WIRELESS CDMA begins European journey

Just as code division multiple access technology gathers steam in the U.S., a German cellular operator has become one of the first European service providers to announce a CDMA trial.

T-Mobil announced last week that it would implement a CDMA system at 800 MHz in Muenster that it hopes to have fully operational for a technical field trial in the fourth quarter of this year. The system is being provided by Motorola's European Cellular Infrastructure Division.

The T-Mobil trial will be one of Europe's first CDMA experiences and comes just as 360ø Communications turns up CDMA service in its Las Vegas network (see related story on page 6). Currently, the only fully commercial mobile CDMA system in the world is Hutchison Telecom's network in Hong Kong.

T-Mobil currently operates a GSM system in Germany. The carrier's CDMA system will use the IS-95 common air interface and include Motorola's SC 2400 omnidirectional and sector base stations.

The T-Mobile CDMA effort is a full-system deployment, including an operations and maintenance center, switching, and evaluation and monitoring tools.