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3G Americas has recommended a set of common preferred elements for terminals and devices supporting the GSM-based evolution to UMTS. An informational document published today on its website identifies and prioritizes its members' preferences for terminals supporting GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS capabilities.

Operators and vendors from the organization's Board of Governors companies jointly composed the document, entitled 3G Americas Terminal Recommendations, to provide guidance to operators, manufacturers, software developers, component manufacturers, and other interested vendors for GSM device evolution in the Americas. The document will benefit the wireless industry in the Americas by providing a recommendation of common terminal capabilities for customers in the Western Hemisphere.

Chris Pearson, Executive Vice President of 3G Americas, stated, "Today's basic wireless standards leave the door open to hundreds of options and interpretations for wireless devices. This 3G Americas' reference document, showcasing our position, focuses on key terminal needs in the Western Hemisphere that operators and vendors can work together to provide." He added, "In the end, the consumer could greatly benefit from this collaborative work by receiving a common experience when using a device for voice and data throughout the Americas and the rest of the world."

3G Americas Terminal Recommendations addresses various questions raised by vendors and manufacturers regarding terminal devices in the Americas. Specifically, the terminal document highlights Technology Mode and Frequency, Regulatory Mandates, Adaptive Multi-rate Vocoder (AMR) Support, Modulation, Coding Schemes, Network Selection, Security, Terminal Management, Memory, and other elements.

Rich Downes, Director of Latin America and Caribbean of 3G Americas, characterized the document as "another important step toward GSM-based interoperability throughout the Americas" and "clear evidence of the leadership role that 3G Americas is exercising in the region's wireless industry."

To view 3G Americas Terminal Recommendations and the supplementary presentation visit www.3gamericas.org.