Commercial service is scheduled to begin in early September.
The GPRS network infrastructure, supplied by Motorola's Global
Telecom Solutions Sector (GTSS), includes Internet Protocol (IP) technology from Cisco Systems Inc. and will be deployed across LibanCell's entire network, which today serves 385,000
subscribers.
LibanCell's GPRS network will launch with Motorola's Timeport(TM) p7389i phone -- the world's first GSM tri-band GPRS handset.
"LibanCell, in partnership with Motorola, demonstrated the GPRS
technology in August 2000," said Hussein Rifai, LibanCell chairman and general manager. "The public interest in the GPRS potential encouraged us to empower LibanCell's network with wireless data infrastructure, keeping up with our tradition to continuously enhance LibanCell's network with the latest GSM developments."
"LibanCell's success is a superb example of a leading operator
partnering with a leading supplier to deliver an end-to-end
solution for the new generation of mobile technology," said Jeff Cherif, Motorola general manager for GTSS's Middle East & Africa Division. "We are delighted to be the enabler behind the
implementation of GPRS in the new world of the wireless data."
GPRS enables high-speed access to Internet-based content and
services via a mobile terminal and opens up the mobile market to a wealth of data applications, including e-commerce, email and data transfer. Motorola's GPRS radio network can be implemented over an existing GSM network, which can help protect an operator's investment, with a software load and a packet control unit addition.
Motorola has supplied LibanCell's GSM system solutions since 1994. The contract to implement Motorola's high-speed GPRS network end- to-end solution was signed in December 2000. It provides for the countrywide implementation of Motorola's GPRS radio network solution that includes the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), supplied by Motorola Computer Group, and the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) from Cisco Systems. Motorola and LibanCell conducted trials in 2000 and made the first live GPRS call in Lebanon on the LibanCell network in July 2000. The service was demonstrated to the public during Termium 2000, a major technology exhibition in the Middle East.
"For us, GPRS is not about technology," said LibanCell's Rifai.
"We believe it brings additional value to the services we offer to our subscribers. That is why we decided to implement GPRS across the LibanCell network, east to west, north to south. We are the first operator in the region to deploy GPRS infrastructure countrywide. I would like to highlight the winning partnerships we have with both Motorola and Cisco. From the day LibanCell started its network rollout, our teams work hand in hand to explore and implement emerging technologies, for the benefit of the Lebanese customer."
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LibanCell announces launch of nationwide GPRS network using Motorola/Cisco end-to-end solution
- Lebanon: Tuesday, August 28 - 2001 at 17:33
- PRESS RELEASE
LibanCell, the leading GSM network operator in Lebanon, today announced the introduction of nationwide General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) high-speed mobile data services over a Motorola (NYSE: MOT) network and with Motorola handsets.
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Notes and media contacts
About LibanCellLibanCell s.a.l, was incorporated in Beirut in November 1994
following a BOT contract awarded by the Lebanese MPT, and serves today 385,000 subscribers. Since its start of operations, LibanCell aimed at, and succeeded in providing the Lebanese community with the most advanced communication innovations, and welcomed subscribers and customers to the convenience, versatility and freedom offered by its GSM network.
LibanCell network streches out to cover 99% of Lebanon populated areas, and extends to more than 90% of the geographical territory. An excellent indoor coverage quality was achieved in urban areas. To meet with the needs of the very demanding Lebanese subscriber, LibanCell elected to enrich its network capabilities not only in terms of capacity and coverage, but also in providing advanced and sophisticated value-added services. The value-added services offered by LibanCell are on a par and even outclass those available from well-established worldwide GSM operators.
In September 1997, LibanCell pioneered prepaid services in Lebanon and the Arab World, and in 1998, LibanCell was the 1st GSM operator to introduce Advertising services on its network, via the 1st live Cell Broadcast platform in the world. LibanCell is acknowledged to always be on the leading edge of technology, setting trends and being a reference in the Middle East and the Arab world.
For more information on LibanCell, please visit www.LibanCell.com.lb .
About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing
integrated communications solutions and embedded electronics
solutions. Sales in 2000 were $37.6 billion.
For more information, please visit www.motorola.com. For more
information on Motorola's GPRS solution, please visit:
http://horizongprs.motorola.com .
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com .
About Motorola's Timeport(TM) p7389i
Motorola's Timeport (TM) p7389i GPRS phone allows easy and secure access to the Internet (a) and corporate Intranets almost anywhere in the world, users have mobile access to e-mails, train timetables, weather and traffic conditions, where roaming agreements are in place. The phone incorporates VibraCall(R) discreet alert and iTAP(TM) intelligent keypad entry software, which facilitates single-stroke text entry by predicting the word the user is trying to spell. It also offers speaker dependent voice activation, VoiceNote(TM) digital voice recorder and TrueSync(TM) multi-point synchronization software. Users also have infrared (IrDA) wireless connection to a PC or PDA via a built-in modem, so they can access their Internet Service Provider or corporate server to check email or surf the Web on the move.
MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo and all other trademarks
indiciated as such herein are trademarks of Motorola, Inc. (R)Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
Roderick Kelly of Motorola Public Relations, infrastructure, 847- 632-6730, or mobile, 847-732-6730, Roderick.Kelly@Motorola.com , or Sue Frederick of Motorola Public Relations, handsets, 847-523- 6555, or mobile, 917-579-1062, Sue.Frederick@Motorola.com , or LeAnne Frank of Cisco Systems Inc. 408-853-4336, lefrank@cisco.com
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, News EditorTuesday, August 28 - 2001 at 17:33 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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This article was updated on Thu Jun 10 2004.
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