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| Region |
End of 1997
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End of 1997
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As of Feb. 1999
|
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| Asia | # of countries |
2
|
4 (6)
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7 (3)
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| # of providers |
3
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8
|
12 (18)
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| North American | # of countries |
1
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2 (1)
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3
|
| # of providers |
5
|
17
|
20 (3)
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| Elsewhere | # of countries |
--
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4 (8)
|
13 (10)
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| # of providers |
--
|
6
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18 (28)
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|
| Totals | # of countries |
3
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10 (15)
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23 (13)
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| # of providers |
8
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31
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50 (49)
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Number in parentheses ( ) indicate testing/development underway.
Number of cdmaOne Subscribers Worldwide:
End of 1997 7.8 million units
End of 1998 23 million units
End of 1999 (forecast) 40 million units
Source: http://cdg.org/ (As of Feb. 1999)
PEGASO PCS Obtains Commitment for $100 Million Working Capital Facility; Funding for Continued Rollout of Mexico's First 100% Digital Wireless Network
MEXICO CITY, Mar. 25, 1999 -- PEGASO PCS announced today that it has obtained a commitment for a $100 million working capital facility, bringing its total commitments to $1.1 billion in equity, debt and vendor financing. This facility is expected to complete the financing necessary to build out and launch PEGASO's wireless network in Mexico's four largest cities -- Tijuana, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
PEGASO plans to offer PCS services nationwide and launched service in its first market, the Tijuana area, as scheduled on February 25, 1999. "PEGASO now has the financial resources necessary for the deployment of the first phase of Mexico's first 100% digital wireless network," said Alejandro Diez Barroso, PEGASO's President. "This reflects the strength of PEGASO and the confidence of foreign investors in Mexico."
The $100 million in working capital is expected to be provided by a consortium of major international financial institutions. QUALCOMM Incorporated, a key vendor to PEGASO, has agreed to guarantee the facility. The commitment, which is from QUALCOMM, is subject to conditions typical of financial arrangements of this type.
PEGASO's network is backed by a consortium of shareholders from around the world -- Grupo Televisa, Grupo Pegaso, Leap Wireless International, Inc., Citicorp Equity Capital Latin America, AIG-GE Capital Latin America Infrastructure Fund, and Nissho Iwai Corporation.
Hutchison, DDI, IDO, Shinsegi Sign Pacific Rim Roaming Deal
HONG KONG, Mar. 19, 1999 -- Leading cdmaOne network operators Hutchison Telecom of Hong Kong, DDI and IDO of Japan and Shinsegi Telecomm Inc. of Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding today aimed at providing cdmaOne customers with a truly comprehensive global roaming service.
Under the memorandum, roaming subscribers will be able to use a single handset and a mobile number to make calls on cdmaOne networks in Hong Kong, Japan and Korea as well as in other Asian countries, the US and Canada. The new service, which is expected to be launched in December 1999, will be a world first by the four telecommunications partners.
To provide more convenient international cdmaOne roaming services, Kyocera, who has recently launched its Iridium phone, will develop a new all-band handset using cdmaOne technology to provide automatic access to cdmaOne networks not only across Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, but also all over the world.
At the memorandum signing ceremony, Hutchison Telecom Director of Sales and Marketing (Wireless) Stephen Ngan said, "Hong Kong, Japan and Korea are major business and travel destinations, and the number of people visiting the three areas is growing rapidly. In line with this growth, the demand for a more convenient roaming service has also been increasing among the three areas."
According to DDI Director Mr. Sakai, "We are very proud of our cdmaOne service. cdmaOne is in deployment all over the world and International Roaming Services are one of the valuable services that cdmaOne offers these 3 countries in Asia. We believe that by launching International Roaming, cdmaOne will prevail around the world."
IDO Director Mr. Okihashi added, "We believe that the new service also means that in addition to network subscribers from the three Asian markets, the 16 million other CDMA users around the world will be able to enjoy a truly global roaming service." Shinsegi Telecomm's Director of Strategic Planning Shin Koo Park said, "When Shinsegi launched its CDMA cellular service 3 years ago, there were few CDMA carriers in the world. Since then, CDMA has been gaining a larger footprint around the world, which has enabled CDMA automatic international roaming to be a potentially major service. This joint MOU with Hong Kong and Japan will be a big step towards establishing CDMA as a global standard."
The world's first commercial CDMA network was launched by Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited in October 1995. Hutchison Telecom now has over 460,000 cdmaOne subscribers who can enjoy automatic roaming services to over 450 cities around the world. Japan's DDI and IDO and Korea's Shinsegi also operate cdmaOne networks which provide roaming service in Canada, the US, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and other Asian countries.
Telstra Announces CDMA Trial Results
Mar. 18, 1999 -- Telstra announced today that its trial of the new CDMA (Code Divisional Multiple Access) mobile network had been successful with the new system out-performing the existing analogue (AMPS) network.
Telstra's Group Managing Director, Products and Marketing, Mr Lindsay Yelland, made the announcement at Swan Hill, Victoria, where the new network had been tested for the past two months.
"The Swan Hill trial has been an outstanding success with the CDMA network proving that it will more than adequately meet the requirements of our customers, especially in rural areas," he said.
"Telstra performed drive tests comparing the coverage and voice quality of CDMA and analogue networks to ensure that the new technology addressed the concerns of our analogue customers," Mr Yelland said.
"On two of the test drives CDMA coverage exceeded that of analogue, and on the third test analogue marginally outperformed CDMA by only 4 kilometres and in all test drives CDMA maintained excellent voice quality. "Importantly, prior to the commercial launch of the new network, Telstra will be installing enhanced variable rate codecs that will further improve performance and voice quality of CDMA.
"CDMA has been designed by Nortel for Telstra to meet Australian conditions. Together we are pushing the boundaries of this technology, especially with the recent announcement by Nortel, of the tests involving removal of the 'governor' that presently limits CDMA coverage to a 60 kilometre radius, potentially enabling the maximum coverage radius to be extended to 200 kilometres.
"Telstra will trial this extended coverage during May this year under maritime conditions," Mr Yelland said.
Joining Mr Yelland at the trial announcement was the Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer. Endorsing the performance of the CDMA technology, Mr Fischer made the first official phone call on the new network to Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Ziggy Switkowski.
The call was made from the official launch in Swan Hill to Dr Switkowski's office in Sydney.
CDMA will provide customers with a high quality replacement network with not only comparable coverage to the existing analogue network, but also additional features not currently available, including security to protect against voice eavesdropping, calling number display (CND) and in the future, text messaging and data and facsimile transmission.
