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NEC CORP., LUCENT COOPERATING ON ICS

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J.-Lucent Technologies Inc. and NEC Corp. have teamed up to develop a core process for manufacturing integrated circuits with features as small as 0.18 microns. The current standard in the semiconductor industry is 0.5-micron features.

The smaller features will allow integrated circuits to hold more memory, processing power and application functions. Development will take place at Lucent Technologies’ facilities in Orlando, Fla., at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, N.J., and at NEC’s facilities in Sagamihara and Tskuba, Japan.

“The 0.18-micron process will deliver a lower price per function, while increasing the performance level of the integrated circuit,” said John Dickson, Lucent’s vice president for integrated circuits. “Lucent and NEC have enjoyed previous research and development success and expect that once again our efforts will position us well in this highly competitive marketplace.”

Lucent and NEC worked together in the past to produce .35- and .25- micron technologies.

Nextel inaugurates service in Atlanta

ATLANTA-Nextel Communications Inc. launched its enhanced digital wireless communications service in Atlanta several weeks ahead of schedule. The company credits consumer trials during the Olympic Games for the early launch.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better trial market than one as heavily used as Atlanta during the Games,” said Tim Donahue, Nextel president and chief operating officer.

“Not only did the network perform under the heavy loading, but the unique features of the service proved to be powerful tools for our customers.”

Nextel’s system is accessed through PowerFone, which combines digital cellular, group and private conferencing and alphanumeric paging in a portable handset, the company said. It uses Motorola Inc.’s integrated Digital Enhanced Network.

Nextel has launched service in Chicago, Boston and Denver in the last six weeks.

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