CDMA Development Group Embraces Outcome of ITU IMT-2000 Meeting in Helsinki; CDMA Standard Completes Major Milestone in ITU process - ITU Task Group - Industry Trend or Event

Cambridge Telcom Report, Nov 15, 1999

The CDMA Development Group (CDG) Tuesday released a statement endorsing last week's ITU Task Group 8/1 approval of several CDMA standards as part of its IMT-2000 radio interface recommendation. The CDMA specifications are:

* IMT-2000 CDMA Multi-Carrier
* IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread
* IMT-2000 CDMA TDD

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the discussions in Helsinki last week," commented Perry LaForge, Executive Director of the CDG. "Although a great deal of work remains to fully implement the harmonization agreement reached by the global operators in May 1999, the ITU activity is significant because it includes both 1x, the first phase of CDMA Multi-Carrier, and 3x as full members of the 3G IMT-2000 family."

"Operators worldwide will be able to implement IMT-2000 CDMA Multi-Carrier, as well as CDMA Direct Spread, to obtain 3G services for their subscribers," LaForge added. "The early availability of 1x will enable operators, both those presently deploying cdmaOne and those using other technologies, to obtain near term availability of 3G services."

"Thus, those operators whose regulatory authorities require the ITU designation for deployment are one step closer to being able to launch 3G. This keeps the wireless industry on an aggressive schedule for 3G implementation."

"We hope that standards development organizations worldwide embrace the ITU IMT-2000 recommendation and adopt all the standards referenced by the ITU, so we can move toward truly making it a worldwide standard," said LaForge.

The CDMA Development Group is a non-profit trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA. The 100 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless operators and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of cdmaOne and IMT-2000 CDMA 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 second and third generation CDMA matters. For more information about the CDG, contact Christine Bock of the CDG News Bureau at 1-714-540-1030, ext. 11, e-mail chrisbock@bockpr.com, or visit the CDG Web site at http://www.cdg.org.