Leap Wireless International Launches Cricket Service Introducing 'Comfortable Wireless' for all Users
Chattanooga, Tenn. Is Initial Market for Refreshingly Simple Wireless Concept
SAN DIEGO, Mar. 17, 1999 -- Wireless communications carrier Leap Wireless International, Inc. today unveiled the service for its U.S. subsidiary, Cricket Communications™, that is designed to make wireless communications simple, worry-free and affordable for all users. Today Cricket launched its new concept in its initial market, Chattanooga, Tenn. called "comfortable wireless," Cricket's revolutionary new service lets customers make all the local calls they want for one low, flat rate of $29.95 a month. Cricket customers have the comfort of knowing their service always costs the same, no matter how long they talk-or how many calls they receive.
"We believe Cricket will change the way people communicate by telephone," said Harvey P. White, chairman and CEO of Leap. "Until now, many people have been afraid they couldn't afford a wireless phone. Cricket eliminates worry and stress with a no-surprises monthly bill. Cricket gives people the freedom to stay connected with unlimited local calling where they live, work and play." After successfully launching Cricket, Leap plans to roll it out to other markets in Tennessee and beyond.
Cricket's service is designed for the vast majority of people who want to use their wireless phones for local calls within their metropolitan area. The low monthly rate, payable in advance, covers all-you-can-talk local calls, a voice mailbox and caller ID. Cricket's all-digital phones retail for $99.95.
Cricket customers don't have to sign a contract or pass a credit check. "Our target customers want to use their wireless phones to make local calls every day, without worrying about complicated, out-of-control bills," White said. "Cricket makes wireless communications simple, easy to understand, and affordable." Cricket customers can make long-distance calls by purchasing prepaid calling cards at Cricket stores. Cricket does not include roaming onto other networks outside the Chattanooga area.
In conjunction with its launch, Cricket will kick off a campaign of television, radio, print and outdoor advertising in Chattanooga designed by the award-winning Chattanooga agency, The Johnson Group. In one TV spot, two mothers agree they like the simplicity of Crickets affordable monthly rate- especially because they don't have to sort through complicated pricing plans to find the best deal. In another, a father gets his teenage daughter a Cricket phone so he knows where she is, while she's sold on the all-you-can-talk local calling.
"The ad campaign is as simple, friendly and approachable as the Cricket name," said Paul Argay, Cricket's vice president of marketing. "Millions of people are interested in wireless service but are anxious, even skeptical, about what it will cost them each month. Now Cricket lets 'around town' people stay in touch throughout their day at a predictable, affordable price."
In January 1999, Leap announced its planned acquisition of Chase Telecommunications Holdings, Inc. (ChaseTel), which launched service in Chattanooga last fall. Leap is launching Cricket together with ChaseTel under an agreement stipulating that control of the business is under ChaseTel management. Leap currently owns 7.2% of ChaseTel. Pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Cricket will acquire ChaseTel licenses that will enable it to offer service to potential customers in Tennessee markets such as Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis.
Leap is using the ChaseTel infrastructure for the launch of its Cricket service and conventional PCS service is no longer being sold under the ChaseTel brand name.
Telstra, Nortel Networks to Trial High-Speed Wireless Internet Services Companies Will Showcase CDMA2000 Radio Technology, Packet Data
SYDNEY, Australia -- Telstra and Nortel Networks today announced plans for a showcase of innovative high-speed wireless Internet, multimedia and packet data services beginning in 2000. Telstra is one of Nortel Networks' lead trial customers for high-speed wireless Internet and other advanced wireless packet services using CDMA2000 third generation (3G) radio technology, the evolution of today's cdmaOne (IS-95 CDMA) digital wireless radio standard.
"Providing cost-effective, high-speed multimedia services to our customers is critical for the future," said Lindsay Yelland, group managing director, products and marketing, Telstra Corporation. "We are very excited to be able to trial next generation services on the same platform already being built using Nortel Networks CDMA technology."
With construction progressing on Telstra's nationwide cdmaOne * (IS-95 CDMA) network, Telstra and Nortel Networks are also laying the groundwork for the high-speed wireless Internet services trial. Based on Nortel Networks' CDMA Metro Cell base stations, the trial is also intended to demonstrate the smooth evolution to the future operators can expect from existing, 3G-ready Nortel Networks radio infrastructure.
The Telstra trial will support data services at up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps) - 10 times the speed commonly available for wireless data services today - using 1XRTT, the first phase of CDMA2000. This will provide Telstra's trial customers with access to a range of multimedia services including rapid wireless Internet connection. "This trial will show how our Unified Networks* solutions can seamlessly extend voice, video and data across traditional enterprise and carrier boundaries, both wireless and wireline," said Richard Lowe, vice-president and general manager, CDMA Solutions, Nortel Networks.
The trial announcement was made in conjunction with the First Australian CDMA International Summit. Nortel Networks is exhibiting its CDMA Metro Cell and CDMA Minicell RE solutions for urban, suburban and rural service deployment at the Summit this week in Sydney. Nortel Networks delivers value to customers around the world through Unified Networks solutions, spanning mission-critical telephony and IP-optimized networks. Customers include public and private enterprises and institutions; Internet service providers; local, long-distance, cellular and PCS communications companies, cable television carriers, and utilities.
Telstra to Trial New Wireless Data Services, Nortel as Partner
Sydney, March 15, 1999 -- Telstra Corp., Australia's No. 1 telecommunications company, will start trials early next year aimed at offering high-speed data and Internet services through its new wireless telephone network.
Telstra has teamed with Canadian-based equipment seller Northern Telecom Ltd. to offer more advanced services via its new A$420 million (US$260 million) Code Division Multiple Access network, which will start operation in October.
The company's CDMA network will eventually allow mobile phone users to surf the Internet and receive and transmit data, using so-called "third-generation" services.
"It is part of our plan to evolve towards third- generation services,'' said Greg Young, a Telstra product manager. "It will offer data speeds of 144 kilobits per second which is 10 times the current speeds on offer.''
Fierce competition in the digital cellular phone market, which is expanding at more than 50 percent a year, makes it imperative for companies such as the dominant Telstra to keep their customers.
Telstra's CDMA network will also meet government requirements demanding cellular services be available to rural and remote customers once the existing analog service is shut down at the end of 2000. New data and Internet services may encourage them to stay with Telstra when the analog network is closed.
Aside from CDMA, customers can switch to the global service for mobile (GSM) networks offered by all mobile companies.
