Chinook Wireless to Replace CDMA w/ GSM Network

[jones]

http://today.reuters.com/stocks/Quot...May-2006+RTRS;

Nokia wins network order from Chinook Wireless
Mon May 8, 2006 8:14 AM ET



HELSINKI, May 8 (Reuters) - Mobile telecoms giant Nokia <NOK1V.HE> has won a contract to build a GSM/GPRS/EDGE mobile network for Chinook Wireless in the U.S. state of Montana, the Finnish company said on Monday.

Nokia said it would supply the radio and core network and network services to Chinook Wireless in a 5-year deal, which would also cover network planning.

The new network will replace Chinook Wireless' CDMA network, Nokia said, without giving financial details of the contact.

[jimwayda]

That is a step backwards technology wise.

Originally Posted by jones

http://today.reuters.com/stocks/Quot...May-2006+RTRS;

Nokia wins network order from Chinook Wireless
Mon May 8, 2006 8:14 AM ET



HELSINKI, May 8 (Reuters) - Mobile telecoms giant Nokia <NOK1V.HE> has won a contract to build a GSM/GPRS/EDGE mobile network for Chinook Wireless in the U.S. state of Montana, the Finnish company said on Monday.

Nokia said it would supply the radio and core network and network services to Chinook Wireless in a 5-year deal, which would also cover network planning.

The new network will replace Chinook Wireless' CDMA network, Nokia said, without giving financial details of the contact.

[larry]

Why would they want to downgrade to GSM?

[jones]

Many CDMA carrier in Central & S. America Converted from CDMA to GSM.
Like Telefonica Moviles Mexico, CTI Movil in Argentina to Name a Few.


http://rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=26302


Chinook taps Nokia to help swap out CDMA for GSM in Montana
May 8, 2006
GREAT FALLS, Mont.—Nokia Corp. announced it won a contract with MTPCS L.L.C., otherwise known as Chinook Wireless, to build a GSM/GPRS/EDGE network throughout Montana.
Though financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Nokia said the 5-year deal includes equipment, network-planning services, deployment services and Nokia Care services. Chinook Wireless said it plans to deploy a network based on 3GPP Release 4 architecture using Nokia’s mobile softswitch solution MSC Server System.

continued below
“Chinook Wireless is committed to delivering the highest quality wireless voice and data services in the state of Montana,” said Jonathan Foxman, president and chief executive officer of Chinook Wireless.

The companies said the GSM/GPRS/EDGE network would replace Chinook Wireless’ CDMA network, and offer subscribers increased coverage, higher voice quality and advanced digital data services like multimedia messaging and Internet browsing.

Chinook Wireless formed in May 2005 to purchase the CDMA wireless operations of Montana-based Blackfoot Communications Inc. and 3 Rivers Telecommunications Inc. At the time, the carrier said its wireless operations would include networks in Butte, Bozeman, Billings, Helena, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula, Mont.

[Fullstrength]

Originally Posted by larry

Why would they want to downgrade to GSM?

See 1.8 Billion users, and Global capablility.

[Yankees368]

Originally Posted by Fullstrength

See 1.8 Billion users, and Global capablility.

But they are building out a regular ole GSM network. Isnt GSM getting to be a dead technology, just like CDMA? Why transition at this point.

[Fullstrength]

Originally Posted by Yankees368

But they are building out a regular ole GSM network. Isnt GSM getting to be a dead technology, just like CDMA? Why transition at this point.

They will probably go to Wcdma/umts just like Telstra, and Telfonica. Its just a matter of waiting for the phones to come out. So they have to convert their core network first, then use wcdma as the air interface.

[jones]

CDMA IS-95 Like TDMA will Die.

GSM will be Available in 213 Countries
and GSM Carriers will Operate GSM Alongside W-CDMA
in the 2100 MHz Spectrum.

You will see GSM-WCDMA Phones
for a LONG LONG time.

[Fathead]

Originally Posted by Fullstrength

See 1.8 Billion users, and Global capablility.

Montana is going to have all 1.8 billion users visit? Wow.

[bobolito]

Many here are obviously misinformed. A regular GSM network is not just about the 2G air interface and world roaming. It is most importantly about the flexibility of the core network's interoperability with the upcoming 3G future and the advantages that offer a broader phone selection. It means the carrier can sign more deals with more phone manufacturers and they can offer more phone models to their customers. If many carriers are making this move, they can't be wrong.

[BillRadio]

GSM is not the news here, it's where is Chinook getting the money for this? This makes absolutely no economic sense unless this is part of some other unknown deal. Chinook has so few customers to begin with, and a switch to GSM would not only NOT attract any new customers, it would also involve an expense in replacing customer handsets.

