Partner to launch 3G UMTS modem card

August 26, 2004

Lucent Technologies and Novatel Wireless announced that Partner Communications will offer its customers the Merlin U530 Wireless PC Card Modem, jointly developed by Lucent and Novatel Wireless. Partner expects to launch comprehensive commercial 3G services using its 3G UMTS network in Israel later this year.

The Merlin U530 will enable Partner to offer its customers enhanced services such as high-quality streaming video and audio over PC, secure mobile access to e-mail with large attachments and other information stored behind corporate firewalls at data transfer speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second, while allowing them to be fully mobile.

"This is an important milestone in the rollout process of our 3G network," said Iris Beck, vice president of marketing & content, Partner Communications. "At the beginning of June, we started a controlled launch of our 3G services with around 1,000 customers who were able to experience mobile broadband access, some of them using the Merlin U530 data card from Lucent and Novatel Wireless. The trial was designed to ensure a high quality of the service prior to commercial launch.

"Broadband access is a key element of 3G services," added Beck. "As of next week, our customers will be able to access a service never experienced in Israel - mobile broadband data on their laptop PC. Our customers will be able to read e-mails and access the Internet and corporate information on their laptops using the Merlin U530 PC card at speeds up to 10 times greater than what has been available before."

The UMTS service will be available in the Gush Dan area - Tel Aviv, Givataim, Raanana, with coverage soon expanding to other areas.

"Even when our customers travel abroad, they will be able to enjoy mobile broadband Internet access in many key locations, since we have 3G roaming agreements with nine operators and we continue to expand the international connectivity to our customers," said Dan Eldar, Partner's vice president,Carrier and International Relations.

"The Merlin U530 cards will enable Partner's customers to take advantage of the high-speed mobile data services that 3G UMTS networks make possible," said David Poticny, president, Lucent Europe, Middle East and Africa. "These services are particularly attractive to business users, and these agreements put Partner in an ideal position to start tapping the enormous demand for mobile data services in the business market."