FCC certification of mobile handset gives Nortel first commercially available PCS 1900 system in US

July 5, 1995

WASHINGTON - Northern Telecom (Nortel) is the first manufacturer to obtain full certification of a 1.9 GHz mobile telephone handset for Personal Communications Services (PCS) from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the company announced today.

Nortel's N1901, a full-featured, eight-ounce mobile handset for PCS 1900 systems, is now certified under Part 15 and Part 24 of FCC rules governing operation of radio frequency (RF) equipment - a requirement for commercial sale in the US.

With FCC certification previously obtained for its PCS 1900 radio base station equipment, Nortel now offers the first complete PCS system commercially available in the US.

"Consumers want the convenience, security, and productivity of mobile communications," said Dave Twyver, president, Wireless Networks, Nortel. "FCC certification of our complete PCS 1900 system - including handsets - means we can move quickly to help service providers build the networks they need to deliver the mobile services their subscribers want."

Personal Communications Services, operating in the 1.9 GHz radio spectrum recently allocated by the FCC, are expected to stimulate continued, rapid growth in demand for mobile voice, data, facsimile, and messaging by offering these and other services to business and residential users at lower cost than today's cellular service.

PCS 1900 is a US standard for 1.9 GHz mobile telephone service. It is compatible with the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard adopted by more than 100 mobile telephone service operators in 70 countries.

Nortel is one of the world's most broadly diversified developers of communications products, systems, and networks in three key market segments - Enterprise Networks, Wireless Networks, and Carrier Networks (switching, broadband, and network applications solutions). Nortel provides equipment, services, and network solutions for information, entertainment, and communications networks operated by telephone companies, personal and mobile telecommunications companies, cable TV companies, corporations, governments, universities, and other institutions worldwide.

Nortel had 1994 revenues of $US 8.9 billion, and employs approximately 57,000 people worldwide.