Trial W-CDMA calls in 900 MHz band completed

Nortel and Orange have managed to complete UMTS and HSDPA trial calls in the 900 MHz spectrum, which allows the delivery of TV, video-on-demand, video telephony and DSL-like services to rural areas. Using Nortel's commercial infrastructure equipment, handsets, based on Qualcomm's MSM6280 chipset solution and Orange's 900 MHz spectrum, they managed to transfer data at the current ultimate speed of 3.6 Mbps. W-CDMA (UMTS) in the 900 MHz band reduces with 60 per cent the number of cell sites required to serve rural areas and enhances with 25 per cent the in-building penetration. Thus the spectrum enables carriers to provide 3G coverage with fewer cell sites in rural areas as well as provide service of better quality in the urban areas. UMTS and HSDPA calls in the 900 MHz spectrum are expected to be showcased at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona next month.

Source: DMeurope.com