Here is another one--my fax machine is officially out of paper!!!
Sprint PCS Announces Vision For Third Generation Wireless cdmaOne(TM) Technology
Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Nortel and QUALCOMM Join Sprint PCS To Develop and Trial Third Generation Wireless cdmaOne Technology
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint PCS, the nation's largest all-digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network together with Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU - news), Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Group (CIG), Nortel (NYSE: NT - news; Northern Telecom) and QUALCOMM (Nasdaq: QCOM - news) announced today their joint vision and development plans for third generation wireless systems based on the evolution of cdmaOne (Code Division Multiple Access). The five companies also announced that they will trial the new technology no later than 2000 with commercial deployment to follow.
Many of today's cellular systems use first generation or analog technology. The recently deployed all-digital personal communication services (PCS) networks are considered to be second generation wireless technology. Standards organizations, government agencies and various industry associations around the world are currently debating what third generation wireless technology should consist of for the past 12 months. To date, this ongoing discussion has not produced a clear, decisive path for the development of third generation wireless technology.
''After several months of joint research and development, Sprint PCS, together with Lucent, Motorola CIG, Nortel and QUALCOMM, are putting a stake in the ground to lead the development and trial of third generation wireless networks evolving from cdmaOne,'' said Al Kurtze, Sprint PCS chief operating officer. ''As the nation's largest all-digital, nationwide cdmaOne PCS provider, Sprint PCS is in a unique position to drive the development of this technology to best serve the future wireless needs of consumers and businesses. Our goal is to trial this technology no later than 2000 and quickly move to commercial deployment.''
Sprint PCS has created a dedicated team in its network engineering and operations organization to specifically lead all technology development programs including third generation wireless technology. ''We have assembled a team of seasoned wireless technology veterans to work with our four vendors in this pioneering effort to develop tomorrow's wireless standard,'' Kurtze said. ''I am confident that the resources and leadership of our five companies will lead to the development of superior technology for the benefit of consumers and businesses in the United States and around the world.''
The five companies outlined their vision for third generation wireless technology, specifying three areas of initial focus for joint development:
Backward Compatibility with Today's cdmaOne
cdmaOne has emerged as the leading standard for digital wireless service in North America and is rapidly gaining acceptance worldwide. In fact, cdmaOne is the basis for most international third generation standards proposals. ''The superior voice quality and clarity of cdmaOne is preferred by customers over other wireless technologies and the capacity gains are meeting our expectations,'' Kurtze said. ''We believe that third generation wireless must be backward compatible with second generation cdmaOne technology to further leverage these strengths and to allow customers to continue to enjoy their current PCS service even as new technology is deployed.''
Offer Increased Data Rates
''Our view of third generation wireless technology also includes high-speed wireless data,'' Kurtze said. ''Today's wireless data technology offers speeds in the 14 kilobits per second range. Initial research by our five companies has demonstrated the potential for wireless data speeds as high as several megabits per second with third generation cdmaOne technology. High-speed data, required for multimedia applications, will play an essential role in the new standard.'' Sprint PCS plans to introduce wireless data service into its all-digital nationwide network later this year with competitive data rates.
Utilize Existing Licensed PCS Spectrum
The spectrum efficiency and overall capacity gains of cdmaOne technology will also allow the deployment of third generation wireless technology on existing licensed PCS spectrum. ''In the continuing third generation technology debate, several international standards organizations and government agencies have proposed the use of non-PCS spectrum,'' Kurtze said. ''PCS spectrum can easily support second and third generation cdmaOne wireless technology.''
Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDMA Development Group said, ''We are pleased that operators worldwide are taking an active role in the definition of third generation systems. We are hopeful that harmonization of standards can be achieved on a global basis, and encourage the carrier community to continue to communicate their needs and objectives to help attain this goal. cdmaOne offers tremendous benefits for the migration to IMT-2000 and can serve as the basis for a global, next generation standard.''
