US : The International 450 Association ( IA450 ) is pleased to announce that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approved the use of the 450-470 MHz frequency band for IMT technologies during the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2007).

“This is an important moment in the history of CDMA2000” said Tina Radford, Chairman of the IA450. “The IA450 thanked the overwhelming support from many countries across the globe to see to it that the WRC-07 identified the 450-470 MHz band as an IMT frequency. The IA450 believes this identification will bolster a wider and more efficient utilisation of the 450-470 MHz band through the deployment of CDMA450 systems for the provision 3G services. The combination of such advanced technology as CDMA2000 with the excellent propagation characteristics of the 450-470 MHz band is the compelling solution for providing advanced telecommunications to urban and rural areas,” said Radford.

The contribution of regional telecommunications associations such as APT (Asia Pacific Telecommunity), ATU (African Telecommunications Union), CITEL (Inter-American Telecommunication Commission) and RCC (Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications) were instrumental in the WRC-2007 process for identifying the band for IMT.

Many underserved regions will benefit from the utilisation of CDMA450 for the provision of both basic and advanced services, such as telephony, VoIP, mobile broadband, push-to-talk, video telephony, first-responder and emergency services, broadcast and multicasting, location-based services, Internet access to rural schools, distance learning and telemedicine services.

There are in excess of 48 operators in 31 countries who have commercially deployed CDMA450 who currently offer CDMA450 services to more than 15 million people, utilising a wide range of CDMA450 devices.

About IA450:
The International 450 Association (IA450) promotes the use of CDMA2000® in the 450 MHz band (CDMA450), and supports industry standards to advance the deployment of the technology. IA450 brings together industry members and operators from Africa, Asia, and Latin America and Europe. The IA450 provides guidance and leadership to operators interested in deploying CDMA450 technology and disseminates the real life deployment experiences, results and successes of members to all global players. More information about the International 450 Association can be found on the IA450 web site at www.450world.org.