Alcatel conducts first 3G multimedia call on a UMTS network in Malaysia
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Paris and Kuala Lumpur, August 3, 2002 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE:ALA) announced yesterday that it has conducted the first voice, data and video communications on the end-to-end UMTS trial system installed in Kuala Lumpur by Alcatel. For the very first time in Malaysia, a UMTS infrastructure network carries not only voice communications in circuit mode but also allows the transfer of data and high-speed video images in packet mode, in full compliance with W-CDMA 3GPP standards. These calls were demonstrated to the media in Kuala Lumpur today.

Numerous tests have confirmed the Alcatel Evolium(TM) UMTS infrastructure's quality in the area of high-speed data and video transfers. Whether for videophony calls between two 3G handsets, surfing the Internet (Web Browsing), having on-line access to information, images or videos (Video Streaming and Downloading), or for transmitting video images from a remote Webcam. The Alcatel 3G/UMTS pilot network provides data rates of up to 384 kbit/s.

Alcatel installed in Kuala Lumpur its complete Evolium(TM) solution including the UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) radio systems, the Core network; as well as the associated Radio Network Controller (RNC) and a dedicated Application Service platform. The radio systems, which include the UMTS base stations (Node B) are developed and produced by Evoium SAS, the joint venture between Alcatel and Fujitsu.

"In 2000, Alcatel provided Malaysia with the first end-to-end GPRS solution. Today, we are proud to bring the real 3G age to Malaysia by conducting the first mobile multimedia call here,’’ said John Quaeyhaegens, Country Senior Officer of Alcatel Malaysia. ‘’3G offers great potential for end-users because of the high bandwidths available for wireless multimedia applications in addition to voice calls. Today’s call proves that Alcatel is the only vendor to have 3G networks already operational, which can support the full range of 3G applications."

"A recent study by Pyramid Research concluded that there are already 350,000 subscribers in Malaysia that can afford mobile data applications costing between US$10-$20 a month (RM40-75). This makes Malaysia one of the most attractive markets for high-bandwidth services in South East Asia. 3G operators will certainly be looking to the kinds of applications Alcatel has demonstrated today to lure those subscribers and capture that potential," said John Barrett, Asia Pacific Senior Analyst with Pyramid Research.

SOURCE Alcatel Press Release Back to News Reports

Qualcomm adds Wi-Fi to mobile phones (Back to News Reports)

3 August 2002 - Cell phone heavyweight Qualcomm plans to put Wi-Fi capabilities into tens of millions of mobile phone chips, a Qualcomm spokesman said Monday.

Qualcomm, which licenses mobile phone designs to manufacturers and makes chipsets, is the latest company to begin merging cell phones with the Wi-Fi wireless networks, which create a wireless network extending about 300 feet. But it is still undecided as to just when the company will finish development work and ship the first chips, the spokesman said.

Qualcomm declined to comment further on its plans for the new chips. Analysts say Qualcomm intends to begin designing and selling cellular phone chips with Wi-Fi inside to keep pace with the rest of the wireless industry, which is already selling such hybrid devices.

The wireless industry considers Wi-Fi a way to augment cell phone networks. Because Wi-Fi networks can also ferry voice calls, these networks could be used in the future to improve cell phone reception in buildings, where cellular coverage is traditionally poor.

Wi-Fi could also be used as a way for carriers, for now, to meet the hype of so-called 3G, or third-generation, wireless Web networks. The carriers are promising a wireless networks capable of speeds that make it easy to download music on a cell phone, among other features.

Downloading anything of any size to a cell phone or PDA (personal digital assistant) is a real task. That's where Wi-Fi comes in. It could be used to do the "heavy lifting", according to Cahners In-Stat analyst Allen Nogee. For instance, a cell phone able to access a Wi-Fi network could use Wi-Fi to download a huge document to a personal computer, which has more computing power than a cell phone, for example.

"There is some very real potential to offloading some of the voice calls onto Wi-Fi," said Keith Waryas, a wireless analyst with IDC.

Qualcomm is considered one of the bigger pieces of the Wi-Fi and cellular hybrid puzzle. The San Diego-based company says it controls all the necessary patents for CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), a technology at the heart of about 20 percent of the world's wireless phones and phone networks.

