US
: Kodiak Networks and LG Electronics announced a global agreement
to develop and market Push-to-Talk (PTT) handsets using Kodiak's client
software. This agreement is first of its kind, in that it allows the
two companies to offer a full complement of advanced PTT CDMA, GSM
and UMTS handsets.
Inset is Bruce
Lawler, VP Kodiak Networks and is quoted below.
Under the agreement,
the mobile phone manufacturer will continue to provide Kodiak-enabled,
CDMA and GSM handsets to customers that have deployed the Kodiak Real-time
Exchange(TM) (RTX) System. Kodiak and LGE also will work together
to market handsets to additional wireless network operators, including
those deploying third-generation (UMTS) and PTT over Cellular (PoC)
technologies. The agreement with LGE ensures that wireless operators
around the world will have a broad choice of handsets to offer their
customers.
"We are very
pleased to be working with Kodiak to deliver handsets that showcase
advanced voice service functionality across CDMA, GSM and UMTS networks,"
said Dr. Woo Young Kwak, vice president and Research Fellow, LG Mobile
Handset Lab.
"Our agreement
with LGE improves the handset offerings available to wireless carriers
worldwide who want to deliver Kodiak's Advanced Voice Service functionality,"
said Bruce Lawler, vice president business development, Kodiak Networks.
"Our joint development with LGE will continue to meet rapidly
growing subscriber demand for premium voice services with high-quality
phones designed for consumers, business professionals and the service
industry."
"This technology
partnership between Kodiak and LGE is a definitive indication of increased
carrier demand for solutions that allow operators to readily develop
the market opportunity for advanced voice services," said John
Jackson, wireless/mobile technologies analyst for The Yankee Group.
"Kodiak's flexible, market-tested solution provides additional
opportunities for handset makers, such as LGE, and wireless carriers
to differentiate voice services and drive cellular usage."