LAGOS, Nigeria, May 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) kicked off the 2011 Africa CDMA Summit today, where Nigerian operator Visafone announced the immediate availability of the Motorola Milestone™ XT800.
The XT800 is an Android smartphone developed by Motorola as part of the CDG's Open Market Handset (OMH) initiative to increase device availability, operator flexibility and consumer choice in CDMA2000® devices. Currently enjoying commercial success on the open market in India, this high-end smartphone is now exclusively available to Visafone's customers in Nigeria as the flagship device in its CDMA2000 product portfolio.
"Visafone's launch of the Motorola Milestone XT800 is an example of what the OMH program is intended to accomplish by creating greater device variety and flexible distribution channels for operators," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "We hope this smartphone launch will encourage other CDMA operators to benefit from the OMH program when looking to bring high-end devices with proven success to Africa."
OMH devices move operator-specific network configuration, service provisioning and subscriber-identity data onto an OMH SIM card rather than in the handset's internal memory. A device developed to the OMH standard is therefore designed independent of the operator, since it will work with any operator's OMH SIM. This results in devices that can be sold on the "open market" and used by multiple operators, and provides consumers with a greater selection of CDMA2000 devices and the 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. Visafone is currently one of 17 operators in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam that support the OMH initiative.
"Our customers have clearly expressed their demand for a greater variety of Android-based devices, and we are excited to offer the Motorola Milestone XT800 to our customers," said Sailesh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Visafone. "The XT800 has already proven to be a successful Android smartphone in other CDMA markets such as India, and because of OMH we are able to add Nigeria to the list."
The Motorola Milestone XT800 offers CDMA2000 1X and EV-DO Rev. A connectivity in the 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands. It utilizes the Android 2.1 mobile phone platform, which has access to over 350 thousand applications for use on the handset's WVGA zoom capacitive touch display, music player and video player. Users can also access corporate email over Wi-Fi and store images taken with its 5 megapixel camera on up to 32GB of expandable memory.
"It is exciting to see Visafone and Motorola bringing this innovative smartphone to Nigeria," said James Munn, vice president of business development for Sub-Saharan Africa at Qualcomm Incorporated. "This launch exemplifies how OMH enables high-end Android smartphones to be developed and brought to market quickly, either for an open market environment or for exclusive distribution, and without requiring a lengthy, customized testing process."
Industry research firm IDC recently issued a white paper titled, "OMH: Unlocking the Open Market Potential for CDMA Devices," which explores the opportunity for operators and manufacturers to succeed with OMH. The white paper can be downloaded at .
For more information about OMH, please visit and .
About CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is a widely deployed 3G technology, with 323 operators in 123 countries and territories serving more than 575 million subscribers. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO is a 3G CDMA (IMT-2000) solution offering mobile broadband to over 163 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 2,684 CDMA2000 devices from 139 suppliers have been introduced to the market, including more than 608 Rel. 0 and 405 Rev. A devices on 120 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0, 122 Rev. A and 3 Rev. B networks. More information on the CDG, CDMA2000, OMH and other industry initiatives 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
About Visafone
Visafone is a wholly owned Nigerian company that has displayed considerable leadership in the mobile sector and is constantly seeking to revolutionize the customer service experience, thereby lowering churn, increasing revenue and continuing its rapid growth trajectory. Visafone has recorded several firsts since its establishment, including its certification by the CDG as the first Open Market Handsets (OMH) compliant network in Africa. Visafone has won several prestigious awards for excellence and innovation in customer initiatives.
Note to editors
CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). Milestone is a trademark of Motorola Mobility. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Brad Shewmake CDG News Bureau +1 858-735-8748 phone media@cdg.org
