Nortel ships first EDGE equipment to Cingular
11 July 2002 -- Nortel has announced the first shipment of commercial EDGE equipment to Cingular, the US wireless network operator.
EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) has been dubbed a 2.75G technology, positioned between 2.5G networks such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) 3G systems. Technically it qualifies as a 3G solution by offering data rates in excess of 144 Kbs, but it has been shunned by many western European operators in favour of full W-CDMA deployment, which will offer data rates of up to 384 Kbs. However, Cingular and AT&T Wireless have said they plan to use EDGE in the North American market as part of their GSM evolution path. Nortel's shipment of commercial radio and base station equipment to Cingular marks an important first step in plans to deploy EDGE in markets including North Carolina, South Carolina, coastal Georgia, eastern Tennessee and Puerto Rico.
"In a continually evolving wireless environment, it is critical to offer customers the most advanced data and voice communications services available," said Bill Clift, chief technology officer, Cingular Wireless. "Our relationship with Nortel Networks positions Cingular to provide these services." Vivian Hudson, general manager, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Wireless Networks, Nortel Networks, added: "We're pleased to provide equipment and services to Cingular. Nortel Networks is committed to EDGE technology. Nortel Networks EDGE and GSM solutions will allow leading operators like Cingular to provide their suites of services more cost-effectively."
pmn.co.uk
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Another CTO getting combat pay for lying and squinting in the light of day, |
