Announces Latvian contract
Nortel Networks has been awarded a supply agreement by Telekom Baltija to deploy a CDMA2000 1X network for Latvia. Deployment of the network, which will operate in the 450 MHz radio spectrum, is already underway. Telekom Baltija expects to launch the CDMA network in the second quarter of 2004 and offer commercial service beginning in the third quarter of 2004.
Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSX: NT] has been awarded a supply
agreement by Telekom Baltija to deploy a CDMA2000 1X network that will be used to provide wireless voice and high-speed mobile data coverage for Latvia.
Deployment of the network, which will operate in the 450 MHz radio spectrum, is already underway. Telekom Baltija expects to launch the CDMA network in the second quarter of 2004 and offer commercial service beginning in the third quarter of 2004. Wireless service offerings will be based on enhanced quality voice and high-speed mobile and fixed data transmission services.
“We are providing Telekom Baltija with a cost-effective 450 MHz wireless voice and data solution based on its specific business needs,” said Steve Searles, vice president, marketing, CDMA/TDMA, Nortel Networks. “This will help position Telekom Baltija to usher in a new era of wireless services in Latvia.”
“We plan to implement in Latvia one of the most progressive and advantageous mobile technologies in the world – CDMA,” said Michael Zotov, chairman of the board, A/S Telekom Baltija. “The key to success is a trusting relationship between the technology provider and operator. We are very pleased to be working with Nortel Networks, who we view as the most
experienced CDMA technology provider.”
Nortel launches CDMA 450 portfolio
The contract announcement coincides with Nortel’s official launch of its CDM 450 product set.
The CDMA 450 products, built on Nortel Networks Metro Cell base station solution, are designed to be the most flexible available in the industry today.
CDMA 450 is a standard for use in countries transitioning to digital wireless service from Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) 450 analogue service and in countries advocating universal access to voice and data. Because ofthe lower radio spectrum, CDMA 450 has the advantage of covering a significantly larger geographical footprint compared to traditional cellular systems. This means fewer cell sites, lower capital expenditures and no need for licensed operators to acquire additional spectrum.
“We have been testing and deploying CDMA 450 over the past year and, based on the successes of these networks, we have brought to market what we believe is the most robust, cost-efficient solution available to operators today,” said Steve Searles, vice president, marketing, CDMA/TDMA, Nortel Networks. “CDMA 450 is gathering momentum and attention across Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America because it is relatively inexpensive to deploy and is ideal for covering vast regions and less densely populated areas.”
Leveraging its experience in deploying large CDMA-based networks globally and its existing product portfolio, Nortel Networks has designed its CDMA 450 products as dedicated, standalone radios. This provides operators with a cost-effective means of building on existing NMT450 infrastructure to expand and digitize voice and data services in both rural and urban environments.
Nortel Networks native radio solution reduces site power requirements by as much at 25 percent and eliminates the need for frequency shifter hardware, which can significantly decrease site deployments costs. Each radio can support three carriers, which can be easily activated individually via software. CDMA2000 1X and CDMA 1xEV-DO are also integrated in the same base station to enable operators to customize their mix of coverage and costs, and reduce site acquisition costs.
In addition to the contract with Telekom Baltija in Latvia, Nortel Networks is conducting CDMA 450 trials with a number of operators across Eastern Europe, and has just completed a CDMA 450 trial with UralWestcom, a joint venture between
Russian Telecommunications Development Corporation (RTDC) and Ural Svyaz Inform.