Telstra has about 1.3 million analog cellular phone customers, of which 80 percent must switch services by the end of this year.
Telstra's customers account for about 55 percent of Australia's A $4 billion total cellular phone market. No. 2 ranked Cable & Wireless Optus Ltd. and Vodafone Australia, a unit of Vodafone Group Plc, account for most of the rest.
About 31 percent of all Australians, or 6 million people, have cellular phones, while analysts estimate about 2 million people use the Internet on a regular basis.
Telstra's also Australia's No. 1 Internet service provider and revealed earlier this month it plans to offer customers direct access to interactive online services through their cellular phones, using a new technology known as wireless application protocol.
"As an Internet operator, we know how fast this market is growing," Young said. "We see this evolution into the mobile market as an important move."
Telstra joins U.S.-based companies such as Bell Atlantic Corp., which has already started trials of data and Internet services via CDMA.
The company is yet to reveal its pricing plans for the CDMA service, though analysts said the company is likely to offer cheaper prices than its GSM service, to attract new users.
"The consumer market is one where significant penetration can be made," Young said. "We will certainly have a competitive offerings for network access fees, air-time connection charges and handset prices."
Japan Carriers Plan Nationwide CDMA Cutover
TOKYO, JAPAN, Mar. 11, 1999 -- The eight cellular companies of the DDI Cellular and Nippon Ido Tsushin (IDO) groups in Japan have announced plans to launch nationwide CDMA (code division multiple access) services from April 14. The new service will also support wireless Internet access from cellphones using WAP.
DDI Cellular, which is based in Osaka, began roll out of its CDMA services in July 1998 when the system was launched in Kansai, Kyushu and Okinawa regions. It will complete roll out in all its services areas, which cover the whole of Japan except the Kanto and Tokai regions, on April 14.
IDO, which fills in the gap in DDI's service and operates in the Kanto and Tokai regions, which includes Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya, will launch services on the same day. Nationwide coverage will be 94 percent on service launch and this is expected to rise to 99 percent by mid 2000.
The Tokyo-based operator is already advertising its new CDMA service, which it is marketing under the cdmaOne brand name, in its service areas. The key selling point initially is clarity of calls which are said to be near those of landline phones. This in stark contrast to the low-quality calls now offered on Japanese cellular phones, mainly as a result of chronic overcrowding on the airwaves.
Mobile computer users are also being offered the promise of an ISDN-equivalent 64 kilobit per second data service in the near future, although the service will only support 14.4 kbps at launch.
Another key selling point will be the ability to roam overseas. At present, Japanese cellular users have been unable to use their telephones in other countries because of incompatibility and foreign visitors to Japan have been similarly frustrated by the inability to use their phones.
CDMA systems are in operation or planned in 30 countries, said IDO, and global roaming services will be offered. The carrier has already promised to have an agreement signed in South Korea in time for the World Cup in 2002, which will be jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea, but has yet to put dates on other roaming launches.
Mirroring the company's target audience, of businesspeople in their 20s and 30s who are unsatisfied with current cellular telephones, IDO announced a range of different calling plans.
The most basic will cost 4,500 yen (US$38) per month and will come with 1,600 yen ($13.40) worth of free calls, equivalent to around 40 minutes, and then features charges of 10 yen ($0.08) per 15 seconds. The most expensive rate, designed for heavy users, will cost 32,000 yen ($268) per month but come with 27,000 yen ($225), or up to 30 hours, of free calls and then a rate of 10 yen per 40 seconds.
Data calls on the CDMA phones will cost 15 yen ($0.13) per minute or 10 yen per minute when used with the Internet services of KDD or DDI, which have direct connections with the IDO network.
Users will also be able to access the Internet and e-mail without the use of a personal computer on some of the telephones with the EZaccess system, a system based on WAP (wireless application protocol), a growing standard for wireless Internet access. Basic subscriptions to the service will be 700 yen per month from July and access will be charged at 10 yen per minute.
cdmaOne Advanced Cellular Phone System National Network Completed April 14 of This Year
Mar. 10, 1999 -- On April 14, 1999, the DDI Cellular Group and IDO Corporation will complete a nationwide network for the cdmaOne cellular phone system, which boasts superior voice quality, compatibility with high-speed data communications, and efficient use of bandwidth.
Today, IDO Corp., Tohoku Cellular Telephone Co and Hokkaido Cellular Telephone Co. applied for approval to provide cdmaOne service. When these three firms begin service on April 14 of this year, the cooperative arrangement between IDO and the DDI Cellular Group will provide all of Japan with seamless cdmaOne service.
With the completion of the nationwide cdmaOne network, the DDI Cellular Group and IDO will have created a high-quality service area reaching 95% of the nationÕs population. The plan is to expand the service area even further and to realize even greater communications quality, providing ever-more useful services of the type that only cdmaOne can deliver.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Mar. 8, 1999 -- At a time when service competition among carriers is reaching unprecedented levels, a technically robust and cost-effective air interface standard such as Code Division Multiple Access technology (CDMA) offers carriers a clear edge over competing carriers using other technologies.
According to the latest strategic research by Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com), World CDMA Infrastructure Equipment Markets, revenues for the technology were estimated at $8.5 billion for 1998, making CDMA the hottest of the three cellular standards (GSM, TDMA and CDMA). The basis of this competitive edge stems from CDMA's advantage in higher potential capacity over competing standards. This higher capacity in turn can lead to lower infrastructure deployment and maintenance costs for carriers.
"The technology itself is the basis of the advanced Third Generation Cellular networks," says Frost & Sullivan Telecommunications Analyst Subodh Karnad, "and many of the more dynamic cellular and PCS carriers around the world are deploying CDMA equipment."
Quality, reputation, price, and the ability to provide customer financing and support are the key ingredients in the competitive model for the market. "The most important point to stress is that CDMA is now a valid, proven and capable technology," says Karnad. "This is significant because, in the past, CDMA has often been ruled out as a new and unproven standard."
Early success in key markets such as the U.S., Canada and Korea has eroded the market skepticism that prevailed amongst carriers, investors and regulators.
Any threats that might arise in this market come from the regulatory forces that might prevent the entry of CDMA in certain markets. Most of the current participants in this market are large, well-funded mega telecom vendors such as Lucent, Motorola and Nortel.
