IRVING, TEXAS - Nokia (NYSE: NOK), the expert in mobility, confirms that evolution of its CDMA2000 mobile station chipset supporting IS-2000 Release C (also known as 1xEV-DV) is on schedule for field trials with CDMA operators during the 2nd half of 2003. Nokia believes that 1xEV-DV represents the logical next step for incumbent CDMA operators upgrading their existing CDMA2000 1X (IS-2000 Release 0) networks. Already a major supplier of IS-95 and CDMA2000 1x handsets based on Nokia's own chipsets, Nokia plans to develop and market new terminals based on Nokia-designed CDMA2000 1x EV-DV chipsets.
"CDMA operators must carefully choose the next step in evolving their networks and maximizing existing investments from several possible evolution options," said Adam Gould, chief technology officer of CDMA for Nokia Mobile Phones. "The key considerations when choosing an evolution path should be efficient spectrum usage, maximum deployment flexibility, backwards compatibility for legacy handsets and support for the broadest range of applications including those requiring simultaneous voice and high speed data. For operators committed to a CDMA2000 1X migration path, 1xEV-DV is the best evolution option to satisfy these considerations."
CDMA2000 1xEV-DV offers the flexibility to dynamically balance voice and data traffic by allocating bandwidth on demand and allows for the performance of two high-value tasks simultaneously on a single RF section device. Unlike other CDMA standards like 1xEV-DO, 1xEV-DV creates a more attractive cost structure for operators with its combination of flexible network resource allocation and its ability to support concurrent voice and data services.
"Nokia is aggressively moving forward with 1xEV-DV technology development in preparation for the data-intensive products and applications that will be launched in the near future. 1xEV-DV deployment will coincide with increased demand by mobile users for the kinds of data rates it has to offer," continues Gould. "The applications and services now becoming available on 1X networks are creating increased expectations for future service offerings by 1X operators that only evolution to 1xEV-DV can satisfy."
Nokia is currently in discussions with multiple CDMA stakeholders to cooperate in 1xEV-DV interoperability testing and field trials.
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Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
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