COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 17, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) today announced that CDMA450 is rapidly expanding across all regions, thanks to its ease of deployment, affordability and designation by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as an IMT-2000 3G service. Today, 126 operators in 65 countries have deployed or are planning to deploy CDMA450 services; 105 operators in 58 countries are already offering commercial services to more than 15 million people, and 21 operators are trialing or deploying CDMA450 in 8 more countries. CDMA450 is a 3G solution that combines next-generation CDMA2000(r) wireless communications services with affordable network coverage using the 450 MHz frequency band.
"The opportunity for CDMA450 continues to expand, particularly in emerging markets with rural geographies and low Internet penetration," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "CDMA2000 has proven that it can competitively satisfy the demand for affordable voice and broadband data services using the 450 MHz band in markets where it has been traditionally cost-prohibitive for other technologies to address. Also, EV-DO is helping many CDMA450 operators bring Internet connectivity to hundreds of remote villages and towns for the very first time, linking them to the rest of the world at broadband speeds and fueling their local economies."
Nearly all CDMA450 operators offer telephony and high-speed data services using CDMA2000 1X technology. Additionally, 42 operators have deployed CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Release 0 (Rel. 0) wireless broadband data services, while 13 operators have deployed EV-DO Revision A (Rev. A) for even faster uplink and downlink speeds. Another 16 operators are deploying or planning to deploy Rel. 0 networks, while the cost benefits of Rev. A are evident with 22 operators deploying or planning to deploy the faster technology. EV-DO Rev. A offers average download speeds of 600-1400 kbps with bursts up to 3.1 Mbps and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps with bursts up to 1.8 Mbps.
CDMA450 is the most mature, flexible and widespread solution for economically providing fixed, wireless local loop (WLL) and mobile telecommunications services to both urban and underserved rural markets, especially in expansive and mountainous geographic areas. CDMA450 offers carrier-grade telephony, broadband Internet and multimedia access across very large coverage areas, which enables lower deployment and operating costs, or total cost of ownership (TCO). CDMA450 supports all of the advanced services enabled by CDMA2000, including mobile broadband and DSL replacement, VoIP, push-to-talk (PTT) and video telephony, first-responder and emergency services, broadcast and multicast, and location-based services. To provide equivalent coverage in rural areas, CDMA450 uses 70-75 percent fewer base stations than required by GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/HSPA in the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency bands, respectively. With a lower total cost of ownership and the availability of ultra low-cost 3G handsets (below US$35 wholesale), CDMA enables lower tariffs and greater profitability.
The International 450 Association (IA450) was recently incorporated as part of the CDG in an effort to broaden its reach and tap into additional resources to support global CDMA450 initiatives and provide increased benefits for its member companies. The merged IA450 has become a CDMA450 Special Interest Group (SIG) within the CDG, headed by former IA450 chairman Tina Radford, and continues its leadership role in promoting CDMA450 worldwide.
Large markets such as Argentina, China, Indonesia, Mexico and Russia have allocated the 450 MHz frequency band to provide universal telephone and Internet access to their citizens. Countries deploying CDMA2000 in the 450 MHz frequency band are enabling the personal lifestyle and business productivity advantages of 3G, especially in markets where landline services are not easily available and voice usage is moderately high.
Russia has emerged as a prime case study for CDMA450, where up to 34 operators seek to increase telephony, Internet and mobile broadcast penetration within the expansive region by migrating to faster and more cost-effective advanced wireless broadband services. SkyLink, the largest CDMA service provider in Russia, operates most of the country's CDMA450 networks, providing 3G telecommunications services to 31 regions. In support of its plan to become a nationwide CDMA2000 operator, SkyLink is currently licensed to offer mobile services in 65 of Russia's 88 regions, encompassing 104 million people, or 72 percent of Russia's total population. The operator generates around US$50 in total ARPU from its CDMA450 subscribers and intends to increase this value with its recently introduced premium video and television services.
Over 110 CDMA450 devices, including mobile handsets, fixed wireless terminals, fixed wireless phones, PC cards, USB thumbdrives, Wi-Fi routers, point of sale terminals, and ruggedized first responder devices are supplied by more than a dozen vendors. CDMA450 devices offer the full set of 3G features; including cameras, MP3 music players, video recorders, GPS position location, push-to-talk, Bluetooth connectivity and R-UIM cards.
A list of CDMA450 operators and the countries where they offer 3G CDMA services is below.
