In a spate of announcements made this week, Sprint Corp. said Lucent Technologies will continue working on its nationwide PCS wireless network, which includes supporting the deployment of third-generation CDMA2000 1xEvolution - Data Optimized (EV-DO) technology. The three-year contract renewal is expected to exceed $1.5 billion.
Sprint says the deal allows it to increase the capacity and coverage of its PCS voice and data network, and includes future broadband data upgrade options to 1xEV-DO Release A or 1xEV-DV Release D technologies.
The contract includes a Lucent upgrade of Sprint’s existing Lucent-supplied base stations to support EV-DO service by adding another radio frequency carrier where needed. Lucent also will provide parts of its IP Multimedia Subsystem, a service delivery platform that will allow Sprint to deliver new VoIP and multimedia services across mobile, wireline and converged networks.
“EV-DO will satisfy Sprint’s business customers’ need for a high-speed mobile computing experience and provide consumers with new, compelling services,” says Chuck Naylor, vice president of North America sales for Lucent Technologies. “Our IMS solution will enable Sprint to deliver converged ‘lifestyle’ service bundles that can help attract new subscribers and retain existing ones.”
Sprint expects to deploy EV-DO service in a number of top U.S. metropolitan markets next year.
