Iusacell selects Lucent to expand 3G CDMA2000 network in Mexico

September 26, 2004

Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (Iusacell), a provider of digital wireless telecommunications services in Mexico, and Lucent Technologies announced an agreement to expand Iusacell's 3G CDMA2000 1X network nationwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lucent will supply equipment, software and services for the network expansion, and will deploy new capabilities for Iusacell's Intelligent Network platform, enabling the introduction of prepaid voice and data services. In addition to these enhancements, Iusacell will continue to offer advanced voice and high-speed data services, such as mobile Internet access, at speeds of up to 153 kilobits per second.

"With the expansion of our CDMA2000 1X network, Iusacell will increase its offerings of advanced mobile data services," said Gustavo Guzman, CEO, Iusacell. "This improves our network, increases the existing coverage and capacity, and enhances the availability of our high-speed data network for our users across the country."

"It also supports advanced applications such as ring tone and game downloads, access to productivity tools such as email, cellular 'chat', and the transmission of photos and short videos. This platform will also support voice over IP applications, the basis of the system that emulates 'trunking' networks," added Mr. Guzman.

The expansion projects for Iusacell's network includes 3G services for all of Mexico, growth and network upgrades, a network security platform and all the services associated with this project.

"This expansion will feature our latest and most advanced mobile networking equipment and protect Iusacell's investment, enabling the immediate implementation of CDMA2000 1X services, and supporting the evolution to more advanced CDMA2000 solutions such as 1xEV-DO and 1xEV-DV in the future," said Osvaldo di Campli, Lucent Technologies sales vice president for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.