Alcatel demonstrates HSDPA services in Russia

May 11, 2006

Alcatel has successfully demonstrated HSDPA services for VimpelCom, a international provider of telecommunications services operating under the "Beeline" brand in Russia and Kazakhstan. The demonstration took place in Alcatel Moscow's 3G Reality Centre where the speed of 3.2 Mb/s through air interface was achieved.

The HSDPA demonstration consisted of wireless data calls including streaming video and using HSDPA 3.6 Mb/s Data Card from Alcatel's partner, Option. Alcatel's current HSDPA solution supports all terminal categories defined by the 3GPP standard, notably Categories 8 and 10 (7.2 Mb/s and 14.4 Mb/s) from day one, with no need for modification to the network.

The HSDPA demo relies on Alcatel' s multi-standard Evolium radio solutions, designed to adapt to the constant evolution of cellular networks, enabling seamless coexistence of GSM/EDGE and 3G capabilities in the same radio equipment. Furthermore, thanks to its built-in software modularity, the solution will subsequently allow a smooth software-based introduction of HSDPA/HSUPA when the local market requires these functionalities, thus enabling a future-safe and cost-effective path for the operator.

"This demonstration at the 3GRC confirms Alcatel's strategy based on multi-standard evolutionary solutions, which natively integrate the entire family of GSM/UMTS radio technologies into one platform," said Patrick Plas, Vice-president of Alcatel's mobile communication activities in Central & Eastern Europe. "This illustrates Alcatel's commitment to bringing to market an end-to-end solution for fully fledged HSDPA-enhanced services. Alcatel has on-going HSDPA-based projects in Europe and is supporting operators in Russia to successfully introduce this technology as part of its user-centric universal broadband access strategy."