Technology: CDMA Open Market Handset trials reach successful conclusion in India

Commercial deployment of open handsets on track for second half of 2008

Costa Mesa, Calif. (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced the successful conclusion of Open Market Handset (OMH) proof of concept trials in cooperation with Reliance Communications and TATA Indicom in India. Open Market Handsets enable both operator-specific configuration information and subscriber-specific provisioning information to be moved from the handset's non-volatile (NV) memory into a next-generation Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) or smartcard. By doing so, the handset becomes a generic device that can be sold on the "open market" and used in multiple operator networks. The OMH program is part of the CDG's overall Global Handset Requirements for CDMA (GHRC) initiative, which specifies a common set of requirements and standards for approving CDMA devices in an open-device and open-application environment.

"This is an innovative approach that will fuel increased growth by providing the entire CDMA ecosystem greater flexibility in delivering new product and services," said Perry La Forge, executive director of the CDG. "The OMH initiative seeks to do that by opening up handsets to more application and service choices, which in the case of these trials means access to next-generation R-UIM data capabilities that are independent of the network and handset. As we look to commercialize these
capabilities, the cost of handsets will fall due to volume aggregation efforts and lower inventory costs while access to new applications will improve the mobile experience for consumers."

The OMH trials conducted in India verified and validated the OMH implementation for CDMA2000(r) handsets and for multiple data-enabled R-UIMs across two separate carrier networks, each requiring a specific network implementation. The goal of the trials was to prove that all subscriber, service and network provisioning data can be stored on new OMH-compliant R-UIM smartcards rather than existing on both the cards and handsets.
The resulting solution allows OMH-enabled CDMA handsets to serve as open devices for any packet data application provisioned on the R-UIM card. The handsets can be used across multiple operators since all user, network and service configuration data is stored on the removable cards.

These successful OMH trials are a milestone for CDMA operators looking to lower their distribution and inventory costs while increasing their selection of devices and services.
Consumers benefit by being able to transfer their identity and service configuration data to a new phone on the same network by simply moving the OMH-compliant R-UIM card from the old phone to the new phone. By using an OMH-capable R-UIM to provision all data services, multiple operators can support the same generic hardware and software design across handsets. OEMs benefit from lower development costs, greater economies of scale, enriched brand development and the ability to sell devices across many markets and regions.

The proof of concept trials used OMH-enabled R-UIM smartcards provided by Oberthur Card Systems and Eastcompeace on prototype handsets developed by Huawei and ZTE. In addition, Open Market Handsets are provisioned for full-fledged 3G data capabilities across operators. Tested, proven features include SMS, MMS, BREW, WAP/browser, backward compatibility, voice (with authentication), CDMA2000 1X packet data (SIP with CHAP and PAP) and R-UIM-based carrier customization.

The CDG's OMH initiative already has received strong interest from TATA and Reliance in India, CityCell in Bangladesh, and Mobile-8, Bakrie, Flexi and Indosat in Indonesia. To support demand, many OEMs are planning to introduce CDMA OMH devices in the near future.

For more information please visit www.cdg.org.

About CDMA2000

CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 258 operators in 98 countries, including 91 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 418 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 431 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 1,970 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 512 1xEV-DO Rel.

0 and 55 Rev. A devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

About CDG

The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

The CDG logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911

Note to editors
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
Ricca Silverio
+1 714-540-1030
rsilverio@bockpr.com

Technology: CDMA Dev't Group publishes white paper

CDMA Development Group publishes white paper on next-generation mobile broadband solutions
Detailed industry report Explores the future convergence of mobile broadband wireless services and CDMA's critical role as a core technology

Las Vegas (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - CTIA WIRELESS 2008 -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today published a white paper entitled "CDMA and OFDM: The convergence of wireless broadband services," now available for download on the CDG's Web site (www.cdg.org). The report provides detailed insight into the future convergence of mobile broadband services and the role CDMA2000(r) will play as a core technology, as wider-bandwidth OFDM-based technologies are deployed to complement existing networks and services.

