Compaq, Datang sign agreement to expand CDMA wireless opps in China

Strengthening its presence in the global communications market, Compaq Computer Corporation signed an agreement with Xi'an Datang Telephone Corp. to jointly expand CDMA wireless opportunities in the rapidly-growing China market. As a manufacturer of telecommunications switching equipment for network operators in China, Datang will build enhanced switching products based on Intelligent Network (IN) technologies from Compaq. Initially, it will focus its efforts on integrating the Compaq home location register (HLR) with its own wireless infrastructure, and enhancing it for deployment in the Chinese market. Going forward, Datang will adopt Compaq's IN platform and services and evolve these elements for the Chinese market.

Compaq's base HLR technology supports roaming services for more than 70 million wireless subscribers worldwide. It is based on Compaq's NonStop Himalaya server. Compaq and Datang have complementary capabilities, and by acting together, they will be able to exploit wireless opportunities in China more swiftly and more comprehensively.

"Compaq believes strongly in the value of partnerships," said Philip Yu, president of Compaq's Greater China Division. "In today's complex markets, no one company can do it all alone. Our agreement today with Datang is a good example. By combining Datang's strength in switching technology with Compaq's strengths in networks and wireless Internet, our two companies together can generate much success in the China wireless market that would not be possible if we acted separately. We look forward to a productive and prosperous relationship with Datang."

Carriers and service providers in China are rapidly developing wireless network infrastructure in anticipation of enormous consumer demand. One of the network operators, China Unicom, is planning to expand its CDMA network in China to accommodate rapid subscriber growth. Its CDMA wireless network will need a highly scalable and highly available off-switch HLR, accompanied by the associated IN solutions.

Edited by Ellen Jensen
Managing Editor, Wireless Networks Online