Cellcom Deploys Advanced Wireless Technology with Kodak
17 June 2004
SAN RAMON, Calif. -- June 17, 2004 -- Kodiak Networks, a leading provider of advanced wireless voice systems, announced that Cellcom, a locally owned wireless carrier headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., is commercially deploying the Kodiak Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System. The standards-based, all-IP, packet-switched Kodiak RTX System enables instant voice services with integrated press-to-talk capability. Cellcom is the third wireless network operator worldwide and the first local carrier to deploy Kodiak's RTX System. Cellcom will begin offering these real-time voice services on June 21, 2004, across its upper Midwest network.
"Kodiak is pleased to welcome Cellcom to the growing number of wireless carriers adopting our advanced wireless system," said Richard Henderson, Kodiak Networks vice president sales-Americas. "The highly scalable RTX System provides networks of any size with a powerful and cost-effective competitive tool -- the capability to offer premium voice services that increase minutes of use and average revenue per user, as well as attract and retain customers."
Cellcom will market these premium instant voice services under the name, Chirp(R). Using Chirp, Cellcom subscribers can -- for the first time -- see on their handsets exactly who is available to receive a real-time wireless call. No other press-to-talk technology supports this "availability" feature. In addition, Cellcom subscribers can take advantage of more Kodiak-enabled features, including instant calling, instant conferencing and instant voice messaging.
"Cellcom's Chirp service outperforms existing walkie-talkie services. When you are second to market, the product should be better than its predecessor," said Rob Riordan, Cellcom's executive vice president and director of corporate development. "Kodiak's technology is a dramatic leap forward, offering the speed, voice quality, roaming and features that customers need. In addition, it allows a regional company, such as ours, to offer service that competes with national networks. Sometimes it pays to wait for the best."
Kodiak Networks is the only infrastructure company providing carriers with wireless voice systems that deliver integrated instant voice services across multiple networks and national borders. Kodiak's RTX System enables network operators to offer premium instant voice services across multiple networks, including digital CDMA and related AMPS analog networks, as well as GSM and UMTS radio access networks. Cellcom is deploying Kodiak's RTX System across its existing CDMA/AMPS network.
About Kodiak
Kodiak Networks (www.kodiaknetworks.com) is the leading instant wireless voice systems innovator for carriers worldwide. The Kodiak Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System is a breakthrough in integrated instant voice calling, availability and conferencing. The Kodiak RTX System can be integrated into any existing cellular network, enabling carriers to increase profit and customer retention and attract new customers without costly retrofit to network infrastructure.
Kodiak Networks offers a unique combination of GSM and CDMA instant voice communications solutions that can be easily scaled from independent operators to multi-national carriers. The company has partnerships with several global providers of handset technology and has numerous patents pending in the areas of high-speed packet-switching, signaling and call control. Headquartered in San Ramon, California, the company has additional facilities in Plano, Texas, Bangalore, India and Swindon, United Kingdom.
About Cellcom
Cellcom (www.cellcom.com) is a locally owned wireless organization providing telecommunication services in the upper Midwest. Cellcom remains on the leading edge through appropriate use of existing and emerging technologies. The company is a market-driven organization providing service in a personalized and dependable manner.
Cellcom is a subsidiary of Nsight Telservices, which owns a family of companies providing wireless, business and residential local service, long distance, Internet, web hosting and tower erection and maintenance services in the Midwest. Based in Green Bay, Wis., Nsight is a premier communications provider that is proud of its heritage, local presence and reputation as an active corporate citizen in the community.
