Acterna Launches Industry's Most Cost-Effective Test Solution for Next-Generation Wireless Phones
GERMANTOWN, MD., October 22, 2001 - Acterna (NASDAQ: ACTR) today announced the release of the Acterna 4303 and 4353 for testing CDMA 2000 devices and handsets. These devices are the most cost-effective handset testers available to date for 3G phones used in the next-generation CDMA standard. The testers are available for both manufacturing and service applications and will be introduced at the 2001 CDMA Americas Congress, October 31 to November 2, 2001.
The 4353 Acterna Mobile Service Tester provides a systems solution that lowers costs for wireless carriers by providing a testing service at the front line of customer support. The Acterna Mobile Service Tester's simple operation allows even non-technical employees to successfully test mobile phones, reducing the amount of handsets shipped needlessly to repair centers and then back to the consumer. This process also eliminates the need for carriers to provide loaner mobile phones, further reducing capital costs by reducing the volume of loaner pools. The Acterna Mobile Service Tester's complete CDMA 2000 solution comprises test equipment, test control software, results data (logging to a central database), and logistical reporting to central management.
"3G formats like CDMA 2000 are being rolled out by wireless carriers because of increased public demand for more data services via mobile phones and PDAs," said Cyrille Damany, general manager and vice president for Acterna's Wireless Networks Division. "The Acterna Mobile Testers will help manufacturers and sales clerks alike test and analyze CDMA 2000 phones at a much lower cost. For wireless carriers, it will significantly reduce cost by reducing the number of 'no fault found' phones returned to the next level of the service organization."
The Acterna Mobile Service Tester 4350 series provides fast and accurate test results at the press of a button. All necessary parameters and functions of the mobile handset are tested, providing the customer with an efficient and professional on-the-spot service. The test report can also be printed out and given to the customer as an objective assessment of the status of their phone.
CDMA 2000 is a 3G technology that increases data transmission rates for existing CDMA (cdmaOne) network operators such as Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS in the United States. CDMA 2000 will initially provide data integrated with voice and is known by several names: IS-2000, MC-1X, IMT-CDMA MultiCarrier 1X and 1XRTT.
About Acterna Wireless Solutions
Acterna offers a wide range of solutions to meet the testing requirements of wireless carriers, including testing of handsets and devices, RF testing and network testing. Acterna is the world leader in mobile handset test equipment used by service providers to determine specific problems with mobile phones and validate the need for repair. Acterna's Air Interface Instruments and network systems are recognized leaders in their field and are deployed around the world. Acterna's R&D labs, which invested $145 million in fiscal 2001, are actively developing testing solutions for all of emerging wireless services and networks.
About Acterna
Acterna is the world's largest provider of test and management solutions for optical transport, access and cable networks, and the second largest communications test company overall. Focused entirely on providing equipment, software, systems and services, Acterna helps customers develop, install, manufacture and maintain their optical transport, access, cable, data/IP and wireless networks. The company produces annualized revenue of more than $1 billion and serves customers in more than 80 countries. Acterna is a subsidiary of Acterna Corporation (NASDAQ: ACTR). Information about Acterna can be found on the Web at www.acterna.com.
Acterna, 20400 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876-4023. Tel: 301-353-1560; Fax: 301-353-9380.