COSTA MESA, Calif., May 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) today announced that CDMA2000(r) technologies are an ideal platform to expand the reach of communication services to millions of people in Africa and thereby contribute to growth and an improved standard of living on the continent. The spectral efficiency and high-speed data capabilities of CDMA2000 allow operators to provide high-quality voice services and Internet access at lower costs than landline and other wireless technologies, and favorable propagation of CDMA2000 at 800 MHz, and especially at 450 MHz, make it a cost-effective solution for reaching remote, low-density areas.
"Only 1 in 10 people in Africa have access to a telephone today and most of them live in cities and more developed regions," said Perry LaForge, executive director, CDG. Wireless is already the main form of voice communications on the continent, and 3G CDMA technologies offer an opportunity to further increase the penetration for voice and offer broadband data services. CDMA2000 is already widely used in Africa, Asia and the Americas to provide telecommunication services to underserved areas and many view CDMA450 as the key enabler for universal service."
CDMA2000 is a viable solution for developing regions, with the capacity and high-speed capabilities to offer both voice and broadband services very cost effectively. CDMA2000 technologies are extremely spectrally efficient, allowing a larger number of users in a smaller amount of spectrum than other technologies, which translates into lower costs for operators and more affordable services for users. CDMA2000 also is leading the way in providing "broadband" wireless services. With an average data throughput on CDMA2000 1X networks of 60-80 kbps, and 300-600 kbps on 1xEV-DO, CDMA2000 technologies deliver data services faster and at a fraction of the cost of what 2G technologies offer.
Many operators utilize CDMA2000 to expand the reach of telecommunication services. Reliance in India, for example, will meet universal service obligations by providing 3G services to close to 50,000 villages BellSouth in Chile offers 3G broadband access to close to 700 schools nationwide.
Many governments and operators in developing and developed countries, including Europe, are planning to use CDMA450 to service low-density urban and remote areas. CDMA450 provides a larger cell size (at least 2-3 times more cell coverage per km2 in rural areas) when compared to other cellular bands, and thus requires fewer cell sites and significantly lower CAPEX (capital investment) and OPEX (operational expenses) to service vast coverage areas. There are 22 CDMA450 commercial networks, 17 are in deployment and 10 trials are being conducted across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Many of these networks, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Nigeria, Vietnam and Pakistan, were deployed to serve remote areas.
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is by far the most widely deployed 3G technology, serving more than 160 million users worldwide. There are 141 CDMA2000 commercial networks, and 40 more are being deployed. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for cdmaOne(tm), TDMA, analog and Greenfield operators, and is deployed in the 450, 800, 1700, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands. More than 720 CDMA2000 devices are available on the market. For more information on CDMA2000 and CDMA450 visit 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 714-540-1030 or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.