Dominican Republic : CODETEL announced the commercial launch of its Flash Movil 3G network, a CDMA2000® 1X voice and high-speed data network using equipment, software and services from Lucent Technologies.

With this third-generation (3G) network, CODETEL can offer subscribers new data services such as high-speed instant messaging, e-mail and Internet access at speeds of up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps). Also, the use of compression software in the network will allow CODETEL network users to reach speeds of up to 1 Megabit per second for data transmission.

"The advanced network supplied by Lucent Technologies will help CODETEL maintain its communication services leadership in the Dominican Republic and provide useful new services that will enable subscribers to stay even more connected to their family and friends wherever they go," said Isabel Morillo, senior vice president network operations, CODETEL.

CODETEL subscribers will be able to access the high-speed network with CDMA2000 1X-enabled devices or personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptop PCs equipped with CDMA2000 1X PC cards.

CODETEL is able to offer advanced services without the need for a substantial investment in new base stations because simple software upgrades developed by Lucent were made to existing Lucent-supplied, CDMA2000 1X-ready base stations. Software upgrades also were made to Lucent-supplied mobile switching centers. The CDMA2000 1X enhancements double the voice capacity of CODETEL's CDMA network and increase data-transmission speeds by 10 times, without the need for additional spectrum.

As part of its integrated, end-to-end solution, Lucent also supplied Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) platforms from Cisco Systems, which enable CDMA2000 operators to provide mobile data access to the Internet, as well as corporate intranets and extranets. Lucent Worldwide Services performed installation, integration, and network optimization services, as well as network design for the CDMA2000 1X network.

"The commercial launch of this 3G network will help CODETEL attract new customers through innovative high-speed data services and increased voice capacity, while also providing significant benefits to their existing subscribers," said Victor Agnellini, president, Lucent Technologies Caribbean and Latin America. "We are proud to work with CODETEL as they continue to evolve their network and offer advanced services to their growing customer base, based on our CDMA2000 solutions."

CDMA2000 is an advanced and efficient wireless technology being introduced worldwide and an international 3G standard established by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). CDMA2000 cost-effectively evolves a multitude of network technologies to support 3G services. Lucent's Mobility Solutions Group is a leading global provider of mobile networking technologies, having deployed more than 80,000 spread-spectrum base stations for mobile operators worldwide, of which more than 50,000 are supporting 3G services.