Brazil cdg cdma
Company Press Release
CDMA Development Group Announces Broad Local Support for CDMA
Operators and Manufacturers in Brazil
Emerging CDMA Handset Manufacturing Capabilities Marks On Important Expansion Of CDMA
In South America
COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 1998-- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced
the emergence of broad local support for code division multiple access (CDMA) technology in Brazil.
The announcement comes on the eve of the long-awaited privatization of TELEBRAS, the Brazilian telephone monopoly, and
heralds a significant expansion of CDMA in Latin America.
''The growing presence of CDMA operators and manufacturers in Brazil is a testament to the continuing success of the
technology,'' said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. ''We expect the CDMA presence in Brazil to continue to
expand as the privatization effort continues. Along with Japan, Brazil represents one of the key drivers for CDMA growth
during the second half of 1998 and on into next year.''
CDMA is widely recognized to be the most advanced wireless telephone technology available today. It provides consumers
with a number of important benefits such as superior voice quality, exceptional privacy and security, increased reliability, and
longer talk and standby times.
The CDMA presence emerging in Brazil represents the strong commitment by the worlds leading telecommunications
companies to support current and future CDMA services throughout the country. CDMA manufacturers have invested more
than US $250 million to date in Brazil, which is the largest wireless market in South America.
The expanding CDMA presence in Brazil includes both wireless service providers and equipment manufacturers. A CDMA
cellular network has entered commercial service in Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, and the launch of commercial
service is expected in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo during the third quarter of 1998. In Region 5 of the B-band, which
includes the states of Parana and Santa Catarina, the Global Telecom consortium will establish CDMA cellular service later this
year. Further CDMA deployments are expected to occur after the conclusion of the TELEBRAS privatization.
Local CDMA manufacturing capabilities are accelerating to meet the requirements of CDMA service providers. World-leading
telecom manufacturers have well-established facilities for building CDMA base stations in Brazil, but the main area of growth in
manufacturing is in CDMA handsets, where at least three of the leading vendors will inaugurate CDMA handset production
facilities in 1998. It is expected that CDMA handset manufacturing capacity will reach 1.2 million units per year within as little
as six months, thereby providing operators with a vast supply of locally produced CDMA phones.
Members of the CDG will assemble in Sao Paulo on August 18-19, 1998 for the CDMA Latin American Forum. This
invitation-only event will provide a comprehensive update on the progress of CDMA in Brazil and worldwide.
Executives from CDMA service providers throughout the region will discuss the deployment and operation of CDMA cellular,
PCS and Wireless Local Loop networks. Workshops on CDMA network deployment and roaming will also be offered.
The CDMA Development Group is a non-profit trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation
and use of cdmaOne. The 100 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless operators and
equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of cdmaOne features and services, public
relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals
working within various CDG subcommittees on cdmaOne- related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact
Christine Bock of the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, ext. 11, e-mail chrisbock@bockpr.com, or visit the CDG
Web site at cdg.org. |
