COSTA MESA, Calif., July 8, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that the International 450 Association (IA450) has been incorporated as part of the CDG in an effort to broaden its reach and tap into additional resources to support global CDMA450 initiatives and provide increased benefits for its member companies. The merged IA450 will become a CDMA450 Special Interest Group (SIG) within the CDG, continuing its leadership role in promoting CDMA450 worldwide.
As a result of the unanimous vote to merge on June 12, 2008, current members in good standing of the IA450 now have full access to the services offered by the CDG and are eligible for Executive Board membership. Additionally, as CDG members, they will be able to participate on the CDG's technical, advocacy, International roaming and device strategy teams, which help to set the direction of the industry.
"Having the International 450 Association as part of the CDG will enrich our efforts to expand the benefits of CDMA450 around the world," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "This will further strengthen the ability for CDMA2000 in the 450 MHz band to succeed in rapidly growing emerging markets, such as Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Russia."
The IA450 promotes the use of CDMA2000 in the 450 MHz band throughout the world, supporting industry standards and spectrum harmonization efforts to advance the deployment of the technology. CDMA450 is commercially available from 88 operators in 50 countries and is rapidly becoming the technology of choice for emerging markets and rural geographies by taking advantage of the spectral efficiency and high-speed data capabilities of CDMA2000 and the expanded coverage afforded by a lower frequency band.
"The IA450 has succeeded in establishing CDMA450 as one of the most advanced and economically viable solutions for providing 3G services to both rural and urban settings," said Tina Radford, chairman of the IA450. "Combining our efforts with the CDG will broaden our ability to satisfy the increasing demand for affordable telephony and broadband data services in emerging markets. Building upon the momentum we have created, we look forward to working with the CDG to further accelerate the adoption of CDMA450."
More information on CDMA is available at www.cdg.org.
About IA450
The International 450 Association promotes the use of CDMA2000(r) in the 450MHz spectrum and surrounding bands (CDMA450) on a global basis. The primary focus is to provide guidance and support to Operators around the world interested in deploying CDMA450 technology and propose policy positions and recommended actions relating to regulatory and standards matters at a national, regional, and international level. More information about the International 450 Association can be found on the IA450 web site at www.450world.org
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 257 operators in 98 countries serving more than 438 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 451 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 2,005 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 520 Rel. 0 and 65 Rev. A devices on 100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0 and 42 Rev. A systems. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
About CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.
The CDG logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911
Note to editors
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 and CDMA450 are registered trademarks of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.