Lucent Technologies to Supply Wireless Equipment to iPCS and UbiquiTel for Network Expansion

Strategic Insights -

Lucent Technologies, a leading provider of wireless equipment, has announced contracts with iPCS Wireless, Inc. and UbiquiTel, both Sprint PCS Network Partners, to expand their wireless networks in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. The contracts, worth over $50 million, will enable the carriers to provide high-quality wireless services to millions of potential subscribers in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • iPCS and UbiquiTel have awarded Lucent Technologies contracts worth over $50 million to expand their wireless networks in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky.
  • The contracts will enable the carriers to provide a full suite of Sprint PCS Voice and Wireless Web services to over 2 million potential subscribers in various metropolitan areas.
  • The new infrastructure will be based on Lucent's end-to-end solutions for the Sprint PCS nationwide wireless network, using CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology.
  • The contracts encompass mobile switching equipment, base stations, and software for service provisioning, operations, and management.
  • iPCS and UbiquiTel's Sprint PCS all-digital wireless networks are designed to be compatible with Sprint PCS' nationwide network and Lucent's next-generation Flexent(R) wireless network architecture.
  • The deployment of Lucent's enhanced CDMA minicell base station equipment will help protect the carriers' capital investment by allowing for easy upgrades to a next-generation CDMA standard called 3G1X.

Statistics:

  • The contracts are worth over $50 million.
  • Over 2 million potential subscribers will be served in various metropolitan areas.
  • The new infrastructure will enable iPCS to provide services to more than 2 million potential subscribers in the Grand Rapids, Midland, and Saginaw, Mich. metropolitan areas.
  • UbiquiTel's deployment expands and connects all of Sprint's coverage in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Louisville, Ky.
  • The Sprint PCS all-digital wireless networks serve over 2.9 million potential subscribers.
  • The new infrastructure is designed to be compatible with Lucent's next-generation Flexent(R) wireless network architecture.
  • The 3G1X standard can double the voice-carrying capacity without the need for new base stations, while delivering up to a 10-fold increase in data transmission for the Sprint PCS Wireless Web service.

Sources:

  • iPCS Wireless, Inc. (Company Background)
  • UbiquiTel (Nasdaq: UPCS) (Company Background)
  • Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) (Company Background)
  • Lucent Technologies (Company Website)