US
: The CDMA Development Group (CDG) announced the signing of a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with the Third Generation Telecommunication
Networks Operators Association (3G Association), (www.a3g.ru). This
agreement calls for the two organizations to collaborate on the promotion
of IMT-MC technology, networks and market development in Russia.
"The MoU
with the 3G Association underscores the CDG's commitment to promote
wireless services in Russia," said Perry LaForge, executive director
of the CDG. "IMT-MC/CDMA2000 is a viable solution for the wide
deployment of wireless voice and data services within Russia and Eastern
Europe, as evidenced by a number of commercial and planned networks
in the region. Through this agreement with the 3G Association, we
look forward to combining our leadership efforts to bring advanced
services to the region."
"This cooperation
will facilitate the exchange of information on 3G in Russia and globally,
including market opportunities, deployments and commercial successes,"
said Andrey Skorodumov, executive director of the 3G Association.
"We feel that this partnership with the CDG will enhance our
goal of advancing new technologies throughout the Russian Federation."
Under the agreement,
the 3G Association and the CDG will collaborate in the areas of technology
and marketing to exchange information and jointly organize conferences,
seminars, meetings and roundtables on matters related to IMT-MC and
the advancement of wireless communications in Russia. The organizations
will also collaborate on regulatory issues and develop common proposals
for studies, reports and projects.
Today, the two
organizations and the International 450 Association (IA 450) are hosting
a workshop in Moscow, Russia. The event is titled "IMT- MC Cellular
Communications: Development Perspectives in Russia." Sponsors
of the event are Ericsson, Lucent, Nortel Networks and Qualcomm.
There
are nearly 124 million IMT-MC/CDMA2000 subscribers worldwide, with
the number of users growing at 4.6 million per month. Today, 94 carriers
in 47 countries on six continents are operating IMT-MC/CDMA2000 networks
with an additional 38 networks scheduled for deployment this year.
More than 670 IMT-MC/CDMA2000 devices manufactured by 57 vendors are
available on the market.