Woodlock Named UWCC Asia Pacific Regional Director.

Business Editors

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 1999

The Universal Wireless Communications Consortium (UWCC) has announced the appointment of Clive Woodlock as its director for the Asia Pacific Region.

Woodlock, who will be based in Hong Kong, has more than 33 years experience in the telecommunications industry, with the past 12 years devoted to projects in Asia's wireless industry.

"With the 61 percent increase in TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) subscribers throughout the world, Clive will assist with implementing the UWCC's global strategic plan to support deployment of TDMA technology in the Asia Pacific countries," commented Chris Pearson, vice president of marketing for the UWCC. "This position was created to explore how the TDMA standard can help further develop the telecommunications infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region."

Woodlock will work with the telecommunications operators, infrastructure vendors and trade associations, as well as regulatory agencies in the Asia Pacific region. His primary role is to educate these entities on the benefits of TDMA, WIN (Wireless Intelligent Network) and the wireless data standard know as Enhanced Date Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE).

Woodlock has extensive international experience in business and project management with several telecommunications companies. Before joining the UWCC, he was chief technical officer of Star Digitel Ltd. in Hong Kong and spent more than 30 years with Cable & Wireless on assignments throughout the world. He has earned the title of Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and is a member of the Advisory Peer Group for Applied Computing of the Open University of Hong Kong.

Ericsson Presents Visions and Strategies Behind Next Generation Network Success

Ericsson presented its visions and strategies for next generation multi-service networks at a special event in New York City for customers, the media and analysts. Some 10 wireline operators have already selected Ericsson's next generation solutions during 1999. These commercial network contracts are worth more than USD 800 million, which the company estimates to be more than 35 percent of the world market. The event, called "Get Insp(w)ired," includes briefings by senior Ericsson executives on Ericsson's overall vision of IP, mobility and applications, with special focus on the transition of voice, data and video from wireline and wireless circuit based networks to multi-service, IP packet based networks. This is the second event in a tour that began in Paris last month and will continue in Latin America and Europe.

A mini-fair will feature a live demonstration of Ericsson's next generation multi-service network solution, range of services and value-added user applications. Ericsson is the first vendor in the industry to show a live demonstration of a next generation network, circuit-to-packet migration solution. The company is also the first vendor to receive a substantial order for the solution.

Ericsson's multi-service network offerings provide end-to-end solutions for all network operators and service providers, whether wireline or wireless, incumbent or new, national or international. Ericsson's solution enables operators to move from a series of linked, single service networks for access, transport and switching to one multi-service network that efficiently supports a service mix across both circuit and packet switched traffic.

Ericsson offers a total IP Telephony solution, including voice and SS7 signaling gateways, software and applications. This provides operators with the reliability, security, capacity and Quality of Service for Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions their users require from standard switched telephony services.

User services, including a range of applications from e-commerce to multimedia services, are also on show, as well as solutions for efficient multi-service network management.

AT&T Wireless and Ericsson Create Overlay System to Boost Capacity in High Traffic Markets

In response to the tremendous increase in demand for wireless services, Ericsson and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (AWS) have created an overlay network that increases network capacity by adding new radio hardware and making efficient use of available spectrum.

This is the first application of its kind for AWS. The network currently serves customers in the heavily populated Miami market and will serve as a prototype for use in AWS' other high-density markets.

The overlay system combines service on both the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. This dual-band approach will boost network capacity by automatically directing calls involving multi-band terminals to the band with the best level of service at the time. Users of single-band terminals will also benefit from the overall increased capacity of the system.

AWS installed Ericsson 1900 MHz radio base stations in 12 of the Miami area's most heavily used cell sites, each of which also contains Ericsson 850 MHz equipment. In addition, Ericsson switching system software has been upgraded to add significant call-handling capacity. No additional switch hardware is necessary.

"The demand for AT&T's wireless voice and data services is quite high as we add hundreds of thousands of new customers each month," said Greg Slemons, executive vice president for Wireless Network Services at AWS. "Since the amount of spectrum to carry calls is limited, we need to seek new ways to increase capacity with technology. We intend to monitor any and all new technologies that will help us create more room for wireless calls on our network."

Nortel Networks Signs Supply Deal With AT&T for Digital Wireless

With a unique e-business relationship designed to enable more rapid response to continued, strong demand for wireless services, Nortel Networks has secured a supply agreement with AT&T for wireless network equipment and services that could be worth US$600 million over three years.

A key part of the multi-vendor strategy AT&T announced in August, Nortel Networks plans to leverage this relationship to play a role in increasing the capacity, coverage, reliability and cost efficiency of the nationwide AT&T Wireless network.

"This relationship with Nortel Networks will help us stay ahead of growing wireless demand as reflected in the success of many of our bundled services, including Digital One Rate and AT&T's Wireless Family Plan," said Dan Hesse, president and CEO, AT&T Wireless Services.

Nortel Networks is expected to supply TDMA ANSI-136 wireless equipment and services in Arizona, California (including Los Angeles), Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Nortel Networks also expects to play a role in the evolution of the AT&T Wireless network to 3G.IP, an IP (Internet Protocol) architecture for third-generation (3G) mobile communications services.

Movilnet and Ericsson Sign Agreement for Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services

Ericsson and Telecomunicaciones Movilnet C.A. Venezuela have signed a USD 200 million (SEK 1,720 million) frame agreement detailing the technological requirements to continue the expansion of the Movilnet TDMA network. The agreement also covers joint activities for introducing EDGE technology, setting the stage for Movilnet to introduce Third Generation (3G) mobile services.

With this new network, Movilnet will be able to offer Wireless Mobile Multimedia services to users in a very competitive time frame and will be one of the first operators in South America to introduce a 3G network.

Movilnet began aggressive modernization of its network from analog to digital technology in 1995. This latest agreement is a continuation of the company's strategy of exploiting the capabilities of data applications to offer users increasingly sophisticated and competitive services.

"The role of telecommunications will be even more important to our futures, particularly taking into account the demand for mobility; in all aspects of business and private life," says Guillermo Olaizola, president of Movilnet. "Applications development is racing ahead and will be able to satisfy these demands, so operators must also understand them and be ready to satisfy their customers in a timely fashion."

"This new agreement with Movilnet confirms the strength of the partnership between our two companies. It is especially satisfying to be able to work with Movilnet to prepare the way for introduction of an EDGE Third Generation network and services," said Olle Ulvenholm, president of Ericsson Venezuela, adding that, "TDMA is an excellent and powerful platform for the deployment of multimedia services."