AT&T Wireless Services has signed a letter of intent to purchase advanced IP (Internet Protocol) infrastructure equipment from Nortel Networks for its next generation of high-performance Wireless Internet services.
Once the agreement is executed, Nortel Networks will supply a complete new core network infrastructure for AT&T Wireless. Nortel Networks will also work with AT&T Wireless on creation of an application lab focusing on development and integration of innovative Wireless Internet services.
"This deal follows on major European UMTS network awards recently won by Nortel Networks. Estimated to be worth a total of more than US$ 1.8 billion, these include a five-year contract with BT Cellnet in the UK, a 12-month build out for Airtel in Spain, and a three-year deal with Xfera, also in Spain," says Malcolm Bayes, Country Manager for South Africa and VP of Nortel Networks sub-Saharan Africa region.
Supporting the latest, third generation (3G) global wireless standards, this network will enhance communications and enable mobile commerce for AT&T Wireless subscribers by enabling delivery of high-speed Wireless Internet access, video, data, graphics and other broadband multimedia services directly to the very latest handheld mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop and notebook computers, and other advanced, personal computing devices.
"This new network will begin to enable many of the futuristic conveniences and services now only imagined in TV commercials," says Bayes.
"We share a common vision with AT&T for how we can evolve today`s wireless networks with third generation technology to move these types of services from vision to reality - and sooner rather than later," he says.
"We have developed considerable experience with the Nortel Networks core infrastructure through our GPRS high-speed trial running since June 2000," points out Mohan Gyani, president and chief executive officer, AT&T Wireless Services.
"We selected Nortel Networks because of its broad portfolio of network services and platform capabilities in supporting IP core networks, which will allow us to offer different classes of wireless data services to our customers."
Selection by AT&T Wireless for its new core network reinforces Nortel Networks growing global leadership position in solutions for building the high-performance Wireless Internet. Nortel Networks `Wings of Light` strategy combines optical, wireless and IP technologies to help operators profitably provide highly reliable, high-speed access to broadband Internet services virtually `anytime, anywhere.`
"Nortel Networks has demonstrated a significant commitment of technology in continuing support of our successful TDMA network," adds Gyani. "They will bring this continued level of expertise to deployment of our third generation network."
The Nortel Networks IP core network infrastructure solution for AT&T Wireless will support evolution from today`s second generation wireless standards to 2.5G and 3G standards including GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System).
"This new technology will enable AT&T to offer its customers enhanced, high-speed data services and international roaming, with the ability to provision data services at different levels based on Quality of Service (QOS) and other metrics," continues Bayes. "Our IP core network solution will provide these capabilities with any radio access technology in any network."
UMTS is designed to provide high-speed access to information, e-mail, real-time video and other Wireless Internet services through a variety of personal, portable devices. The new AT&T Wireless network is expected to be one of the first to support UMTS outside of Europe and Japan.
Nortel Networks packet-based IP core network solution for GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS includes Nortel Networks Passport multiservice switching platform and Nortel Networks Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node.
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Nortel Networks
Nortel Networks is a global Internet and communications leader with capabilities spanning Optical, Wireless, Local Internet and eBusiness. The Company had 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues of US$21.3 billion and serves carrier, service provider and enterprise customers globally. Today, Nortel Networks is creating a high-performance Internet that is more reliable and faster than ever before. It is redefining the economics and quality of networking and the Internet, promising a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce. Visit us at www.nortelnetworks.com.