Ericsson Canada and Microcell Make
World's First WCDMA 1900 MHz
Multimedia Call
MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1999--Today
Ericsson Canada and Microcell, representing the North American
GSM Alliance L.L.C. and Telesystem International Wireless (TIW), took an important step toward
delivering the next generation of wireless technology to North America.
Anthony Schultz, Vice-President Network Planning and Operations, Microcell Connexions, and
Monique Lefebvre, Vice-President, Quebec and Atlantic Region, Ericsson Canada, engaged in a
historic multimedia conversation, using Ericsson's WCDMA 3rd generation wireless solutions (3G)
for the North American environment. This event inaugurates Ericsson Canada's participation in the
GSM Alliance L.L.C. and TIW 3G trial being conducted by Microcell Connexions in Montreal.
Ericsson has been successful in establishing multimedia mobile calls based on WCDMA technology
in other countries such as Japan, UK, Germany, Italy, China and Sweden over the past few months.
In North America, however, technical and spectral requirements in the WCDMA/NA defined
standard required additional development and testing. Ericsson has reinforced its commitment to
support the North American GSM Alliance L.L.C. and TIW with the world's first version of a
WCDMA system able to operate in the same 1900 MHz spectrum where Personal Communication
Services (PCS) are currently deployed. This system will allow North American operators to
harmonize their 3G networks with others around the world.
``Harmonizing our 3G systems means that users will have the ability to carry their multimedia
terminals between North America and the rest of the world, enjoying the same voice, data,
multimedia and Internet features they can get at home,' Mr. Schultz said. ``Microcell, representing
the GSM Alliance L.L.C. and TIW, is proud to participate in the unfolding of this new technology.
WCDMA will provide Microcell and other North American and global operators with a solid
platform to deploy third generation wireless multimedia applications.'
``With this first call, Ericsson is demonstrating its leadership in delivering true multimedia services to
the users. At Ericsson Canada, we look forward to working with the industry to develop the new
wireless standard for North America, one that allows for greater quantities and quality of data to be
quickly transferred over mobile terminals,' said Monique Lefebvre.
Ericsson is leading 3G development and is ideally positioned to support any operator to migrate to
next generation systems. Being the only supplier with a complete portfolio of technologies for 2G
(PCS) and 3G systems, the company is in a prime position for the further expansion of its
world-leading mobile systems business.
Microcell Connexions, representing the GSM Alliance L.L.C and TIW, is partnering with Ericsson
on the evaluation of 3rd generation wireless technology. The North American GSM Alliance L.L.C.
is a group of 17 of North America's leading digital wireless Personal Communication Services
(PCS) companies.
TIW is a global wireless operator. It develops, acquires, owns and operates wireless
telecommunications networks in developing and developed markets throughout the world. TIW
provides digital cellular services in Romania, Brazil, India and China. The Company is also the
leading specialised mobile radio (SMR) provider in Europe. It offers SMR and ESMR services in
the United Kingdom and SMR services in France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. In
addition, TIW offers paging services in Mexico and the Netherlands. TIW is listed on the Montreal
Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ``TIW' and on the NASDAQ Stock
Market under the symbol ``TIWI'. For more information about TIW, visit tiw.ca.
Microcell Connexions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microcell Telecommunications Inc. (TSE,
ME:MTI:B; Nasdaq:MICTF). Microcell Connexions was awarded a 30 MHz license in December
1995 to build and operate a national PCS network at 1.9GHz in Canada. This network currently
covers 53 % of the Canadian population. Microcell has set itself apart by promoting its network on
a wholesale basis to new and existing service providers, offering unbranded and unbundled network
services. Microcell Connexions' head office is located in Toronto, and its customers include
Microcell Solutions in Montreal, CityFone Telecommunications of Vancouver, and Navitar
Communications of Toronto. For more information about Microcell, visit microcell.ca.
Ericsson Canada Inc., a subsidiary of LM Ericsson, Sweden, serves the Canadian market by
providing complete communication solutions including Wireless Systems & Solutions, Mobile
Phones, IP and Data Systems & Solutions, and Internet Consulting Services. Ericsson has offices in
Montreal, Mississauga, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Fort McMurray and Waterloo. For more
information about Ericsson Canada, visit ericsson.com
Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that
combine telecom and datacom technologies with the freedom of mobility for the user. With more
than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers --
network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers -- the world over.
Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: ericsson.se |