The makers of cell phones using GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), an open standard in about 70 percent of the world's phones, including Europe, have already created some hybrid products. BT has begun offering a hybrid phone and wireless service. In the United States, AT&T Wireless is said to be part of "Project Rainbow", an Intel-led initiative to create a nationwide wireless Wi-Fi network.

Nokia, which makes about 40 percent of the world's phones, intends to add Wi-Fi into some future wireless devices. It already has begun selling a wireless modem for laptops and PDAs (personal digital assistants) that can access both a cellular phone and Wi-Fi network.

"All the GSM guys are going to do it," Waryas said.

SOURCE ZDNet News Back to News Reports

Hutchison Outlines 3G Plans (Back to News Reports)

Hutchison Whampoa, the parent company of Hutchison 3G in the UK, has confirmed that it will launch next generation mobile phone services in the UK and Italy in October of this year. However, the Hong Kong-based company admitted that users may suffer problems with dropped calls.

Speaking yesterday in a hastily arranged press conference, group MD Canning Fok reassured reporters that Hutchison 3G's network will be the best in the areas where his own company provides the coverage. The briefing for journalists was convened after the UK Sunday Times reported on possible problems with 3G calls. Fok admitted that dropped calls were inevitable, but he insisted that every network has such problems. According to Fok, the problems are likely to occur during the network "hand-over" as users travel from Hutchison's 3G coverage area to zones where only GSM is available.

Hutchison says it plans to cover 50% of the UK and Italian populations with their 3G networks at launch. The Hong Kong company plans to plough around US$16.7 billion into its European 3G networks by 2005.

In the UK, Hutchison plans to have some 3,500 3G base stations up and running by its October launch, with 2,200 in Italy. By the end of 2003 these figures should swell to 6,000 sites in each market.

The company has set itself the modest target of adding between 5,000 and 10,000 new customers in each country during its first month of operation. Fok also said he regarded the decision by spanish operator Telefónica Moviles to rein in its foreign ambitions in the 3G field as a plus for his company. "One less competitor is better for our business," he said.

SOURCE Hutchison Whampoa Press Release Back to News Reports

T-Mobile Launched new camera phone
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1 August 2002 - T-Mobile was the first network in the UK to launch picture messaging and is now setting the standard again by launching its own handset. The T-Mobile i128 is a unique phone with a large colour screen, polyphonic ring tones and a unique digital camera attachment which allows users to take photos and upload them on to their phone. They can also then transfer the images from the phone to their PC and send them via email to friends and family. There is a feature to save photos of friends and family on the handset, to appear on screen when they call. The i128 is available now on contract in T-Mobile Retail, Ace, Fonehouse and Chitter Chatter at £79.99 and in Argos on Pay As You Go at £199.95. Make sure you look out for it!

SOURCE T-Mobile UK Back to News Reports

Amiga games to be available on the new Z100 Sendo phone (Back to News Reports)

1 August 2002 - Amiga, Inc. and Sendo announced today that Amiga Anywhere and Amiga Anywhere content will be shipped with, and extended content made available for the Sendo multimedia Z100 Smartphone. The applications are being developed by the highly talented Amiga Development Community and range from well-known games to messaging services and business applications from Amiga's impressive catalogue and its long standing position as a pioneer in multimedia development.

The Z100 Smartphone's large colour screen and the processing power of the device make it an ideal phone for games and multimedia entertainment.

Amiga Anywhere Applications will be available for the Sendo Z100 via download as well as by SD based Game Card's known as Amiga Anywhere Entertainment Packs.

The first Entertainment Pack features four unsurpassed applications that are a testament to the innovation of the Amiga development community. A Casino Game pack and Arcade packs are to follow in short order. It is anticipated that hundreds more titles are to follow this year, with increased wireless functionality.

"Both Amiga and our development community look forward to working with Sendo to bring leading edge applications to operator partners and end users of the Sendo Z100. In Sendo, we have found a partner that will surely play a huge role in defining the mobile experience," said Bill McEwen, President and CEO Amiga Inc.

"Amiga and their development community are known for their innovation and multi-media capabilities. Sendo is excited to offer this content and services to our partners and customers," said Hugh Brogan CEO of Sendo.

The Z100 Smartphone will be available through premier carriers and partners throughout the world.

SOURCE Sendo Press Release Back to News Reports