Wireless

Eight wireless firms sign MoU for 2.1GHz cdma2000

UNITED STATES -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) and eight wireless vendors have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the delivery of CDMA2000 infrastructure and terminal equipment for 2.1GHz spectrum. Under the MoU, Ericsson, LG Electronics, Lucent, Motorola, Nortel, Qualcomm, Samsung and ZTE have committed to provide wireless operators with cdma2000 infrastructure, terminal equipment, or related technology to offer commercial service at 2.1GHz.

This announcement is indicative of the collaboration between the CDG and its member manufacturer companies working to ensure that 3G cdma2000 equipment is available to operators regardless of spectrum," said Perry LaForge, executive director, CDG. "cdma2000 has proven itself in the 3G marketplace with more than 13 million global subscribers. The public commitment from CDMA wireless vendors underscores the industry's confidence that cdma2000 has a strong position in the 3G market."

Toshio Okihashi, senior executive managing officer at KDDI Corp., said: "KDDI's decision to use cdma2000 at 2.1GHz complements our commercial 800MHz cdma2000 system and lets us expand our service offering. The flexibility of cdma2000 enables us to offer advanced data services as well as rapid rollout, regardless of the spectrum band. This commitment by leading manufacturers to develop cdma2000 infrastructure and terminal equipment for 2.1GHz assures operators that there will be a range of solutions to choose from at 2.1GHz."

Under the terms of the MoU, 2.1GHz equipment will be available for customer trial and testing purposes as early as September 2002 and commercially available as early as February 2003. The initial trial equipment will be developed to potentially support 3G trial efforts of China's ministry of Information Industries (MII).