COSTA MESA, Calif., March 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that the open market for CDMA2000® handsets continues to expand globally, with operators Iusacell (Mexico), S-Fone (Vietnam) and Pakistan Telecom Communications Ltd. (PTCL) achieving OMH network certification. They join 14 operators in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Thailand in supporting the CDG initiative to increase the selection and availability of CDMA2000 handsets that can be used on multiple operator networks in different countries.
The number of commercial OMH devices has increased to 40 since the beginning of 2010. Manufacturers who launched OMH devices in the past year include Motorola, Samsung, Olive, Haier, BYD, Tricheer, Calcomp, Foxconn, Intex, Teleepoch and Uniscope. 20 device providers are now offering a variety of entry-level handsets, feature-phones and smartphones using CDMA2000 1X and EV-DO including Motorola's Milestone XT800, the first OMH smartphone built on the Android platform.
"Since launching in India in late 2009, the OMH initiative has expanded to address the growing demand for 3G voice and data services in Africa, Asia and the Americas," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "We're seeing a greater selection of affordable CDMA2000 devices available for these markets, fulfilling the original intent of this important industry initiative which is to provide customers more flexibility and choice."
OMH, part of the CDG's Global Handset Requirements for CDMA (GHRC) initiative, enables operator-specific network configuration, service provisioning and subscriber-identity data to be moved from the handset's internal memory onto a next-generation OMH SIM card. By doing so, the handset becomes a generic device that can be sold on the "open market" and used by multiple operators, providing consumers with a greater selection of CDMA2000 devices and the flexibility to select the operator and mobile data services they desire. The open market model also improves device time-to-market, expands distribution channels and reduces inventory risk for manufacturers and operators.
"We congratulate and welcome the CDMA operators and device providers that have joined the OMH initiative in 2010," said Nakul Duggal, vice president of technology for Qualcomm Engineering Services. "The entire ecosystem is working hard to increase device variety by bringing newer, richer, data-centric devices to the OMH markets and by opening new channels for CDMA device distribution."
"We are excited to be part of the OMH initiative," said Adrian Steckel, CEO, Iusacell. "Now, we will be able to offer our customers a wider variety of OMH-ready devices quickly, while leveraging the economies of scale from other OMH markets and operators."
"PTCL is pleased to be the first CDMA2000 operator in the Central Asian region to obtain OMH network certification, which will enable us to launch more EV-DO devices with our OEMs and distributor partners," said Naveed Saeed, SEVP Commercial, PTCL. "OMH is a natural migration for all CDMA2000 operators that have launched data services with EV-DO networks. As the leader in mobile broadband services in Pakistan we look forward to an exciting growth period ahead."
OMH SIM cards for CDMA2000 devices are more powerful than traditional SIM cards, enabling the most advanced service features available on the market, including voice services, SMS, Instant Messaging, email, games, social networking, music downloads, FM radio, high-resolution photography and video capture, location-based services, high-speed Internet browsing and rich multimedia applications. OMH SIM cards are also backward-compatible with existing R-UIM enabled devices and can support the same quality of services. OMH-compliant devices and SIM cards are easily recognizable by the trademarked OMH gem logo.
For more information about OMH, please visit and .
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is a widely deployed 3G technology, with 321 operators in 121 countries and territories serving more than 561 million subscribers. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO is a 3G CDMA (IMT-2000) solution offering mobile broadband to over 148 million people across a wide range of devices. CDMA2000 has been chosen by operators in both developed and emerging markets, and is deployable in the 450, 700, 800, 1700, 1900, AWS and 2100 MHz bands. More than 2,540 CDMA2000 devices from 135 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 595 Rel. 0 and 324 Rev. A devices on 120 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0, 120 Rev. A and 3 Rev. B systems. More information on CDMA2000 is available on the CDG Web site at .
About CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA2000 and other complementary wireless solutions. Its member companies include many of the world's leading service providers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of advanced features and services, evolution of standards, technical education, advocacy, regulatory affairs, global roaming and device availability. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG industry initiatives.
The CDG logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7362
Note to editors
CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Brad Shewmake CDG News Bureau +1 858-735-8748 phone media@cdg.org