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CDMA Development Group Appoints B.V. Raman To Lead Activities In India

CDG Strengthens Its Presence in the Region to Support Growing CDMA Interests

COSTA MESA, Calif., March 16, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) today announced the appointment of B.V. Raman as the CDG's Country Head for India and the establishment of a permanent office in New Delhi. In this position, Mr. Raman will be responsible for carrying out activities in support of CDG objectives in the region and will be working closely with CDMA operators, manufacturers and industry interest groups to ensure the continued growth of CDMA2000(R) in the Indian market.

"India is the fastest-growing wireless market in the world with tremendous opportunities for the wireless industry, and CDMA2000 will continue to play a key role in the region," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "B.V. Raman's appointment further demonstrates the CDG's commitment to the India market and will enable us to provide the right level of support as the industry transitions to 3G and next generation wireless services."

Introduced to the mobile market in India two years ago, CDMA is now a leading technology in the region, capturing close to 23% market share and driving innovation in services and handsets. There are six CDMA operators -- BSNL, HFCL Infotel, MTNL, Reliance Infocomm, Shyam Telelink and Tata Teleservices -- serving close to 18 million users throughout the country. With the deployment of CDMA2000, operators now offer high-quality voice services and advanced data services such as streaming video, mobile banking, wireless point-of-sale solutions and wireless data VPN for enterprise e-mail access.

The CDG has a strong relationship with the CDMA industry in India. By establishing a permanent office in India, the CDG will be able to provide more support to operators on commercial and technical issues, and work closely with the government on spectrum and regulatory policies.

B.V. Raman has over 30 years of professional telecommunication and technology experience, including leadership roles at Reliance Infocomm Limited, Motorola, Modi Xerox and IBM World Trade Corporation. At Reliance Infocomm, he was CEO for the Maharashtra and Goa operations and during his five years at Motorola, he held executive director positions leading sales, operators and distribution. Mr. Raman earned a Masters Degree in Marketing Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and a Bachelors Degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

About CDG

The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA technologies. The more than 100 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, ext. 24, or rsilverio@bockpr.com, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA)

CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
         Ricca Silverio
         +1 714-540-1030
         rsilverio@bockpr.com