. and
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co. began cdmaOne™ services in July of 1998. By April
of 1999, IDO and all members of the DDI Cellular Group were offering the service,
so that now cdmaOne™ is available as a seamless nationwide service. The combined
IDO and DDI subscriber base topped 3 million users on November 23, 1999.
Beginning in the U.S., Canada, Korea and China (Hong Kong), the cdmaOne™ system
is now spreading throughout the world. As of September 1999 the global cdmaOne™
subscriber base totaled 41.14 million users. PacketOne is a packet data transmission
service based on cdmaOne™ that IDO and the DDI Cellular Group will begin offering
nationwide starting from January 7, 2000.
PacketOne will be the first commercial system in Japan to offer maximum data
transmission speeds of 64kbps to cellular and car phone users. The use of packet
transmissions enables fees to be based on data volume, rather than connection
time, creating a more user-friendly mobile computing environment with high-quality
communications and excellent cost-performance.
The Intel Mobile Pentium III processor:
The Intel Mobile Pentium III processor offers the highest performance and portability
for notebook computers, taking products to the next level in mobile computing.
The Pentium III was released in March of this year as a high-performance microprocessor
for the desktop computer market. The Mobile Pentium III processor, released
in October, brings performance heretofore limited to the desktop realm to the
world of notebook computers, without sacrificing portability. The Pentium III
incorporates a set of 70 new commands, or Internet Streaming SIMD extensions,
for a richer Internet experience, including 3D, multimedia, and streaming video
and audio.
Joint promotion
The plan is to cooperate in promoting the Intel Mobile Pentium III processor
and the PacketOne service. Advertising in newspapers, magazines etc. will be
carried out starting in or after December.
Samsung Electronics Develops World`s First TV
Phone; World's first combination portable TV/mobile phone unit; Miniature, high-performance
TV receiver and antenna, plus a 1.8-inch color TFT-LCD are included; How you
can watch TV on your mobile phone.
Seoul, Korea, December 1, 1999 -- Korean technology has resulted in
the world's first combination TV/mobile phone unit, allowing users to talk as
well as to watch sports, dramas, variety shows and other programs while on the
move.
Samsung Electronics has mounted a 1.8-inch high-resolution TFT-LCD on a folder-type
mobile phone handset and built in a miniature TV receiver, providing mobility
to both telephone and TV access. Development of the SCH-M220 TV phone is complete,
and company officials say it will be available in Korea early next year.
Samsung's TV phone represents the convergence of miniature mobile phone technology,
TV reception technology and sophisticated display technology. The SCH-M220 features
a high-performance antenna that can receive both mobile phone signals and TV
signals. The phone circuitry has been integrated as tightly as possible, and
the TV receiver is incredibly small. As a result, the size and functions of
a conventional folder-type mobile phone have been maintained. Executive Vice
President of the Wireless Terminals Division, Ki Tae Lee stated, "Samsung has
launched convergence products, such as the Watch Phone, Wireless Internet Phone
and the MP3 Phone, in order to create new demands and strengthen its position
in the world market. With the successful development of the TV Phone, we have
set a new technological paradigm in the area of digital convergence." The high-resolution
TFT-LCD screen can be used to show both TV broadcasts and mobile phone functions.
The unit also comes with a personal information manager, large-capacity phonebook
and wireless data reception function. The button for controlling the TV is above
the phone keypad. One touch of the TV button, and the TV is on screen. If a
call comes in while the TV is on, it is automatically changed to Phone mode.
In designing the TV phone, Samsung engineers came up with an optimal battery
capable of powering both the TV and high-performance TFT-LCD. Interference between
the electromagnetic emissions from the TV and wireless phone was minimized,
and special switching technology solved the problem of having two functions
in one antenna
The TV operates on just 3 volts of power but delivers the same picture quality
as a portable TV using 9 volts. VHF and UHF reception is also possible. With
the high-capacity battery, continuous talk time is up to 170 minutes, and standby
is 180 hours. The TV can be viewed for up to 200 minutes on a single battery
charge.
The SCH-M220 comes in metallic silver, providing a sophisticated, 21st century
image. Samsung Electronics came out with an Internet phone, Watch Phone and
MP3 phone in this year. This track record makes Samsung the leader in multipurpose
mobile phones. The TV phone will also give the company an edge in the market
through mobile phone digital convergence.
Ericsson and Sprint Sign Master Purchase Agreement
For CDMA Infrastructure Equipment
San Diego, CA, December 1, 1999 -- Ericsson today announced a signed
master purchase agreement with Sprint PCS for 1900 MHz CDMA open architecture
network equipment. The seven-year agreement enables Sprint PCS to use Ericsson's
Compact Radio Base Station (RBS) and Base Station Controller (BSC) products
in expanding its nationwide CDMA network.
Through the use of an open interface protocol, the Interoperability Specification
(IOS) standard, Ericsson can connect its RBS and BSC equipment to Sprint PCS'
existing all-digital network. Sprint PCS and Ericsson strongly support open
architecture solutions, which allow operators to implement multi-vendor solutions
that leverage their existing backbone networks to deliver more capacity and
new value-added features to their customers.
Testing and integration of Ericsson's CDMA equipment has already begun in Sprint
PCS' IOS lab.
cdmaOne is one of the fastest growing wireless technologies in the world,
currently serving nearly 42 million subscribers. Ericsson's cdmaOne networks
deliver the full advantages of CDMA technology for strong performance in mobile,
fixed and wireless internet applications. Ericsson's innovative compact radio
base stations provide macrocell performance in a microcell package. Ericsson's
cdmaOne products offer a clear migration path to CDMA2000, enabling operators
to evolve their networks to provide the full range of third generation services.
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group.
