UMA Technology Specification to be Included in 3GPP Release 6

3GSM World Congress,
Cannes, France
February 14, 2005

UMA Technology Approved as Standard for Fixed-Mobile Convergence

Kineto Wireless is pleased to report that the UMA Technology (Unlicensed Mobile Access) specification has been formally approved by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Program) and will be included into 3GPP Release 6.

The UMA Technology specification was submitted by the UMA participating companies to the 3GPP for ratification by the worldwide standards body. Within 3GPP, the UMA Technology specification is known as GAN (Generic Access Network) or Technical Specification 43.318 within the GERAN (GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network) TSG (Technical Specifications Group).

“Convergence is a major issue and priority for our members. Defining a standard for accessing GERAN/UMTS cellular services with IP technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is a major step forwards,” said Chris Jackson, Senior Director with the GSM Association. “It is a tribute to the UMA participating companies to have worked so quickly to define this effective standard and to ensure its ratification by 3GPP. We look forward to UMA technologies being available to our members and UMA services in use by customers.”

3GPP Release 6 is the next major update of the standards for GERAN/UMTS systems around the world. Major releases from the 3GPP are approved and published approximately 18 months apart, with work items for Release 6 scheduled to be frozen by March, 2005. The inclusion of UMA Technology into Release 6 ensures that a formal, global standard for fixed-mobile convergence will be published by mid-2005. For more information, visit www.3gpp.org.

“As a key contributor to the UMA specification Kineto Wireless is delighted to see this work now adopted as a standard within 3GPP”, said Mark Powell, Vice-President and Founder of Kineto Wireless. “We feel privileged to have been part of such an important industry milestone!”

About Kineto Wireless

Kineto Wireless is the key innovator and leading supplier of UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) Technology. With a UMA-enabled network, mobile and fixed line operators can provide a seamless, high-performance mobile voice, data and IMS experience on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks. As the leading provider of UMA Technology, Kineto supplies core network solutions through OEM partnerships with major network infrastructure providers. Kineto also provides UMA-compliant software, development tools and support services to mobile silicon/stack suppliers, mobile handset developers and broadband terminal adapter/wireless access point vendors. Kineto’s solutions conform to the open UMA technology specifications, endorsed by major fixed line and mobile operators worldwide. For more information, please visit www.kineto.com

About UMA Technology

Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology is the standard for fixed-mobile convergence (FMC). UMA technology enables access to mobile voice, data and IMS services over IP broadband access and unlicensed spectrum technologies. By deploying UMA technology, service providers can enable subscribers to roam and handover between cellular networks and public and private unlicensed wireless networks using dual-mode mobile handsets. With UMA, subscribers receive a consistent user experience for their mobile voice, data and IMS services as they transition between networks.

The UMA specifications were created by Alcatel, AT&T Wireless, British Telecom, Cingular, Ericsson, Kineto Wireless, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel, O2, Research in Motion, Rogers Wireless, Siemens, Sony-Ericsson and T-Mobile US. The specifications are available for download at www.umatechnology.org

Kineto and the Kineto Logo are registered trademarks of Kineto Wireless, Inc.
All other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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