Motorola, Lucent Team for Interoperability Trial
Interoperability processes mobile telephone traffic over a multi-vendor wireless CDMA network environment. In Portland, Sprint PCS used Motorola's radio frequency (RF) sub-system deploying the 3G-capable, four-carrier SC 4812 radio base stations and centralized base site controllers (CBSCs) with Lucent's mobile switching centers. Motorola's radio base stations already are interoperating commercially with Nortel's mobile switching center in Oklahoma City, where trials occurred in February.
Sprint PCS and its major infrastructure vendors last year pioneered and developed IOS, which enabled interoperability between major components of wireless networks—mobile switching centers and base station subsystems from different vendors of CDMA equipment. Because Sprint PCS and other carriers now can have this flexibility in vendor choice, they will be able to pick the highest-quality components without any limitations in choice due to geography.
"The field trial just completed in Portland was a success," said Oliver Valente, Sprint PCS vice president of Technology and Advance Systems Development. "We again have demonstrated that IOS is an enormous benefit for wireless operators nationwide because it brings manufacturers together in ways that never would have occurred under the former rules of competitive engagement."
Prior to two commercial trials, interoperability tests with Motorola's networks and multi-vendor switches were conducted in Motorola's Fort Worth, TX, lab and in the Sprint PCS Lenexa, KS, lab.
Edited by Ellen Jensen