cdmaOne* Evolution Fast Tracks Advanced Services to Market; CDG Also Develops Comprehensive White Paper on 3G Systems

COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 9, 1998-- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that the Telecommunications Industry Association's (TIA) third generation (3G) proposal, CDMA2000, is proceeding on a fast-track to ensure the standard is in place to meet the needs of operators worldwide. The CDG is following an evolution strategy that introduces advanced services in incremental steps over the next few years, ultimately resulting in the full 3G capabilities of CDMA2000.

In addition, the CDG also announced that the Group's Advanced Systems Team has developed a white paper on 3G systems, addressing the core issues of the technology, evolution and harmonization. The white paper will be available on the CDG's website, located at www.cdg.org.

"The CDG is committed to the rapid evolution of cdmaOne to CDMA2000," stated Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "Our approach builds on the superior framework of cdmaOne. The world needs a 3G solution, and CDMA2000 is that solution."

The CDG has been actively attempting to achieve the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) goal of a global 3G standard based on the Family of Systems concept. In parallel with this effort, the CDG has also been aggressively working to evolve cdmaOne to CDMA2000 in order to bring the capabilities defined in IMT-2000 to market ahead of the 3G timetable. The CDG expects 144 kbps (mobile) data rates to be available in 1999 based on standards that are currently being defined within the TIA.
"CDMA2000 offers operators around the world a number of clear advantages including the fact that services designated as 3G will be available with cdmaOne in existing, as well as new spectrum bands," said LaForge. "And with cdmaOne, operators can reap the benefits of today's advanced digital technology while being assured that their investments are protected. Evolution from technologies such as GSM to W-CDMA, however, will require significant change of equipment and costly upgrades."

LaForge also commented that the European W-CDMA proposal is not yet technically complete. "There is an assumption in the industry that the W-CDMA proposal is complete. However, there remain a number of parameters that are not yet defined, so the opportunity for convergence remains. Watch closely over the next few months and you will see that
a number of these parameters have to be changed in order to meet performance expectations."

"Furthermore, a key operator requirement for 3G is ability to operate effectively in a 5Mhz spectrum allocation without interfering with systems operating in adjacent parts of the spectrum. This is a very important consideration for deployment of wireless systems around the
world, and CDMA2000 meets this requirement very well. We believe that W-CDMA, with the current parameters as specified, will not satisfy requirements for 5 MHz operations."

He also commented on the CDG's harmonization efforts. "The CDG has been actively trying to achieve the ITU's vision of a global standard by seeking CDMA2000 and W-CDMA convergence. However, some W-CDMA proponents have not been receptive to these efforts. The CDG believes in the benefits of convergence, but will not be able to achieve it alone. In any case, cdmaOne evolution proceeds on a fast track, ensuring that operators can deliver 3G services as the market demands."