Lucent Technologies Provides Wireless Voice and Data on a Single Packet-Based Network

Murray Hill, NJ-based Lucent Technologies plans to deliver a technology that will allow both voice and data to travel on more cost-efficient packet networks within a GSM infrastructure. Known as PacketGSM, this family of voice and data solutions will help existing and new GSM operators to transfer their voice and data traffic to packet networks.

Lucent's PacketGSM technology will use a combination of the company's Bell Laboratories designed software and elements from its leading-edge data-networking portfolio. PacketGSM will allow operators to extend the benefits of general packet radio service (GPRS), which sends data traffic in packets from the base stations over an overlay network. PacketGSM supports packet data and voice for multimedia applications, enabling a smooth migration to third generation (3G) services using either W-CDMA or EDGE radio access.

Lucent intends to demonstrate its PacketGSM technology in the third quarter of this year and to begin customer trials in early year 2000. Lucent also announced that it is collaborating with Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. in the development of mobile terminals supporting PacketGSM technology.