ASIA : Lucent Technologies and eAccess announced plans to collaborate on the development of a third-generation (3G) Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) trial network to enable eAccess to evaluate mobile voice, high-speed data and multimedia services.

The network will incorporate High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology and Lucent's IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution.

This planned HSDPA-enabled network can initially offer peak data speeds of up to 3.6 Megabits per second (Mbps), and ultimately can support peak data speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps. Lucent's IMS, a converged Internet Protocol-based core network solution that is part of Lucent's Accelerate(tm) Next-Generation Communications Solutions portfolio, will enable eAccess to provide its customers with a wide array of compelling, multimedia services that can be delivered over both mobile and fixed networks. Because it is based on open, industry standards, Lucent's IMS offers an ideal platform for Lucent and eAccess to develop, and quickly launch services targeted to the Japan market.

Using this network, eAccess will be able to provide services such as high-speed downloads of film trailers, and video clips of sporting and entertainment events; mobile access to e-mail (including large attachments); and the ability to locate nearby services such as ATMs, restaurants or movie theaters.

Additionally, this network deployment will allow eAccess to provide business-oriented services that will enable companies to offer their employees -- such as field service and sales personnel -- with high-speed mobile access to their corporate networks and all the business applications they normally use in the office.

"We strongly expect that eAccess's service development will proceed smoothly, and we look forward to our collaboration with Lucent Technologies, which has an excellent reputation as a leader in the development of spread-spectrum technologies such as W-CDMA," said Haruo Taneno, president, representative director, COO, eAccess.

"We're excited to work with eAccess to increase the range and variety of mobile data services available to consumers and businesses in Japan," said Cindy Christy, president, Mobility Solutions, Lucent Technologies. "Lucent is deeply committed to delivering the highest-quality 3G networks and IMS-based core solutions, and we're pleased that eAccess has selected Lucent to help them develop their networks, and launch their business."

As part of the collaboration, Lucent will provide eAccess with Bell Labs-developed wireless and data networking equipment, as well as network management and applications software. Among the products to be supplied are Lucent's Flexent® OneBTS® base stations (Node Bs) -- which support HSDPA -- Flexent Radio Network Controller (RNC), as well as W-CDMA packet core solutions including Lucent's Flexent Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). Lucent's W-CDMA solution can support HSDPA with a software-only upgrade to its existing equipment. Lucent's Bell Labs first demonstrated HSDPA technology at the CTIA Wireless trade show in March 2003 and has played a leading role in the development of the HSDPA standard.

Lucent also will supply key elements of its IMS solution, including a 3G Mobile Switching Center based on the Lucent Network Controller (softswitch technology) and Lucent Network Gateways that can support both wireline and wireless networks, and can serve as the foundation for both mobile, and fixed broadband services (such as DSL) for eAccess. Lucent also will supply its Super-Distributed Home Location Register, a subscriber database server that manages customer information for voice and data services across wireline and wireless networks, and provides the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) functionality in IMS-based networks.

eAccess is preparing for the potential release of new licenses by collaborating with Lucent to deploy a trial network in the 1700 MHz spectrum band (ITU Standard: IMT-2000 band) for the introduction of new innovative services for the Japan market. Lucent Worldwide Services will provide engineering, installation, integration, optimization and program management services for the project.

About eAccess Ltd.
eAccess is the largest wholesale provider of ADSL services and one of the leading providers of broadband access services in Japan. eAccess' management is focused on executing its business model to achieve high profitability through the provision of wholesale ADSL services to ISPs in the large and growing broadband Internet access market in Japan. eAccess is one of the fastest and one of the youngest established companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section, only five years since its establishment. With the forthcoming deregulation in the Japan mobile industry, eAccess has recently established a subsidiary "eMobile Ltd." to prepare for the new mobile license application. Founded in November 1999 and headquarter in Tokyo, Japan, eAccess currently has over 2 million subscribers and serves over 30 partner Internet service providers.