Nortel-WCDMA>
GSM Alliance, Nortel Networks Make North America's First
Live 3G Call
PR Newswire - May 10, 1999 13:28
MONTREAL, May 10 /PRNewswire/ - The GSM Alliance and Nortel Networks (NYSE/TSE: NT)
today completed North America's first third generation (3G) wireless telephone call, using a wideband
CDMA (W-CDMA) trial network under live conditions.
Andr Tremblay, president and chief executive officer of Microcell Telecommunications Inc. (ME, TSE:
MTI.B; NASDAQ: MICTF), placed the historic call from Montreal to John Roth, vice-chairman and
chief executive officer of Nortel Networks, in Toronto.
The trial network is being used to test next generation voice and high-speed wireless data services under
a developmental radio license from Industry Canada. Nortel Networks, Microcell and other members of
the GSM Alliance announced the trial late last year.
''These tests will help ensure that today's network operators have a clear, evolutionary path to the next
generation of wireless services,'' Tremblay said. ''Industry Canada is to be congratulated for its forward
thinking in providing Microcell with a developmental license so that these important tests can take place.''
Nortel Networks and Panasonic are providing the network hardware, software and terminals under an
alliance formed last year to develop 3G wireless voice and data solutions.
''In concert with the GSM Alliance, this trial is providing a first-hand demonstration of our Unified
Networks solutions,'' Roth said.
''Wireless operators can gracefully evolve from the traditional focus on voice traffic to a highly flexible
network architecture that accommodates both voice and data,'' Roth said. ''This can open the door to
higher bandwidth, higher speed, voice and data services for consumers, with the added benefit of
mobility.''
Trial participants will be able to test a variety of advanced wireless services - including high-bandwidth
Internet browsing, video conferencing, file transfer and voice-over-IP - using prototype personal phones,
wireless modems, digital cameras and other innovative consumer devices from Panasonic. An advanced
data network backbone from Nortel Networks will deliver these services at speeds up to 384 kilobits per
second.
Microcell Telecommunications Inc. is a Canadian provider of Personal Communications Services (PCS).
The Company has four operating subsidiaries: Microcell Connexions, holder of one of two national 30
MHz PCS licences delivered in Canada, which operates the Company's PCS network and markets it on
a wholesale basis; Microcell Solutions, which is a national provider of PCS services under the Fido brand
name; Microcell Labs, which carries out research and development in new PCS applications; and
Microcell Capital, a venture company operating in the PCS sector.
The North American GSM Alliance L.L.C. is a group of North America's leading digital wireless
Personal Communication Services companies. By using Global System for Mobile (GSM)
communications technology, Alliance companies provide superior voice clarity, unparalleled security and
leading-edge wireless voice, data and fax features for customers, whether at home, away or abroad.
GSM Alliance members include: Aerial Communications, Inc., Airadigm Communications, Inc.; BellSouth
Mobility DCS; Conestoga Wireless Company; Cook Inlet PCS; DIGIPH PCS; Iowa Wireless Services,
LP; Microcell Telecommunications Inc.; NPI Wireless; Omnipoint Communications LLC; Pacific Bell
Wireless; Powertel, Inc.; STPCS Joint Venture, LLC; TWS, Inc.; Western Total Communications;
Western Wireless Corp.; and Wireless 2000 PCS. The GSM Alliance works in cooperation with North
American GSM equipment manufacturers: Siemens, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Nokia and Ericsson.
Nortel Networks delivers value to customers around the world through Unified Networks solutions,
spanning mission-critical telephony and IP-optimized networks. Customers include public and private
enterprises and institutions; Internet service providers; local, long-distance, cellular and PCS
communications companies, cable television carriers, and utilities.
Nortel Networks' common shares are listed on the New York, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and
London stock exchanges. Nortel Networks had 1998 revenues of US$17.6 billion and has approximately
75,000 employees worldwide.
SOURCE Nortel Networks Corporation
/CONTACT: Ross Heupel, Nortel Networks, (972) 685-1205,
ross.heupel(at)nortelnetworks.com; Frank McNally, Nortel Networks,
(703) 712-8374, mcnally(at)nortelnetworks.com; Claire Fiset, Microcell,
(514) 937-0102 ext. 7824, claire.fiset(at)microcell.ca; Mike Houghton, GSM
Alliance, (703) 799-7383, houghton(at)communicreate.com; Or visit
www.nortelnetworks.com; Or visit www.microcell.ca; Or visit www.gsm-pcs.org;
Nortel Networks' press releases are also available through CNO-Call by fax at
800-758-5804, ext. 122158 or at www.prnewswire.com/
(NT. NT) |
