LONDON, April 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that CDMA2000(r) continues to rapidly expand across the European continent, a testimonial to the performance and affordability of the world's leading 3G technology. There are now 24 operators in 16 countries in the region that have deployed or are planning to deploy CDMA2000 in the 450 and 800 MHz frequency bands -- the number of operators has doubled in less than two years. In total, Europe is now covered by 15 commercial CDMA2000 1X networks, 11 EV-DO Release 0 (Rel. 0) networks and nine EV-DO Revision A (Rev. A) networks. Operators are using CDMA2000 to economically deliver advanced 3G telephone and broadband services to varying topologies and population densities. Competition from these networks is driving 3G penetration in Europe by offering businesses and consumers a more affordable and enhanced user experience.
With increasing global economies of scale, the cost of CDMA2000 devices has dropped significantly in the past year. According to the Yankee Group, the lowest average selling price (ASP) of CDMA2000 1X handsets worldwide is half that of UMTS -- a trend that is expected to continue well into the next decade(1). Today there are more than 1,950 CDMA2000 devices commercially available around the world, including 107 CDMA450 devices.
Joe Lawrence, vice president of marketing for the CDG commented, "We see the proliferation of CDMA2000 throughout Europe as a positive trend that will encourage further innovation, service differentiation and the expansion of 3G broadband data services into underserved markets -- especially in Eastern Europe. From a consumer's perspective, this healthy competition between carriers drives a greater selection of services, more affordability and an enhanced user experience."
In late 2007, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approved the 450 MHz frequency band for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services. This landmark decision has stimulated the allocation of 450-470 MHz spectrum and the deployment of CDMA450 networks, the only commercially-viable option available in this frequency band. CDMA450 supports all of the advanced services enabled by CDMA2000, including mobile broadband and DSL replacement, VoIP, push-to-talk (PTT) and video telephony, first-responder and emergency services, broadcast and multicast, and location-based services.
The following URL is a list of European operators offering CDMA2000 services: http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp?h_area=3D2&h_technology=3D999.
More information on CDMA is available at www.cdg.org.
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 255 operators in 99 countries, including 91 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 418 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 431 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 1,950 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 500 1xEV-DO and 48 Rev. A devices. 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.
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Note to editors
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
1. Yankee Group, CDMA2000 and UMTS ASP trends, January 2008