Pardon my skepticism, but I can think of only ONE customer in this country who actually wants to use this new network, and he is a T-Mobile customer who just wants to ROAM there. Even the existing Cellular networks are making minimal investments in MT, and even Sprint and T-mobile contracted out their roaming buildout in the area to Western Wireless (now Alltel).

What am I missing? An MT trust-fund baby? A backwoods launch of some new untested service? A 'friend' of Nokia helping out the Fins? Where's the logic? Where's the money?

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by jimwayda

That is a step backwards technology wise.

gsm is far better.

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by larry

Why would they want to downgrade to GSM?

take your blinders off.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by walkguru

take your blinders off.

That is your own opinion, walkguru. You think GSM is better, larry thinks CDMA is better. Both have its advantages or disadvantages but just because someone disagrees with your opinion, they have to take their blinders off? I think he has every right to have his own opinion, just like you do.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by BillRadio

GSM is not the news here, it's where is Chinook getting the money for this? This makes absolutely no economic sense unless this is part of some other unknown deal. Chinook has so few customers to begin with, and a switch to GSM would not only NOT attract any new customers, it would also involve an expense in replacing customer handsets.

Pardon my skepticism, but I can think of only ONE customer in this country who actually wants to use this new network, and he is a T-Mobile customer who just wants to ROAM there. Even the existing Cellular networks are making minimal investments in MT, and even Sprint and T-mobile contracted out their roaming buildout in the area to Western Wireless (now Alltel).

What am I missing? An MT trust-fund baby? A backwoods launch of some new untested service? A 'friend' of Nokia helping out the Fins? Where's the logic? Where's the money?

It will be a pricy migration for their own few customers to switch handsets, so have the new network infrastructure built, etc. but roaming wise, unless Cingular and T-Mobile prefer them over ALLTEL's GSM network, I highly doubt they will see a lot of roamers, because from what I know ALLTEL already serves everywhere their new GSM network will.

[Scrumhalf]

Originally Posted by walkguru

gsm is far better.

Let's use some objectivity, shall we? ...lol...

I think Bill hit the nail on the head. What is motivating Chinook Wireless to pursue this? Not some idealistic "GSM is better" argument - that is for guys like us to argue about. The only reason is that they think it will help their bottom line.

And then, the question arises - how is this going to help Chinook's bottom line. The only thing I can think about is roaming revenue - are they thinking that a) they stand to make more revenue from GSM carriers that may not have licenses in Montana (and I have not checked on whether either of the majors are suffering in this regard), or b) they have done market research that Montanans are really clamoring for easy international roaming with GSM (not to suggest that Montanans are parochial, but I seriously doubt this as the reason..lol).

So, it is a puzzle as to what the business model is that is driving this.

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

That is your own opinion, walkguru. You think GSM is better, larry thinks CDMA is better. Both have its advantages or disadvantages but just because someone disagrees with your opinion, they have to take their blinders off? I think he has every right to have his own opinion, just like you do.

you dont see me saying cdma is a downgrade to gsm. some of you guys

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

Let's use some objectivity, shall we? ...lol...

I think Bill hit the nail on the head. What is motivating Chinook Wireless to pursue this? Not some idealistic "GSM is better" argument - that is for guys like us to argue about. The only reason is that they think it will help their bottom line.

And then, the question arises - how is this going to help Chinook's bottom line. The only thing I can think about is roaming revenue - are they thinking that a) they stand to make more revenue from GSM carriers that may not have licenses in Montana (and I have not checked on whether either of the majors are suffering in this regard), or b) they have done market research that Montanans are really clamoring for easy international roaming with GSM (not to suggest that Montanans are parochial, but I seriously doubt this as the reason..lol).

So, it is a puzzle as to what the business model is that is driving this.

the better is what provoked that response.

[Scrumhalf]

Originally Posted by walkguru

you dont see me saying cdma is a downgrade to gsm. some of you guys

I think the point that some folks are making is technically correct - GSM is an older technology compared to CDMA, so this conversion can only be considered forward progress to the extent that it allows the carrier to implement 3G (UMTS/HSDPA).

[jones]

CDMA IS-95 is OLD, CDMA 2000 is Not.

[Scrumhalf]

Originally Posted by jones

CDMA IS-95 is OLD, CDMA 2000 is Not.

They are both newer than GSM. GSM specs were defined in 1990 with the first commercial network coming on line in 1991. CDMA IS-95 specs were ratified by CTIA in 1993 with the first networks coming online in 1995-96.