ATLANTA, March 22, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) reported that there are nearly 500 3G CDMA2000(r) devices, including handsets, PDAs and modem cards, on the market today. More than 40 vendors offer CDMA2000 models that feature a broad range of advanced functionalities, such as built-in mega-pixel still and video cameras, MEG-4 video players, GPS and high-resolution color screens.
"When launching a new service, it is critical for an operator to be able to offer a product portfolio that will meet the needs of its consumers. The availability of a wide selection of handsets, from low-cost, entry-level phones to high-end devices with advanced video and data capabilities, has been a leading factor in the success of 3G CDMA2000 worldwide," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "Today more than 40 percent of CDMA subscribers have CDMA2000 handsets and can enjoy the improved voice quality and access to high-speed data services that 3G offers."
According to a recent Deutsche Bank estimate, 107 million CDMA2000 handsets were sold in 2003, which represented 93 percent of all CDMA and 23 percent of all handsets shipped last year. This number is expected to grow to 130 million for 2004. In three years, all CDMA phones sold will be 3G. Economies of scale and growing competition are driving the cost and prices of CDMA2000 phones down to 2G levels.
Operators around the globe are seeing great interest in advanced CDMA2000 services, and device manufacturers are responding with greater product selection: in the last year, the number of CDMA2000 devices has more than doubled, and CDMA2000 handset vendors have grown from 33 to 46. In Japan, all phones sold by KDDI since April 2002 include integrated cameras and all new handsets sold since 3Q 2003 have video capabilities. KDDI was the first to offer a mega-pixel camera, in the summer of 2003. In the U.S., Sprint was the first operator to introduce an integrated camera phone, and both Sprint and Verizon Wireless now offer phones with built-in cameras and video camcorders. In India, Reliance is offering the first wristwatch phone with a plug-in camera that is also RUIM-enabled.
A number of vendors are offering handsets with push-to-talk functionality, a new service available from several CDMA2000 operators, and 175 CDMA2000 handset models have MMS capabilities. There are also more than 50 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO high-speed data devices available today.
"There is an incredible amount of innovation coming from CDMA2000 handset manufacturers," continued LaForge, "and we expect to continue to see many new models and features introduced in the near future."
CDMA2000 is maintaining its leadership in 3G, adding more than 10.7 million users in 4Q 2003 for a total of 75.4 million subscribers, or 97 percent of the 3G base. Nearly 40 percent of CDMA subscribers globally use CDMA2000 services, up from 20 percent one year ago. There are 4.4 million CDMA2000 1xEV-DO users.
CDMA2000 device information, subscriber statistics and deployment maps are available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
About the CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA technologies. The more than 100 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
Note to editors: cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDG. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA).