Enhanced Full Rate Codec offers high-quality audio for IS-136 TDMA digital wireless networks

March 3, 1997

Available later this year, Nortel's new Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFRC) uses the latest IS-136 speech coding algorithms to significantly improve the audio quality of TDMA digital wireless networks. It also increases resistance to channel interference by maintaining audio quality at consistent levels.

Wireless operators are getting an opportunity to hear the high quality of Nortel's new EFRC first-hand this week at Wireless '97, the 12th annual convention of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).

"Nortel's unique DualMode cellular network allows wireless operators to leverage their existing investments with easy migration to the latest IS-136 TDMA services," said Hermon Pon, general manager, Wireless Networks, Nortel.

"Our vocoder solution dynamically supports the new EFRC coder as well as the standard VSELP coder on a per call basis," Pon said. "In addition, we dynamically support AMPS, TDMA and CDPD on a per call basis, depending on subscriber requirements."

Nortel has also implemented several additional enhancements designed to ensure IS-136 TDMA subscribers the best possible audio quality, including:

* Codec Bypass (negates coding/decoding on mobile-to-mobile calls)

* Background Noise Conditioning

* Integrated Echo Canceller

Nortel TDMA digital networks are in commercial service around the world, including North and South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Nortel had 1996 revenues of $US 12.8 billion and has approximately 68,000 employees worldwide.