Mexico Coming Along>
Harris Corporation Plays Vital Role in Launching New Wireless Services
in Mexico
February 24, 1999 8:28 AM
MELBOURNE, Fla., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an aggressive team effort to launch new
wireless communications in Mexico, Harris Corporation (NSYE: HRS) will provide the network
management capability to PEGASO PCS, which is deploying the first 100 percent digital wireless
network in Mexico. The more than $1 billion PEGASO project brings together wireless carrier Leap
Wireless International, Inc. as an equity partner and many technology vendors, including Qualcomm,
Alcatel, ADC Newnet, Comverse, LHS and others, to work in concert to ensure the delivery of new
wireless services to the people of Mexico.
Since so many diverse technologies are required in the new infrastructure, PEGASO PCS required a
network management partner who could integrate all of these into a single network management
platform. Harris Network Management (HNM) offers a complete package that includes an alarm
management system and a performance management system. HNM will provide the network alarm
and performance management system linking all PEGASO infrastructure equipment into one
efficient system.
HNM, developed by Harris' Communications Products Division, is a comprehensive system of
software and hardware, backed by the expertise needed to incorporate network information into a
complete management tool. The system reduces the time and effort spent deciphering network
alerts, and provides the statistical information needed to make effective management decisions.
HNM helps customers take network management to the next level.
"Harris is excited to be a part of the PEGASO team, which brings together some of the world's
leading suppliers in wireless communications," said Jim Odom, Vice President of Network
Management for Harris' Communications Products Division. "The HNM team is especially excited to
have been chosen to provide the management of the entire network infrastructure, which results in
lower costs and improved quality for PEGASO. This further demonstrates Harris' world class
enterprise management capabilities for wireline and wireless networks," added Odom.
HNM offers PEGASO advanced network management functionality to support its launch, as well as
long-term growth. Harris' Communications Products Division will integrate its HNM platform with
other vendor technologies currently used throughout the industry. As the subscriber base grows, and
the network infrastructure evolves to support this growth, HNM will continue to serve as the network
management system for PEGASO. As a result, PEGASO will realize significant cost savings in the
network operations over the long term. Most importantly, Harris' Communications Products Division
provides consulting resources and expertise; a turnkey system, with minimal involvement by
PEGASO personnel; and the ability to support and integrate diverse technologies, equipment and
applications under one management platform.
The initial service areas are Mexico City, Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Harris will install
HNM platforms in the Mexico City-based Network Operations Center and additional platforms in
each of the four service areas, which will interface with a wide range of network elements. These
include an Alcatel S12 switch, Qualcomm Base Station Manager, ADCNewnet AMA Server and
short message service, Alcatel 1353 element manager for microwave radios, Priority Call
Management Prepay system, Harris C1000s for environmental control, and various multiplexers and
routers.
"Harris was selected after very careful consideration of responses from RFPs issued to many
Network Management System providers. The HNM platform is the best and most cost effective
Network Management System solution for us and we know that they are the right partner for us,"
said Benjamin Zukerman, Technical Director of PEGASO PCS. "Harris has been extremely
responsive in assisting us with starting up our Wireless Operations. This has allowed us to focus
solely on network deployment, marketing and service growth, which is helping us meet demand for
wireless service quickly and efficiently."
The PEGASO project represents one of many initiatives in Harris' ongoing efforts to play an integral
role in global infrastructure development. The HNM platform, with its distributed architecture,
multi-platform capability and overall functionality, is poised to become a leading network
management platform for businesses worldwide.
As part of this system, Harris' Communications Products Division will provide post acceptance
consulting, placing an engineer on-site to provide implementation support, to perform configuration
modifications as needed, and to train PEGASO personnel. Implementation and consulting is
expected to take approximately six months.
About PEGASO
PEGASO is a telephone and telecommunications company composed of Grupo Pegaso, Grupo
Televisa, Leap Wireless International, Citicorp, LAIF (Latin America Infrastructure Fund) and Nissho
Iwai. With an initial investment of more than $1.3 billion, PEGASO is deploying the first hundred
percent digital network in Mexico. PEGASO plans to offer nationwide PCS service, launching in the
country's four largest cities in 1999, starting with Tijuana at the end of February and moving on to
Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Having acquired the necessary licenses to offer mobile and
wireless local loop services, PEGASO expects to offer top-quality service to a significant share of
the Mexican market in the coming years.
About Leap Wireless International
Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, California, is a wireless
communications carrier that deploys, owns and operates wireless networks in domestic and
international markets with strong growth potential. In conjunction with its strategic partners, Leap is
building or anticipates building a combination of fixed and mobile wireless solutions in Mexico, Chile,
Australia, Russia and the United States. For more information, please visit the company's web site
at leapwireless.com.
About Harris
The capabilities, products, and applications at Harris Communications are focused in three markets
-- wireless communications, broadcast communications, and communications products. Harris
solutions include microwave and wireless loop systems; secure radios for defense, national law
enforcement, and air traffic communications systems; analog and digital television and radio
systems; enhanced services and digital switching platforms, telecommunication tools and test
systems, and network management systems for worldwide communications service providers and
broadcasters.
Harris Corporation, with worldwide sales of $3.9 billion, is an international communications and
electronics company that provides a wide range of products and services such as wireless and
personal communications, digital television (HDTV), health care information systems, automotive
electronics, transportation, business information, defense communications and information, and
Lanier office products.
CONTACT: Jenifer Fronk of Harris Corporation, 407-724-3867, or e-mail, jfronk@harris.com
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