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Telecommunications industry

AT&T Wireless and Nortel Networks Partner to Deliver 3G Wireless Internet Services

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Boston, Massachusetts-based AT&T Wireless Services and Nortel Networks have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the development and implementation of a next-generation wireless internet network. This network will be built with Nortel Networks' advanced IP infrastructure equipment and will support the latest third-generation (3G) global wireless standards. The partnership aims to enable high-speed wireless internet access, video, data, and other broadband multimedia services directly to handheld mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other personal computing devices.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T Wireless Services has signed a letter of intent with Nortel Networks to acquire advanced IP infrastructure equipment for its next-generation wireless internet network.
  • Nortel Networks will supply a complete new core network infrastructure for AT&T Wireless, enabling the delivery of high-speed wireless internet access, video, data, and other broadband multimedia services.
  • The network will support the latest third-generation (3G) global wireless standards, including GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS.
  • The partnership aims to enhance communications and enable mobile commerce for AT&T Wireless subscribers by providing high-speed internet access, video, and other multimedia services directly to handheld devices and personal computers.
  • Frank Plastina, president of Wireless Internet at Nortel Networks, highlighted the potential of the new network to enable many of the futuristic conveniences and services currently only imagined in TV commercials.
  • AT&T Wireless has selected Nortel Networks due to its broad portfolio of network services and platform capabilities in supporting IP core networks.

Statistics:

  • The new AT&T Wireless network is expected to support up to 2.5G and 3G standards, including GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS.
  • The network will be built with Nortel Networks' IP core network infrastructure solution, which includes the Passport multservice switching platform and the Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node.
  • Nortel Networks has won major European UMTS network awards, including a five-year contract with BT Cellnet in the UK, a 12-month build-out for Airtel in Spain, and a three-year deal with Xfera, also in Spain, worth a total of more than US$ 1.8 billion.
  • Nortel Networks had 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues of US$ 21.3 billion.

Sources:

  • AT&T Wireless Services press release
  • Nortel Networks press release
  • "Nortel Networks Wins Major European UMTS Network Awards" (press release via Canada NewsWire)
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)

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