China's leading GSM operator, China United Telecommunications Corporation (China Unicom), has announced the launch of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) high-speed mobile data on China Unicom's network in Shenzhen, one of China's four special economic zones. The network, enabled by the core GPRS network solution supplied by Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and strategic alliance partner Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the first commercial GPRS system in Asia.
The commercial launch by China Unicom Shenzhen Branch (Shenzhen Unicom) comes just two and a half months after the successful completion of technology trials and the first live GPRS call in Shenzhen, demonstrating the maturity of Motorola's and Cisco's GPRS technology, products and services. The Shenzhen GPRS launch is the fourth for Motorola and Cisco in just two months. Motorola and Cisco-supplied GPRS networks and Motorola handsets have been put into commercial use for three other operators worldwide: BT Cellnet in the United Kingdom, T-Mobil in Germany and Telsim in Turkey. In addition, Motorola and Cisco are conducting GPRS trials with more than 20 operators worldwide.
GPRS enables high-speed access to Internet-based content and services via a mobile terminal, and opens up the mobile market to a wealth of data applications -- including e-commerce, email, and data transfer - that can enhance the end-user experience. Shenzhen Unicom's GPRS network launches with Motorola's L2000g (European Model: Timeport™ p7389i ) GPRS phone - the world's first GSM tri- band GPRS handset.
A number of GPRS-enabled demonstration applications were showcased to the invited media at Shenzhen Unicom's launch announcement event, highlighting the capabilities of the packet data technology and the immediate availability of services. Applications include email access, Internet browsing, videoconference and mobile e- commerce.
Bo Hedfors, Motorola executive vice president and president of the Network Solutions Sector, said, "Shenzhen Unicom is once again taking technology forward in China at Internet speed, leading the way with the first implementation of GPRS wireless data. Shenzhen Unicom's success is a superb example of a leading operator working with a leading supplier to deliver a first-to-market solution for the next generation of mobile technology."
Liu Jian, General Manager of Shenzhen Unicom, said, "GPRS deployment is a new milestone for Shenzhen Unicom, and by working closely with Motorola, we were able to bring the new service to market on schedule. GPRS can enable subscribers to fully enjoy WAP applications. Once you turn on your cellular phone, you are on line and are always on line, but will only be charged for conducting data transmission. This means that subscribers will be able to take pleasure in wireless Internet services more conveniently, efficiently and economically."
"We are implementing GPRS now as the key investment and migration tool for the future third generation network, which can enable an even greater range of services. An established GPRS network can provide a solid platform for the evolution to third generation communications," Liu added.
GPRS is the first step of Motorola's new Aspira™ communication architecture platform. The Aspira communication architecture, as planned, platform combines voice, data and multimedia into one broadband IP-based network. This architecture for total end-to-end solutions is intended to encompass transport networks, applications, services and endpoint devices.
Motorola/Cisco's GPRS architecture can be implemented over an existing GSM network, requiring only a software load and PCU addition, with no modifications to existing hardware. Motorola's GSM infrastructure systems are GPRS-ready, providing operators with an orderly and cost-efficient migration path that protects operators' investments and reduces total cost of ownership. Through its alliance with Cisco, Motorola is driving market growth, developing applications and value-added services to provide operators with innovative, competitive and unique offerings for their subscriber base.
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