AT&T Wireless Flexes Technology Muscle in Dallas
With Support from Vendors, Company Showcases 3G Services Using Global Standard GSM Platform
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 4, 2002
DALLAS - In a city recognized as one of the hotbeds for technological innovation, AT&T Wireless, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel and Sony Ericsson demonstrated what customers can expect when actual 3G wireless services are available in the United States.
The companies gathered in Dallas today to showcase advanced 3G wireless services and to reinforce their commitments to deliver devices and services using EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) technologies. Several equipment manufacturers have already committed to have EDGE devices - including handsets and modem cards -- available for wireless carriers in 2003.
AT&T Wireless said the plans it outlined in October 2000 are unfolding as promised. The company recently completed the roll out of its GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) network on budget and ahead of schedule and is in the process of deploying EDGE in markets around the country. It will also begin trials of its UMTS network in Dallas sometime during the first quarter of 2003.
"We're moving the technology out of the lab and into a live environment," said Rod Nelson, chief technology officer for AT&T Wireless. "Our track record over the past year and a half proves we will provide customers with the most advanced wireless services available. Today, we're not only demonstrating technology, but our ongoing commitment to continue delivering innovative and enhanced wireless services."
Nelson said EDGE will outperform the data capabilities of current high speed wireless networks, meeting the needs of customers who will require faster data speeds to run applications and services in the near future.
AT&T Wireless affiliates and partners, such as Rogers AT&T Wireless, Canada's leading wireless provider serving over 3.5 million customers across the country, and other major wireless carriers in the United States, have announced a similar technology path using EDGE to provide 3G services.
According to a study commissioned by 3G Americas, an industry association, customers using EDGE can expect to receive data speeds ranging from 110Kbps to 130Kbps. The report also states that EDGE is the most efficient data technology for applications requiring bandwidth below 100 Kbps and provides additional capacity gains for carrying voice traffic.
The technology demonstrations will feature the first call made over a live UMTS network and showcasing the first handset available for use on an EDGE network. The companies will also provide a glimpse of some high-speed wireless data applications, including viewing streaming video, downloading large data files and wirelessly browsing the web at extra fast data speeds. |
