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——The first CDMA ALL-IP DORA network for Leap in USA

"Our strategic partnership with Huawei allows us to further enhance our focus on delivering the highest quality networks and consumer services while maintaining our leadership position on cost, especially as we bring Cricket services to new markets. " ---- Glenn Umetsu, CTO of Leap Wireless, Inc.

Great Partnership for a Greater Success (PDF:200KB)

Leap Wireless provides innovative, high-value wireless services to a fast-growing, young and ethnically diverse customer base. With the value of unlimited wireless services as the foundation of its business, Leap pioneered both Cricket® and Jump™ Mobile services.

Leap and Huawei walk hand-in-hand to create the first All-IP DORA network in the USA

Since 2001, Leap has been dealing with the serious bottlenecks that come with fast network expansion, malfunction in existing equipment, and huge maintenance costs. In 2003, Leap selected Huawei to help them pass the strict network tests. Huawei was qualified as a "Leap Qualified Vendor" after the network passed the rigid qualification tests of NEBS, UL, FCC, and other operators, Leap contracted Huawei to perform network swaps in three districts located in Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, and Reno, Nevada. Huawei provided Leap with an All-IP CDMA solution, which include DORA, Softswitch, and All- IP BTS.

Compared to traditional networks, All-IP networks boast greater flexibility, which is enhanced by the advantages of DORA. Softswitch and IP BTS are suited to the vast territories and sparse populations typical of Leap's American networks, where savings in transmission costs can exceed 60%.

By increasing network speed, Leap provides expanded mobile broadband services that include IP voice, large email attachments, network photography, handset TV, and VOD. Such enhanced services definitely increase overall competition in the network. Huawei designed their All-IP solution to meet Leap's future requirement of including IMS and UMB in the network.

Following the network-wide cutover, Leap's network now shows a significant improvement in performance. The All-IP network has saved Leap over 50% in CAPEX and OPEX.

A series of All-IP base stations enable quick deployment of the AWS network

In 2006, Leap acquired Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum in 13 areas of the USA. The new spectrum means new market opportunities for telecom operators. Huawei focuses on the requirement of Leap and provides the All-IP-based BTS 3606AE, which support the AWS spectrum.

During the first phase of the project, Huawei's IP-based BTS endured an all-around test. Reno, Nevada is located in the desert, and outdoor temperatures in the summer regularly exceed 120°F (40°). In fact, BTSs from the original vendors overheated and failed, but Huawei's outdoor BTSs continued to work.
Huawei's IP-based CDMA BTS features large capacity, high reliability, low power consumption, ease-of-maintenance, and smooth upgradeability to UMB.
Thanks to the distributed design of baseband and remote radio units, not to mention the hot-switching technology, a BTS can reduce power consumption by up to 60%. Power amplification efficiency can be increased to 35% after Huawei's application of their industry-leading DPD and E-Doherty technologies. The all-in-one design for transmission and power supply functions reduces the complexity associated with choosing installation sites.

Fast, economical network deployment allows for increased profitability.

Coverage demand for the most important telecom market in the USA

The Great Lakes Region is the most important area of Leap's recently acquired AWS spectrum. The Great Lakes Region is a major economic and industrial center in the USA, second only to New York. Featuring mature urban development, high concentrations of people, swarming transportation, and countless tall buildings, it is one of the most difficult areas to cover. Add to this challenge the fierce competition of major telecom equipment and service providers for subscribers, and Leap has its work cut out for it.

Under such difficult circumstances, Leap once again chooses Huawei and its 3G CDMA solution to cover The Great Lakes Region. In the second phase, Huawei will deploy over 1300 BTSs, and provide service for 16 million Americans.

In February, 2007, upon completion of the first phase cutover, the network's quality improved greatly. In fact, the biggest problem area ended up being the most outstanding area of network performance. The Leap staff member responsible for this area was also selected as "the network maintenance start” of Leap. The call drop rate (CDR) and connection failure rate (IA) were reduced by half, from 1% to 0.5%.

It was reported in a Lehman Brothers analysis report that Leap boasts reliable network quality and is the one of the best American operators in terms of low churn rate.

Huawei gained valuable insight and a better understanding of the American telecom market, adding to its already extensive telecom experience, by its involvement in the first phase of the Leap project. Huawei will deliver the rest of the Great Lakes Region network the second half of 2008. The successful delivery of the network in the Great Lakes Region is an important icon of Huawei's capability in the USA market, and establishes a standard influencing Leap's strategy in the future.

Milestones

• September 2008, the network of Great Lakes Region will be launch.
• June 2007, Leap chooses Huawei's CDMA2000 solutions to support Leap's recently acquired AWS spectrum.
• March 2007, the first phase of the western-northern project is completed successfully; network performance is greatly improved.
• June 2006, Leap awards Huawei the 3G commercial network contract to replace the CDMA network in the western and northern areas.
• September 2004, Leap awards Huawei their Qualified Vendor title; strategic cooperation between Leap and Huawei begins.