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Telecommunications industry

AT&T and Nortel Networks Partner to Revolutionize High-Performance Wireless Internet

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

AT&T Wireless Services has signed a letter of intent to purchase advanced IP infrastructure equipment from Nortel Networks for its next-generation high-performance Wireless Internet services. This partnership aims to provide enhanced communications and enable mobile commerce for AT&T Wireless subscribers by delivering high-speed Wireless Internet access, video, data, graphics, and other broadband multimedia services directly to handheld mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop and notebook computers, and other advanced personal computing devices.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T Wireless Services will use Nortel Networks' advanced IP infrastructure equipment to create a new core network infrastructure, enabling the delivery of high-speed Wireless Internet access and other broadband multimedia services.
  • The new network will support the latest, third-generation (3G) global wireless standards, including GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS, allowing for enhanced data services and international roaming.
  • Nortel Networks will work with AT&T Wireless on the creation of an application lab to focus on the development and integration of innovative Wireless Internet services.
  • The new network is expected to be one of the first to support UMTS outside of Europe and Japan.
  • AT&T Wireless has selected Nortel Networks due to its comprehensive portfolio of network services and platform capabilities in supporting IP core networks.
  • The partnership will enable AT&T to offer its customers enhanced, high-speed data services and international roaming, with the ability to provision data services at different levels based on Quality of Service (QOS) and other metrics.
  • Nortel Networks' IP core network solution will provide any radio access technology in any network, supporting the evolution from second-generation to 2.5G and 3G standards.
  • The new AT&T Wireless network will be supported by Nortel Networks' Passport multiservice switching platform and Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node.
  • Nortel Networks is a global Internet and communications leader with 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues of US$21.3 billion, serving carrier, service provider, and enterprise customers globally.

Statistics:

  • Estimated worth of major European UMTS network awards won by Nortel Networks: more than US$1.8 billion.
  • Number of years under the five-year contract with BT Cellnet in the UK: 5 years.
  • Number of months under the 12-month build out for Airtel in Spain: 12 months.
  • Number of years under the three-year deal with Xfera in Spain: 3 years.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "AT&T Wireless Services and Nortel Networks Sign Letter of Intent for Advanced IP Infrastructure Equipment"
  • Nortel Networks, "Wings of Light" strategy
  • Nortel Networks, "Passport" multiservice switching platform
  • Nortel Networks, "Shasta 5000" Broadband Service Node
  • Nortel Networks, 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues: US$21.3 billion

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