re: AWS Doubling Voice Capacity with GSM AMR & Frequency Hopping
``While fantasy works great in this part of the country, it falls short when managing the expectations of wireless customers. We're breaking through the 3G hype by delivering advanced wireless services today and true 3G services next year,'' - Rod Nelson, CTO -
>> AT&T Wireless' GSM/GPRS Net'Works' for Customers
Company to More Than Double Voice Capacity, Add Devices
and International Roaming. FedEx Signs for GPRS Package
Press Release
AT&T Wireless
Orlando, Fl
March 18, 2001
Today, in the land of fun and fantasy, AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) announced it will perform a magic act of its own by installing new technology that could more than double the voice capacity on its newly deployed GSM network.
At the CTIA Trade Show in Orlando, AT&T Wireless also raised the curtain on the first TDMA/GSM/GPRS global phone, showcased international roaming services and unveiled a contract with a major international business to use its GPRS network.
AT&T Wireless said it will combine GSM's inherent frequency hopping technology with Adaptive Multirate Vocorder (AMR) compression software to increase network capacity as demand for voice calling grows. These network enhancements are expected to more than double the number of voice calls handled using existing spectrum.
Additionally, the company will begin selling handsets later this year that incorporate the new AMR technology. Vendors at this year's show are expected to introduce phones equipped with the AMR technology.
AT&T Wireless said the flexibility of GSM provides a fast, cost-effective way of meeting and exceeding the growing voice needs of customers to reliably make, retain and receive clear sounding calls. GSM (Global Standard for Mobile Communications) is the most widely used voice technology in the world. Carriers using GSM serve more than 70 percent of wireless voice customers worldwide.
``Our choice in using the global standard GSM/GPRS technology as the foundation for meeting our customers' needs now, and as we move to full 3G, continues to pay dividends for us and our customers,'' said Rod Nelson, chief technology officer for AT&T Wireless. ``By the end of this year, our customers will be able to make a call, access e-mail or surf the web whether they're standing in Orlando or under the Eiffel Tower.''
To support customers' global needs, AT&T Wireless announced it signed more than 25 roaming agreements with international GSM carriers serving 24 countries including England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain and Taiwan. These agreements will soon give customers using multi-band/frequency wireless phones, or other devices, the ability to make and receive calls, using their same phone number, while traveling abroad. In countries where carriers have deployed GPRS, high-speed wireless data services will also be available. Additionally, AT&T Wireless currently has a roaming agreement with AT&T Rogers Canada.
In addition to extending its own coverage, AT&T Wireless is also working with more than a dozen phone, PDA, and modem manufacturers to develop and deliver products based on the global GSM/GPRS standard. The company estimates about two dozen devices will be available by the third quarter of this year.
For example, Siemens today will become the first company to deliver a multi-band GSM/GPRS/TDMA world phone. The new wireless phone works on GSM/GPRS(900/1900mhz) and TDMA (850/1900mhz) networks and has an optional MP3 player that can be purchased separately. The phone will be available next month in markets served by AT&T Wireless' GSM/GPRS network at a purchase price of $199.99.
``Wireless networks, services, devices and applications based on GSM/GPRS will permeate markets around the world, providing individuals and businesses with wireless services almost anywhere and anytime they need them,'' Nelson said.
AT&T Wireless Delivers Gprs Package To Fedex
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX - news) and the world's largest express transportation company, is taking advantage of the features and reliability of the AT&T Wireless GSM/GPRS network to better serve its workforce and customers. The company announced today that it signed a five-year contract regarding the integration of its private wireless network with AT&T Wireless' GPRS network. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
``FedEx was looking for a carrier that is well positioned for the long term and has the bandwidth to help deliver next-generation services across our enterprise,'' said Winn Stephenson, senior vice president of Information Technology for FedEx Services. ``We believe AT&T Wireless' GPRS network will support our continuing goal of offering couriers and customers convenient access to FedEx shipping information. They have a proven record for delivering network solutions on time and are focused on making technology work for their customers.''
The integration between the two networks allows FedEx Express couriers to access shipping information online -- whether in the office or in a delivery vehicle -- wherever the AT&T Wireless GPRS network is deployed.
AT&T Wireless Mobile Internet service offers customers several plans -- from simple voice packages to combinations of voice and high-speed data services -- using the company's GSM/GPRS network. The service is available to individual and business customers in more than 30 major cities in 10 states. The company also has roaming agreements that extend the reach of the service to California, North Carolina and South Carolina. A variety of devices and service plans are available at attwireless.com.
``While fantasy works great in this part of the country, it falls short when managing the expectations of wireless customers. We're breaking through the 3G hype by delivering advanced wireless services today and true 3G services next year,'' said Nelson. ``The evolution of our technology path will help make this a small world for all our customers.''
About AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE - news) is the largest independently traded wireless carrier in the United States, following our split from AT&T on July 9, 2001. We operate one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America. With more than 18.0 million subscribers, and full-year 2001 revenues exceeding $13.6 billion, AT&T Wireless is committed to being among the first to deliver the next generation of wireless products and services. Today, we offer customers high-quality mobile wireless communications services, voice or data, to businesses or consumers, in the U.S. and internationally. AT&T Wireless Customer Advantage is our commitment to ensure that customers have the right equipment, the right calling plan, and the right customer services options -- today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit us at attwireless.com.
About FedEx Corp.
With annual revenues of $20 billion, FedEx Corp. is the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply chain management services. The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including: FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America's second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, the largest U.S. provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, the world's largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs brokerage, consulting, information technology and trade facilitation solutions.
About Siemens Information and Communication Mobile
The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes GSM, GPRS and 3G mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Mobile Applications cover end-to-end solutions for Messaging, Location Based Services or Mobile Payment. For the fiscal year 2001 (September 30), IC Mobile recorded sales of EUR 11.3 billion and employed 30,730 people worldwide. You can access further information about Siemens IC Mobile on the Internet at icm.siemens.com. <<
- Eric - |
