LG Electronics, Nortel Demonstrate 'Supercharged' Experience for Streaming Video, Music Downloads to Consumers

Business Wire, March 3, 2005

CHATEAUFORT, France -- Complete First Consumer Handset-Based HSDPA 'Drive' Calls

Nortel (NYSE:NT) (TSX:NT) and LG Electronics (KSE:06657) have completed the industry's first live test calls using a commercial handset solution for the emerging broadband wireless technology, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).

The companies have demonstrated real-world experiences of 'supercharged' broadband services that can help wireless operators generate new revenues through high-resolution interactive gaming, multimedia music downloads, DVD-quality film and video, Mobile TV, 'push-to-watch' services, and access to large e-mail attachments.

"Based on the success of our interoperability program, I expect Nortel to be the first to market with a complete, end-to-end HSDPA solution with integrated consumer devices," said Peter MacKinnon, president, GSM/UMTS, Nortel. "Our recent string of industry firsts and technology milestones continues to prove our leadership in HSDPA and other emerging broadband wireless technologies."

"LG Electronics is proud to achieve this milestone with Nortel, and to drive the industry forward in delivering true broadband mobile services to end users," said Skott Ahn, executive vice president, LG Electronics. "This practical demonstration is a big step forward towards the realization of commercial HSDPA services and an important validation of the enhanced performance HSDPA will bring to carriers."

The companies completed drive calls using commercially-available UMTS network infrastructure from Nortel and an LG HSDPA handset slated for commercial availability in late 2005. Downloads of pop music songs and three-minute streaming movie clips (the LG device served as a modem to a PC screen) were completed in a moving automobile to demonstrate real-world stability at speeds up to 1.4 megabits per second (mbps).

By making more efficient use of the existing network and boosting throughput, HSDPA significantly reduces operating costs while delivering a better end user experience. HSDPA boosts network capacity to carry up-to-three times as much data traffic and up to twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to today's UMTS networks. HSDPA speeds network throughput to five times faster than today's commercial third generation (3G) networks to deliver broadband services comparable to DSL or ADSL.

Nortel recently announced a series of industry milestones with leading chipset and data card vendors, and is working with a number of global operators, including mmO2, on HSDPA trials and deployments in 2005.

Nortel has demonstrated the maximum data speed enabled by HSDPA -- 14.4 mbps -- on commercially-available equipment including its UMTS Base Transceiver stations and UMTS Radio Network Controller, along with terminals supplied by Ubinetics. Nortel's equipment is designed to be HSDPA-ready and to cost-effectively upgrade to support HSDPA through a simple software installation.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE:06657) is a global force in electronics, information and communications products with 2004 annual sales of US $38 billion (consolidated). With more than 66,000 employees working in 76 subsidiaries in 39 countries around the world, LG Electronics is comprised of four main business companies including Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance, Digital Display, and Digital Media.

LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is the world's leading manufacturer of WCDMA (UMTS), CDMA and GSM handsets, and the fastest growing manufacturer of mobile phones worldwide. The company provides a total range of wired and wireless solutions, and is rapidly establishing a global presence as it cultivates international market share in 3G handsets. For more information please visit www.lge.com.

About UbiNetics

UbiNetics is the world leader in the supply of innovative 3G, 2.5G and 2G (WCDMA/GPRS/GSM) IP solutions for chipset and terminal manufacturers, and 3G Test and Measurement equipment. Its experience in wireless technology positions the company at the centre of 3G developments.

The company's WCDMA Test Mobiles, used by global 3G infrastructure manufacturers and network operators, position UbiNetics at the center of WCDMA interoperability testing. Products such as the SystemAT test system for network and service verification and the TM500 Test Mobile, being supplied for early HSDPA trials, further strengthen this position.

UbiNetics also provides 2G, 2.5G, 3G and HSDPA protocol software and physical layer IP for use by chipset and handset developers and manufacturers. ODMs can take advantage of UbiNetics' embedded modules and reference designs for 3G-enabled handsets. Using UbiNetics' considerable experience in deploying multi-mode 3G technology, chip and device manufacturers can de-risk and accelerate their product developments.

Since the company was formed in 1999, UbiNetics has grown to over 400 employees with operations in Cambridge, U.K.; Japan and Hong Kong, with R&D facilities in Swindon, U.K.; Bangalore, India and Shenzhen, China. Further information about UbiNetics can be found at www.ubinetics.com.