The white paper supports the CDG's overall mission to educate the industry on the merits of CDMA technology, particularly at a time when confusion prevails regarding the as-yet undefined "4G" technologies and what those will mean for current 3G CDMA networks. Central to the CDG's perspective is the hypothesis that the "one technology fits all" approach to meeting today's telecommunications requirements will not hold true in the next generation of mobile broadband solutions.
Rather, operators will match particular applications and services to the technologies that best suit them. 3G CDMA will remain the leading and most economical platform to deliver core mobile broadband services, and operators will use OFDM-based systems such as LTE, UMB, WiMAX, DVB-H, MFLO, T/S-DMB, ISDB-T and Wi-Fi (802.11n) to complement those services with additional features and broadband capacity.

"This CDG white paper demonstrates why CDMA2000 operators are well-positioned to continue to grow revenues from their existing networks as the industry evolves," said Perry La Forge, executive director of the CDG.

"Just as we've seen in previous technology upgrades, the move to OFDM-based technologies will be a phased adoption that will lean heavily on existing infrastructure assets as core business solutions. The 3G capabilities and flexibility of CDMA2000 in make it the most attractive solution for interoperability with wider-bandwidth OFDM-based technologies."

The paper supports the following primary assertions:
* CDMA and OFDM-based technologies are different technologies with different capabilities
* For bandwidths (up to 5MHz), CDMA technologies can achieve some of the highest data throughputs possible, while OFDM-based technologies can offer a simpler implementation within wider radio channels (greater than 10MHz)
* OFDM-based backhaul, broadcast and broadband networks will complement CDMA2000 networks
* Augmenting CDMA2000 in high-teledensity areas and leveraging CDMA2000's ubiquitous coverage with multimode devices to provide seamless continuity of services
* Global mass market adoption timing of wider-bandwidth OFDM-based solutions is uncertain
* Wider bandwidth spectrum availability will drive OFDM-based network deployments
* Mass market adoption of OFDM-based solutions will depend on ubiquitous coverage, low-cost handset availability, VoIP replacing circuit-switch voice services, and roaming.
* 3G CDMA technologies will continue to be enhanced to offer long-term industry value and remain the 'core technology' platform for mobile telephony and broadband communications revenue well beyond the year 2020.
* CDMA2000 operators have and will be among the first enabled to augment their networks with wider-bandwidth OFDM-based solutions.
* There is no need to deploy GSM or UMTS to obtain this advantage The white paper can be downloaded or read at the CDG Web site: http://www.cdg.org/technology/3g/resource Mobile_Broadband_Solutions_Ma r08.pdf. More information on CDMA is available at www.cdg.org.

About CDMA2000

CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 255 operators in 99 countries, including 91 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 418 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 431 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 1,950 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 500 1xEV-DO and 48 Rev. A devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

About CDG

The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

The CDG logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.comnewsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911

Note to editors
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
Ricca Silverio
+1 714-540-1030
rsilverio@bockpr.com

Technology: CDMA2000 subscribership accelerating in Vietnam

CDMA2000 subscribership accelerating in Vietnam, up 230 percent in 2007
User base grew by almost 4.5 million last year, on a pace to surpass 10.5 million subscribers this year

Costa Neva, Calif. (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that CDMA2000(r) subscribership has seen rapid growth in Vietnam, increasing by more than 230 percent in 2007. The availability of affordable handsets and the proliferation of dynamic new services enabled by EV-DO have made Vietnam's two major CDMA operators, S-Telecom (S-Fone) and EVN Telecom (E-Com/E-Phone/E-Mobile), leaders in the region's competitive wireless telecommunications market. From the end of 2006 to the end of 2007, CDMA subscribers grew from 1.9 million to 6.3 million. This impressive growth rate is expected to continue at its current pace, increasing to 10.5 million users by the end of 2008 and 15.5 million users by the end of 2009(1).

On the whole, the greater Asia-Pacific region is host to 49% of the world's CDMA2000 deployments. "The CDG is pleased by the remarkable growth of CDMA in Vietnam, showcasing the range of service capability CDMA2000 enables which allows emerging-market CDMA operators to thrive," said Dr. Chungming An, the CDG's vice president of Southeast Asia and Greater China.

