all.... -VODAFONE: Vodafone announces UK's first operator
trials of the wireless information superhighway
Presswire - August 05, 1998 13:54
M2 PRESSWIRE-5 August 1998-VODAFONE: Vodafone announces UK's first operator trials of
the wireless information superhighway (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
Vodafone Limited, operator of the UK's most popular mobile telephone network, has today
announced plans for the next stage of its; trials leading to deployment of a new mobile telephone
network using standards based on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). This
system will be adopted around the world for third generation mobile telephony and will become the
wireless superhighway. As well as allowing voice transmission, the data transmission abilities of the
new technology will allow mobile phone users to use their handsets to access the internet and
corporate intranets, to purchase goods, to send electronic pictures, to make videophone calls and to
play video games.
The British Government plans to licence UMTS technology during 1999 by holding an auction to
licence the radio spectrum required to operate a network. Vodafone has already indicated that it
intends to bid for a licence.
Vodafone has been involved in the development of UMTS technology for over 10 years through a
number of international bodies including the UMTS, Forum and the European Telecommunications
Standards Institute which is currently developing the standards for UMTS. Earlier this year ETSI
selected CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) as the radio technology for UMTS.
The trials will be held in Newbury, England where Vodafone has its headquarters. Working with a
number of partners and on different manufacturers' equipment, Vodafone will use its current GSM
network as the backbone on which to trial CDMA radio technology and packet switched services
across the Newbury area. The trials will assess a number, of technical issues and evaluate the
performance of the new technology. They will also assist in finalising the standards for the new
system.
Commenting, David Channing Williams, Managing Director of Vodafone Limited, said: "These trials
will keep Vodafone and the UK at the forefront of third generation mobile communications
technology. Our base in Newbury is recognised as; a showcase in Europe for technical 'trials of this
nature following the success of similar trials last year into the compatibility of GSM and CDMA
technology. The next phase of these trials is expected to break new ground and will ensure that the
UK is poised to lead Europe in the rapid commercial deployment of the wireless information
superhighway. In particular, Vodafone plans to be the first operator to undertake trials of packet
switching on a cellular network. By working with a number of suppliers for these trials, Vodafone
will be able to select those most suitable to be our preferred suppliers when we place orders for
UMTS equipment"
CONTACT: Emma Terleske/Mike Caldwell, Vodafone Group Press Office Tel: +44 (0)7000
5001 00
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