The First Real Taste of 3G Examined

J-Phone Have 3G Ready For Xmas

J-PHONE announced the launch of Vodafone Global Standard on December 20 to offer customers in Japan unprecedented access to mobile services at home and abroad. This Third Generation (“3G”) service is based on international Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) standards and represents a new concept for customers in Japan. By using Universal Subscriber Identity Module (“USIM ”) cards, Vodafone Global Standard users will be able to roam internationally with the convenience of using the same J-PHONE number as they do at home.

From June 2002, J-PHONE began conducting 3G trial services in the Tokyo Metropolitan area to test networks and handsets under actual conditions. Now that stability and customer convenience have been assured, J-PHONE is ready to launch a fully commercialized 3G service.

Beginning December 20, J-PHONE’s Vodafone Global Standard service will offer 3GPP-compliant high-quality voice telephony, high-speed data communications and videotelephony functions with coverage initially available in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and major cities nationwide. In the initial phase of service, three 3GPP 3G handsets will be rolled out, including the V-N701, a 3G (W-CDMA)/GSM dual mode handset.

Utilizing its membership in the Vodafone Group to the greatest extent, J-PHONE has approached numerous mobile operators outside Japan to provide Vodafone Global Standard users with seamless international connectivity. As a result of these initiatives, on December 20 customers will be able to roam in approximately 50 countries and regions, a figure that represents approximately 89% of destinations visited by Japanese residents. By the end of January 2003, approximately 98% coverage is planned in approximately 63 countries and regions. When roaming abroad, Vodafone Global Standard users will also benefit from highly affordable call rates compared to other carriers and Japan’s first international short message service (“SMS”).

Darryl E. Green, President of J-PHONE said, “With Vodafone Global Standard, J-PHONE is bringing to market a superior 3G service fully compatible with international standards. As a member of the Vodafone Group, the world’s largest mobile community, we are now better positioned than ever to enrich our customers’ lives by offering new and truly global communication options.”

While providing these expanded international services, J-PHONE is working to bring additional high-quality data services and mobile internet offerings similar to those found on its 2G (PDC) J-SKY service to Vodafone Global Standard users at the earliest possible time.

TODAY'S PRESS RELEASES

okia and Racal Instruments announced that the two companies are working together to deliver test equipment for third generation CDMA2000 1xEV-DV networks.

PT Wireless Indonesia (WIN), a cellular telecommunication network and service provider in Indonesia, has selected Airvana to enable high-speed wireless and broadband data services for its CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network in Indonesia.

Alaska Communications Systems the leading integrated communications provider in Alaska, has selected Airvana to provide high-speed wireless and broadband equipment for its CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Thin Multimedia, Inc., a leading provider of wireless video streaming solutions, today announced that Reliance Infocomm Ltd. has licensed Thin Multimedia's complete mobile video streaming solution to provide video services to wireless subscribers in India. Reliance Infocomm is a subsidiary of the Reliance Group, India's largest private enterprise.

The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) today reported that there were nearly 135 million CDMA subscribers and 24 million CDMA2000 users worldwide at the end of the third quarter of 2002.

Nortel Networks announced the ability to provide integrated solutions for wireless operators that will seamlessly link existing and future Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs) with fast-emerging wireless 'hot spots,' also known as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).

Anite announced the availability of 200 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) conformance test cases. The test cases enable the testing and approval of mobile phones and wireless terminals for use on next-generation cellular networks.

-PHONE announced the launch of Vodafone Global Standard on December 20 to offer customers in Japan unprecedented access to mobile services at home and abroad. This Third Generation (“3G”) service is based on international Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) standards

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Fujitsu Limited will demonstrate a variety of advanced broadband and mobile products and solutions at ITU TELECOM ASIA 2002 which will take place in Hong Kong

EuroTel Bratislava announced that the second installment of the UMTS license fee in the amount of Sk 999 million was paid in full to the Telecommunications Office of the Slovak Republic

Airvana Inc and Winphoria Networks Inc will demonstrate push-to-talk applications over a live CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network and interoperability with 1xRTT networks

QUALCOMM Incorporated announced that the Company will be exhibiting and demonstrating its industry-leading wireless solutions at 2002 CDMA Americas Congress

Ericsson and Hutchison have signed a seven-year agreement to implement an innovative services business model that will deliver increased efficiency and significant cost savings.

Telstra launched Australia’s first fully operational third generation (3G) mobile service for business customers, which is faster, more powerful and feature rich than anything they would have experienced before.

After twice delaying a planned launch, Japan's J-Phone Corp is finally set to start commercial third-generation (3G) mobile phone services this month, testing the water for British parent Vodafone Group Plc.

HUTCHISON 3G, the UK’s new entrant mobile operator, is facing growing pressure to merge with another group - possibly MmO2, formerly BT Cellnet - early next year after suggestions last week that it cannot meet its loan covenant requirements by the second half of next year.