[EDGE Operators' Forum announces first international call using EDGE handsets.]

Sao Paulo, Brazil -- Leading wireless operators and vendors dedicated to EDGE wireless technology shared the latest developments in service models and equipment with Latin American operators and regulators during a high-level EDGE Operators' Forum seminar held here yesterday in conjunction with the 3GSM Americas conference. Over 60 guests attended the high-level meeting, representing leading GSM and TDMA operators from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and the United States. Forum members discussed the latest plans for deployment, strategy, and marketing of a cost efficient third generation wireless data service using EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution). Additionally, the first international call using EDGE handsets was demonstrated to press and analysts today.

Chris Pearson, Executive Vice President of 3G Americas confirmed the rapid deployment of EDGE in the Americas, "Major operators, representing over 80 million subscribers in the Americas, are testing EDGE today, with initial deployments expected in 2003. EDGE will bring the Americas to the forefront in the delivery of true 3G data speeds supporting new and innovative services and applications."

Representing the vendor community, Alan Hadden, President of GSA emphasized, "Almost all GSM infrastructure being shipped today is EDGE-enabled and requires just a fairly simple upgrade to deploy EDGE. Most all GSM infrastructure vendors are committed to EDGE technology. On November 18th, even before the launch of a single commercial network, Nokia announced their multi-band EDGE phone for the 850, 1800 and 1900 frequency bands - virtually taking you around the world with GSM services. Many other leading GSM device vendors have committed to supporting EDGE technology."

"The Americas is the proving ground for EDGE technology, and momentum is building," stated Dr. Richard Downes, Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, 3G Americas. "We demonstrated the first international call using an EDGE handsets today, originating on the AT&T Wireless GSM network in Dallas, Texas and calling to Sao Paulo, Brazil to another EDGE handset on the TIM Brazil GSM network in a multi-vendor effort by Ericsson, Nokia, Nortel and Motorola." Downes added, "EDGE commitments are in place from eight operators in North and South America including AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Dobson, Microcell, Rogers Wireless, T-Mobile, TelCel Radiomovil, and Telecom Personal."

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