Bell Atlantic Mobile to Introduce cdma2000 Third Generation (3G) Technology in 1999
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Bell Atlantic Mobile to Introduce cdma2000 Third Generation (3G) Technology in 1999
Lucent Technologies Named Strategic Partner
November 17, 1998
Media contact: | Andrea Linskey, Bell Atlantic Mobile Sam Gronner, Lucent Technologies |
LOS ANGELES -- Bell Atlantic Mobile, a pioneer in the
commercialization of the world's fastest-growing digital wireless
technology, today announced it will begin phased introduction of new high-
speed wireless data capabilities over its existing cdmaOneTM network in
1999. The next-generation wireless services are based on cdma2000 third
generation (3G) enhancements provided by Lucent Technologies.
The announcement was made at the CDMA Americas Congress, meeting
here this week. The cdmaOne digital wireless standard employs code
division multiple access (CDMA) to offer wireless phone users near-
landline voice clarity and a "soft handoff" of mobile calls that is virtually
unnoticeable as compared with analog and other digital cellular
technologies.
Bell Atlantic Mobile operates one of the world's most geographically-
expansive cdmaOne networks, primarily on Lucent equipment. An early
adopter of CDMA technology, Bell Atlantic Mobile implemented the
standard following an extensive field trial conducted with Lucent's Bell
Laboratories research and development arm in the early 1990s. Since then
Bell Atlantic Mobile has expanded its CDMA network to cover 90 percent
of the people in its geography and introduced its popular SingleRate digital
pricing plans.
"With Lucent as our technology partner, we intend to make the most of
our investment to enhance the quality, reliability and data-carrying capacity
of our DigitalChoicesm cdmaOne service, said Ted Hoffman, vice-president
of Technology Development. "Together, we will bring these services to
market on today's commercial platforms, not tomorrow's experimental
systems."
The cdma2000 technology takes advantage of the commercially-successful
cdmaOne digital format. It combines radio spectrum to create a larger
"pipe" for voice and data trasmissions and can co-exist with the current
cdmaOne network. This 5 MHz multi-carrier scheme will allow Bell
Atlantic Mobile to simultaneously serve current customers, yet will cost-
effectively support mobile data rates nearly eight times faster than today's
modems.
"Backward compatibility to existing cdmaOne is the linchpin for delivering
these advanced services, and that's why we intend to deploy cdma2000
capabilities in our network," Hoffman said. Specifically, he said:
- Co-existence of 2G and 3G network elements will be assured by
components operating at chip rates that are exact multiples of the
cdmaOne standard (Editor's Note: cdma2000 specifies 3.684 Mcps) - Incremental investment in 3G capabilities can build a solid business case
for such services with minimal financial and technical risk - The advanced services can be provided in current spectrum
- Bell Atlantic Mobile will be able to geographically segment the market
for these data services and maximize returns on its CDMA investment
Unlike other 3G proposals, Bell Atlantic Mobile customers will not have to
surrender their current cdmaOne handsets when cdma2000 services
become available. Following an extensive testing program involving the
two companies, including Bell Laboratories developers, the technology
enhancement will be performed with minimal upgrades to the Lucent-
supplied base stations.
"This phase of evolution will allow us to introduce 3G data rate services
quickly and at minimal cost while substantially increasing our current
digital voice capacity within our existing spectrum. This will give us one of
the most competitive cost structures in the world for wireless services, "
Hoffman said.
"We are delighted to again collaborate with Bell Atlantic Mobile in
pioneering the next generation of wireless," said David Poticny, vice
president of wireless global standards for Lucent Technologies. "We fully
support the imperative to begin implementing cdma2000 enhancements in
order to help maximize Bell Atlantic Mobile's investment in CDMA,
particularly its cost efficiency, spectrum utilization and quality -- all
attributes that will carry forward into the next generation."
Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the
East, covering 116,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets
devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in
Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 5.9 million customers and 7,500
employees from Maine to Georgia and, through a separate subsidiary, in
the Southwest. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community service
program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and
communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell
Atlantic Mobile's parent is one of the world's largest wireless
communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states and
international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more
information on Bell Atlantic Mobile visit: www.bam.com; on global
operations visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.
Lucent Technologies supplies mobile and fixed wireless communications
systems that offer global service providers standards-based solutions for
serving the information needs of consumers and enterprises. Headquartered
in Murray Hill, NJ, Lucent designs, builds and delivers a wide range of
public and private networks, communications systems and software, data
networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic
components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the
company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit the
company's web site at http://www.lucent.com.
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cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDMA Development Group