 A group of world leading telecom technology manufacturers and network operators
comprised of Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, France Telecom/Orange, Nokia, Nokia Siemens
Networks, Nortel, T-Mobile, and Vodafone have announced a joint initiative.
Leading telecommunications vendors and operators join forces to foster the realisation
of next generation mobile broadband networks based on 3GPP LTE/SAE standards
Paris/France, Stockholm/Sweden, Espoo/Finland, Toronto/Canada, Bonn/Germany,
Munich/Germany, Newbury/England: A group of world leading telecom technology manufacturers
and network operators comprised of Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, France Telecom/Orange,
Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, T-Mobile, and Vodafone have announced a
joint initiative aimed at driving forward the realisation of the next-generation
of high performance mobile broadband networks based on 3GPP Release 8 "Long Term
Evolution / System Architecture Evolution" (LTE/SAE) specifications.
The LTE/SAE Trial Initiative heralds a new chapter for the mobile industry with
network systems targeted to support mobile broadband peak data rates exceeding
100 Mbps. In line with 3GPP requirements, this next-generation technology aims
to provide a mobile broadband service that outperforms both 3GPP Release 6 HSPA,
as well as current fixed line DSL data rates while maintaining and extending the
highly successful mobility and coverage benefits of 3GPP networks such as GSM.
3GPP LTE/SAE networks are expected to enable lower operating costs for operators
as well as higher data-rate, lower latency end-user services, and an improved
end-user wireless mobility experience.
To meet these objectives, LTE radio systems are designed to provide both greater
levels of radio spectrum efficiency through use of new radio transmission schemes
and advanced multi-antenna technologies, and a more flexible utilisation of radio
spectrum through support of carrier bandwidths ranging from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz
(subject to 3GPP ratification).
The companies participating in this initiative will collaborate on demonstrating
the potential of 3GPP LTE/SAE mobile broadband technologies through a series of
joint tests including radio transmission performance tests, early interoperability
tests, field tests and full customer trials. Joint activities will commence in
May 2007, and are expected to run for a period of 18-24 months.
The joint test results will be used by the participating members in ongoing technology
developments and 3GPP LTE standardisation work, and will also help define and
validate operator network launch plans. This initiative will also help validate
the emerging LTE ecosystem including devices and applications, with a view to
enabling commercial deployments in the 2009/2010 timeframe.
This LTE trial initiative will work closely with NGMN* Ltd. to take into account
the NGMN performance requirements.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable
service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data
and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and
converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent
offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services
for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130
countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has
the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest
research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry.
Alcatel-Lucent achieved adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006
and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures
exclude impact of activities transferred to Thales]. For more information, visit
Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
About Ericsson
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications
through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in
more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication
companies in the world. Read more at: http://www.ericsson.com
About France Telecom
France Telecom serves more than 161 million customers in five continents (220
countries or territories) as of March 31, 2007, of which two thirds are Orange
customers. The Group had consolidated sales of 51.7 billion euros in 2006 (12.8
billion euros for the 1st quarter of 2007). Launched in June 2005, the NExT program
(New Experience in Telecommunications) will enable the Group to pursue its transformation
as an integrated operator and make France Telecom the benchmark for new telecommunications
services in Europe. In 2006, Orange became the Group's single brand for Internet,
television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company
operates, and Orange Business Services the brand name for services offered to
businesses worldwide. France Telecom is number three mobile operator and number
one provider of broadband internet services in Europe and one of the world leaders
in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.
France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris and on the New York Stock
Exchange.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth
of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range
of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video,
television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia
also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services.
The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and
fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services
with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. The combined pro-forma net sales
of €17.1 billion Euros in fiscal year 2006 make Nokia Siemens Networks one of
the largest telecommunications infrastructure companies. Nokia Siemens Networks
has operations in some 150 countries and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. It
combines Nokia's Networks Business Group and the carrier related businesses of
Siemens Communications. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that
make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation
technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia
and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help
eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying
networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it.
Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information,
visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile International is one of the world's leading companies in mobile communications.
As one of Deutsche Telekom's three strategic business units, T-Mobile concentrates
on the most dynamic markets in Europe and the United States. By the end of March
2006, more than 106 million mobile customers were served by companies of the Deutsche
Telekom group. And all that over a common technology platform based on GSM, the
world's most successful digital wireless standard. This also makes T-Mobile the
only mobile communications provider with a seamless transatlantic service.
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with
operations in 25 countries across five continents and over 200 million proportionate
customers by the end of January 2007, as well as 36 partner networks. For further
information, please visit www.vodafone.com |
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