14th Sep 2006 12:00
Vodafone Group Plc14 September 2006 14 September 2006 MOBILE OPERATORS MAP AN EVOLUTIONARY PATH BEYOND HSPA & EVDO Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Initiative to Offer Clear Vision for the Future of Mobile Technology Leading mobile operators including China Mobile, KPN, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, SprintNextel, T-Mobile and Vodafone have joined forces to develop a common vision formobile networks and technology that will take the industry beyond the HSPA &EVDO(1) roadmaps. The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) initiative, which has this weekbecome a limited UK company, has created a set of requirements for a future widearea mobile broadband network that is designed to offer enhanced customerbenefits by delivering competitive broadband performance alongside high levelsof interoperability. The initiative, which will work alongside existing standards bodies, will seekto shape the development and standardisation of the next generation of mobiletechnologies. With a strong emphasis on practicality, the group has specifiedthat the evolutionary path should focus on existing infrastructure and spectrumallocation, in order to develop a platform for creating new and innovativeservices. Under its recommendations, the NGMN initiative has outlined a series of featuresthat will help to guide mobile networks beyond current HSPA & EVDO technologieswhile delivering competitive services in line with customer demand. The guidingprinciples include but are not limited to: * High levels of data throughput alongside low levels of latency * Low operation and maintenance costs * Compatibility with legacy networks * Support of high levels of authentication and security, and differentiated quality of service * Improved terminal certification schemes Echoing the welcome statement made by all seven founding members on the NGMNwebsite, Thomas Geitner, the current Chairman of NGMN Ltd, said the move wouldhelp to create a high-performance and efficient mobile network for the future:"As major players within the industry and heavy consumers of mobile broadbandinfrastructure, we believe that the future of mobile networks should bedetermined by a mix of technical and performance standards. "We are convinced that by drawing on our combined experience and commercialinsight as operators, we will be able to bring a whole new perspective to thedebate and continue to ensure that we give our customers exactly what theywant." In order to further the objectives of NGMN within a recognised and acceptedlegal framework, the mobile operators have created a limited UK company called"NGMN Limited". The founding members of NGMN Limited are keen for other mobile network operatorsand key industry partners, such as infrastructure and handset manufacturers andother relevant technology providers, to join the initiative and help NGMNachieve its objectives. At the same time, research institutes, universities andsimilar organisations are also encouraged to join as advisors. For more information visit the website (http://www.ngmn.org) - ends - Notes to editors: 1. HSPA (including HSDPA and HSUPA) offers customers a mobile broadband experience on W-CDMA networks EVDO offers customers a mobile broadband experience on CDMA networks Press contacts: China Mobile Sprint NextelLi Jun John PolivkaDivision of Information Service Senior Communications ManagerTel: +86 10 66006688-1121 Tel: +1 972 405-5139Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.sprint.com KPN T-MobileStephen Hufton Klaus Czerwinski /Christian ShwolowMedia Relations Global Communication CoordinatorTel: +31 (70) 446 6300 Tel: +49 228 936 15520/+49 171 7878 200Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.t-mobile.net NTT DoCoMo VodafoneMasanori Goto Mark StreetManager, Public Relations Department Technology Media Relations ManagerTel: +81 3 5156 1366 Tel: +44 (0) 1635 686006Email: [email protected] Mobile: +44 (0) 7867900818www.nttdocomo.com E-mail: [email protected] www.vodafone.comOrangeBethan LloydGroup External CommunicationsTel: +44 (0) 7814 851214Email: [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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