3G CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Trial Network Launched

UbiquiTel Inc announced that they have launched a data-optimized CDMA2000, or 1xEV-DO, trial network in Boise, Idaho. The trial network is providing select enterprises and government entities with secure mobile access to corporate and high-speed data applications such as e-mail and intranets. This technology enables data transmission speeds of up to 2.4 Megabits per second (Mbps). Companies participating in the trial include Hewlett-Packard, Boise-Cascade, the Washington Group and the City of Boise.

This trial network uses CDMA2000 1xEV-DO equipment supplied by Lucent, which provides the capability for the introduction of even faster data speeds than currently available on UbiquiTel's existing third-generation (3G) network.

"This trial is promising in that it will offer our business customers the ability to work from any location outside of their office, on a system that is secure and incredibly fast," said Donald A. Harris, chairman and CEO of UbiquiTel. "We chose Boise, Idaho for our 1xEV-DO trial because of its characteristics as a mid-sized, yet technologically sophisticated market, as well as the demand for high-speed data applications among UbiquiTel's business customers."

By providing secure mobile Internet Protocol (IP) virtual private network (VPN) connections on the 1xEV-DO platform, business customers can access their corporate local area network (LAN) or intranet through the UbiquiTel network, allowing them to work from any location as if they were in the office.

Laptop computers equipped with PCMCIA cards from Sierra Wireless are being used to test the 1xEV-DO network.

To support the trial, Lucent has upgraded its commercial Flexent(R) CDMA base stations with channel cards and software. In addition, Lucent has supplied its Flexent Mobility Server, which provides an open IP interface to the data network.

"As part of this trial, Lucent and UbiquiTel are working together to validate the pent-up demand among businesses for high-speed mobile access to applications behind the corporate firewall," said Jim Brewington, president of Lucent's Mobility Solutions Group. "We are committed to helping mobile operators like UbiquiTel deliver these high-speed mobile data capabilities to their business customers."