This research provides an up-to-date picture of CDMA's growth on a worldwide basis. It offers a region-by-region analysis of the market, including North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America. It also offers revenue forecasts for the total CDMA infrastructure market, and is further broken down into individual equipment segments. These unit and revenue forecasts will provide valuable assistance in business planning, forecasting, demand estimation, discovering regional opportunities and finding information on major infrastructure vendors.
CDMA has clearly established itself as the major standard for digital cellular and PCS services. With clear advantages in cost, clarity and capacity, CDMA is expected to continue to expand its footprint in various markets all over the world.
The technologies reviewed include CDMA, TDMA, GSM, and AMPS. Market participants include: 3Com, Advantest Corporation., Aldiscon, Allgon Enterprises, Anritsu Wiltron Company, Comarco Wireless Technologies, DSP Communications Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Gryason Electronics Company, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi Telecom, Hughes Network Systems, Inc., Hyundai Electronics Industries Co. Ltd., IFR Systems Inc., LG Information and Communications Ltd., LSI Logic, Lucent Technologies, Metawave Communications, Mobile Systems International, Motorola (Cellular Infrastructure Group), Panasonic, Nortel, ORA Electronics, Ortel Corporation, Qualcomm Inc., Recal Instruments Inc., Rohde& Schwartz GmbH & Co., Sage Instruments, SAFCO Technologies, Samsung Electronics Ltd., Sema Group Canada Ltd., Spectrian Corporation, Tecore Inc., Telecom Analysis Systems, Telogy Networks, Texas Instruments and VLSI Technology Inc.
Telefonica to Offer Mobile Telephone Service in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Mar. 4, 1999 -- Telefonica, through its Puerto Rican affiliate Telefonica Larga Distancia (TLD), has reached an accord with Clear Comm to create a 50-50 joint venture which will offer mobile telephone services on the island.
Clear Comm, a company comprised of local and North American investors, will supply the license and initial preparations necessary to offer PCS (Personal Communications Services) in Puerto Rico. TLD will provide the necessary capital to start up the project, estimated at $20 million.
TLD expects to begin offering PCS digital mobile telephony using CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology during the second half of this year. TLD's entry into the PCS services market in Puerto Rico, as well as its recent decision to participate in the intra-island telephone market, has been made possible by the elimination, in August 1998, of the "no competition" clause between TLD and the Puerto Rico Telephone Authority.
"The new businesses we are starting confirm the correctness of that decision, thanks to which there are no conditions on the communications services we can offer," said Jose Luis Fernandez, general manager of TLD. "We have already begun work on the installation of our own network, using the latest generation of CDMA technology, which will allow us to offer high-quality PCS services."
The network, which will be completed in less than a year's time, will require investments of some $100 million. It will be constructed by Lucent Technologies under a "turnkey" contract, which includes, among other things, the operation and maintenance of the system for a year.
Currently, TLD offers a wide range of telecommunications services in Puerto Rico, ranging from long distance for local clients and "carriers" to data transmission and Internet. Since February 1998 it also offers intra-island telephone service. With the launching of PCS, which has a strong growth potential, TLD widens and strengthens its range of services in the Puerto Rico market.
Sprint Launches Short Messaging Services on Nation's Largest 100 Percent Digital Nationwide PCS Network
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Mar. 2, 1999 -- Sprint today announced the commercial availability of its Short Messaging Services for the company's wireless division. Now, all Sprint PCS customers who have voicemail will have the option of receiving numeric pages directly to their Sprint PCS phone at no additional charge. And text messages up to 100 characters are available for as little as $1.99 for up to 30 text messages a month or $9.99 for up to 500 messages per month.
Sprint PCS has the nation's largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network with service available in more than 270 metropolitan markets nationwide.
"Sprint PCS Short Messaging Service provides our voicemail customers with two more convenient ways to communicate information clearly, anywhere across our national 100% PCS network," said Charles Levine, chief sales and marketing officer for Sprint PCS. "Short Messaging Service helps us deliver on our goal of making the Sprint PCS phone the preferred device for our customers' communications needs."
Sprint PCS Short Messaging Services offers customers two service options. First, when a caller reaches the voicemail of a Sprint PCS customer who has their numeric paging option turned on, the caller will hear the customer's personal greeting followed by a voice prompt giving them the option of either leaving a voicemail message or sending a numeric page. If the caller wants the person to call them back, all they need to do is key in their phone number and a numeric page will be sent directly to the Sprint PCS phone. When a numeric page comes in, the Sprint PCS customer will be alerted with an indication light, soft tone and a message on their screen. The customer simply presses talk, and the phone will automatically return the call.
Second, Sprint PCS Short Messaging Services provides a robust means for customers to receive text-based information of up to 100 characters in length, directly on their Sprint PCS phone. There are three convenient ways messages can be sent to Sprint PCS customers:
1. Through the World Wide Web at http://www.messaging.sprintpcs.com: Consumers can visit the Sprint PCS website and send a text message directly to a Sprint PCS phone by simply typing in the Sprint PCS 10-digit phone number and a message of up to 100 characters. There is even a place to enter a call back phone number so when the text message is received, a return call can be made by simply pressing "talk."
2. Through any Internet accessible Email account: Send an email directly to a Sprint PCS phone. The email address is the Sprint PCS 10-digit phone number@messaging.sprintpcs.com.
3. Through special TAP-compatible messaging software: Geared toward business users, software can be purchased allowing extra functionality when sending text messages including, scheduling, administrative options, log files, archives, message recall and much more.
"By integrating multiple services into one convenient package -- voicemail, numeric paging and text messaging- and delivering all of these services on all of our phones, Sprint PCS has made great strides toward eliminating the need for our customers to carry both a phone and a pager," Levine said.
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sprint Develops Interoperability Between Different Equipment Vendor Products for its Wireless Network
Development Likely to Lead to Lower Costs, More Options for CDMA Service Providers
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Mar. 1, 1999 -- After more than three years of intensive research and testing, Sprint today announced a breakthrough in the interoperability of key wireless network equipment. Sprint PCS engineers have developed standard specifications that enable interoperability between two major components of wireless networks-switches, known as Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), and Base Station (BS) subsystems-from two different vendors of CDMA (code division multiple access) equipment.
"This significant development will lead to increased competition among network vendors for CDMA service provider business," said Keith Paglusch, senior vice president of Operations, Sprint PCS. "Because providers may be able to choose among more vendors in every market, this will likely lower costs for Sprint PCS and other CDMA wireless service providers when they buy new switches and Base Station subsystems."
A Base Station subsystem comprises a BTS (Base Transceiver Station) and a BSC (Base Station Controller). The BTS transmits radio frequencies ever the air interface to wireless handsets, while the BSC manages the radio frequency resources.