CDMA450 Operators
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Country Operator Networks
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1 Angola Angola Telecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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2 Argentina Alvis 1X (To Launch)
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3 Argentina Cooperativo Telefonica 1X (Commercial)
Calafate (CoTeCal) EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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4 Argentina COTEL (Cooperativa
Villa Gesell) 1X (Commercial)
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5 Argentina CoTelCam (Cooperativa
Lopez Camelo) 1X (Commercial)
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6 Argentina CTC (Cooperativa Telefonica
de Centenario) 1X (To Launch)
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7 Argentina Cooperativa Telefonica
de Merlo 1X (Commercial)
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8 Argentina TCT (Cooperativa Caleta Oliva) 1X (Commercial)
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9 Armenia Armentel 1X (Commercial)
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10 Azerbaijan Aztrank LLC 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0 (Planned)
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11 Bangladesh National TeleCom Ltd. (NTC) 1X (To Launch)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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12 Bangladesh PeopleTel 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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13 Belarus BelCel JV 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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14 Belize Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) 1X (To Launch)
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15 Bolivia Startel 1X (Planning)
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16 Bolivia SECOMI (Bolivian Army) 1X (Planning)
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17 Bulgaria BTC 1X (To Launch)
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18 Cambodia Cambodia Shinawatra Co. Ltd
(Camshin) 1X (Commercial)
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19 Cameroon Camtel (CTPhone) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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20 China China Netcom 1X (Commercial)
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21 China China Telecom (Tibet) 1X (Commercial)
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22 Congo, Dem. Tatem Telecom 1X (Commercial)
Republic of EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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23 Czech Rep. Mobilkom A.S. 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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24 Czech Rep. Telefonica O2 Czech Republic EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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25 Denmark Nordisk Mobiltelefon Denmark 1X (To Launch)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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26 Ecuador Etapa Cuenca 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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27 Estonia Televorgu AS EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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28 Ethiopia Ethiopia Telecommunications
Corp. (ETC) 1X (Commercial)
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29 Georgia Iberiatel 1X (Commercial)
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30 Indonesia PT Sampoerna Telekomunikasi 1X (Commercial)
Indonesia EV-DO Rel. 0 (Planned)
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31 Iceland Nordisk Mobil Island 1X (Planned)
EV-DO Rev. A (Planned)
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32 Iraq Ariafon 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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33 Iraq Moutiny Wireless
Telecommunications 1X (Commercial)
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34 Ireland Nordisk Mobiltelefon Ireland 1X (To Launch)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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35 Kazakhstan Kaznurtel 1X (To Launch)
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36 Kazakhstan Kazakhtelecom 1X (To Launch)
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37 Kenya Telecom Kenya Ltd. 1X (Commercial)
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38 Kyrgyzstan SapatCom/WinLine 1X (Commercial)
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39 Kyrgyzstan Global Telecom 1X (To Launch)
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40 Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Telecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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41 Laos Lao Telecommunications 1X (Commercial)
Corporation (LTC) EV-DO Rel. 0 (Planned)
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42 Latvia Telecom Baltja (Triatel) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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43 Madagascar Telecom Malagasy SA (Telma) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A (Planned)
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44 Malaysia Malaysia Telecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0 (Planned)
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45 Mali Soltema 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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46 Mauritania Mauritel 1X (Commercial)
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47 Mexico Telmex 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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48 Moldova Interdnestrcom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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49 Moldova Moldtelecom (AMPLUS) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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50 Mongolia G-Mobile 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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51 Mozambique Telcomunicacoes de Mozambique
(TDM) 1X (Commercial)
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52 Namibia Telecom Namibia 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
53 Nigeria Nigerian Telecommunications 1X (Commercial)
Ltd. (NiTel) EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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54 Norway Nordisk Mobiltelefon Norway 1X (To Launch)
(ICE) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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55 Oman Oman Telecommunications 1X (Commercial)
Company EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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56 Pakistan Great Bear International
Services (Diallog) 1X (Commercial)
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57 Pakistan PTCL (Etisalat) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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58 Pakistan Telecard 1X (Commercial)
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59 Pakistan Worldcall Wireless 1X (Planned)
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60 Peru Telefonica de Peru 1X (To Launch)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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61 Peru Telmex 1X (Commercial)
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62 Peru Valtron 1X (Commercial)
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63 Philippines Globe Telecom (Innove) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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64 Philippines Textron (Broadband Everywhere) 1X (Planned)
EV-DO Rel. 0 (Planned)
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65 Poland Nordisk Mobiltelefon Poland 1X (To Launch)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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66 Poland TPSA (Centertel) EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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67 Portugal Radiomovil (ZAPP) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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68 Romania Romtelecom CDMA2000 (To Launch)
