Montreal, Canada - 21st October 1999: The UMTS Forum today signed
an Agreement with the GSM Association to extend mutual co-operation
especially in the area of third generation wireless systems. The Agreement
focuses on practical activities being undertaken in support of jointly
agreed objectives and targets.
UMTS Forum Chairman Dr Bernd Eylert (left) and
GSM Association Chairman Michael Stocks
Dr Bernd Eylert, Chairman of the UMTS Forum, commented: The UMTS Forum
is committed to improving dialogue with its key industry partners. It is
especially important to work with the GSM Association as several operators
are members of both organisations. GSM operators across the world are
interested now to take the first steps towards third generation services.
The two organisations will build on recent achievements. Until now, joint
programmes have mainly focused on ensuring new spectrum is allocated to
support launch and long term business requirements.
Our new agreement reinforces a commitment by the UMTS Forum and the
GSM Association to work together in the development of 3G markets and
services for the future, states Michael Stocks, Chairman of the GSM
Association. Both organisations recognise the need to collaborate
on the evolution of current second-generation technology and ensure
the successful development and introduction of the next generation of
wireless services.
Dr Eylert concluded: we are working together to promote understanding and
clarity on the major issues, and to deliver the enablers and environment
for commercial success of IMT-2000/UMTS services.
For more information, please contact:
Chris Solbé
UMTS Forum Press Office
Tel: +44 956 388798
chris.solbe@dial.pipex.com
For GSM Association:
Mark Smith
Companycare Communications Ltd
Tel: + 44 118 958 2031
mark@companycare.com