WARREN, N.J.-AirTouch Cellular plans to replace its wireless network infrastructure in seven U.S. markets with Lucent Technologies Inc.’s digital wireless platform, announced the companies.
AirTouch said it will install Lucent’s Code Division Multiple Access technology in Albuquerque, N.M.; Des Moines, Iowa; Spokane, Wash.; Duluth, Minn.; Fargo, N.D.; Boise, Idaho; and Omaha, Neb., under the 5-year, multimillion dollar contract.
The markets are operated by U S West NewVector Group Inc., which plans to merge with AirTouch Communications Inc.
The first system is scheduled to be shipped to Albuquerque before the end of the year with commercial service planned for early 1998.
Lucent plans to deliver its CDMA Autoplex Series II cell site equipment and the 5ESS-2000 switch. AirTouch Cellular’s network also will use Lucent’s 13 kilobit-per-second digital voice encoder.
