COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) announced today that at least two suppliers of ultra low-cost mobile devices are currently offering 3G CDMA2000(r) phones for less than $35 USD to selected carriers, and another five suppliers are offering CDMA2000 handsets for less than $40. In total, there are more than ten CDMA2000 handset models offered by seven suppliers for less than $40 to service providers within Africa, China, Central Asia, Latin America, South East Asia and India. In 2007, another 30 ultra low-cost CDMA2000 mobile handset designs are expected to become commercially available from more than fifteen suppliers.
With cost reduction initiatives such as the CDG's Global Handset Requirements for CDMA (GHRC), CDMA Certification Forum (CCF) and carrier-led device aggregation efforts, the CDMA industry has sustained and accelerated its lead in the delivery of 3G handsets that provide affordable access to telephony, Internet and popular value-added services and applications.
"Our goal is to continue to work with our CDG members to ensure devices are available for all market segments, while sustaining a healthy ecosystem and delivering a broad selection of voice and 3G data services that our CDMA2000 subscribers have come to expect," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG.
CDMA2000 has proven to be the ideal solution for providing reliable and affordable wireless telecommunications to densely populated urban areas, as well as small and sparsely populated rural communities where the power of acquisition is limited. Today, more than 300 million people use CDMA2000 devices that enable crystal clear communications, quick access to the Internet, greater call completion rates and fewer dropped calls.
The CDG GHRC initiative develops a common set of CDMA2000 device requirements that are used by 3G service providers to generate economies of scale through the aggregation of device purchases. The CCF initiative standardizes and streamlines the product test and certification process so that CDMA2000 devices can be delivered quicker, with greater test coverage and more affordably. With the continued success of the GHRC, CCF and CDMA operator device aggregation efforts, the CDG and its member companies will be able to deliver a wider selection of ultra low-cost handsets with more value-added services than other competing standards. These collaborative efforts are enabling CDMA2000 operators to offer their customers a more competitive selection of products and services, while improving the economics of their business.
More information on CDMA2000 handsets is available at www.cdg.org.
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 190 operators in 81 countries, including 54 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 300 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 350 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. Over 1,500 CDMA2000 devices from more than 90 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 390 1xEV-DO devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
About CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 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 CDMA2000 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 CDMA2000-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.
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cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.