I Think This Is "BIG NEWS">(Already Posted But Read Again)
Sprint PCS(R), Motorola Demonstrate 3G Wireless
Capabilities
CTIA Demonstration Marks Sprint PCS and Motorola's Commitment to Third-Generation
cdma2000 Technology
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint PCS (NYSE: PCS - news) and Motorola, Inc.'s (NYSE: MOT - news)
Network Solutions Sector (NSS) today demonstrated an interactive, high-resolution wireless videoconference between two
Motorola base stations utilizing third-generation cdma2000 wireless technology (3G). The video demonstration uses the
cdma2000 air interface, which is currently being developed by international standards bodies, to transmit data -- both audio
and video -- nearly 10 times faster than the most advanced cdmaOne(TM) network deployed today.
Motorola NSS and Sprint PCS invite attendees of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association's (CTIA) Wireless
'99 Convention and Exposition to participate in a live demonstration in Booth #2523.
Today's demonstration marked the first wireless 128 kilobit per second (Kbps) demonstration of cdma2000 technology in the
United States. The video demonstration uses Radio Transmission Technology, or RTT, which doubles voice capacity and
increases data capacity up to six times, compared with current second generation (2G) cdmaOne systems. Today's 2G systems
typically operate at data rates of 9.6 or 14.4 Kbps.
Last year at the CTIA Convention and Exposition, Sprint PCS, Motorola NSS, Lucent Technologies, Nortel Networks and
Qualcomm boldly stated their vision for 3G technology, including:
-- a need for backward compatibility with today's cdmaOne -- the leading
standard for digital wireless in North America;
-- the ability to offer increased data rates; and
-- the utilization of existing spectrum licensed for PCS.
This year, Motorola NSS, Sprint PCS and its other network vendors are focusing their attention on trialing prototype
cdma2000 technology, and evaluating the future demands and desires of cdmaOne subscribers. Key 3G applications the
companies are exploring include wireless access to the Internet, multi-media, and two-way video-conferencing, all via a Sprint
PCS wireless phone. Sprint PCS plans to leverage its initial deployment of cdmaOne infrastructure to quickly bring 3G
functionality to consumers.
''Sprint PCS is dedicated to providing the enhanced features and services of 3G technology in an early time frame,'' said Keith
Paglusch, senior vice president of Technical Services and Network Operations, Sprint PCS. ''Through teamwork with our
vendors and our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers, Sprint PCS fully expects to lead the industry in the
deployment of advancements in 3G technology.''
Motorola NSS has previously announced that its existing cdmaOne infrastructure equipment -- from its mobile switches to its
base stations -- can be easily upgraded to cdma2000.
''Motorola NSS is proud to collaborate with Sprint PCS to demonstrate and test the abilities of advanced wireless 3G
technology,'' said John Cipolla, vice president and general manager of Motorola NSS's CDMA Systems Division. ''We are
committed to supporting our customers with advanced 3G wireless solutions, a cost-effective migration path and enhanced
revenue opportunities. 3G technology, in turn, will enable operators to offer consumers new, advanced data applications such
as wireless access to: e-mail, the Internet or Corporate Intranets. This truly will allow the consumer to take their world with
them.''
BACKGROUND:
A cooperative planning effort between Sprint PCS and Motorola NSS for 3G technology began in early 1998. The relationship
has evolved to 3G demonstrations and the planning of future 3G trials. The first collaborative effort for demonstrating 3G
technology began during the CDMA Development Group's (CDG) 1998 CDMA Congress of the Americas Conference held
in Los Angeles in November. In this demonstration of prototype platforms, 6x RTT was demonstrated using video transmission
between two Motorola bases stations.
In addition to these demonstrations, future 3G demos are planned between Sprint PCS and its network vendors throughout
1999. Furthermore, work is in progress to conduct formal trials of 3G technology beginning in 2000. These trials are planned to
take place in the Sprint PCS Technology Integration Center in Lenexa, Kan., using existing Sprint PCS infrastructure with
vendor-developed enhancements.
Motorola NSS combines the operations of the former cellular infrastructure group and iDEN organizations and is responsible
for manufacturing, sales and integration of Motorola's cellular infrastructure and iDEN cellular/two-way radio products.
Motorola is a global leader in advanced electronic systems and services. It liberates the power of technology by creating
software-enhanced products that provide integrated customer solutions and Internet access via wireless and satellite
communications, as well as computing, networking, and automotive electronics. Motorola also provides essential digital building
blocks in the form of embedded semiconductors, controls and systems. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion.
For further information on Motorola, please visit the web site at motorola.com.
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent 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 270 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 the 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 |
