CDMA takes root PCS '96 highlights continuing development >BY JASON MEYERS, Wireless Networks Editor

If recent wireless trade show announcements are true indicators, code division multiple access is fighting its way to the forefront of digital wireless technology.

Contract and equipment news from several CDMA infrastructure providers-Lucent Technologies, Northern Telecom and Motorola among the largest-provided the latest evidence at PCS '96 in San Francisco.

Although the U.S. market has yet to see a CDMA service launch at the 1.9 GHz personal communication services frequency, several domestic and international deployments at 800 GHz are validating the technology once viewed as the industry's dark horse.

Nortel used the PCS '96 venue to publicize a CDMA contract from AirTouch for the carrier's Detroit market and the near readiness of BC Tel Mobility's CDMA network. The vendor, which prides itself on being technology-neutral, also announced base station and software enhancements to its GSM line, a new digital control channel for its AMPS and TDMA equipment, and successful vocoder tests for all technologies.

Nortel's broad focus may be an attempt to quell potential customer skepticism following a major personnel change. Matt Desch, the newly appointed president of Nortel's wireless unit, is a strong supporter of CDMA, while his predecessor, Dave Twyver, was instrumental in bringing GSM technology to the U.S. But Desch assured his PCS '96 audience that the company's focus won't change.

"You all know that Nortel is technology-agnostic, and I want you to know that I love GSM," Desch said.

Lucent also claims to take no sides in the technology debate, but at PCS '96, the vendor's focus was clearly CDMA. It demonstrated CDMA's quality and cross-spectrum capabilities by linking GTE's Bay area digital cellular system in California to Centennial Cellular's PCS network in Puerto Rico.

CDMA naysayers will dissipate as more demonstrations and commercial rollouts prove the technology's claims, Lucent maintains. "As CDMA matures to the point where it is commercially viable and the cost and quality claims are borne out, we ought to let the market speak for itself," said Bob Sellinger, Lucent's director of product marketing and PCS business development. "If those claims are validated, the argument is over."

Motorola is also bullish on CDMA, announcing a $53 million deal with Bell Atlantic Nynex Mobile to supply CDMA gear in Phoenix and Charlotte, N.C. In addition, the vendor unveiled a self-contained CDMA microcell base station, the SC 601, that it touts as the industry's smallest. T he BANM deal highlights Motorola's ability to provide CDMA overlays to existing analog networks, said Jack Finlayson, corporate vice president and general manager of Motorola's Pan-American Wireless Infrastructure Division. "Once we prove it works, other carriers will be much more willing to do it," he said.