Lucent unveils CDMA2000 products for emerging markets

November 15, 2006

Lucent Technologies unveiled several new CDMA2000 products ideal for wireless service providers that desire to provide high-quality 3G mobile voice and high-speed data services in emerging markets. These cost-effective and compact base station and switching platforms also can help reduce operating expenses.

Several wireless service providers are already receiving shipments of these products, which include the Lucent Mobility Manager Compact, a switching platform that handles the call processing and mobility management functions in a CDMA network. Lucent also introduced the Packet Switch Compact, a switching platform with a reduced footprint that can grow to increase capacity as needed, and the Lucent CDMA Base Station 4400, which provides operational savings due to its small footprint and efficient power utilization.

"Typically, service providers in emerging markets demand cost-competitive, scalable, and reliable products that can provide significant investment protection so that they can easily and cost-effectively upgrade their existing infrastructure as their subscriber base grows and the need to support the latest technological advancements arises," said Mary Chan, vice president of global Mobility research and development, Lucent Technologies. "We're meeting all of these needs with the products we've introduced today."

Mike Iandolo, president of Mobility Access Solutions for Lucent Technologies, added, "CDMA is a large and sustainable market with growth opportunities in the emerging markets segment. The products we've introduced today will help Lucent better compete for business in this space."

Lucent CDMA Base Station 4400

The Lucent CDMA Base Station 4400 is an ultra-compact base station, ideal for small to medium capacity network deployments. Its small footprint saves on real estate and operational support costs. The product supports CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision 0 and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A technology, as well as IP (Internet Protocol) backhaul capabilities.

Built on Lucent's OneBTS base station platform for 3G spread-spectrum technologies, the Base Station 4400 can support 850 MHz spectrum. Currently, the indoor version is generally available. The outdoor version will be available early next year.

Lucent Mobility Manager Compact

The Mobility Manager Compact supports CDMA2000 1X voice and data services and advanced features such as IP backhaul. It also has an improved design that maximizes call processing power.

Lucent Packet Switch Compact

The Packet Switch Compact is a scaleable switching solution that enables operators to add capacity as needed, providing significant investment protection. It also supports the evolution to IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) via its support for IP applications.

When deploying this system in remote or rural areas, the switching and vocoding functions can be moved closer to the base stations while maintaining a central Mobility Manager and home location register. This can help operators reduce backhaul costs.

"Emerging markets continue to be a growth opportunity for all wireless technologies," noted Peter Jarich, principal analyst with Current Analysis. "Opex-efficient base stations are a key component of any developing market offer. Flexible switching assets - along with credible professional services capabilities - are equally important."