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To: Gregg Powers who wrote (12813)	7/22/1998 9:44:00 PM
From: 2brasil	Respond to of 152472

--ot North American GSM Alliance Urges European Community Not To Mandate Single Third Generation Standard Alliance Supports Third Generation GSM (Wideband-CDMA) Technology, And Encourages EC to Urge Member Governments to Allow Multiple Standards CHICAGO, July 21 /PRNewswire -- The North American GSM Alliance LLC, a group of U.S. and Canadian digital wireless Personal Communications Services (PCS) carriers, have sent a letter to the European Commission urging it to ask member governments to allow operators to choose the technology they prefer for Third Generation wireless services, rather than to mandate any single technology as a requirement for licensing. ''Let the operators choose the technology that best meets their marketplace needs, including such considerations as interconnection with and roaming to other systems. There can be no doubt that it is the best way to promote robust competition,'' wrote GSM Alliance Chairman Don Warkentin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aerial Communications in a letter to the European Commission's Director Generals for Telecommunications and Competition. The GSM Alliance letter explained that the PCS licenses issued in the United States and Canada contained no technology mandate. ''We were free to choose any wireless technology that fit our business plans and markets. While Alliance members chose the GSM technology, competitors made other choices. As a result, we and our competitors are constantly striving to improve our respective technologies and to provide new services to our customers,'' wrote Warkentin. ''This robust technology competition, made possible by the refusal of our regulatory authorities to mandate a single technology standard, has resulted in better and less expense services being offered to consumers.'' In the letter, Warkentin explained that the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Commerce have recently expressed concern about a mandated single technology for Third Generation wireless systems in Europe. They are concerned that members of the U.S. telecommunications industry may be disadvantaged by the fact that licenses will be awarded with a mandate to utilize a particular technology. ''The members of the Alliance support Third Generation GSM (Wideband-CDMA) as the best technology choice for Third Generation wireless systems and fully intend to utilize it in North America. Nevertheless, the licensing concerns expressed by the U.S. Government are legitimate and must be addressed. If not, Third Generation wireless technologies may become a trade issue between the U.S. and Europe -- to the disadvantage of all concerned,'' Warkentin explained. With about 2 million customers in 41 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces, GSM active markets already cover nearly 60 percent of its North American footprint. More than 20 North American PCS operators plan to deploy GSM. GSM operators, in addition to investing billions of dollars to establish their networks and launch their services, have created more than 10,000 new direct jobs, with an estimated additional 25,000 new employees involved in service, manufacturing & associated jobs. The GSM Alliance, L.L.C. is a group of U.S. and Canadian digital wireless PCS carriers, which helps provide seamless wireless communications for their customers, whether at home, in nearly 1,500 U.S. and Canadian cities and towns, or abroad. Using Global Systems for Mobile (GSM) communications, GSM companies provide superior voice clarity, unparalleled security and leading- edge wireless voice, data and fax features for customers. GSM Alliance members include: Aerial Communications, Inc., Airadigm Communications, Inc.; BellSouth Mobility DCS; Conestoga Wireless Company; Cook Inlet PCS; DIGIPH PCS; Microcell Telecommunications Inc [Nasdaq:MICTF - news].; NPI Wireless; Omnipoint Communications LLC; Pacific Bell Mobile Services; Powertel, Inc.; Western Wireless Corp [Nasdaq:WWCA - news].; and Wireless 2000 PCS. The GSM Alliance works in cooperation with North American GSM equipment manufacturers: Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel and Siemens.