COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) today congratulated Nordisk Mobiltelefon on their nationwide launch of CDMA450 in Norway. Their launch on June 26 is another example of how CDMA2000(r) is becoming the technology of choice for Nordisk Mobile Telephone (NMT) and new European operators who are looking to rapidly and economically deploy toll-quality voice and broadband data services in rural and urban markets.
"The CDG is pleased to report CDMA2000's expansion in Europe," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "From Nordisk Mobiltelefon to other pioneering operators, such as Telemobile in Romania and Telefonica O2 Czech Republic (previously known as Eurotel), it has become clear around the world that CDMA2000 is the most advanced, flexible and economical technology choice for next generation voice, multimedia and broadband data services today."
Nordisk Mobiltelefon recently launched a commercial CDMA450 network to provide advanced telecommunications and broadband services to consumers and enterprises nationwide in Norway. As a result, CDMA2000 is now widely deployed across the European continent with 12 operators offering affordable voice and broadband data services in Belarus, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and the Ukraine. Other operators are planning to deploy similar CDMA2000 services in Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia and Sweden.
In addition, Telefonica O2 Czech Republic's success with its CDMA2000 1xEV-DO mobile broadband data network demonstrates the technology's evolutionary power and is a good case study for other markets. The network's customer base grew by over 20% in the first half of 2006 while the operator continued to increase its coverage and subscriber growth capacity. The network now serves more than 85,000 customers and its coverage provides about 85% of the population in the Czech Republic with wireless broadband access speeds up to 1 Mbps. Developed as an alternative solution to DSL for developing regions, EV-DO has emerged as one of the best ways to extend Internet access to underserved populations. "With CDMA's continued growth in Europe, we are pleased to be in the forefront of offering our loyal customers nationwide the best in mobile broadband services," says Andrei Torriani, chief marketing officer, Telefonica O2 Czech Republic.
CDMA450 (CDMA2000 designed for the 400-500 MHz frequency range) is the only technology that offers an economical one-step evolution path to 3G for NMT and new operators. First introduced commercially in Romania in 2001, CDMA450 has gained significant momentum in both developed and emerging markets worldwide. Its propagation characteristics enable operators to deliver valuable 3G services inside and outside of buildings using less base stations than any other technology.
Mr. Johan Lodenius, chief of end-user devices and applications, Nordisk Mobiltelefon, reports that "CDMA450 has proven to be an ideal wireless solution for providing 3G services with full nationwide coverage. Finally, it is now possible to economically fulfill the voice and Internet access needs of consumers and enterprises located in rural markets, as well as those in the densely populated urban areas of Europe."
The availability of CDMA450 is continuing to grow substantially, with close to 75 CDMA450 operators in commercial operation or in the process of being deployed worldwide. Most of these CDMA450 networks are expected to offer broadband data services using CDMA2000 1xEV-DO in the next few years.
More information on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO and CDMA450 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
About CDMA
CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 162 operators in 72 countries, including 38 CDMA2000 1x-EV-DO systems, serving more than 250 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 300 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for cdmaOne, TDMA, analog and greenfield operators, and is deployed in the 450, 800, 1700, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands. Nearly 1,250 CDMA2000 devices from more than 80 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including 280 1xEV-DO devices. More information on CDMA2000 is 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 130 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 and WorldMode is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). CDMA450 is a registered trademark of the TIA-USA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.