Sprint PCS developed IOS, or Interoperability Specifications, in 1995 to provide precise specifications when linking vendors' Base Station subsystems and MSCs.
The IOS guidelines have enabled Sprint PCS to narrow the options under the TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) standard for interoperability, known as IS-634 (Revision A). While IS-634 Rev. A is an industry interoperability standard, there have not been detailed specifications available within this standard to ensure interoperability between vendors-until now. "Sprint PCS and its infrastructure vendors have taken the necessary steps to make the great wireless technology of CDMA even better," said Paglusch. "We intend to bring these specifications to the entire CDMA community to raise the bar on the number of benefits that CDMA offers service providers and their customers around the world."
During the testing in the Sprint PCS Service Integration Lab in Lenexa, Kan., wireless calls were completed using a Nortel Networks MSC and a Motorola Base Station subsystem. Similarly, calls were completed using a Lucent Technologies MSC and a Motorola Base Station subsystem. Sprint PCS expects to deploy the interoperability software an its network in a field trial before the end of this year.
Sprint PCS has taken a leadership role in the development of interoperability standards in the wireless industry. For example, Sprint PCS' IOS will be the basis for a new international standard to be defined by a newly formed international collaborative group called Third Generation Partnership Project 2, or 3GPP2, whose mission is to propose next-generation standards for CDMA. This organization is comprised of CDMA service providers and equipment vendors from around the world who are interested in further defining Technical Specifications for third-generation (3G) mobile systems based on CDMA2000, the evolved ANSI-41 core network and the relevant radio access technologies.
Click here to view the IOS Specification
Samsung Electronics Develops Watch Phone Worn on the wrist, the new product resembles futuristic phones in the movies
The device measures 67mm by 58mm by 20mm and weighs just 39g.
New-concept design incorporates digital watch with wireless phone.
Seoul, South Korea, Mar. 31, 1999 -Ð The wrist-worn communicators we have enjoyed watching in science fiction and action movies are now on the market for consumers to use themselves. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has come out with the worldÕs first CDMA-based watch phone (model: SPH-WP10), which is scheduled to go to market in April.
Significance of New Product
The SPH-WP10 is SamsungÕs first product developed as part
of a market segmentation strategy designed to respond to the
nearly saturated domestic market for wireless handsets. The
new product signals new marketing approaches by domestic manufacturers
to target specific generations of mobile telecommunications
service users.
SamsungÕs CDMA-based watch phone is the smallest and lightest wireless terminal ever produced. It combines the functions of a digital watch with that of a wireless communications handset. The dynamic design for the new millenium conjures up images of adventure.
Although watch phones have been developed by Japanese makers, SamsungÕs product is the first to be put on the market.
Product Details
The SPH-WP10 comes with a miniature duplexer, super-small
base-band analog processor chip and tiny fixed antenna. The
product weighs just 39g (50g with battery) and measures only
67mm by 58mm by 20mm. As such it has been hailed as an important
breakthrough in the battle for smaller and lighter wireless
handsets.
SamsungÕs new watch phone offers 90 minutes of continuous call time and 60 hours of standby time. It is also loaded with all the features (30 in total) users have come to expect in a handheld phone, including voice activated dialing, phone directory, ear microphone, and vibration alert. It comes with a graphic LCD that displays the current use mode through animation.
User Convenience
Worn on the wrist, the SPH-WP10 offers exceptional portability
and it is less likely to get lost or stolen than conventional
wireless handsets. It also does not hinder people who are
involved in playing sports, fishing, hiking or doing some
other form of outdoor activity. Samsung officials expect their
new watch phone to be a big hit with the youth market.
Samsung Electronics Develops Wireless Internet Phone
*Small-sized mobile phone is a combination of cellular
phone, internet access tool and PDA.
*Large touch screen offers "touch mail" capability to send
text messages and pictures.
*Korean-English/English-Korean dictionaries, Bible/Christian
hymnal, Buddhist Canon/Buddhist songbook built in.
Samsung plans to sell a total of 1 million units at home and abroad this year.
Seoul, South Korea, Mar. 31, 1999 -- A multi-function wireless phone has been developed that will allow you to attend Christian or Buddhist services without the need to carry a prayer book. Or you can transmit e-mail messages from atop the highest peaks and engage in internet chatting.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s latest offering is a novel concept that combines internet access and PDA functions with a cellular phone. The new product was developed to stimulate slumping sales in Korea due to market saturation. It is scheduled for release in April.
A team of 110 Samsung Electronics researchers spent three years and W5.5 billion to develop this "internet phone." Ericsson displayed a similar product at this year's CeBIT show in Hanover, Germany and has announced plans to commercialize it early next year, meaning that Samsung is about one year ahead in the race to market.
Samsung plans to sell a total of 1 million internet phones at home and abroad this year.
Product Introduction
The internet phone can access the internet without the use
of a personal computer. It comes with a large (30mm x 70mm)
touch screen and features an electronic notebook, PC data
interface, sound/character recognition, and wireless fax.
In addition to the conventional function of mobile voice transmission, the internet phone has a large-capacity PDA capability that can transmit written data. The memory can handle a total of 2,000 stored addresses, schedules for up to one year, and as many as 100 memos at a time. Moreover, there's an 80,000-word English-Korean dictionary, a 50,000-word Korean-English dictionary and an engineering calculator that does trigonometry, exponential functions and statistics.
A Bible/Christian hymnal and Buddhist Canon/Buddhist songbook are built in, as are electronic games such as Tetris and crossword puzzles. The unit can also exchange data with a PC and verify the number of incoming calls.
New Technology Development
Through the development of the internet phone, Samsung Electronics
gained the technology to convert text data to sound data inside
a wireless handset and developed a function that alerts the
user of an incoming call while the electronic notebook is
in use. In fact, Samsung has applied for 52 patents related
to technology and functions for the internet phone.
Samsung's exclusive character recognition technology is 98% accurate with Korean and 95% accurate with English. A standard internet protocol is built in so the internet phone can access the internet without having to first be connected with a notebook PC. The user can press the E-mail or Web Browser icon on the startup screen to gain immediate internet access.
A hypertext function connects the search function to both the English-Korean and Korean-English dictionaries. Then, if the user does not understand the meaning of an English word that he/she is looking up, he/she can simply touch it to get the equivalent in Korean. The Short Message Service allows the user to write and send messages or drawings.
