NORTELNortel, LG claim first test for broadband wireless
Nortel Networks Corp (TSX:NT)
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Last Close 3/3/2005 $3.67
Thursday March 03 2005 - News Release
Mr. Jay Barta reports
LG ELECTRONICS, NORTEL DEMONSTRATE 'SUPERCHARGED' EXPERIENCE FOR STREAMING VIDEO, MUSIC DOWNLOADS TO CONSUMERS; COMPLETE FIRST CONSUMER HANDSET-BASED HSDPA 'DRIVE' CALLS
Nortel and LG Electronics (KSE: 06657) have completed the industry's first live test calls using a commercial handset solution for the emerging broadband wireless technology, high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA).
The companies have demonstrated real-world experiences of "supercharged" broadband services that can help wireless operators generate new revenues through high-resolution interactive gaming, multimedia music downloads, DVD-quality film and video, mobile TV, "push-to-watch" services, and access to large e-mail attachments.
"Based on the success of our interoperability program, I expect Nortel to be the first to market with a complete, end-to-end HSDPA solution with integrated consumer devices," said Peter MacKinnon, president, GSM/UMTS, Nortel. "Our recent string of industry firsts and technology milestones continues to prove our leadership in HSDPA and other emerging broadband wireless technologies."
"LG Electronics is proud to achieve this milestone with Nortel, and to drive the industry forward in delivering true broadband mobile services to end-users," said Skott Ahn, executive vice-president, LG Electronics. "This practical demonstration is a big step forward towards the realization of commercial HSDPA services and an important validation of the enhanced performance HSDPA will bring to carriers."
The companies completed drive calls using commercially available UMTS network infrastructure from Nortel and an LG HSDPA handset slated for commercial availability in late 2005. Downloads of pop music songs and three-minute streaming movie clips (the LG device served as a modem to a PC screen) were completed in a moving automobile to demonstrate real-world stability at speeds up to 1.4 megabits per second (mbps).
By making more efficient use of the existing network and boosting throughput, HSDPA significantly reduces operating costs while delivering a better end user experience. HSDPA boosts network capacity to carry up to three times as much data traffic and up to twice as many wireless users per cell site compared with today's UMTS networks. HSDPA speeds network throughput to five times faster than today's commercial third generation (3G) networks to deliver broadband services comparable with DSL or ADSL.
Nortel recently announced a series of industry milestones with leading chip set and data card vendors, and is working with a number of global operators, including mmO2, on HSDPA trials and deployments in 2005.
Nortel has demonstrated the maximum data speed enabled by HSDPA -- 14.4 mbps -- on commercially available equipment including its UMTS base transceiver stations and UMTS radio network controller, along with terminals supplied by Ubinetics. Nortel's equipment is designed to be HSDPA-ready and to cost-effectively upgrade to support HSDPA through a simple software installation.
About UbiNetics
UbiNetics is the world leader in the supply of innovative 3G, 2.5G and 2G (WCDMA/GPRS/GSM) IP solutions for chip set and terminal manufacturers, and 3G test and measurement equipment. Its experience in wireless technology positions the company at the centre of 3G developments.
The company's WCDMA test mobiles, used by global 3G infrastructure manufacturers and network operators, position UbiNetics at the center of WCDMA interoperability testing. Products such as the SystemAT test system for network and service verification and the TM500 test mobile, being supplied for early HSDPA trials, further strengthen this position.
UbiNetics also provides 2G, 2.5G, 3G and HSDPA protocol software and physical layer IP for use by chip set and handset developers and manufacturers. ODMs can take advantage of UbiNetics' embedded modules and reference designs for 3G-enabled handsets. Using UbiNetics' considerable experience in deploying multimode 3G technology, chip and device manufacturers can de-risk and accelerate their product developments.
Since the company was formed in 1999, UbiNetics has grown to over 400 employees with operations in Cambridge, U.K.; Japan and Hong Kong, with research and development facilities in Swindon, U.K.; Bangalore, India, and Shenzhen, China. Further information about UbiNetics can be found at www.ubinetics.com.
© 2005 Canjex Publishing Ltd.