Ericsson to provide WCDMA system for U.S. Navy MUOS program

MUOS is the U.S. Department of Defenses next-generation narrowband satellite communications system that will provide simultaneous voice, video and data communication for U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps troops. Ericsson will supply wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) wireless equipment through a subcontract with General Dynamics C4 Systems, which is responsible for the ground segment communications on the MUOS program. In addition, Ericsson will provide telecommunications services to support network deployment and integration, program management and software development activities. Ericsson is the world leader in WCDMA and has supplied systems to 35 of the 56 operators who have launched commercial WCDMA services. The same proven technology that already brings new advanced services to millions of consumers can also be used for solutions for national security and public safety. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif. is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the MUOS program and is currently under contract to build the first two satellites and associated ground control elements for its customer, the U.S. Navy. The Navys PEO for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program. The Ericsson WCDMA radio network delivers up to 384 Kbit/s data rates and readily to future generations of commercial mobile technology. The core network provides advanced switching technologies for real time services (voice, data and video) and non-real time services (e-mail, messaging) using a common backbone network based on the Internet Protocol (IP).