Motorola Awarded $75 Million Contract to Expand Two Cellular Networks in Hong Kong
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Mar. 29, 1999 -- Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited today awarded Motorola, Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector (NSS) a $75 million contract to expand two digital cellular networks in Hong Kong. In total, the two network expansions will increase Hutchison's network coverage and subscriber capacity by sixty percent and will provide cellular service to 1.5 million people. Deployment of Motorola NSS's SC™ and M-Cell™ series of base stations will begin immediately with completion of the entire expansion project expected during the fourth quarter of this year.
"Since Motorola and Hutchison launched the world's first commercial CDMA(a) system in 1995, the two companies have been providing Hong Kong's subscribers with the latest digital cellular services," said Simon Leung, vice president and general manager of Asia Pacific for Motorola NSS's Customer Solutions Group. "Both of Hutchison's networks - its CDMA and dual-band GSM(a) systems - have experienced phenomenal growth within the past year. The expansions will provide Hong Kong's residents with increased capacity while new subscribers to the systems will soon realize the many benefits CDMA and GSM technologies - including greatly enhanced voice and call quality."
The CDMA system slated to be expanded was the world's first commercial CDMA cellular phone network and was launched by Hutchison Telecom with Motorola's cell site and network equipment in September of 1995. The second network, built by Motorola in 1994, includes NSS's state-of-the-art GSM equipment.
ERICSSON and QUALCOMM Reach Global CDMA Resolution
Agreement Paves the Way for the Next Generation of Global Wireless Communications
ERICSSON and QUALCOMM today announced that they have entered into a series of definitive agreements that resolve all disputes globally between the companies relating to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology. Under the agreements, ERICSSON and QUALCOMM agree to jointly support a single world CDMA standard with three optional modes for the next generation of wireless communications, to enter into cross licenses for their respective patent portfolios and to settle the existing litigation between the companies. The cross licenses are royalty bearing for CDMA subscriber units sold by either party. In addition, ERICSSON will purchase QUALCOMM's terrestrial CDMA wireless infrastructure business, including its R&D resources, located in San Diego, Calif. and Boulder, Colo., and will assume select customer commitments, including a portion of vendor financing obligations, related assets and personnel. The agreements are subject to necessary regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
The agreement settles the litigation between ERICSSON and QUALCOMM and provides for cross licensing of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for all CDMA technologies, including cdmaOne™, WCDMA and CDMA2000™. QUALCOMM also will receive rights to sublicense certain ERICSSON patents, including the patents asserted in the litigation, to QUALCOMM's Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) customers.
The companies have also agreed to jointly support approval by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and other standards bodies, including the U.S. Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), of a single CDMA third generation (3G) standard that encompasses three optional modes of operation: 1) direct sequence FDD, 2) multi-carrier FDD, and 3) TDD. Each mode supports operation with both GSM MAP and ANSI-41 networks. QUALCOMM and ERICSSON believe that rapid adoption of the single CDMA standard is in the best interests of the industry and allows each operator to select which mode of operation to deploy based on marketplace needs. As part of the agreement, the companies will each commit to the ITU and to other standards bodies to license their essential patents for a single CDMA standard or any of its modes to the rest of the industry on a fair and reasonable basis free from unfair discrimination. The companies will notify the ITU and other relevant standardization entities of the agreement to remove all IPR blocking currently in force.
The grants of licenses and the settlement of all litigation, as well as the commitment to standards bodies to license their essential IPRs, will become effective upon closing of the purchase of QUALCOMM's terrestrial CDMA wireless infrastructure business.
''With the resolution of 3G and the cross-licensing of our patents, QUALCOMM and ERICSSON have paved the way for the expansion of global CDMA-based wireless communications,'' said Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of QUALCOMM Incorporated. ''ERICSSON's purchase of our infrastructure division underscores its commitment to CDMA, and allows ERICSSON, one of the world's leading telecommunications equipment manufacturers, to expand its CDMA capabilities. QUALCOMM can now focus on its core businesses, including CDMA phones and chipsets, the Globalstar and OmniTRACS systems and new opportunities in digital cinema, wireless data and Eudora products and services.''
''ERICSSON, through its agreement with QUALCOMM -- a pioneer in developing CDMA technologies -- now has complete 3G competence,'' commented Sven-Christer Nilsson, president and chief executive officer of ERICSSON. ''We are ideally positioned to support any operator anywhere in the world to migrate to 3G regardless of technology heritage or technology choice.''
QUALCOMM's terrestrial CDMA wireless infrastructure research and development and manufacturing division comprises infrastructure for cellular, PCS and wireless local loop. The acquisition provides ERICSSON with leading CDMA research and development, including the cdmaOne and CDMA2000 product lines that ERICSSON will further develop and market. ERICSSON will establish a global CDMA center in San Diego, Calif.
''With the addition of cdmaOne and CDMA2000, we will be well positioned to serve current and future CDMA markets, including the fast growing CDMA handset market,'' said Mr. Nilsson. ''By combining this competence with our industry-leading capabilities in WCDMA, we intend to play a leading role in the converged world of wireless data services.''
QUALCOMM will incur a one-time charge in connection with the transactions contemplated by the agreements, the details of which it anticipates will be available when the Company announces results for its third fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1999.
Motorola Awarded $85 Million Expansion Contract to Provide Digital Cellular Phone Equipment to Mexico
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Mar. 24, 1999 -- Motorola, Inc. announced today it has signed a $85 million contract to supply Code Division Multiple Access\ (CDMA) digital cellular phone equipment to four operators in Mexico.The agreement includes the expansion of a CDMA cellular network and the supply of CDMA subscriber handsets.
The contract was awarded to two groups within Motorola, Inc.'s newly formed Communications Enterprise - its Network Solutions Sector (NSS) and Personal Communications Sector (PCS) - by Baja Celular Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (Bajacel), Movitel del Noroeste, S.A. de C.V. (Movitel), Telefonia Celular del Norte,S.A. de C.V. (Norcel) and Celular de Telefonia, S.A. de C.V. (Cedetel).
Bajacel, Movitel, Norcel and Cedetel, the first operators to install a digital system using CDMA technology in Mexico, launched commercial service in February 1998 (Cedetel), June 1998 (Bajacel) and July 1998 (Movitel) using Motorola NSS's cellular infrastructure equipment. The network expansion of this pioneer digital system will include NSS's state-of-the-art SC™ family of CDMA base stations and its high-capacity EMX® 5000 switch.
Motorola PCS is expected to supply its latest CDMA handsets, which includes the MultiTAC™ and StarTAC™ cellular phones. During 1999, Motorola PCS expects to offer Mexico's consumers an additional, new product offering.
