3Com supplies critical wireless technology for new sprint Wireless Web service

Sprint`s wireless division has announced that 3Com is supplying an integral part of the underlying wireless data access technology for its new Sprint PCS Wireless Web service. 3Com`s CDMA InterWorking Function (IWF) is the only circuit-switched wireless data access gateway solution for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks such as the all-digital, nationwide Sprint PCS network.

Sprint operates in the United States and is one of the world`s largest carriers of Internet Traffic, explains Sue Dagge, carrier account manager at 3Com SA. "We provide the network infrastructure platform that enables Sprint PCS` easy-to-use, breakthrough service. It helped enable Sprint PCS to take its place ahead of all its competitors in the wireless industry," she says.

She says that unlike some wireless carriers that have announced wireless data products, the introduction of the Sprint PCS Wireless Web service is not a limited geographic trial or test launch. "It will be launched full-scale and throughout the US in late September to the nearly 4 million subscribers of Sprint PCS, the fastest-growing U.S. wireless carrier," she says.

3Com`s CDMA IWF platform serves as a gateway between wireless CDMA and wireline networks. Use of 3Com`s patent-pending IWF QuickNet Connect feature eliminates the need for a network modem, providing mobile users with direct digital access to the Internet and corporate intranets, explains Dagge.

"3Com`s CDMA IWF platform allows fast setup times and eliminates the need for wireless modems, which allows users to save a lot of money," she says. "The CDMA IWF equipment connects directly to wireless switches to provide the interworking and protocol conversions required to deliver circuit-switched data capabilities to mobile data users."

According to Dagge, 3Com is the only company offering a complete CDMA IWF wireless data access solution in the industry today. "Our equipment provides transparent, high-speed, reliable CDMA data connections for a full spectrum of devices including Palm Computing connected organisers, laptops, PDAs, and new smartphones, enabling Sprint PCS to offer mobile users data connectivity to the Internet and private corporate networks," she says.

She explains that 3Com`s IWF technology is based on 3Com`s award-winning Total Control multiservice access platform, which provides telecommunications carriers and service providers a powerful and highly reliable networking solution. "This includes support for remote access, carrier-grade IP telephony, IP fax, virtual private networking (VPN) and other converged voice, video and data applications," she adds.