CDMA Guru Alert - New Lucent Protocol better than HDR? Can it compete with CDMA? Can this new technology replace CDMA with mobile VOIP for less money? Key Question: Is it more spectrally efficient? Opinions welcome
MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2000--Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU - news) today announced the creation of Flarion Technologies, Inc., a company that will commercialize a new wireless data access technology called flash-OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). Flash-OFDM technology was invented at Bell Labs, and features a highly scalable network architecture that promises to deliver higher quality service and better cost effectiveness than current wireless data technologies.
Flarion Technologies was launched as a fully independent and operational company in the second quarter of 2000 and is headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey. Flarion's first-round financing was co-led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Charles River Ventures, with an additional investment by Pequot Capital. Lucent Technologies retains a minority ownership position in Flarion Technologies through its New Ventures Group.
Flarion's Flash-OFDM technology is expected to be the only mobile wireless data access solution that supports high data rates at very low latencies (minimized packet and delay losses) over a distributed all-IP wireless network. The high data rates at very low latencies made possible by flash-OFDM will provide end-users with an always-on wireless IP connection that will allow real-time interactive and multimedia applications in a mobile environment.
``We've pulled together an outstanding team with solid experience in developing wireless data networks and bringing leading edge technologies to market,'' said Ray Dolan, Flarion's president and CEO. ``Our mission is to unwire the Internet at a cost that allows everyone to stay connected whenever and wherever they desire. With investments from Bessemer, Charles River and Pequot we are well positioned to achieve that goal.''
About Flash-OFDM
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing is an improved signal-processing scheme that is gaining support throughout the communications industry. Flarion's Flash-OFDM incorporates improvements to OFDM that make it more suitable for mobile wireless data access.
``Our Flash-OFDM-based RadioRouter solution greatly improves the wireless Internet access experience for mobile users,'' said Rajiv Laroia, CTO and Founder of Flarion. ``This is the result of a clean-sheet approach to designing the optimal wireless data network.''
RadioRouter networks are expected to lead to an order of magnitude cost advantage over 3G wireless networks for mobile data access. Compared to wireless data access over existing networks the cost advantages are even more significant. The low-cost aspect of Flarion's RadioRouter networks is going to be a major driver for mass-market adoption of a truly wireless Internet.
``The dramatic upsurge of Internet usage has increased the demand for a robust, low-cost means of wireless access to data networks,'' said Tom Uhlman, president of Lucent's New Ventures Group. ``Flarion's goal is to deliver mobile high-speed access to the Internet at considerably lower costs than existing technologies. This will accelerate the widespread adoption of Internet mobility.''
Flarion expects the prototype of its RadioRouter networks to be available in the 4th quarter 2000, followed by a test network deployment in cooperation with a wireless carrier.
About Lucent Technologies
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 www.lucent.com and www.bell-labs.com.
About Flarion Technologies
Flarion Technologies commenced operations as a fully independent company in the second quarter of 2000 with the mission to enable anytime, anywhere Internet access. The company is located at 135 Routes 202/206 in Bedminster, New Jersey. More information about Flarion Technologies can be accessed at www.flarion.com. |
