Canada
: Rogers Communications Inc. today announced that the Company will
begin a trial of its 3rd Generation Wireless services and applications
with Ericsson. During the trial, Rogers and Ericsson will assess the
capabilities of two key 3G technologies:
1. UMTS-HSDPA
(Universal Mobile Telephone System - High Speed Downlink Packet Access)
is the current state-of-the-art 3G network technology based on the
world standard for wireless communications - GSM - and is a natural
progression for Rogers' existing national GSM-GPRS-EDGE network that
reaches 93% of the Canadian population. UMTS has already been widely
deployed in markets throughout the world. HSDPA is an upgrade to UMTS
that provides the fastest data rates of any 3G technology and is expected
to launch commercially in 2006.
2. IMS (IP Multimedia
Subsystem) is an IP-based service creation environment that will enable
Rogers to efficiently introduce new multimedia voice, data, audio
and video services (Quadruple Play) across its multiple networks (including
mobile wireless, Cable and DSL and Fixed Wireless). IMS represents
a very significant opportunity to bring the various Rogers networks
into a single service environment that can be presented in an easy
to use manner to Rogers' customers.
UMTS-HSDPA promises
to provide customers with significantly higher data speeds (evolving
to peak down-link speeds of 14 megabits per second), while IMS will
enable new cross-platform applications, such as IP Centrex with Mobile
Extension, Presence Management (across Cable, Wireless and Wireline),
and Rogers Personal TV with mobile extension, as well as a new service
creation environment to speed the development of new applications
in the market.
"Providing
the foundation for broadband wireless services and converged services
to customers is a solid step in moving toward an all-communicating
world," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Ericsson ( inse above ). "Ericsson
is excited to be working on this endeavour with Rogers, which has
a global reputation for innovation, a high quality network, advanced
service offerings, and a unique asset mix of mobile wireless, broadband
data, digital cable services, telephony, and media properties that
provide the basis for continuing leadership."
"Ericsson has consistently
provided high quality wireless network equipment and service platforms
for Rogers and our customers across Canada," said Ted Rogers,
CEO, Rogers Communications Inc. "This trial represents a first
step in creating a unique opportunity to offer customers complete
freedom to use, view, and access the information that matters most
to them, when they want and wherever they are, thereby paving the
way for the most innovative and valuable new services for Canadian
consumers and businesses."
Ericsson is a leader in
wireless technology research and development and holds an industry
leading position in the development of 3G and IMS technologies. The
Company's long-standing relationship with Rogers provides a solid
foundation for technology trial activities.