Nortel and Sierra test call EV-DO Rev. A

Nortel and Sierra Wireless this week made what they claim to be the industry's first over the air test calls using cdma2000 EV-DO Revision A technology and pre-commercial wireless data devices.

The companies completed over the air tests using Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 wide area wireless network cards, Sierra Wireless MC5725 PCI Express Mini Card embedded modules, and EV-DO Revision A equipment from Nortel.

The companies say the successful tests confirm the commercial viability of EV-DO Revision A for powering next-generation broadband wireless services. EV-DO Revision A technology will offer significant performance improvements to both the uplink and the downlink speeds compared to current EV-DO Release 0 networks. EV-DO Revision A enables peak data rates of up to 3.1Mbps on the downlink and 1.8Mbps on the uplink.

"The ability for operators to deliver new, revenue-generating services with increased network intelligence enabled by EV-DO Revision A will provide a powerful competitive advantage," said Doug Wolff, vice president and general manager, CDMA, Nortel.

The AirCard 595 wireless wide area network card and the MC5725 Mini Card embedded module are Sierra Wireless's first products for EV-DO Revision A networks and are scheduled for commercial release later this year.