Software Modification Prevents Interference

IRVINE, CA - The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that it has completed the initial specification of a feature that will allow hearing aid wearers to use existing Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) phones. This feature can be programmed into CDMA handsets and requires no modification to existing hearing aids. With the new feature users can be assured they will not experience interference to their hearing aids when using CDMA phones.

The CDG's approach applies only to CDMA technology because CDMA phones can operate in a continuous mode without turning the transmitted radio power on and off hundreds of times per second. Further, CDMA operates at substantially lower peak power levels compared to other technologies. CDMA is proving to be an excellent technology for resolving this issue in the marketplace.

The CDG has been actively working on industry-wide testing efforts in conjunction with the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA), the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA) and the University of Oklahoma. The CDG intends to make its approach available for review by hearing aid manufacturers and other associations working on behalf of the hearing impaired.

"As a hearing aid user, I am very pleased to have contributed to the CDG's effort to address this issue," said Dan Crews, a member of the CDG hearing aid compatibility team. "The CDG has devised a very simple approach that will work for all CDMA handsets. It is important to me that we not interfere with the devices currently in use by more than four million existing hearing aid wearers."

"Finding a way to eliminate interference will be important to the commercial success of any digital cellular or PCS technology," said Evan Richards, vice president, engineering, Ameritech Cellular Services. "CDMA technology is the wave of the future and it is important that it is available to all of our customers. Fortunately, through the efforts of the CDG we have developed a simple approach to eliminate interference for CDMA systems that is easily implementable through software and will not impact our commercial rollout."

The CDMA Development Group is a nonprofit trade association which was formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA. Recognized around the world as the governing CDMA MoU, the CDG currently represents over 42 companies including many of the world's largest wireless operators and equipment manufacturers. Directors of the CDG are senior officers and executives of member organizations.

The CDG's primary activities include technical development of features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international development. Since its inception in 1994, CDG members have completed several significant projects which have greatly facilitated the introduction of CDMA to the wireless market. Currently, there are more than 400 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA related matters.