CDMA Solution communicates voice/data over all-IP network.
Press Release Summary:
MovingMedia 2000 employs transparent next-generation network (NGN) voice and data over IP architecture that distributes all components of CDMA system throughout network. Allowing CDMA operators to transition to all-IP network, product lets carriers distribute network elements and functions across network as needed. Radio access, core voice network, and core data network products are offered in 450, 800, and 1,900 MHz frequencies.
Original Press Release:
UTStarcom Introduces MovingMedia 2000 All-IP CDMA Solution for Wireless Voice and Data Communications
Distributed Architecture Provides Significant Savings in Infrastructure and Operating Costs, Opens up New Revenue Sources
ALAMEDA, Calif., Nov. 15 -- UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTSI), a global leader in IP access networking and services, today introduced MovingMedia 2000, an end-to-end IP-based infrastructure solution for CDMA/CDMA2000 wireless technologies. The MovingMedia 2000 product line provides mobile operators with solutions for offering voice and data services over IP to end users. The UTStarcom solution also allows CDMA operators to transition to an all-IP network and offers advantages such as significant savings on infrastructure and backhaul costs, as well as the ability to offer new value-add services not enabled by TDM-CDMA based networks.
(For more information on MovingMedia 2000 all-IP product portfolio, including product and solution collaterals and network architecture, please visit utstar.com/Solutions/Wireless/CDMA/ )
The MovingMedia 2000 solution employs an advanced next-generation network (NGN) voice and data over IP architecture that distributes all the components of a CDMA system throughout the network, rather than in one centralized location. No matter where they are located, the components act as one system from the operator's point of view.
"The transparent, distributed architecture of MovingMedia 2000 is a unique departure from the centralized architectures of all other traditional CDMA/CDMA2000 solutions," said Jack Mar, president of CDMA division at UTStarcom. "Our solution lets carriers distribute network elements and functions across the network, as they are needed and where they are needed. Freed from the need to replicate all network elements at multiple locations, wireless carriers can reduce the amount and cost of their infrastructure."
UTStarcom is currently working with tier-one carrier customers in India, Asia, and the United States on trials and initial deployments of its MovingMedia 2000 solution. The company also plans to introduce three low-cost CDMA handset models in early 2005 that will be interoperable with its MovingMedia 2000 infrastructure solution, as well as other CDMA2000 networks.
Benefits of a Distributed Architecture
With traditional CDMA switching solutions, multiple network elements are collocated in large switching centers. One switching system may have as many as 20 to 30 cabinets of equipment, and operators may require multiple systems throughout their networks. Carriers backhaul all network traffic, even local traffic, to one of these centralized switches before it is transmitted to the recipient.
With the distributed architecture of MovingMedia 2000, a wireless operator can deploy various elements of the solution in different cities -- New York, Dallas, and San Francisco, for example -- and they would operate as one system that would be transparent to the operator. UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 is designed to free a wireless mobile operator from the need to have a complete system in every major city in which it offers services, drastically reducing the size and cost of its infrastructure. For example, a network that now employs 50 centralized CDMA systems would require as few as 5 to 10 distributed MovingMedia 2000 systems.
The MovingMedia 2000's distributed architecture results in distributed traffic. Instead of all traffic being backhauled to a central location, traffic is directed to the nearest gateway in the distributed network, so local calls stay in the local area. As a result, wireless operators will use far less transmission bandwidth, spend a lower amount of money to connect a call, and realize improved call quality.
Subscribers can continue to use their existing handsets when their carriers implement the MovingMedia 2000 solution. UTStarcom supports standard CDMA handsets, as well as handsets for all three CDMA frequency spectrum -- 450 MHz, 800 MHz, and 1900 MHz.
"UTStarcom's industry-leading MovingMedia 2000 solution was a clear choice in view of its flexibility, scalability, and advanced feature set," said Asif Rabbani, managing director of OneTel. "The all-IP solution based on next-generation softswitch architecture also offers tremendous operational benefits over legacy TDM network gear particularly for greenfield operators like OneTel."
More Coverage, More Applications
MovingMedia 2000 includes a wide range of components that are designed to let carriers extend IP voice and data services to locations that until now have been inaccessible or too expensive to serve. For example, wireless operators could gain profitable new subscribers by deploying distributed MovingMedia 2000 components in rural areas where it was not previously possible to provide CDMA cost effectively.
