CDMA World Congress concludes

The CDMA Development Group (CDG) and its member companies revealed the Group's third-generation (3G) evolution strategy for CDMA during the Fifth Annual CDMA World Congress held last week in Hong Kong. The CDG also set the record straight regarding the technology's deployment in China.

The event concluded with more than 1,500 in attendance. Among the participants were Steve Forbes, CEO of Forbes Inc.; Irwin Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm; Won-Pyo Hong, executive vice president of KT Freetel; Se-hyun Oh, vice president for SK Telecom; Craig Farrill, CTO of Vodafone AirTouch; and Brian O'Shaughnessy, vice president of technology development for Bell Mobility.

Among the operators conducting 1X trials or preparing to deploy 1X are: Bell Mobility; Clearnet; DDI; IDO; KT Freetel; LG; SK Telecom; Sprint PCS; Telecom New Zealand; Telstra; Telus Mobility; Verizon Wireless.

CDMA World Congress highlights included:

Steve Forbes Keynote: On Tuesday, June 13, 2000, Steve Forbes formally addressed the CDMA World Congress attendees by discussing the critical role that wireless communications plays in the global high-tech market. Forbes also commented on the significant revenue potential for all involved in the industry, as well as the overall impact that wireless has on the new digital economy.

cdma2000 Evolution Strategy: The CDG formally announced an expanded effort to support the evolution of the cdma2000 1X (IMT-2000 MC 1X) standard to meet the rapidly developing needs associated with wireless data. Referred to as 1xEV (1X evolution), the air interface standard serves as an extension of the existing cdma2000 1X, enabling high speed data capabilities of at least 2 Mb/s and even greater voice capacity in a 1.25 MHz channel. (The standards requirement document can be obtained by contacting the CDG News Bureau at 714-540-1030.)

CDMA in China: The CDG commented on the progress of CDMA technology deployment in China stating that, "Contrary to current media reports, CDMA remains the technology of choice for third generation services in China as it's the technology backbone for all 3G systems. In fact, CDMA is the only wireless air interface that is capable of enabling 3G services as we speak, with SK Telecom expected to offer the world's first 3G commercial service this year."

Edited by Ellen Jensen