Agere Systems Announces General Availability of a Dual-Mode UMTS/EDGE, W-EDGE Baseband Solution for Mass-Market Multimedia Mobil
January 24 2005 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Agere Systems Announces General Availability of a Dual-Mode
UMTS/EDGE, W-EDGE Baseband Solution for Mass-Market Multimedia
Mobile Phones - W-EDGE technology provides broadband cellular
access at up to 384 kilobits per second with seamless handovers
between 3G/UMTS and EDGE networks ALLENTOWN, Pa., Jan. 24
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Agere Systems (NYSE:AGR.ANYSE:AGR.B)
today announced general availability of its chip set and software
solution for mass market, dual-mode UMTS/EDGE multimedia mobile
handsets enabling seamless handovers between 3G/UMTS and 2.5G/EDGE
networks. Agere's Sceptre(R) HPU solution, which sampled to lead
customers in July 2004, integrates a dual-mode software core based
on a proven and tested GPRS and EDGE protocol stack that has been
incorporated into millions of wireless handsets already deployed on
the market today. Delivering up to 384 kilobit-per-second (kbps)
downloads in 3G/UMTS coverage areas and up to 220 kbps in 2.5G/EDGE
coverage areas, Agere's dual-mode technology provides data
transmissions at rates that are seven times faster than most
wireline PC dial-up connections. Agere will show the Sceptre HPU
solution Feb. 14-17 during the 3GSM World Congress tradeshow in
Cannes, France. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040618/AGERELOGO ) Operators
are focused on providing consumers with innovative wireless data
applications and multimedia services such as real-time audio and
video streaming. These new services require higher data bandwidth
and capacity, but they also give operators the opportunity to
increase their average revenue per user. To support these services,
operators are rapidly deploying networks based on two advanced
technologies -- EDGE and UMTS -- with major urban areas earmarked
for 3G deployments first. These plans make dual-mode W-EDGE
handsets critical for continuous delivery of 3G services and
ensuring widespread user acceptance throughout the multiple stages
of infrastructure roll-out. Industry analyst firm Strategy
Analytics expects dual-mode UMTS/EDGE handsets to account for 40
percent of the total mobile handset market in 2010.* Current
third-generation devices provide access to 3G services when in
range of a UMTS cell site, but drop back to GPRS data rates of
around 40 kbps when consumers are outside of 3G/UMTS coverage.
Agere's solution enables handsets to drop back to an EDGE
connection of up to 220 kbps, which is important for maintaining
the full performance of some 3G services. "We are sure that
dual-mode handsets combining 3G/UMTS and EDGE technologies will be
essential in supporting seamless, high-data rate connections for
the foreseeable future and we are positioning Agere for leadership
in addressing this requirement," said Luc Seraphin, vice president
for Agere's Mobility Division. "Handsets based on our W-EDGE
solution will deliver the full service connections that consumers
will expect, wherever they are, even outside of UMTS network
range." Agere's three-chip W-EDGE solution is based on its
field-proven Sceptre architecture which has been optimized over
multiple generations to meet the quality, size and cost
requirements of today's compact handset models. Sceptre HPU's small
footprint is achieved by integrating baseband processing and power
management functions. This level of integration also reduces power
consumption and facilitates slower clock speeds and reduced current
leakage, which lowers power consumption and supports handset talk
times of up to 4 hours and standby time of up to 300 hours. Agere's
dual-mode solution also boasts a unique protocol stack built using
the wireless systems expertise Agere has acquired in getting
products approved by over 70 operators worldwide. A major focus for
Agere's development efforts has been ensuring that Sceptre HPU
works in real-world networks by running field and interoperability
tests over wireless infrastructure equipment. These efforts enable
Agere to deliver solutions that are operational and quality-tested,
which is critical for addressing increasingly shorter handset
development cycles. This also allows manufacturers to focus on
application and service delivery. Sceptre HPU is 3GPP release
99-compliant, which is the global standard for 3G/UMTS solutions.
It supports the 800/850/1800/2100 MHz frequency bands and offers
quad voice codec implementation. The chip set also provides a
flexible radio frequency interface that enables handset designers
to select open market radio frequency and power amplifier solutions
capable of delivering best-in-class performance for their products.
The solution is scalable for a broad range of models within
manufacturers' 3G portfolios, from entry to mid-level and high-end
solutions, with proven interfaces designed to work with multimedia
extensions and applications processors. Sceptre HPU also includes
support for full-duplex speakerphone, MP3 playback, AAC playback,
MPEG-4 playback/record and a SD/MMC memory card interface. Agere
expects to deliver the solution in production quantities by the
second half of the year. For more information on Agere's W-EDGE,
EDGE and GPRS baseband solutions and reference platforms, customers
may visit Agere's Web site at http://www.agere.com/ or contact one
of Agere's regional sales offices. Customers in the U.S. may also
call the Agere Systems Customer Response Center at 1-800-372-2447.
Customers in Canada may call 1-800-553-2448. Customers outside
those countries may call 1-610-712-4323. Fax inquiries may be
directed to 1-610-712-4106, or e-mail queries to . Written
inquiries should be sent to Agere Systems, Room 10A-301C, 1110
American Parkway NE, Lehigh Valley Central Campus, Allentown, PA,
18109, USA. Agere Systems is a global leader in semiconductors for
storage, wireless data, and public and enterprise networks. The
company's chips and software power a broad range of computing and
communications applications, from cell phones, PCs, PDAs, hard disk
drives and gaming devices to the world's most sophisticated
wireless and wireline networks. Agere's customers include top
manufacturers of consumer electronics, communications and computing
equipment. Agere's products connect people to information and
entertainment at home, at work and on the road -- enabling the
connected lifestyle. * Strategy Analytics: Global Cellular Handset
Market Forecast Update - December 2004 Agere and Sceptre are
registered trademarks, and Agere Systems and the Agere Systems logo
are trademarks of Agere Systems Inc. This release contains
forward-looking statements based on information currently available
to Agere. Agere's actual results could differ materially from the
results stated or implied by those forward-looking statements due
to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our reliance on
major customers and suppliers, our ability to keep pace with
technological change, our dependence on new product development,
price and product competition, availability of manufacturing
capacity, customer demand for our products and services, and
general industry and market conditions. For a further discussion of
these and other risks and uncertainties, see our annual report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004. Agere
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040618/AGERELOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Agere Systems CONTACT:
JoAnna Schooler of Agere Systems, +1-610-712-1746 (office),
+1-908-283-4060 (mobile), or Web site: http://www.agere.com/
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