Roundup - Current CDMA Use In Asia 06/22/98
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1998 JUN 22 (NB) -- By Martyn Williams, Newsbytes. While GSM (global
system for mobile communications) remains the dominant digital cellular technology in the Asia
Pacific region, CDMA is poised to make significant gains on the rival system as a number of trial
systems enter commercial service this year. As the CDMA World Congress begins in Singapore
tomorrow, the following is a roundup of current CDMA based services and trials taking place in the
Asia Pacific region:
Australia: Qualcomm recently announced plans to begin commercial CDMA service in Australia
after acquiring eight 800 megzhertz licenses. Areas to be covered include Brisbane, Perth, Cairns,
Mackay, Maryborough, Grafton, Tasmania and Regional West, an area populated by 5.4 million
people.
Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Rural Telecom Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding
with Qualcomm to supply a 800 megahertz CDMA-based wireless local loop system to link rural
communities to the telecommunications network. Commercial service is due to begin in the third
quarter of 1998.
China: Shanghai Great Wall Mobile began commercial 800 megahertz CDMA service in Shanghai
on June 16, the first commercial network operating anywhere in China. In the rest of the country,
several operators are running trials, including China Great Wall in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong,
China Unicom in Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shanghai, and China DGT is testing a 1,900 megahertz
CDMA based wireless local loop system in Tianjin, Shanghai, Fujian and Jiangsu and Beijing BTA
recently signed a deal to trial a similar WLL system in Beijing.
Hong Kong: Hutchison Telecom launched a limited commercial 800 megahertz service in late 1995
and began full service in 1996. It currently has around 230,000 subscribers.
India: Three companies are rolling out 800 megahertz CDMA based wireless local loop services in
India. Mahangar Telephone Nigam, Ltd. (MTNL) was first to begin service when it switched on its
network in May 1997. The company provides service in New Delhi, Calcutta, Mandurai and Uttar
Pradesh. In the state of Madhya Pradesh. Bharti Telenet, Ltd., began commercial service of its
system in late 1997. Currently, Tata Teleservices Ltd. is deploying its network in Hyderabad,
Andresh and Pradesh and plans to begin service in September 1998.
Indonesia: Telkom Indonesia is planning to use 1,900 megahertz CDMA systems to provide
wireless local loop services to up to 100,000 people in Surabaya and East Java.
Japan: Three of Japan's major commercial mobile telephone network operators, DDI Cellular,
Nippon Ido Tsushin and the Cellular Group, have all committed to building new CDMA 800
megahertz networks to replace aging systems based on Japan's digital PDC system. Commercial
service is due in mid 1998.
Korea: By launching full commercial service in January 1996, SK Telecom was arguably the first
CDMA cellular operator in the world. It currently has over 3 million subscribers to its 800
megahertz network. In the PCS marketplace, three operators, KT Freetel, LG Telecom and Hansol
PCS, have deployed 1,900 megahertz networks and created a competitive marketplace. In March,
Korea Telecom launched the first CDMA data service, offering speeds up to 64 kilobits per
second.
Philippines: The Filipino Telephone Corp. is constructing a 800 megahertz CDMA cellular system
nationwide. Service began in Metro Manila in 1997. Also in the capital district, Express
Telecommunications Co. is using 800 megahertz CDMA to link payphones to its network. In
Southern Luzon, PT&T plans to construct a 1,900 megahertz wireless local loop system to serve
remote locations.
Singapore: Mobile One began commercial 1,900 megahertz CDMA service in early June.
Thailand: The Communications Authority of Thailand is deploying an 800 megahertz CDMA
cellular system in Bangkok under a deal with Lucent. Service is planned to begin in 1998.
Reported By Newsbytes News Network: newsbytes.com |
