Ericy-WCDMA>
Company Press Release
Ericsson shows first live WCDMA multimedia calls from
its new UK WCDMA Center
STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 1999-- Ericsson has conducted the UK's first public demonstration of
live WCDMA multimedia calls for third-generation (3G) mobile communications.
Ericsson made the WCDMA calls at the opening of its UK WCDMA Center outside London. The Center is open to all existing
operators and new candidates for UK 3G licenses: some already working with Ericsson at the Center. As well as providing a
complete, fully operational WCDMA network, the Ericsson center will also enable further testing and evaluation of new mobile
handsets and services.
Among services shown at the inauguration, Ericsson demonstrated over the air all-WCDMA wireless multimedia, including video
calls and links to the company's WCDMA system in Sweden.
These are the latest in a series of Ericsson WCDMA trials, including WCDMA calls over public networks during 1998. Ericsson
completed the first WCDMA voice call in April 1998. Previous breakthrough WCDMA calls also include video calls from Italy to
Germany over the air having the Japanese video standard meet the European video standard.
Ericsson's aim with the Center is to give potential 3G operators, service providers and developers further hands-on experience of
WCDMA technology and its service capabilities, enabling fast roll-out of attractive services as soon as possible after UK 3G
licenses are issued.
Speaking at the launch, Ericsson's Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Torbjorn Nilsson, said, ''This will give potential
3G operators, regardless of present experience, valuable real-world insight of what to expect from services. Participants will also
be able to further exchange knowledge on equal terms. National and international stakeholders will participate in this exchange.
Added to this exchange is also research and academic institutions, user groups as well as operators and service providers from
other parts of the world.''
With WCDMA as a cornerstone, ETSI 3G standard named UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), will enable
users a range of wireless services, including high-speed wireless IP services, as well as opening doors to exciting new service
opportunities.
Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom
technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies
communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over.
Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: ericsson.se
|
