Nortel signs up for 3G alliance

Nortel Networks is to invest in Xircom and Sierra Wireless' development projects to build wireless 3G modems.

The networking giant has ploughed an unspecified amount of money into the partnership and claims the resulting modems will be able to send and receive data at 2Mbps when fixed and 384Kbps in mobile mode. Peter McKinnon, vice president of Nortel's internet without wire division, said the products will be launched within the next 12 to 18 months. He claimed the partnership will open up a lot of opportunities for winning contracts in the construction of 3G networks.