In a simultaneous score for China’s stride to third-generation technology, Nortel Networks Ltd. announced a carrier contract and a research and development investment, while Lucent Technologies Inc. announced successful interoperability testing.
Nortel said it has invested $200 million in R&D in China during the past three years, and it expects to double its number of employees in the country year over year. The company also plans to construct a campus in the Chao Yang District, the first phase of which will be completed late next year.
“With our ongoing emphasis on R&D in China, we are strengthening our presence here to drive the most advanced customer network transformations on a timely basis,” said Frank Dunn, president and chief executive officer of Nortel.
The company also signed a $139 million contract to with China Unicom to expand its CDMA networks. The new equipment rollout began in April.
“The market keeps growing in both sheer numbers and in demand for more sophisticated applications,” said Robert Mao, chief executive of Greater China for Nortel.
Lucent said it completed W-CDMA interoperability testing with key players like Alcatel, Motorola Inc., ZTE and Huawei.
“Our W-CDMA customers can now deploy mobile networks using equipment from multiple vendors with confidence that those systems will work together seamlessly,” said Roger Derrin, vice president for W-CDMA product management with Lucent Mobility Solutions group.
