BB Mobile, Nortel First to Demonstrate HSDPA Wireless Broadband in Japan

• Published in: Marketwire p. 1
• Format: Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Toronto Intrado Digital Media Canada Inc 05.06.2005

(CCNMatthews - Jun 5, 2005) - Supercharged Wireless Broadband Tests Provide Path to Real-Time DVD-Quality Film, Gaming Applications BB Mobile, a SOFTBANK Group company, and Nortel (NYSE:NT)(TSX:NT) have completed what is believed to be Japan's first 'supercharged' wireless data transmission of 14.4 million bits per second (Mbps) -- 30 times faster than today's commercially deployed wireless networks -- using Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology. Live field tests were conducted with mobile handsets on BB Mobile's wireless network built by Nortel. The trial, using the 1.7 GHz radio frequency band for mobile communications, was the first time high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) technology has been demonstrated by any operator or wireless infrastructure supplier in Japan based on published announcements. BB Mobile and Nortel conducted HSDPA testing after a trial license for W-CDMA at 1.7GHz spectrum was issued on May 30, 2005. Nortel will showcase some of the test results during Networld+Interop 2005 Tokyo (Hall 5 - Booth# 5B05) beginning June 6, 2005. By successfully demonstrating supercharged high speeds and reliable transmission of data using HSDPA, BB Mobile and Nortel have taken a significant step forward in evolving BB Mobile's network to meet future demand for mobile broadband communication services. HSDPA is designed to advance wireless capabilities through delivery of new services like real-time DVD quality video, gaming applications, videoconferencing and split-second multimedia collaboration for business. "Nortel is working aggressively to establish a first mover advantage in HSDPA to create a differentiated solution that will position our customers for success," said Peter MacKinnon, president, GSM/UMTS, Nortel. "The trial with BB Mobile demonstrates how this mobile broadband capability elevates the user's experience to a new plateau, and we are proud to be working with innovative operators like BB Mobile." "BB Mobile consistently seeks ways to bring the very best in technology and value to our customers," said Hiroshi Ishihara, Director of Regulatory and External Affairs Department, BB Mobile. "This successful trial with Nortel allows us to take the next step in delivering enhanced features first to our users." HSDPA can significantly reduce operating costs for service providers while delivering high quality communications through more efficient use of existing networks. HSDPA makes it possible for networks to carry 30 times more data traffic and to support up to twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to today's UMTS networks. Nortel recently completed the industry's first HSDPA trial in Israel with Partner Communications. Nortel has also announced a series of industry milestones with leading chipset and data card vendors. Nortel has worked with a number of wireless operators on HSDPA trials and deployments in 2005, including mmO2, Orange (at 3GSM World Congress 2005 in Cannes, France), Vodafone (at CeBIT 2005 in Hanover, Germany) and mobilkom austria. Nortel has demonstrated the maximum data speed enabled by HSDPA -- 14.4 megabits per second -- on commercially-available equipment, including Nortel's UMTS Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and UMTS Radio Network Controller (RNC) and terminals from Ubinetics.