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Smartcom Launches CDMA 1xEV-DO 3G Network

6th September, 2004

US : Smartcom, an innovative wireless operator in Chile and an affiliate of Spain's Grupo Endesa, has deployed CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology from Nortel Networks to boost its wireless network capacity and expand its service offerings in the Greater Santiago area.

The upgraded network makes it possible for Smartcom to offer advanced new broadband mobile services like high-speed broadband Internet access, virtual office, real-time video, and other data and multimedia services. Smartcom expects to start offering the new services immediately, allowing subscribers to access the Internet through third generation (3G) handsets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and notebook computers equipped with wireless cards.

"At Smartcom we always want to be the first choice when it comes to high-speed mobile services," said Jaime Gros, general manager, Smartcom. "Nortel Networks proven 1xEV-DO solutions and experience in broadband wireless network deployments have enabled us to provide current and potential customers with one of the most extensive arrays of broadband mobile services available today in Chile."

Nortel Networks recently completed evolution of Smartcom's CDMA2000 1X infrastructure (supplied by Nortel Networks in 2002) with 1xEV-DO technology. With this evolution, Smartcom's Greater Santiago wireless network is one of the fastest and most advanced in the Southern Cone region.

CDMA2000 1xEV-DO has been accepted by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as an international third generation (3G) wireless standard. 1xEV-DO is a broadband radio technology that can support transmission speeds higher than those currently available using ADSL and cable modems. Smartcom's network can provide speeds bursting in excess of 2 megabits per second (Mbps) and 1xEV-DO users can expect more than 600 kilobits per second (Kbps) average throughput - equivalent to and in some cases better than fixed broadband.

"As a leading provider of advanced wireless infrastructure in Latin America and around the world, Nortel Networks is proud to have been chosen once more by Smartcom to help with their latest network evolution project," said Chris Zanyk, country manager, Chile, Nortel Networks. "Our EV-DO solutions position innovative operators like Smartcom to drive new, revenue-generating applications, delivering added value to their customers."

"We congratulate Smartcom on the commercial launch of this service, which demonstrates their strong commitment to bringing leading-edge data solutions to their customers," Zanyk said.

Nortel Networks is currently deploying 1xEV-DO with leading customers around the world, including Verizon Wireless, Telstra, Pelephone and Eurotel. Nortel Networks CDMA equipment is designed to support 1xEV-DO through modular upgrades to existing hardware. This approach provides a cost effective and rapid method for bringing to market advanced wireless services and associated revenues.

Nortel Networks CDMA technology is designed to maximize existing customer investments and help service providers drive down capital and operating costs. A leader in CDMA since 1995, Nortel Networks has designed and deployed CDMA networks over varying terrain and population densities for more than 65 operators in 17 countries. Nortel Networks CDMA technology supports multiple frequencies, including 450, 800, 1900 and 2100 MHz.

Nortel Networks has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in over 50 countries across the globe. Nortel Networks was the industry's first supplier with wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies (GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO, UMTS and WLAN), and is the only end-to-end provider of all next generation wireless solutions.

Smartcom, of Spain's Endesa Group, is the third leading wireless operator in Chile, with over 1.4 million customers. With its continuous innovation, today Smartcom is incorporating the most advanced, high-speed wireless data technology as part of its ongoing corporate re-launch program.

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