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Motorola Provides 64Kbps High Speed Wireless Internet Access On cdmaOne Networks

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 1999--Motorola Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector (NSS) said today its high-speed wireless Internet access for its cdmaOne(tm) networks will be launched commercially for the first time in Japan on Jan. 7, 2000. This capability based on the cdmaOneTIA/EIA-IS-95B standard, allows subscribers to access the Internet at speeds up to 64Kbps. The technology currently is being trialed. DDI Corp. and IDO Corp. of Japan are the first operators to deploy this advanced technology from Motorola.

Motorola NSS's high-speed wireless Internet access provides unique advantages for both the wireless operator and the consumer because it is the first to offer packet data implementation that provides the operator with the "dormant mode" feature. This feature ensures the most efficient use of the available radio frequency (RF) spectrum, which means that the consumer benefits by being billed only for the active portion of packet data calls. Dormant mode is the capability for the network to automatically release RF and voice and data traffic channel resources when not in use to transfer data between the subscriber and the network. Besides saving on airtime billing, packet data's dormant mode extends handset battery life.

"Adding to its traditional focus on voice communications, Japan's cellular phone market has become more diverse to include data communications and mail services," said IDO Corp. President Satoshi Nakagawa. "Earlier this year, WAP service was offered, enabling the use of Internet services including easy sending and receiving of email and the browsing of web sites using only the mobile handset. By including packet communications features and WAP capability in all cdmaOne mobile models sold after the launch of packet service, data communications in the mobile environment will become that much more accessible and will serve to stimulate growth in the demand for mobile computing," said Nakagawa.

"The theme of World Telecom '99 in Geneva in October focused on Internet and mobile, and we could say that it symbolized the future trend of the telecommunications market," said Tadashi Onodera, DDI Corp. executive vice president. "For our strategy of mobile, we cannot imagine the future evolution without the combination or harmony with the Internet. Therefore, we have positioned mobile and IP as a basic strategy of DDI group. The mobile of the future will have both audio and visual capability, and it is expected to be developed not only by phone but also portable data equipment. We already adopted the service in accordance with wireless application protocol (WAP), which allows you to utilize the Internet service easily by portable phone over our cdmaOne network. The 64Kbps high-speed packet data communication service will offer a robust Internet environment. The strategic meaning is huge," said Onodera.

The 64Kbps HSPD technology was demonstrated for the first time Oct. 9-17 at World Telecom '99 in Geneva, Switzerland, at both the DDI and Motorola booths.

"Motorola's move into 64Kbps HSPD technology is another demonstration of the company's leadership and commitment to delivering advanced data solutions to our customers," said Ronald Hamma, vice president and general manager of NSS operations in Japan. "These networks combine complex engineering of wireless, IP and applications," said Hamma.

In Japan, which is the fastest growing market for wireless Internet services in the world, millions of subscribers already utilize circuit switched data services. The shift to high-speed packet data with DDI's and IDO's 64Kbps network is expected to accelerate this trend.

High-speed wireless Internet access provides a cost-effective migration path to Third Generation (3G) data services and allows cellular and personal communications services (PCS) operators the opportunity to gain experience and expertise in the IP and wireless data marketplace. A significant number of compelling Internet applications are enabled with access speeds up to 64Kbps. Operators do not need to wait for the deployment of 3G technologies to begin offering 3G data services.

Many leading-edge IP applications can be supported for the first time including: interactive games, web conferencing and thin client computing. Of particular note is that the 64Kbps HSPD network delivers audio streaming with near-CD quality.

"64Kbps data services can be enabled on operators' networks with a software upgrade to the Motorola CDMA wireless network," said John Cipolla, vice president and general manager of Motorola Inc.'s CDMA Systems Division. "The 64Kbps services are made available utilizing idle RF and channel capacity. Operators can offer higher speed data services without affecting the grade of service that they offer to their voice subscribers," said Cipolla.

Motorola NSS's high-speed wireless Internet access utilizes a packet inter-working unit (IWU), developed jointly with 3Com Corporation, that builds on the Circuit Switched IWU platforms that operators have deployed this year. The packet IWU is based on 3Com's Total Control�(tm) Multiservice Access Platform. "We have been working with Motorola for two years on the CDMA circuit switched data and Quick Net Connect program," said Irfan Ali, senior vice president and general manager, 3Com Carrier Systems Group. "By leveraging this relationship and our expertise in wireless data networking, we were able to quickly develop a cost-effective packet IWU that will enable operators to provide advanced wireless data services," said Ali.

DDI Corp. is the second largest total telecom carrier in Japan. Established in June 1984, DDI Corp. operates eight regional cellular companies that provide cdmaOne services, they also provide TACS and personal Digital Communications (PDC) cellular service. IDO Corp., established in March 1987, offers mobile phone communication services to areas that reach out from the heart of Tokyo and cover much of the central region of Honshu, the principal island of Japan and the nation's most densely populated area.

Motorola NSS deployed its first cellular system, an analog TACS network, in 1989 in Japan for DDI's Kansai Cellular Telephone Co. in the Osaka region. The other seven DDI regions and IDO followed later to provide nationwide coverage. In 1991, Motorola NSS introduced NTACS (Narrowband TACS) into Japan when DDI began NTACS service in Osaka and IDO later launched NTACS service in Tokyo and Nagoya.

In 1993, Motorola NSS began deploying PDC systems for the service provider Tu-Ka at 1.5 GHz in the Tokyo and Tokai regions and at 800 MHz with DDI's Cellular telephone companies. Motorola NSS completed the nationwide buildout of PDC in late 1996.

The massive, nationwide buildout in Japan of a CDMA digital cellular communications network was completed earlier this year with the scheduled commercial launch of state-of-the-art cellular infrastructure designed, manufactured and installed by Motorola (NSS). The Motorola NSS CDMA network also is known as cdmaOne.

The all-Motorola digital network, owned and operated by DDI and IDO, will offer 98 percent coverage nationally to Japan's 126 million people.

Motorola, Inc. has been operating in Japan since opening its first office in 1962 in Tokyo. Motorola NSS maintains sales, service and engineering support facilities in Japan, as well as a 3G research and development center.

About Motorola

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion. For more information about Motorola, visit the web site at http://www.motorola.com/.

About 3Com Corporation

With over 300 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to enterprises, small businesses, carriers and network service providers, PC OEMs and consumers. 3Com -- More connected.(tm) For further information, visit 3Com's web site at http://www.3com.com/ or the press site at http://www.3com.com/pressbox/.

CONTACT:

Motorola
Roderick Kelly,
847/632-6730
email: [email protected]