CDMA2000 for Developing Markets

Most emerging markets have one thing in common—their citizens and businesses have limited access to basic telephone
services, and those that are available often are prohibitively expensive. This creates opportunities for telecom service
providers, particularly greenfield operators, that are willing to use innovative technologies and strategies to bring
affordable voice and broadband data services to these underserved markets.
Enabling universal access to basic telephony and Internet services is also a key initiative for governments worldwide,
particularly those in emerging markets. Numerous studies have clearly established that there is a close relationship
between a country’s teledensity and Internet penetration and its level of economic power as measured by per-capita
gross domestic product (GDP). By spurring economic development, affordable, widely available voice and data services
help improve conditions for both businesses and the general population. Universal access also benefits remotely located
schools and health care facilities, by enabling them to connect to essential resources in urban areas and the rest of the
world.
Regardless of whether the goal is universal access or to capitalize on the business opportunity of underserved markets,
wireless has become the favored means of providing voice and data services in emerging markets. Compared to
wireline telephony and DSL, wireless is significantly more cost-effective, easier and faster to deploy, and more scalable.
These benefits apply in both densely populated urban locations and sparsely populated rural areas. Over the long term,
wireless is also better-equipped to accommodate growth in voice and data usage in emerging markets, just as it already
does in developed countries.
Third generation wireless technologies such as CDMA2000® 1X and 1xEV-DO Rev. A are particularly well-suited for
developing markets, especially greenfield deployments. CDMA2000 1X offers high-quality and high-capacity circuitswitched
voice communications, so operators can provide basic telephony services at an affordable price. CDMA2000
1xEV-DO Rev. A, with its enhanced all-IP functionality, is the most advanced mobile broadband technology commercially
available today—it provides faster than DSL access to Internet-based services and will enable operators to offer VoIP
and next-generation converged communication services in the future.
This white paper examines why emerging markets are a major, long-term business opportunity for both greenfield and
incumbent service providers – if they can be served cost-effectively. It outlines the key requirements for telecom
technologies to meet the requirements of these markets, and it describes the benefits of CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO
Rev. A for addressing these market opportunities.