Cox taps Starent for CDMA core

Cox Communications today continued to name vendors for its new 3G network, announcing Starent Networks (NASDAQ:STAR) would build out the packet data core to compliment Huawei's radio access network. Cox will use Starent gear for both packet gateway and home agent elements in its new CDMA deployment.

Starent has supplied its ST16 packet data serving node (PDSN) platform to CDMA operators around the world, either directly or through resale partnerships with larger vendors. Last month, Starent announced a new high-capacity platform built on its later-generation ST40 architecture, which Starent officials said was designed to meet the expected data onslaught of today's 3G today networks as well a prepare for tomorrow's packet-only 4G networks. The new souped-up multi-standard gateway will be available in the third quarter, which could make Cox the first customer for the platform. Starent officials, however, said they could not reveal whether Cox would deploy the new architecture or stick with the ST16 used by most CDMA operators in their EV-DO cores.

Starent was one of three vendors named to build Verizon Wireless LTE evolved packet core, making it one of the early leaders in 4G infrastructure. The evolved packet core, though, promises to be highly competitive market. Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU), Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and Nokia Siemens Networks (NYSE:NOK, NYSE:SI) have revamped their core platforms to meet the higher demands of LTE, while Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is repositioning its next-generation IP routing architecture for 4G networks.

Cox owns both advanced wireless service (AWS) and 700 MHz spectrum in many of the markets in its cable franchise footprint. It plans to launch a 3G CDMA network this year, and may follow up with a long-term evolution network in the future. Given that CDMA operators MetroPCS and Leap Wireless have already deployed networks at AWS, Cox will presumably do the same taking advantage of the handsets already built for those frequencies. If it does pursue LTE, Cox will likely launch the 4G network over 700 MHz, to take advantage of that frequency's economies of scale. Both AT&T and Verizon plan to launch LTE at 700 MHz.

Cox's radio access network was a major win for Huawei, which has been trying to extend its global wireless momentum into North America. Huawei has won 3G infrastructure contracts with Leap Wireless, Telus and Bell Canada as well as Cox. For Starent, Cox's 3G core isn't a critical win as much as it as continuation of its dominance in the PDSN space. But the contract may wind up a being a prelude to a key win in the emerging 4G core market. If Cox chooses to build a future LTE packet core on top of its CDMA network, Starent claims its infrastructure can be upgraded to accommodate the new architecture and influx of traffic. Starent's ST40 platform uses a distributed architecture that can allocate processing power and routing capabilities to any number of 3G and 4G functions.