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To: DaveMG who wrote (114)	6/18/1999 8:52:00 AM
From: DaveMG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 426

Sprint Praises Latest Harmonization Efforts for Future of Wireless Communications PR Newswire - June 17, 1999 12:08 Jump to first matched term Worldwide CDMA Standards will Enable Wireless Phones to be Used Globally for Internet and High-Speed Data Capabilities KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint today announced its support for a harmonization agreement recently reached by a majority of major wireless operators and equipment suppliers from around the world on a new family of standards for the next generation of wireless systems. The Operators Harmonization Group, a panel of representatives from more than 40 of the world's largest wireless operators and vendors, including Sprint PCS, has proposed an agreement to develop a harmonized set of wireless standards for the next generation of wireless technology known as G3G, or global third-generation. The agreement provides a framework to be used by wireless standards bodies around the world as they finalize a 3G CDMA standard. "The agreement on a single CDMA solution for the next generation of wireless services is clearly a victory for consumers and carriers," said Keith Paglusch, senior vice president of Operations at Sprint PCS. "When implemented, this new family of standards will offer higher-speed data services to support a wide range of new applications, including Internet services. It also will support phones and data services the same wherever you go throughout the world. In addition, system operators will enjoy cost savings because of the flexibility of this G3G solution. We are pleased that our technical teams were able to play a key role in this agreement." The standardization proposal -- called the "Harmonized Global 3G (G3G) Technical Framework for ITU IMT-2000 CDMA Proposal" -- outlines the key technical parameters that can meet the requirements of commercial wireless operators from around the world who desire a common global specification for 3G CDMA systems. In February 1998, Sprint PCS and its major vendors announced their joint vision and development plans for 3G wireless systems. The new G3G proposal provides details for achieving this vision. The three areas of focus outlined last year were as follows: -- Backward Compatibility with Today's cdmaOne -- cdmaOne has been the basis for most international 3G standards proposals. The G3G proposal helps create a single integrated 3G CDMA specification from separate WCDMA and cdma2000 proposals. -- Offer Increased Data Rates -- Today's wireless data technology offers speeds in the 14 kilobits per second range. The G3G proposal provides data rates of around 1 megabit per second. -- Utilize Existing Licensed PCS Spectrum -- The existing spectrum of the cdmaOne technology used in the Sprint PCS network can also be used for the technology under the G3G proposal. "While there are still many technical details that need to be resolved within this framework document, as well as provisions for its enforcement within the standards organizations, Sprint PCS views this development of a G3G proposal as a positive step for the future of wireless communications," said Oliver Valente, vice president of Technology and Advanced Systems Development at Sprint PCS. "We're confident that these remaining concerns can be worked out to a satisfactory position with all participants in the OHG." Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent CDMA PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 280 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at sprintpcs.com. Sprint PCS is a wholly-owned tracking group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol "PCS." Sprint is a global communications company at the forefront in integrating long distance, local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' only nationwide all-digital, fiber optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $17 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 17 million business and residential customers. SOURCE Sprint PCS /CONTACT: Tom Murphy, Sprint PCS Director of Media Relations, 816-559-6703, or pager, 888-347-1660, or e-mail: tmurph01@sprintspectrum.com or Jeff Chaltas, Sprint PCS Manager of Media Relations, 816-559-5398, or pager, 888-363-0558, or e-mail: jchalt01@sprintspectrum.com /