The USA based operator, Leap Wireless and Alaska Native Broadband 1 License, a Leap joint venture, has signed three-year agreements with Lucent Technologies collectively valued at approximately US$125 million, providing Leap and ANB with 3G CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology in new ANB markets and existing Leap markets across the United States. Under the terms of the agreements, Leap's operating subsidiary, Cricket Communications has committed to purchase US$119 million of equipment, while ANB has committed to US$6 million.
Leap expects to begin deploying CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology in various existing markets and ANB expects to provide this technology in its new markets Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2006.
Lucent will supply its Flexent CDMA2000 base stations in ANB's new and Leap's existing markets and also upgrade Leap's existing Lucent-supplied base stations to support EV-DO technology. Lucent also will provide its Flexent Packet Switch, which lays the foundation for Leap and ANB to introduce VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services over their wireless networks. Lucent Worldwide Service will provide installation, engineering, training and technical support."
Posted to the site on 13th October 2005
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/14384.php