SWINDON, UK -- May 10, 2000 -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU) and Sun Microsystems
(NASDAQ:SUNW) today announced they have developed a comprehensive mobile Internet offer that
integrates Sun's carrier-grade systems with Lucent's mobile GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
network platform. It will be available for customer field trials this summer, initially in the Asia-Pacific
region.
GPRS is an enhancement to mobile networks built to the GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications) standard, providing high-speed data capabilities with direct, always-on connections.
The Lucent/Sun GPRS solution is designed as a turnkey, ultra reliable end-to-end system compatible
with Internet Protocols (IP), affording GSM network operators a ready-made mobile Internet service
capability. It will enable wireless operators to become Internet Service Providers or become hosts for
ISPs wishing to extend services to their customers on the move.
The Lucent/Sun collaboration includes network function testing, interoperability testing and staging in
order to rapidly deploy core networks for GPRS to meet the expected explosion in demand for wireless
data services. This collaboration leverages Suns proven carrier grade platform expertise in delivering
solutions for the mobile ISP market.
"Sun's professional services group was invaluable in helping us deliver the most versatile and extensive
mobile Internet solution for rapid deployment," said John Hughes, GSM/UMTS president, Lucent
Technologies. "Combined with the recent launch of Lucent's Wireless Applications Environment, this
will facilitate new applications and services like high speed Internet access, Internet telephony,
security, mobile electronic commerce (m-commerce), messaging services and application hosting in a
mobile environment."
Hughes said that Lucent's GPRS offer differs from competitors because of its scope, which, in addition
to world-class Sun processors, includes the performance-leading Cajun[tm] P330[tm] Switching
System plus other data networking offerings from Lucent's new Enterprise Networks Group, backed by
the full portfolio of Lucent packet and optical networking products. Lucent already has publicly
demonstrated high-speed GPRS data with Lucent Microelectonics-powered Samsung Electronics
handsets, as well as voice over GPRS based on its PacketGSM[tm] system.
"We've got a comprehensive offer that few can match because our one-stop solution eliminates the
systems integration worries for the operator," Hughes said. "The combination of Sun's dot com
experience, Lucent's experience in building and designing reliable networks, and our proven ability to
support data and voice services over GPRS networks and devices is producing the money-making ISP
solutions service providers crave."
"The mobile Internet is helping to make Sun's vision of computing by anyone, anywhere, anytime, on
any device a reality," added John McFarlane, president of Sun Microsystems' Network Service Provider
Division. "Sun's work with Lucent to unleash Internet connectivity through mobile devices is key to
fulfilling this vision. Our significant investment in Netra[tm] carrier-grade infrastructure and our
co-operation with Lucent underlines Sun's commitment to move the mobile Internet market forward and
bring value to operators and their end-users."
Last December, Lucent and Sun announced an alliance to create infrastructure needed to support
next-generation Internet business applications. The agreement includes a commitment by Lucent to
use up to $500 million of Sun's carrier-grade next-generation Netra servers as the platform for Lucent's
Flexent[tm] wireless network architecture. |