"Thanks to UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 solution, Movicel can now expand its CDMA2000-1x network and services countrywide with a next-generation, all-IP CDMA system that can offer high-quality cellular service via satellite to subscribers in 13 provinces in Angola that we could not previously reach," said Jose Luis De Lara, chief technical officer of Movicel. "We researched many different solutions for this challenging deployment and found that UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 was the only CDMA solution on the market today that could cost effectively build our nationwide network, making efficient use of the scarce transmission resources to connect to these remote areas of Angola."
Operators can install base stations in malls, tunnels, and other covered places to maintain seamless coverage for cell phone users. Base stations can also be used for in-building penetration for enterprises and campuses, giving them the equivalent of a mobile PBX. MovingMedia 2000 can also provide cellular coverage in airplanes and on ships.
In July, UTStarcom partnered with Qualcomm to provide in-flight wireless CDMA communications aboard an American Airlines commercial aircraft. UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 solution enabled passengers using commercially available CDMA mobile phones to connect to the worldwide terrestrial phone network through an air-to-ground satellite link.
UTStarcom's all-IP voice solution not only cuts costs and extends coverage but also opens up new revenue streams. For example, mobile operators could be able to deploy additional voice services such as unified messaging in the future.
MovingMedia 2000 Product Line
The MovingMedia 2000 offers solutions in 450MHz, 800MHz, and 1900MHz frequencies. The products that comprise the solutions fall into three categories; radio access (radio frequency or RF) products, core voice network products, and core data network products.
Radio Access (RF) Products
UTStarcom's IP-based RF network components are designed to provide cost-effective CDMA coverage in urban, rural, and campus environments:
The iCell Pico IP RAN (Radio Access Network) base station is key to providing indoor campus-wide wireless roaming.
The iCell Macro IP RAN provides cost-effective wide-area coverage of 10-20km in urban and rural areas for CDMA2000 networks.
The iCell SBC (Soft Basestation Controller) provides intelligent control for the iCell Base Stations, eliminating long, expensive backhaul connections to a central BSC.
Core Voice Network
UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 voice portfolio is designed to provide highly reliable, fault-tolerant, feature-rich, carrier-class voice-over-IP functionality. These products enable operators to realize tremendous savings in backhaul and operational costs:
The MovingMedia 2000 Sonata SE-IMG is an intelligent, scalable media gateway that translates calls between traditional telephone networks and wireless networks.
The MovingMedia 2000 Sonata MSC Server is a high-capacity mobile switching center that functions as a next-generation softswitch.
The MovingMedia 2000 Sonata SE-SGW (Signaling Gateway) provides SS7 interworking and performs signaling functions for the MovingMedia 2000 product line.
The MovingMedia 2000 Sonata OMC operations maintenance center is a comprehensive platform for managing components of the MovingMedia 2000 Sonata product line.
Core Data Network
The Total Control 1000 IWF (Interworking Function) carrier-class gateway offers data services for CDMA (2G) wireless users.
Total Control Packet Data Server Nodes (PDSNs) are proven, carrier-class products that enable packet data services for CDMA2000 (3G) wireless users.
The Total Control Home Agent (HA) portfolio enables mobile data services in CDMA2000 networks.
MovingMedia 2000 Availability
The MovingMedia 2000 solution is expected to be available for shipping at the end of 2004. For further information on pricing and availability, contact your regional UTStarcom office.
About UTStarcom, Inc.
UTStarcom is a global leader in IP access networking solutions and international service and support. The company sells its wireline, wireless, optical and switching solutions to operators in both fast growth and established telecommunications markets around the world. UTStarcom enables its customers to rapidly deploy revenue-generating access services using their existing infrastructure, while providing a migration path to cost-efficient end-to-end IP networks. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda, California, the company has research and design operations in New Jersey, China, and India. UTStarcom is a FORTUNE 1000 company. For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company's Web site at www.utstar.com.
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CONTACT: Stephanie Gallagher of Engage PR, +1-510-748-8200, ext. 213, or +1-510-388-3287, or stephanie@engagepr.com, for UTStarcom, Inc.