"In addition, the evolution path to EV-DO Revisions A and B gives operators the ability to scale their network capacity incrementally based on market demand, an exceptional long-term competitive advantage that will ensure the continued steady growth of CDMA2000 in the region." S-Fone, Vietnam's first CDMA network, has witnessed notable success due to its investment from SK Telecom. With mobile and WLL services available in all 64 of Vietnam's provinces, S-Fone's CDMA2000 network currently serves 3.7 million subscribers, making it Vietnam's largest CDMA operator. Having launched its high-speed EV-DO broadband network in five major cities, the operator is well on its way to expanding multi-megabit-per-second broadband access to Vietnam's untapped marketplace, where only 3 million out of the 85 million residents have broadband access to the Internet. In addition to providing Internet access to hospitals and schools, S-Phone will be providing world-class broadband connectivity to Vietnam's highly coveted enterprise customers and its growing number of small- and medium-sized businesses. In 2005 EVN Telecom launched its CDMA2000 1X network in the 450MHz band and is now serving more than 2.7 million subscribers, making it the largest CDMA450 network outside of China. EVN is focused on promoting its post-paid WLL service to the more than 78 million households in nationwide that don't have access to a traditional fixed-line telephone service. Like S-Fone, the operator is also upgrading its CDMA450 network to EV-DO to provide the citizens and businesses of Vietnam with advanced broadband data services. Optimistic about the prospects in 2008, Dr. An noted, "CDMA2000 Mobile Broadband services can boost economic growth and create more jobs in Vietnam by narrowing the digital divide between those who have access to high-speed Internet services and those who do not." For more information please visit www.cdg.org.

About CDMA2000

CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 255 operators in 99 countries, including 91 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 418 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 431 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 1,950 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 500 1xEV-DO Rel. 0 and 48 Rev. A devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

About CDG

The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters.

For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org. The CDG logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected subscriber growth rate of CDMA in Vietnam, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "prospects," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements.
These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized. Note to editors cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. (1) Source: Jim Hoang Ngoc Diep, Vietnam Country Manager, Qualcomm, Inc., January 2008 -0-

CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
Ricca Silverio
+1 714-540-1030
rsilverio@bockpr.com

Technology: CDG congratulates cricket on 1st mobile broadband services

CDG congratulates cricket on bringing the world's first AWS mobile broadband services to market
Cricket introduces new CDMA wireless USB modem to support AWS broadband launch

Las Vegas (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - CTIA WIRELESS - The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today congratulated Cricket(r) Communications on deploying the world's first AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) mobile broadband services. Cricket will begin offering unlimited wireless broadband services over its CDMA2000(r) 1xEV-DO AWS network beginning April 8 in Oklahoma City, which will be followed by the rollout of more markets throughout 2008. Cricket customers can utilize the company's broadband services using the tri-band UTStarcom UM100C USB modem, which Cricket will begin selling on April 1 in Tulsa, Okla. By leveraging the larger AWS bandwidth allocation, CDMA operators like Cricket are well positioned to meet the increasing demand for high-performance, advanced broadband services. The AWS frequency band allows wireless operators to offer mobile broadband services, video and messaging to millions of Americans-enhancing productivity, efficiency, mobility and security.

"Cricket's launch of broadband AWS represents yet another industry first for the CDMA community," said Perry LaForge,
executive director of the CDG. "AWS is an ideal frequency band to deliver the high-quality voice, high-speed broadband
Internet connectivity and advanced mobile data services that consumers now expect."

To support its AWS services launch, Cricket also recently announced the availability of several AWS-enabled tri-band phones including the Samsung MyShot(tm), Samsung Spex(tm) and the UTStarcom CDM7126, which was the world's first commercially
available CDMA2000 AWS mobile phone.

"AWS broadband enables Cricket to deliver feature-rich applications including mobile Internet access. Adding AWS to our portfolio is a natural step for us to augment our current unlimited services, including unlimited text, instant and picture messaging," said Jim Seines, Vice President, Investor Relations and Acting Treasurer for Cricket Communications.
More information on CDMA is available at www.cdg.org.

