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New High-Capacity Dual-Mode GSM/3G UMTS Radio Base Station

23rd September, 2004

Europe : Nortel Networks has unveiled a new high-capacity, high-density GSM/UMTS wireless base station that will enable wireless operators to lower operational costs and offer advanced third generation (3G) services to businesses and consumers.

Inset shows left the BTS 18000 - Outdoor and below the BTS 18000 - Indoor versions of Nortel Networks GSM-UMTS BTS 18000.

Nortel Networks GSM-UMTS Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 18000 is designed to support both GSM and UMTS wireless technology standards, and to address the increasing number of voice and data subscribers. It will allow operators to drive reduced operating costs by handling up to 50 percent more voice and data subscribers per base station compared to other commercial dual mode base stations currently available.

“Nortel Networks is committed to helping wireless operators maximize their network resources while transforming their networks to deliver advanced data services that enhance the end-user experience,” said Alan Pritchard, vice president, global marketing, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Nortel Networks. “BTS 18000 will be a catalyst for operator success and evolution to 3G services. It will be the highest capacity dual mode GSM/UMTS base station on the market today.”

Nortel Networks BTS 18000 will provide a common radio platform for GSM and UMTS that will be scalable and spectrally efficient, and will improve network capacity while limiting the need for the costly cell splitting often used to increase wireless network capacity.

In addition, the BTS 18000 will be more compact because it will allow wireless operators to support both GSM and UMTS without needing a separate cabinet for UMTS. This will help position wireless operators to reduce the need for leased base station sites by reducing the amount of equipment required. This is expected to be attractive to operators looking to expand their service in large metropolitan areas, where availability of cell site locations is limited and leasing fees are costly.

“Our goal is to deliver a great mobile experience to our customers, and we must do so while managing operational costs,” said Tim Wong, executive vice president and chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. “BTS 18000 will enable us to keep our operational costs in check while dramatically increasing network capacity, so we can manage a larger volume of voice calls and swiftly roll-out advanced data services that our customers desire.”

BTS 18000 is scheduled for commercial availability in the first quarter of 2005. BTS 18000 is designed for use with existing Nortel Networks GSM sites to expand GSM capacity and add UMTS services. Wireless service providers will be able to enhance BTS 18000 to support high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) technology without hardware upgrades. HSDPA technology is designed to increase wireless data access speeds, enhancing file transfer and multimedia video and audio capabilities.

Nortel Networks is at the forefront of developing all major air interfaces and core network solutions, and is committed to delivering the most advanced wireless networks to operators around the world.

Earlier this month, Nortel Networks announced a GSM/GPRS/EDGE contract extension with Dobson Communications, including commercial EDGE deployment in key Dobson states. The company also announced in August 2004 an extended agreement with T-Mobile USA to provide GSM/GPRS/EDGE network upgrades in strategic T-Mobile USA markets.

Nortel Networks launched the first 3G UMTS networks in the United States with AT&T Wireless and is deploying UMTS technology with many of the world’s leading operators, including Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, mm02, and the Hutchison Group. Nortel Networks is also supplying GSM-R in Spain, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Slovakia and China, and recently secured a GSM/GPRS contract extension with SMARTS, one of Russia’s largest mobile operators.

Nortel Networks has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in over 50 countries. 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.

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