Lucent Technologies and QUALCOMM Complete First Wireless High-Speed 153 kbps Packet Data Call Compliant with 3rd Generation CDMA Standard
Apr 25 2000 14:08PM
Demonstration of CDMA2000 1x High-Speed Data Transmission is Precursor to
Verizon Wireless Pilot Project Scheduled in June
WHIPPANY, N.J., April 25 -- Edging closer towards bringing to
market standards-compliant third generation (3G) wireless solutions to deliver
the "mobile" Internet, Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) and QUALCOMM
Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) today announced that their collaboration on 3G
wireless data technology has successfully yielded the first live transmissions
of over-the-air data using cdma2000-1x technology.
In compliance with the 3G cdma2000-1x standard, known as IS-2000, 153
kilobits per second (kbps) transmission was demonstrated with a streaming
video application.
This faster data rate will give mobile phone users the ability to use
their handsets to access a range of high-speed, data-rich applications that
will include web browsing, streaming video and audio, web teleconferencing and
other new, emerging data applications. This compares to current North
American wireless data networking speeds ranging from 9.6 kbps to 14.4 kbps,
which can only support text-based messages and information.
Verizon Wireless, a wireless provider recently formed by the combination
of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and Vodafone AirTouch
plc, will implement the technology as part of a pilot test bed beginning in
June.
"This demonstration is proof that CDMA provides the most cost-efficient,
graceful evolution to 3G services, exceeding all other competing digital
standards," said Bill Stone, executive director network planning for Verizon
Wireless. "We look forward to conducting field trials this summer with
Lucent, device manufacturers and content providers. Our plan is to make these
data access speeds available to customers sometime next year."
In addition to proving data transmission rates that are nearly ten-fold
greater than what is available on North American mobile networks today, the
Lucent-QUALCOMM collaboration provides wireless network operators with a
solution that effectively doubles the voice capacity of their Lucent-supplied
networks. The network upgrades involve only circuit card replacements and a
software upgrade without the need for new base stations.
The key improvement in achieving this industry milestone is made possible
by using QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies' CSM5000(TM) Cell Station Modem (CSM(TM))
in Lucent FlexentTM base stations. The new CSM5000 chip and system software
speeds up digital signal processing and supports the new 3G 1x Physical Layer
standard while preserving existing radio frequency (RF) components. Also used
in this live system demonstration was QUALCOMM's 3G 1x Mobile Handset
Development Platform featuring the MSM5000(TM) chipset and system software.
"With QUALCOMM providing our enabling technology, we're proving that
Lucent is ahead of the pack in bringing the benefits of next-generation
networking to market," said Bill Wiberg, president of Lucent's cellular and
PCS Networks. "Our Flexent wireless networks are easily upgradeable by
carriers planning for greater capacity and faster transmission speeds for
their mobile Internet service. We are responding to our customers'
requirements to protect current investment while offering evolutionary
improvements that are compatible with their existing networks."
Commenting on the speed with which Lucent and QUALCOMM completed their
integration project, Don Schrock, president of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies,
said: "We're delighted by the excellent teamwork and execution that has so
rapidly produced a proven solution that's ready to be deployed in Lucent's
high-quality base station systems. This outcome stands to reason when world-
class leaders in their respective fields join forces in an open, market-driven
competition to deliver new solutions to customers."
Lucent and QUALCOMM had demonstrated live over-the-air voice calls on
CDMA2000-1x to visiting customers beginning in February, and are now hosting
customer visits to showcase their accomplishment with high speed data.
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and
delivers the systems, software, silicon and services for next-generation
communications networks for service providers and enterprises. Backed by the
research and development of Bell Labs, Lucent focuses on high-growth areas
such as optical and wireless networks; Internet infrastructure; communications
software; communications semiconductors and optoelectronics; Web-based
enterprise solutions that link private and public networks; and professional
network design and consulting services. For more information on Lucent
Technologies, visit its Web site at lucent.com.
QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies is the leading developer and supplier of CDMA
chipsets, hardware and software solutions, and tools with more than 90 million
MSM chips shipped worldwide. The division supplies chipsets to the world's
leading CDMA handset and infrastructure manufacturers.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (http://www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing
and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and
services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's
business areas include integrated CDMA chipsets and system software;
technology licensing; Eudora(R) email software for Windows(R) and Macintosh(R)
computing platforms; satellite-based systems including portions of the
Globalstar(TM) system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS(R) and
OmniExpress(TM). QUALCOMM owns patents which are essential to all of the CDMA
wireless communications standards that have been adopted or proposed for
adoption by standards-setting bodies worldwide. QUALCOMM has licensed its
essential CDMA patent portfolio to more than 75 telecommunications equipment
manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is
included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2000 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on
the Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.
QUALCOMM SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT: Except for the historical information
contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that
are subject to risks and uncertainties, including timely product development,
the Company's ability to successfully manufacture significant quantities of
CDMA or other equipment on a timely and profitable basis, and those related to
performance guarantees, change in economic conditions of the various markets
the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in
the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 26, 1999, and most recent Form 10-Q.
Flexent is a trademark of Lucent Technologies, Inc. QUALCOMM, OmniTRACS
and Eudora are registered trademarks and OmniExpress is a trademark of
QUALCOMM Incorporated. CSM, CSM5000 and MSM5000 are trademarks of QUALCOMM
Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite Services,
Incorporated. IS-2000 is a trademark of the Telecommunications Industry
Association. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Macintosh
is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Lucent Technologies
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