World's first, fully interoperable, 3G Network for Mobile Voice and Broadband Data

Europe : IPWireless has successfully completed the world's first interoperability (IOT) and co-existence testing between UMTS TDD (TD-CDMA) and UMTS FDD (WCDMA) networks at Nortel Networks wireless headquarters in Châteaufort, France.

The test, completed during a trial of the IPWireless TDD solution, demonstrated that both FDD and TDD standards of 3G UMTS can co-exist in the same cell site and interface together as one network solution.

The tests also showed the co-existence of both FDD and TDD Node Bs at the same cell site without any interference or degradation of service using paired and unpaired spectrum allocations. These findings prove conclusively that mobile network operators can safely offer the high-bandwidth low-latency services available on a TDD network on the cell sites with existing or planned FDD deployments.

Chris Gilbert, CEO of IPWireless said, "This is another important step for IPWireless, demonstrating that there is a UMTS solution for operators unpaired TDD spectrum which can leverage and work seamlessly with other UMTS solutions. This solution will allow operators to offer a host of attractive new services that have proven market appeal.”

The world's first IOT test integrated IPWireless' TDD Radio Access Network (RAN) via the Iups interface (between RNC and SGSN) with Nortel Networks market leading packet core solution, which is deployed by a number of major European operators.

Alain Biston, president and general manager, UMTS Networks, Nortel Networks said, “This test with IP Wireless demonstrates the high interoperability of our intelligent packet core solution with multiple wireless access technologies.”

IPWireless is supplying their 3GPP standards compliant UMTS TDD Mobile Broadband technology equipment including Node Bs, Integrated Network Controllers and end user PC cards (PCMCIAs). Via the PC card, the IPWireless solution gives laptop and PDA users mobile Internet access at speeds up to 1.5Mbps - faster than the fixed line Broadband rates currently available. In a fully deployed network, broadband coverage is as ubiquitous as with today's GSM networks. This offers a multitude of new revenue streams for mobile network operators and the services that business and residential users are demanding.