Alcatel-Lucent and Kyocera Wireless Sign Joint Development
Agreement to Collaborate on the Development of end-to-end WiMAX
Mobile Broadband Solutions
Alcatel-Lucent's Universal WiMAX 802.16e-2005 Infrastructure
to be Coupled With Kyocera end-User Devices to Provide
Anytime, Anywhere Broadband Access
PARIS, September 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Kyocera
Wireless, a leading global manufacturer of wireless phones
and devices, today announced that the two companies have
signed a joint development agreement under which they will
collaborate on the development of end-to-end wireless
broadband solutions based on Universal WiMAX technology. The
solutions will incorporate Alcatel-Lucent's industry-leading
WiMAX network infrastructure -- based on the latest IEEE
802.16e-2005 standards (also called Rev-e) -- and a variety
of wireless end-user devices from Kyocera, including
multimode mobile phones, non-traditional wireless devices,
wireless PC cards and USB devices for PCs.
Under the agreement, the two
companies will cooperate to ensure the rapid development of
WiMAX devices with enhanced mobility features, as well as
multi-mode terminals that can enable seamless
interoperability between WiMAX networks and cellular or
Wi-Fi networks. The joint program will cover the
establishment of specifications, the development and
integration of WiMAX solutions, and the creation of an
interoperability testing (IOT) program to ensure that the
new Kyocera WiMAX devices can operate smoothly on
Alcatel-Lucent's infrastructure. Alcatel-Lucent and Kyocera
anticipate the commercial availability of fully integrated
solutions of WiMAX base stations and terminals from the two
companies in the first half of 2008.
"The collaboration with
Kyocera Wireless represents a further step forward for
Alcatel-Lucent's WiMAX business and enhances our ability to
address end-user demand for mobile broadband services," said
Karim El Naggar, vice president of Alcatel-Lucent's WiMAX
business. "The commitment by Kyocera, a leading, innovative
developer of mobile devices highlights, how WiMAX is
maturing into a truly mass market service featuring an
interesting and attractive selection of devices from leading
manufacturers. Furthermore, this collaboration is an
integral part of our Open CPE Program and reinforces our end
to end offering in the high-end, high-performance CPE
segment."
The agreement expands on
and formalizes an ongoing collaboration between
Alcatel-Lucent and Kyocera on WiMAX solutions. Earlier this
year, the two companies conducted WiMAX demonstrations -
featuring multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) Spatial
Multiplexing technology - at the CTIA Wireless tradeshow and
exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
"As the first device
manufacturer to successfully demonstrate a MIMO-enabled
WiMAX PC Card, Kyocera has sought to collaborate with an
industry leader such as Alcatel-Lucent within the WiMAX
ecosystem to leverage this necessary building block," said
Dave Carey, vice president of Strategic Planning at Kyocera
Wireless. "The promise of WiMAX is not only high-speed
mobile connectivity but also flexibility to move beyond the
traditional handset. We look forward to working closely with
Alcatel-Lucent to develop future MIMO-enabled solutions that
will separate Kyocera from our competitors as a true
integration leader."
Alcatel-Lucent's Universal
WiMAX solution is designed to enable rapid implementation of
voice over IP (VoIP) and broadband services such as mobile
data, video streaming and virtual private network access in
fixed, nomadic and mobile environments. WiMAX is a flexible
technology that enables people to access high-speed,
high-quality broadband wireless services wherever they are
and wherever they go, providing truly "universal" wireless
broadband access.
Alcatel-Lucent's Universal
WiMAX solution integrates the latest technological
innovations, such as "beam forming"(i) and MIMO(ii). Beam
forming enables a service provider to dramatically reduce
the number of radio sites needed to provide coverage- in
some instances by as much as 40 percent - while reducing
interference and ensuring better indoor penetration of radio
signals. MIMO helps make radio links more robust, nearly
doubling the capacity delivered in dense urban environments.
Kyocera's innovative
expertise with antenna diversity lends an advantage with
MIMO-powered WiMAX, which uses multiple antennas to deliver
mobile services three to five times faster than today's
wireless broadband cellular networks, and at a much lower
cost to carriers.
With more than 70 pilots
and deployments across the world and 15 commercial contracts
signed since the beginning of 2007, this new project clearly
underscores Alcatel Lucent's leading position in the WiMAX
market.
About
WiMAX:
WiMAX (802.16e-2005) stands
for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It
enables Voice and Broadband connectivity for fixed, nomadic
or mobile use in urban, suburban and rural areas. For more
information about WiMAX, please click here.
(i) "Beam forming" is an
Advanced Antenna Technology (AAT) that ensures that radio
power is concentrated where the WiMAX terminals are,
adjusting the beam automatically as the terminals move
around the coverage area.
(ii) "MIMO" (Multiple Input
- Multiple Output) is an Advanced Antenna Technology (AAT)
that combines the radio signals transmitted and received on
separate antennas. The technique takes advantage of the
multiple paths and reflections of a radio signal, in effect
using interference to strengthen radio communications,
particularly in densely populated areas where signals can be
degraded by buildings and other physical obstacles.
About
Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext
Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service
providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver
voice, data and video communication services to end-users.
As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband
networking, IP technologies, applications, and services,
Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable
compelling communications services for people at home, at
work and on the move. With operations in more than 130
countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global
reach. The company has the most experienced global services
team in the industry, and one of the largest research,
technology and innovation organizations in the
telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved
adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and
is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in
Paris. [All figures exclude impact of activities transferred
to Thales]. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on
the Internet:
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts
Regine Coqueran
Tel :+33-(0)1-40-76-49-24
regine.coqueran@alcatel-lucent.com
Mary Ward
Tel.: +1-908-582-7658
mary.ward@alcatel-lucent.com
Alcatel-Lucent Investor Relations
Scott Ashby
Tel : +33-(0)1-40-76-29-90
scott.ashby@alcatel-lucent.com
Maria Alcon
Tel: +33-(0)1-40-76-15-17
maria.alcon@alcatel-lucent.com
John DeBono
Tel: +1-908-582-7793
debono@alcatel-lucent.com
Tony Lucido
Tel : +33-(0)1-40-76-49-80
tony.lucido@alcatel-lucent.com
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