Monet
Mobile Networks announced the commercial launch of Monet Broadband,
the nation's first high-speed, mobile Internet service in Duluth, MN.
Monet has built and commercially deployed North America's first, CDMA2000
1xEV-DO wireless data network giving people the unique combination of
high-speed, mobility and a complete Internet experience.
"People
should expect more from today's technology than just a fast
Internet connection -- with Monet people can go outdoors, travel across
town,
move from room to room or anywhere in our network, and still have access
to
the Internet experience they have come to depend upon from their computers
at
home, school or at work," said George Tronsrue III, chairman and
CEO, Monet
Mobile Networks. "Monet provides a real value and enhances the
quality of
people's lives by giving them the freedom and convenience today that
has been
promised for years."
For
a flat monthly rate, Monet Broadband offers high-speed, mobile access
to the complete Internet, enabling ubiquitous access to e-mail, contact
and
calendar information, download file attachments, streaming video, multimedia,
position location services, live chat and secure access to corporate
intranets
and databases. Customers can use Monet Broadband by installing the GTRAN
Wireless DotSurfer(TM) PC card and/or the DotSurfer CardReader for desktops.
The easy-to-install, wireless PC card modem is compatible with desktop,
laptop
and handheld PCs. The combination of mobility, network speed and device
flexibility allows Monet to offer residential users and small businesses
an
alternative to DSL and cable.
Monet
will offer packages tailored for the home or business user with
features like multiple e-mail accounts with access through the web or
standard
e-mail packages such as Microsoft Outlook or QUALCOMM Eudora, web hosting
space and efax services.
Monet
is deploying a network based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology, an
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) IMT-2000 third-generation
standard, optimized for data. Monet uses licensed spectrum in the PCS
band
(1.9 GHz). Monet's networks support data transmission service giving
users a
mobile, broadband Internet experience with average speeds generally
ten times
faster than dial-up with multi-megabit peaks. 1xEV-DO is the fastest,
most
cost-effective 3G data technology in existence today making available
applications never before practical or possible over a wide area wireless
network. Monet chose CDMA technology because of its clear path to high-speed,
packet-based data transmission and the ability to maximize spectrum
efficiency.
"QUALCOMM
congratulates Monet Mobile on the launch of the nation's first
commercial CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network," said Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs,
chairman and
CEO of QUALCOMM. "This launch exemplifies what CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
technology
brings to business and residential users -- fast, affordable wireless
access
to the Internet. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO's flexibility, high-speed, 'always-on'
features make it ideal for enabling wireless Internet access in fixed,
portable or mobile environments."
LG
Electronics is providing the network infrastructure equipment and
support for Monet's networks. LG is the infrastructure supplier to one
of the
world's largest 1xEV-DO network located in South Korea. LG has leveraged
its
experience in South Korea to support the commercial launch of Monet
Broadband
in the United States. QUALCOMM supports 1xEV-DO with chipsets and system
software, including chipsets for the GTRAN Wireless PC modem cards,
which
offer a variety of advanced features.
The
commercial launch of Monet Broadband in Duluth expands Monet's service
area in the heartland of America. Monet will upgrade its existing networks
in
Sioux Falls, S.D., Fargo, and Grand Forks, N.D., Moorhead, MN and Eau
Claire,
WI to 1xEV-DO in November. Monet launched the nation's first 3G, data-only
network in October 2001 in Sioux Falls, S.D. using CDMA2000 1xRTT. The
company offers its high-speed, mobile Internet service to small and
mid-sized
markets that have a high Internet penetration, but limited access to
broadband.
