Puerto Rico : Centennial Communications has chosen Nortel to replace and upgrade its existing wireless network in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with advanced third generation (3G) wireless technology.

This new 3G network -- based on CDMA2000 1X technology -- is expected to increase subscriber capacity and expand service coverage to help address growing subscriber demand for such wireless data services as mobile Web browsing, e-mail and high-speed download of videos and graphics.

"Centennial is committed to offering its wireless customers the best quality and most advanced service options," said Michael J. Small, chief executive officer, Centennial. "We are strengthening our network leadership by improving the reach, reliability, performance and capabilities of our wireless infrastructure, a key differentiator for our heavy usage wireless customers in this region."

"We are relying on Nortel's superior technology and extensive expertise in deploying CDMA networks to ensure we have an infrastructure that can meet the vast demand for wireless voice and data services in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today, while also giving us the capacity to continue to grow and expand our service offerings in the future," said Tom Cogar, chief technology officer, Centennial.

Nortel will deploy both core (switching) and access (radio base stations, base station controllers) network equipment for Centennial. The initial phase of the project is expected to be complete by July 2005.

"We're excited about working with Centennial to help them enhance the communications experience of their subscribers with new, sophisticated wireless services," said Kevin Taylor, vice president, Wireless Networks, Caribbean and Latin America, Nortel. "Centennial can count on our world-class technology and our 30-plus years of experience in deploying advanced, reliable networks in the Caribbean region to help them successfully complete this and future projects."

Centennial also selected Nortel in 2003 to deploy a CDMA 1X network in the Dominican Republic.

"Centennial is a valued customer and we look forward to expanding this relationship, and to continuing to work with them to evolve their networks cost-effectively so they can provide advanced data services to their customers," said Richard Lowe, president, CDMA Wireless Networks, Nortel. "This contract also further enhances Nortel's leadership position in providing mobile solutions for emerging markets like the Caribbean and Latin America."

The new network being deployed by Centennial will be fully 1xEV-DO ready. 1xEV-DO is a broadband radio technology that can support transmission speeds higher than those currently available using ADSL and cable modems. EV-DO provides speeds bursting in excess of 2 megabits per second (Mbps). EV-DO users can expect more than 600 kilobits per second (Kbps) average throughput -- equivalent to and in some cases better than fixed broadband -- for high-speed broadband Internet, virtual office, real-time video, and other data and multimedia services.

Nortel is deploying 1xEV-DO with leading customers around the world, including Smartcom, Verizon Wireless, Telstra, Pelephone and Eurotel. Nortel CDMA equipment is designed to support 1xEV-DO through modular upgrades to existing hardware. This approach provides a cost-effective and rapid method for bringing to market advanced wireless services and associated revenues.

Nortel CDMA technology is designed to maximize existing customer investments and help service providers drive down capital and operating costs. It supports multiple frequencies, including 450, 800, 1900 and 2100 MHz. Nortel has designed, deployed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in more than 50 countries around the world. Nortel was the first industry supplier to have wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies (GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA2000 1X and EV-DO, UMTS and WLAN), and is the only end-to-end supplier of all new-generation wireless solutions.