"When Motorola began its relationship with Bajacel, Movitel, Norcel and Cedetel, the operators told us of their progressive vision - to provide an advanced and efficient digital technology to cellular subscribers in the northern regions of Mexico. Now, two years later, the operators are expanding that vision to include the interior of Mexico. Motorola NSS is ready to make the vision a reality," said Norm Korey, vice president and general manager of Central America and Latin America for NSS.
"We have worked closely with Motorola's Communications Enterprise to provide the latest digital technologies to Mexico," said Eduardo Vazquez Arroyo, CEO and president of the four service regions. "The state-of-the-art system, advanced Motorola digital handsets and the crystal clear voice quality enabled by CDMA technology will catapult our companies to the forefront of mobile and fixed wireless communications services in Mexico."
Motorola deployed the world's first commercial CDMA system in 1995 in Hong Kong. Currently, the company has more than 100 agreements in 24 countries to provide commercial and trial CDMA systems across the globe.
Bajacel, Movitel, Norcel and Cedetel are cellular operators whose service regions border with the United States in a dynamic and fast growing area of Mexico. The four regions are anchored by the cities of Tijiana, Culiacan, Monterrey and CD. Juarez whose economic and industrial development, bolstered by the Maquiladora industry, contribute significantly to Mexico's GDP.
Three More Motorola cdmaOne Digital Networks Go Commercial in Japan's National Cellular Expansion
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Mar. 22, 1999 -- The nationwide expansion in Japan of commercial CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) digital cellular network service continued today with the scheduled commercial launch of three more systems. DDI, one of Japan's leading cellular service providers, announced the commercial launch of three more networks using state-of-the-art cellular infrastructure designed, manufactured and installed by Motorola, Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector (NSS). The CDMA network also is known as cdmaOne ™.
Last July, the first three of DDI's networks were commercialized, offering service to people in cities such as Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and Nagasaki, plus more than 600 other communities.
The new service launched today adds the Japanese regions of Shikoku, Hokuriku and Chugoku, which include over 500 more cities, towns and villages and whose inhabitants number more than 15 million. Next month, IDO and two other DDI regional service providers will launch commercially the final elements of the nationwide cdmaOne network buildout, marking the completion of the world's most ambitious and comprehensive cdmaOne installation project.
"cdmaOne's capacity and high quality connections are perfect for the rapidly growing, quality conscious Japanese market," said Ron Hamma, vice president and general manager of NSS operations in Japan. "These three regions are key additions to the nationwide network being built."
The DDI/IDO nationwide network is comprised of Motorola NSS's SC™ family of base stations and EMX(R) 5000 mobile switches. The EMX 5000 was developed jointly by Motorola NSS and Alcatel USA, which manufactures the switch and provides core platform software. Motorola NSS develops the mobility applications software.
Six-sector technology, which nearly doubles a cell's capacity, plus state-of-the-art 8 Kbps Enhanced Variable Rate Coders (EVRC), digital voice encoders that provide landline quality voice transmission and significant capacity gains, are incorporated throughout each network system.
DDI is the second largest carrier in Japan. Established in June of 1984, DDI operates eight regional phone companies that provide both analog and Personal Digital Communications (PDC) cellular service.
IDO was established in March of 1987 to offer mobile phone communication services. IDO's service areas reach out from the heart of Tokyo and cover much of the central region of Honshu, the principal island of Japan and the nation's most densely populated area.
Offshore Production of Samsung Mobile Phones Begins
*Samsung Electronics starts up production of cellular
phones in Brazil.
*Brazilian operation will turn out 400,000 units a year for
supply to the Latin American market.
*Samsung expects to maintain its commanding 40% share of the
Brazilian CDMA wireless handset market.
Seoul, South Korea, Mar. 18, 1999 -- Brazil is emerging as the world's third major market for wireless handsets, behind the US and China. To expand its presence in this market, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. dedicated a new plant at its existing production complex in Manaus, Brazil and officially began production of its mobile phones on March 15.
The production subsidiary, Samsung Electronics Da Amazonia Ltda. (SEDA), has set initial annual output at 400,000 units. These phones will be sold in Brazil as well as other Latin American countries that have either already selected the CDMA (code division multiple access) standard or will do so in the near future.
By producing all of its cellular phones in Korea, Samsung Electronics has experienced delivery delays and had difficulties responding to the preference of the local consumers and service providers. The company decided to build the new plant in Brazil in order to alleviate these technical problems and to get closer to its customers in the Latin American market.
The SCH-411 CDMA cellular phone produced at SEDA is the first model in the Brazilian market that includes the voice activated dialing feature. The product is both small and light and can accommodate many value-added functions such as short message service and voice mail. It is already immensely popular in Brazil, which has been supplied thus far by exports from Korea.
Since its introduction, the Samsung CDMA mobile phone has been well received by local consumers and service providers such as Telefonica. Currently, Samsung Electronics enjoys an approximately 40% share of the Brazilian mobile phone market, making it the industry leader.
In advance of the local production startup, Samsung launched an aggressive advertising campaign in Brazil that includes TV commercials, which will be aired in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Curitiba. Samsung's "AnyCall" brand cellular phones have enjoyed legendary success in Korea, and now the company aims to re-create that success in the world market.
Samsung's production complex in Manaus already manufactures TVs, VCRs and monitors. By adding wireless phones to the lineup, Samsung has strengthened its stature as a comprehensive maker of electronics products.
QUALCOMM Personal Electronics Ships Ten Millionth Phone
QUALCOMM Personal Electronics Ramps Up Production of CDMA Digital Wireless Handsets to Meet Growing Demand
SAN DIEGO, Mar. 18, 1999 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced that QUALCOMM Personal Electronics (QPE), a joint venture between subsidiaries of QUALCOMM Incorporated and Sony Electronics Inc., shipped its ten millionth CDMA handset. QPE production accelerated rapidly from startup to the current milestone in less than three and a half years: initial shipments began September 1995, reached 100,000 in May 1996, grew to one million in February 1997, five million in May 1998, and ten million today.
QUALCOMM's rapid development of CDMA digital phones in conjunction with QPE's dramatic increase in manufacturing volumes indicates both QUALCOMM's commitment to manufacturing high-quality wireless digital handsets and the wide acceptance of CDMA technology. "QUALCOMM is proud to celebrate this achievement," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, president of QUALCOMM Consumer Products. "QPE's accelerated ramp up and increased shipping volumes of CDMA digital handsets is indicative of the tremendous success of CDMA technology and increasing carrier demand. QPE's manufacturing and shipping milestones are a testimony to consumer acceptance of CDMA wireless phone products worldwide as well as acknowledgment of QUALCOMM's position as one of the world's fastest growing consumer products manufactures."
