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Alcatel Establishes Strategic Partnership With IPWireless For Mobile



SAN BRUNO, Calif., Feb 10, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Alcatel, the world's largest telecom infrastructure vendor, today enhanced its leading role in next generation wireless broadband access solutions, by announcing a strategic partnership with IPWireless, the world's leading TD-CDMA (TDD) solutions company. Alcatel has chosen to partner with IPWireless to serve the needs of mobile operators wishing to complement their GSM/GPRS and WCDMA service offerings with TDD broadband wireless services. This solution is particularly well adapted to deploy cost effective coverage of "hot zones" such as dense business areas. This TDD solution will support Alcatel's extensive portfolio of UMTS/3G and WLAN networks and services. The IPWireless(TM) broadband solution delivers data rates of up to 3Mbps (1.5Mbps in a 5MHz channel) direct to users' laptops or PCs via a PC card (PCMCIA). In a fully deployed network, broadband coverage is as ubiquitous as today's GSM networks.

The TDD solutions of IPWireless are already integrated and showcased in Alcatel's 3G Reality Center in Paris. The cooperation between the two companies illustrates the breadth and value of Alcatel's worldwide 3G Reality Center program, bringing together and integrating key partners along the entire mobile value chain to foster the timely availability of end-to-end revenue-generating solutions for operators.

"By partnering with IPWireless, Alcatel will be able to provide mobile network operators with the latest TDD technology and services that deliver data at broadband speeds," said Alcatel's Mobile Communications COO Marc Rouanne. "The IPWireless solution will enable mobile operators to develop a whole range of new applications and services that users are already demanding, and to offer to their key customers a real end-to-end continuity of 3G services."

"Alcatel is the worldwide leader in broadband access solutions, with significant customer, portfolio and geographic capabilities. It is a big step forward for IPWireless to have Alcatel as a partner and to join Alcatel's 3G Reality Center program. It shows the momentum that IPWireless' broadband technology is building globally," said Chris Gilbert, CEO, IPWireless. "The relationship will ensure that mobile network operators have the latest 3G broadband solutions coupled with complete service assurance, through the deployment, integration and support skills and assets which Alcatel has established around the globe."

Next-Generation Wireless Network Delivers on the Promise of High-Speed Data Services

IPWireless mobile broadband access is the first total network solution on the market that complies with the industry standard TD-CDMA (TDD) standard. The IPWireless solution will provide users with peak communications rates of up to 3Mbps (1.5 Mbps in a 5MHz channel), which will enable a whole new generation of wireless data services. Available for operation in the 1.9 GHz and 2.5 GHz licensed bands (the UMTS unpaired allocations), the IPWireless solution includes a complete network infrastructure solution and pocket-sized wireless modems and PCMCIA cards.

The innovative solution enables mobile network operators to deploy cost effective "hot zones" coverage which complement existing 2G and planned 3G FDD networks; offering end users secure, wireless access to the Internet, office Intranet, and a range of other applications and services at true broadband speeds.

About Alcatel

Alcatel provides end-to-end communications solutions, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver contents to any type of user, anywhere in the world. Leveraging its long-term leadership in telecommunications networks equipment as well as its expertise in applications and network services, Alcatel enables its customers to focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EURO 16.5 billion in 2002, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com .

About Alcatel in Mobile

Alcatel is now the world's fastest growing GSM/GPRS and EDGE supplier. Currently, over 110 mobile operators worldwide rely on Alcatel's Evolium(TM) core and radio solutions. Alcatel offers mobile operators a GSM 800, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz end-to-end solution offering, including radio access and core network systems, services platform and mobile terminals, allowing them to provide new and attractive services. Alcatel's services range from business and technology consulting, network and application design, implementation management up to customer support and facility management. Alcatel's End-to-End solutions include Alcatel's Open Service Delivery Environment; the ideal applications environment based on next generation IN and J2EE technology. It enables the implementation of a wide range of applications such as network proxies, WAP or SMS gateways, messaging solutions such as UMS or MMS, 0800 and 0900 services, mobile or fixed VPN solutions, a complete and convergent real-time payment chain, and more.

By creating Evolium SAS, an Alcatel-Fujitsu company, Alcatel clearly reinforces its position in both mobile infrastructure and mobile Internet. Alcatel's UMTS solutions are a reality today, with 20 UMTS pilot networks delivered by Alcatel in Europe and in Asia by end 2002. Alcatel's strategy covers all aspects of UMTS deployment, from radio access and core network to terminals. Evolium SAS delivers a mobile infrastructure that is 3GPP-compliant, field-proven and capitalizes on Japanese 3G technical and field experience. Alcatel, which played a vital part in developing the mobile Internet market, in particular through the successful roll out of GPRS commercial networks worldwide, has today a timely UMTS offering.

Alcatel Public WLAN ("WiFi") solution easily integrates into mobile operators' network infrastructure allowing them to enrich their service portfolio. The solution consists in setting-up a WLAN ("WiFi") "hot spot" (hotels, airports, etc.) network and to couple it with the existing GSM network.

About IPWireless

IPWireless, Inc. offers a groundbreaking, global standards-based broadband wireless technology solution that enables service providers to offer true high-speed mobile wireless Internet access to worldwide consumer and business markets. The IPWireless solution is in commercial deployment around the world by operators looking to deliver the most cost-effective, convenient, and widely available broadband that will deliver two-way data transmission speeds of up to 9 Mbps, mobility, affordability, and ubiquity of coverage superior to any broadband alternative -- including DSL or cable modems. Founded in April 1999, IPWireless is led by a world-class management team of seasoned entrepreneurs and technology and marketing executives from leading mobile and communication companies including Cisco, Lucent, Motorola, and QUALCOMM. The company, backed by over $150 million in funding from leading venture capital firms, is headquartered in San Bruno, California, with R&D and sales facilities based in the U.K. For more information about IPWireless, visit the company's Web site at www.ipwireless.com .

IPWireless, the IPWireless logo, and IPW are trademarks of IPWireless, Inc. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

SOURCE IPWireless; Alcatel
CONTACT: Ross Perich of Trainer Public Relations, [phone],
[e-mail], for IPWireless

URL: http://www.alcatel.com
http://www.ipwireless.com
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