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To: Jim Oravetz who wrote (4928)	2/1/2002 12:26:36 PM
From: Jim Oravetz	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 5390

SemiOT:FACTBOX-U.S. wireless companies' path to 3G Reuters, 01.28.02, 4:02 PM ET forbes.com CHICAGO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless operator, launched its next-generation wireless network on Monday. Here is a list of wireless national carriers and their plans for similar networks. VERIZON WIRELESS - Verizon is rolling out its next-generation high-speed wireless network, becoming the first wireless operator in the country to offer Qualcomm Inc.'s (QCOM) CDMA2000 1X technology. CDMA2000 1X promises twice the voice capacity of current networks and data speeds of up to 144 kilobits per second initially. Realistically, Verizon said users should see speeds of 40 to 60 kilobits per second on average. Verizon said it will initially roll out 1X on 20 percent of its networks with nationwide availability by the end of the year. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (VZ) and Vodafone Group Plc. <VOD.L> CINGULAR WIRELESS - The No. 2 wireless operator said in October that it plans to upgrade its entire wireless phone network by early 2004 to a next-generation system based on the world's dominant wireless technology, Global System for Mobile Communications. Cingular said it plans to simultaneously deploy GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution). GPRS promises always-on Internet with data speeds of up to 177 kilobits per second, more than 10 times that of current wireless networks. More realistically, analysts say users will initially be able to surf the Internet at about 40 kilobits per second, two or three times the speed of current wireless networks and comparable to home dial-up connections. However, some reports from Europe said GPRS connections can be much slower. EDGE promises data speeds of up to 470 kilobits per second, although consumers will realistically see about 100 kilobits per second on average. At this speed, consumers should be able to download high-quality video over their mobile devices as well as bigger files. Cingular said services will be rolled out by market and will depend on the availability of compatible devices. Atlanta-based Cingular is a joint venture of BellSouth Corp. (BLS) and SBC Communications Inc. (SBC) AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES INC. (AWE) - The nation's No. 3 wireless operator began deploying GPRS networks in about 40 percent of its markets in 2001. It plans to offer the service nationally by the end of 2002. AT&T Wireless plans to begin deploying EDGE in June or July through software upgrades. It plans to deploy EDGE nationwide by the end of 2002. Service launch will depend on the availability of compatible mobile phones and other devices, the company said. The Redmond, Washington-based company plans to start deploying WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), which promises data speeds of 2 megabits per second, in 2003. It plans to finish that deployment in 2004, but the company has admitted that it only has enough airwaves currently to roll out the service in 80 percent of its markets. SPRINT PCS GROUP (PCS) -- The nation's fourth-largest wireless operator, whose networks are also based on Qualcomm Inc.'s Code Division Multiple Access technology, plans to unveil its CDMA2000 1X networks nationwide in the summer with multiple devices. Consumers can expect average data speeds of 60 to 70 kilobits per second. Sprint PCS expects to make improvements throughout the year to enable data speeds of up to 288 kilobits per second. By the end of the year, users may be able to send and receive high-quality video over the networks. Sprint PCS has not yet announced plans to deploy the next version of CDMA2000 called CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, which promises peak data rates of over 2 megabits per second. Kansas City, Missouri-based Sprint PCS is a unit of Sprint Corp. (FON) NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS INC. (NXTL) -- The nation's fifth-largest wireless operator, which bases its network on a unique wireless technology, already has a data-capable high speed network. The company has said that it has all the necessary voice capacity and data speed to meet current market demands. Still, analysts have speculated that Reston, Virginia-based Nextel will switch to CDMA and upgrade its networks with Qualcomm's next generation technologies. VOICESTREAM - The sixth-largest nationwide wireless provider launched its GPRS service last November under the brand iStream. VoiceStream is the only national operator that currently offers a network based completely on GSM technology. Bellevue, Washington-based VoiceStream said the iStream network can run at speeds up to 56 kilobits per second and averages up to 40 kilobits per second, comparable to what consumers experience from a home dial-up connection. VoiceStream is a unit of Germany's Deutsche Telekom <DTEGn.DE>. Copyright 2001, Reuters News Service.