About CDMA2000

CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 255 operators in 99 countries, including 91 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 418 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 431 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 1,950 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 500 1xEV-DO and 48 Rev. A devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

About CDG

The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

The CDG logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911

Note to editors

cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
Ricca Silverio
+1 714-540-1030
rsilverio@bockpr.com

CDMA dominates ultra low-cost handset market in India

CDMA dominates ultra low-cost handset market in India Yankee Group report also cites low-cost CDMA handsets as key driver towards increasing teledensity in the region

Costa Mesa, Calif. (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that, based on a Yankee Group study, CDMA dominates the ultra low-cost handset (ULCH) market in India. Research also suggests that the availability of low-cost CDMA handsets has been a key driver towards increasing teledensity in the region. The Yankee Group study, entitled "CDMA Imports Driving Ultra Low-Cost Handsets in India: Price Trending Analysis," is available now on the CDG Web site: www.cdg.org/technology/3g/resource yankeegrp_ultralowhandsets.asp.

"Availability of low-cost CDMA handsets changed the competitive landscape in India," said BV Raman, CDG's representative in India. "In India and other parts of the globe, this healthy competition is making wireless telecommunications more affordable and is contributing not only to CDMA's rapid expansion but increasing teledensity worldwide. Given CDMA's aggressive and highly economical evolution path, the strength of the ULCH market has positioned CDMA2000(r) operators to benefit from the Indian government's imminent spectrum allocation for 3G."

The Yankee Group report, based on comprehensive import data from Indian government sources between January and October 2007, made a number of key findings:

* 62% of all handsets imported into India were below $50
* 78% of all sub-$50 imports were CDMA models from 13 vendors
* 94% of CDMA imports were below $50
* Total CDMA import volumes exceed GSM by a margin of 52% to 48%
* The average selling price (ASP) for all imported CDMA handsets is 68% lower than the GSM market average -- on average over the period, the cost of CDMA handsets across the entire device portfolio is $72 less than GSM

The Yankee Group also determined that India's total mobile teledensity has increased as a result of the availability and variety of CDMA ULCHs from multiple vendors. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), GSM and CDMA subscriber bases grew 13.4% and 12.12% respectively in Q3, 2007. The TRAI data indicates an increasing growth rate for CDMA subscribers, up from 10.05% in the previous quarter.

"A number of factors including, but not limited to service provider competition, service quality, brand affinity, effective marketing and distribution, device vendor competition, increasing per-capita GDP, and general demand factors including choice, are driving growth," commented John Jackson, vice president of Yankee Group's Enabling Technologies Group. "CDMA has helped create this healthy growth environment. Trending in the data analyzed is clear. We expect CDMA handsets to continue dominating the low cost market for the foreseeable future."

Low-cost CDMA handset pricing is not limited to India. More than 82 very low-end (VLE) CDMA2000 handsets (under US$50 wholesale) are available globally from 19 suppliers in highly competitive emerging markets such as Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
Very low-cost CDMA handsets are also becoming available in developed markets with the debut of the "Cricket EZ" handset sold by Cricket Communications in the United States for $49.99
-- a trend which will rapidly transform the wireless industry.

More information on CDMA is available at www.cdg.org.

About CDMA2000

CDMA2000 is the most widely deployed 3G technology, with 252 operators in 100 countries, including 82 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO systems, serving more than 417 million subscribers. Counting 2G cdmaOne(tm) subscribers, there are more than 431 million CDMA users worldwide. CDMA2000 has become the technology of choice for developed and emerging market operators, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 1,900 CDMA2000 devices from over 110 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including 509 EV-DO and 48 Rev. A devices. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

About CDG

The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 technologies. The more than 130 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA2000 features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA2000-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

The CDG logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.comnewsroom/prs/?pkgid=2911

Note to editors
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

-0- CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
Ricca Silverio
+1 714-540-1030
rsilverio@bockpr.com