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69 Romania Telemobil (ZAPP) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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70 Russia Apex (Sky Link) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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71 Russia Baykalwestcom (Wellcom) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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72 Russia Cellular Communications 1X (Commercial)
of Alanya (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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73 Russia Cellular Communications 1X (Commercial)
of Bashkortostan (BCC), EV-DO Rel. 0
(Sotel-Video) (To Launch)
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74 Russia CenterTelecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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75 Russia Chernozem Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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76 Russia Delta Telecom (Sky Link) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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77 Russia Kaliningradskaya Mobile 1X (Commercial)
Systems (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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78 Russia Kaluga Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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79 Russia Khabarovsky Cellular Phone
(Sky Link) 1X (Commercial)
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80 Russia Krasnodar Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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81 Russia Kuzbass Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (KCC), EV-DO Rel. 0
(Sky Net) (To Launch)
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82 Russia Moscow Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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83 Russia Novosibirskay Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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84 Russia Omskay Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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85 Russia Ryazan Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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86 Russia Regional Technical Center 1X (Commercial)
(I-Tell) EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
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87 Russia Rostov Cellular Telephone 1X (Commercial)
(Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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88 Russia Sarastovskay Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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89 Russia SiberTelecom (Wellcom) 1X (Commercial)
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90 Russia Sotel-Nizhniy Novgorod 1X (Commercial)
(Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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91 Russia Tele-Nord JSC (Sky Link) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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92 Russia Tomsktelecom (Wellcom) 1X (To Launch)
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93 Russia Tverskay Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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94 Russia Udmurskay Cellular Networks 1X (Commercial)
(Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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95 Russia Ulyanovskay Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Communications (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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96 Russia Uralsvyazinform (U-Tel) 1X (Commercial)
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97 Russia UralWestcom (Sky Link) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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98 Russia Vlad Telecom (Sky Link) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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99 Russia Volga Telecom (StriZh) 1X (Commercial)
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100 Russia Volgogzad Cellular Network 1X (Commercial)
(Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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101 Russia Vyatskaya Cellular Network 1X (Commercial)
(Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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102 Russia Yeniseytelecom (Wellcom) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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103 Russia Yushno-Siberskaya Cellular 1X (Commercial)
Network (Sky Link) EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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104 Saudi Saudi Telecom Company 1X (Commercial)
Arabia EV-DO Rel. 0
(To Launch)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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105 Sierra
Leone Datatel 1X (To Launch)
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106 Sri Lanka Dialog Broadband Network (DBN) 1X (Commercial)
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107 Sri Lanka Tritel Services (Pvt) Ltd. 1X (To Launch)
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108 Sudan Canar Telecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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109 Suriname Telesur 1X (Commercial)
Rev. A (To Launch)
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110 Sweden Nordisk Mobiltelefon Sweden 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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111 Tajikistan SkyTel Tajikistan 1X (Commercial)
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112 Tajikstan JSC Tajiktelecom 1X (Commercial)
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113 Tajikistan JCS M. Teko 1X (Commercial)
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114 Tanzania Benson Informatics Ltd. (BIL) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
115 Tanzania Tanzania Telecommunications 1X (Commercial)
Company Ltd. (TTCL) EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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116 Togo Togo Telecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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117 Tunisia Tunis Telecom 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rel. 0
(Commercial)
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118 Turkmen-
istan Altyn Asyr (Golden Age) 1X (Commercial)
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119 Uganda Uganda Telecom Ltd. (UTL) 1X (Commercial)
EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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120 Ukraine Ukrainian Mobile 1X (To Launch)
Communications (UMC) EV-DO Rev. A
(Commercial)
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121 Uzbekistan JCS Uzbektelecom 1X (Commercial)
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122 Uzbekistan Uzbek Telecom Mobile 1X (Commercial)
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123 Venezuela CVG 1X (Commercial)
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124 Vietnam EVN Telecom 1X (Commercial)
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125 Zambia Zambia Telecommunications 1X (Commercial)
Company Ltd. (ZAMTEL) EV-DO Rev. A
(To Launch)
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126 Zimbabwe TelOne 1X (Commercial)
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More information on CDMA450 is available at www.cdg.org.
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 275 operators in 102 countries and territories serving more than 450 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 463 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 2,000 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 521 Rel. 0 and 72 Rev. A devices on 105 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0 and 44 Rev. A systems. 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.
The CDG logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911
Note to editors
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.