''Lucent Technologies takes great pride in playing a lead role in the deployment of Sprint PCS' nationwide CDMA wireless network,'' said Bill Nelson, Lucent Technologies' vice president of Wireless Networks-North America. ''With Lucent's Flexent(TM) wireless networks -- announced at the CTIA show today -- Sprint PCS will enjoy a smooth, cost effective migration path to third generation wireless services.''
Gene Delaney, corporate vice president and general manager, Motorola, Inc.'s Cellular Infrastructure Group said, ''We're extremely pleased that Sprint PCS has selected Motorola to work with them to develop third generation wireless technology. Motorola has long been excited by the prospect of enabling innovative new services based on high-speed data and wireless multimedia, and has been working diligently to develop the required standards and technologies. To have Sprint PCS, the leading nationwide operator of digital networks, set such clear goals for trial and commercial deployment is a validation of Sprint PCS' commitment to long-term customer support.''
''Supporting our customers with planning the evolution of their network is a high priority for Nortel,'' added Richard Lowe, vice president and general manager, CDMA Networks, Nortel. ''The promise of delivering a rich set of multimedia services to consumers in the early years of the next century represents the next major milestone in the evolution of wireless mobility.''
Dr. Irwin Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QUALCOMM Incorporated said, ''As the developer of CDMA technology, QUALCOMM is committed to providing a smooth migration path to third generation technology for cdmaOne operators. It is essential that cdmaOne manufacturers and operators take a leading role in bringing the concept of multi-network backwards compatible CDMA-based 3G systems to fruition. Our joint 3G vision will help ensure the success of cdmaOne operators well into the future.''
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit the company's web site at www.lucent.com.
Motorola CIG, part of the Cellular Network and Space Sector, is a pioneer in the development, manufacture and deployment of cellular networks worldwide. To date, CIG has cellular networks deployed in more than 80 countries. CIG has more than 10,000 employees and major development and manufacturing facilities in Illinois, Texas, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Motorola, Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems, components and services. Motorola's 1997 sales were $29.8 billion.
Nortel works with customers in more than 150 countries to design, build and integrate their communications products and advanced digital networks. Customers include public and private institutions, Internet service providers, local, long-distance, cellular mobile and PCS communications companies, cable television companies and utilities. Nortel's research capabilities around the world include a network of research and development facilities, affiliated joint ventures, and other collaborations fostering innovative product development and advanced design research in 16 countries. Nortel had 1997 revenues of US$15.5 billion and has approximately 73,000 employees worldwide.
Headquartered in San Diego, QUALCOMM develops, manufactures, markets, licenses and operates advanced communications systems and products based on its proprietary digital wireless technologies. The company's primary product areas are the OmniTRACS(R) system (a geostationary satellite-based, mobile communications system providing two-way data and position reporting services), CDMA wireless communications systems and products and, in conjunction with others, the development of the Globalstar(TM) low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communications system. Other company products include the Eudora Pro(TM) electronic mail software, ASIC products, and communications equipment and systems for government and commercial customers worldwide. For more information on QUALCOMM products and technologies, please visit the company's web site at www.qualcomm.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including timely product development, QUALCOMM's ability to successfully manufacture significant quantities of CDMA or other equipment on a timely and profitable basis and those related to performance guarantees, change in economic conditions of the various markets the company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 1997 and most recent Form 10-Q.
Sprint PCS has the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving 134 metropolitan markets which include more than 600 cities. By the end of 1998 or early 1999 Sprint PCS will launch service in more than 100 additional markets. Sprint PCS plans to serve the top 100 U.S. major metropolitan areas over the next two years. Sprint PCS, together with its affiliates and Sprint Corporation [NYSE:FON - news], has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 260 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sprint PCS, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, is a partnership of Sprint Corporation, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), Cox Communications, Inc. and Comcast Corporation [Nasdaq:CMCSA - news]. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at www.sprintpcsnews.com.
SOURCE: Sprint PCS |