"We're happy that our popular phones play a role in this important manufacturing milestone for QPE," said Tadao Kubodera, president of Sony Personal Mobile Communications - America. "Sony's understanding of the consumer and its strengths in design and engineering have combined with QPE to create quality CDMA wireless phones." QPE, one of the world's largest manufacturers of CDMA digital phones, produces QUALCOMM and Sony dual-mode CDMA digital/analog, single-band and dual-band CDMA digital PCS phones for distribution through carriers worldwide.
The phones deliver crystal clear voice quality with extended talk and standby times through the CDMA technology developed by QUALCOMM. Consumers can have access through their carriers to a variety of advanced services for their phones, including incoming caller ID, short messaging service (SMS), voice mail alerts and future access to email and the Internet.
QUALCOMM Begins Shipments of Highly Integrated CDMA Cell Site Modem Chip
Power-saving CSM2000 Chip Offers More Than 80% Size Reduction
SAN DIEGO, Mar. 17, 1999 -- QUALCOMM Incorporated, pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced it has begun production shipments, on schedule, of the next-generation CSM2000™ Cell Site Modem (CSM™) chip for CDMA infrastructure and test equipment.
"The CSM2000 marks a turning point for wireless networks, providing for more compact, lower-cost CDMA base stations, spurring further growth in CDMA," said Luis Pineda, director of product management for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "The on-time, on-schedule delivery of our CSM2000, with lower cost per channel, and power and space savings, is indicative of our ongoing commitment to infrastructure manufacturers and their customers to maximize the efficiency of wireless networks."
The CSM2000 is a multiple-channel CDMA digital baseband chip, capable of supporting up to eight forward link channels and eight reverse link channels.
Each channel element performs CDMA searching, CDMA modulation, CDMA demodulation and Viterbi decoding. The channel elements are chained together internally which allows CDMA infrastructure manufacturers who use the new CSM to benefit from only one set of transmit outputs and a reduction in the drive power required per channel. This is a significant cost reduction per channel over QUALCOMM's previous generation of CSM devices, the CSM1.(™ and CSM1.5™ devices which supported only one forward link channel and one reverse link channel per device.
The CSM2000 also provides for a significant reduction in the circuit board space and lower power consumption per channel. Available in a 128-pin Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP) package, the CSM2000 footprint is only 18 percent of the area occupied by eight CSM1.5 devices, allowing a significant space savings for base station hardware. The high integration of the CSM2000 chip provides more than 75 percent power savings when replacing eight CSM1.0 devices and more than 50 percent power savings when replacing eight CSM1.5 devices.
Channel integration achieved in the CSM2000 allows a single CSM to demodulate up to eight simultaneous channels as required for IS-95B high speed data services and supported by the MSM3000™ chip, which began production shipping to handset manufacturers in January. The MSM3000, a fifth-generation single-chip Mobile Station Modem (MSM(™)), is the most advanced, commercially available MSM chipset available today and is the first single-chip baseband solution for any cellular or PCS standard to enable data speeds up to 86.4 kbps.
DSPC CDMA Chipsets Featured in New Kyocera Single-mode cdmaOne Handset; New Model will be Lightest Single-mode CDMA Handset in Japan
CUPERTINO, CA, March 15, 1999 -- DSP Communications, Inc. today announced that Kyocera's new cdmaOne™ handsets will incorporate DSPC's D5421 WorldCDMA™ chipsets.
Kyocera's newest single-mode CDMA handset provides longer standby and continuous talk times and lighter weight compared to previous models and will be made available to consumers in the near future. At 95 grams (2.5 oz.), the existing Kyocera CDMA handset is already the lightest dual-mode CDMA handset in Japan. The launch of the new single-mode CDMA handset will only reinforce Kyocera's position as a leading CDMA handset provider.
"We are very pleased with DSPC's CDMA technology that enables us to be a leader in small, low-power consumption handsets," said Mr. Yasuo Nishiguchi, Executive Vice President, Kyocera Corporation. "Consumers will enjoy the benefits of a modern handset design in a small form-factor, with longer talk time."
"DSPC's ongoing relationship with Kyocera has proven to be very successful for both companies," said Joseph Perl, President and CEO of DSPC. "We are committed to providing Kyocera with competitive, state-of-the-art solutions."
The new Kyocera CDMA handset implements DSPC's D5421 WorldCDMA™ chipset that provides a compact and low-power consumption solution for satisfying cdmaOne baseband processing requirements. The chipset offers superior power management, while adding functionality such as voice recognition. The Japanese carrier DDI Corp. has already publicly announced the availability of the new cdmaOne handset within its service areas. In April, another Japanese carrier, IDO, will begin offering new cdmaOne service in the Kanto and Tokai regions allowing cdmaOne handsets to be used throughout Japan.
Nortel Networks Demonstrates IndustryÕs Widest 800 MHz CDMA Cell Range Lab Trials Achieve Coverage Radius Up to 200 Kilometers for Rural Wireless Service
Ottowa, Ontario, March 4, 1999 -Ð With an eye toward improving the economics of rural digital cellular service, Nortel Networks has developed and demonstrated an order of magnitude increase in the coverage radius of its 800 MHz cdmaOne (IS-95 CDMA) base stations.
In a series of tests conducted at its Wireless Solutions laboratories in Ottawa, Nortel Networks has achieved a coverage radius of up to 200 kilometers at 800 MHz from a single CDMA Metro Cell base station. As much as five times better than previous extended coverage trials and 10 times the range typically available, this is easily the industryÕs widest CDMA base station coverage.
"This dramatic improvement in coverage makes CDMA networks a much more attractive proposition for rural cellular service delivery," said Dave Murashige, vice-president, marketing and product line management, Wireless Solutions, Nortel Networks.
"Operators like Telstra Australia can take advantage of this extended coverage to cost effectively implement high quality wireless services across sparsely populated rural markets," Murashige said.
The tests involved a Nortel Networks CDMA Metro Cell base station using standard architecture with new extended range enhancements. Both landline and mobile-originated calls were included.
Telstra will be the first operator in the world to field trial and commercialize this coverage enhancement in its rural service areas. Construction of TelstraÕs nationwide 800 MHz CDMA network is already underway.