re: Telstra to do UMTS in Australia?
Kind of looks like it even though they have not contracted yet.
Looks like Qualcomm's (3G Investments - Australia) modest spectrum investment was a sensible one, otherwise cdma2000 would be locked out of 2GHz in Australia as the other 3G licensees are declared for UMTS. Telstra was (is) the last holdout.
>> Live 3G Network Launched In Adelaide
Total Telecom
01 March 2002
Adelaide has become the first city in the southern hemisphere with a live 3G network, which will be used to test new services and applications before their commercial launch.
The network was built by Telstra, using Alcatel equipment, for the World Congress on IT, but will remain in place and be gradually extended over the next six months from the central business district to cover most of the city.
The UMTS network, called m.Net, is operated by a consortium of the same name comprising 19 members including multinationals, Australian IT and telecommunications companies, government and research organizations.
The project has been awarded a A$9.23 million grant from the Australian government under its Advanced Network Program and will allow developers to test new applications in a live environment.
Telstra mobile products managing director Rick Wakeham told The Australian newspaper that m.Net was a platform that would allow developers to try out new ideas, concepts and technologies.
"We have to find out what is actually going to work for people and that is what M.Net is about," he said. "Telstra is not in the business of applications but we want to encourage those who are."
Alcatel, which joined the consortium on Thursday, said it was essential to have functioning applications in place for 3G to be successful when commercially launched.
"In order for 3G to be successful in Australia, market-ready applications will be crucial," Ross Fowler, chief executive of Alcatel Australia, said in a statement. "We are part of the m.Net consortium to ensure applications are ready in three key areas: business, messaging and entertainment.”
Alcatel said the m.Net network used its Evolium 3G solution including the UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) radio systems and core network. The radio systems were developed and produced by Evolium SAS, a joint venture between Alcatel and Fujitsu.
Fowler told The Australian that his company's role in m.Net did not mean it was guaranteed to win the contract for Telstra's roll-out of 3G services nationally. <<
- Eric - |
