More GSM FUD...
North American GSM Alliance to Establish New Facility
to Test & Evaluate W-CDMA Digital Technology for
Third Generation Wireless Use in U.S. & Canada
PR Newswire - June 23, 1998 15:46
%TLS V%PRN P%PRN
CHICAGO, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American GSM Alliance LLC, a consortium of
U.S. and Canadian digital wireless Personal Communications Services (PCS) carriers, today
announced that it will set up an advanced testing and evaluation facility for Third Generation GSM
(Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access "W-CDMA"). Microcell Connexions Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of GSM Alliance member company, Microcell Telecommunications Inc.,
will set up and operate the facility for the benefit of all of the consortium's U.S. and Canadian
members. Tests are expected to begin this fall.
Announcing North America's first W-CDMA trial program, GSM Alliance Chairman Don
Warkentin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aerial Communications, said, "This initiative is
a major step towards providing North American consumers new mobile services in the 21st
century. The Alliance is now ready to move this technology out of the lab and into 'real world'
evaluation."
Warkentin explained that third generation wireless services will enable the introduction of new
wireless multimedia services such as desktop computing in the mobile environment, high-speed
wireless Internet services, video on demand and a host of other value-added, sophisticated
applications.
"We believe strongly that Third Generation GSM (W-CDMA) is the best choice of radio
technologies for us to evolve our current networks to third generation," he said. "It was designed for
high-data throughput -- supporting information rates of up to two megabits per second (Mbps) --
with enhanced spectrum efficiency. It's been developed over five years, with full participation from
the U.S. and Canadian wireless industries and all inputs were considered."
To better adapt third generation technology to the specific requirements of North American
operators, primary test objectives at the new facility will determine equipment compatibility with the
North American 1900 MHz band allocation and with existing infrastructures. The facility will also
test both software and hardware with Third Generation GSM (W-CDMA) prototypes from
participating manufacturers.
"It's important to note that while similar in name, Third Generation GSM (W-CDMA) is separate
and distinct from cdmaOne (Interim Standard-95) or its third generation outgrowth, cdma2000,"
said Warkentin. "We believe Third Generation GSM (W-CDMA) to be a superior choice and the
test facility is our first step in proving it in the marketplace."
Warkentin said that today's wireless operators in North America have a choice of multiple digital
wireless standards and the Alliance hopes that continues with third generation standards. The
resulting competition between these three viable standards has brought innovation in technologies,
features and services, as well as lowered prices.
With about 2 million customers in nearly 1,500 cities in 41 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and
four Canadian provinces, GSM active markets already cover nearly 60 percent of its North
American footprint (260 million POPs). The Alliance network is one of the fastest growing wireless
networks worldwide and has achieved a 3% penetration rate in less than two years. More than 20
North American PCS operators plan to deploy GSM.
North American GSM operators, in addition to investing billions of dollars to establish their
networks and launch their services, have created nearly 8,000 new direct jobs, with an estimated
additional 20,000 new employees involved in service, manufacturing & associated jobs.
The GSM Alliance, L.L.C. is a consortium of U.S. and Canadian digital wireless PCS carriers,
which helps provide seamless wireless communications for their customers, whether at home, in
nearly 1,500 U.S. and Canadian cities and towns, or abroad. Using Global Systems for Mobile
(GSM) communications, GSM companies provide superior voice clarity, unparalleled security and
leading-edge wireless voice, data and fax features for customers.
GSM Alliance members include: Aerial Communications, Inc., Airadigm Communications, Inc.;
BellSouth Mobility DCS; Conestoga Wireless Company; Cook Inlet PCS; DIGIPH PCS;
Microcell Telecommunications Inc.; NPI Wireless; Omnipoint Communications LLC; Pacific Bell
Mobile Services; Powertel, Inc.; Western Wireless Corp.; and Wireless 2000 PCS. The GSM
Alliance works in cooperation with North American GSM equipment manufacturers: Ericsson,
Motorola, Nokia, Nortel and Siemens.
SOURCE North American GSM Alliance LLC
/CONTACT: Mike Houghton, 703-799-7383; fax, 703-799-5819; or E-mail:
houghton@communicreate.com, for the GSM Alliance/ |
