Tata Teleservices Endorses CDMA Certification Forum

Adoption by Tata Highlights Operator Interest in CCF Process

MUMBAI, India and SAN DIEGO, Aug. 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tata Teleservices, a leading wireless operator in India, today announced their endorsement of the CDMA Certification Forum (CCF) Certification Process.

Tata Teleservices was the first CDMA2000 operator to adopt and launch devices using the CCF's streamlined test and global certification process among 30 other operators that have adopted or are evaluating the process. Several devices entering the Indian market today were first tested in a CCF authorized testing facility using the standard CCF Laboratory (CCF-L) certification test plan.

"The CCF is pleased to see Tata realizing the time and cost to market advantage afforded by the CCF certification process. Tata understands the importance of streamlining device testing in order to provide their customers with greater product selection in one of the world's fastest growing CDMA markets," said Thomas Erickson, president and CEO of the CCF. "With the CCF certification process, CDMA2000 devices can be tested and certified in less time with increased test coverage at a cost savings of 80% compared to the traditional test process."

"Tata is proud to be leading the effort to drive increased standardization of handset testing. With the CCF's more efficient and encompassing test process, we're seeing reductions in the time required to bring new handsets to market, in addition to reducing internal testing resources and costs," said Greg Young, chief officer of network, technology & value added services, Tata Teleservices Ltd. "These benefits are applicable to the global community, but will be particularly beneficial in markets such as India."

"The CCF is an essential industry effort to improve the availability, interoperability and affordability of CDMA2000 devices," said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. "Tata's adoption of the CCF test process is an important milestone in evolving the existing CDG test process."

About the CCF
The CDMA Certification Forum (CCF) is a partnership between CDMA operators and CDMA device vendors to certify CDMA2000 devices that are ready for commercialization. The CCF offers a streamlined global certification process that enables devices to be adequately tested and certified for commercialization in an affordable and timely manner. Its charter is to define and maintain a global standard certification test plan to certify that CDMA2000 devices meet the requisite product conformance, network interoperability, and essential performance specifications that are dictated by international standards bodies. The forum, whose founding members include Motorola, Nokia, QUALCOMM, Telstra, U.S. Cellular and Via Telecom, is also responsible for validating test platforms, authorizing test facilities, auditing test data and issuing device certifications. For more information about the CCF, visit the CCF Web site at globalccf.org or contact the CDG News Bureau.

About Tata Teleservices Ltd.
Tata Teleservices is one of India's leading private telecom service providers. The company offers integrated telecom solutions to its customers under the Tata Indicom brand, and uses the latest CDMA 3G1X technology for its wireless network. Tata Teleservices operates in 20 circles across India and has a customer base of over 10 million.

Tata Teleservices' bouquet of telephony services includes mobile services, fixed Wireless phones, public booth telephony, and wireline services. The company, which heralded convergence technologies in the Indian telecom sector, is today the world leader in the fixed wireless telephony market with a total customer base of over 3.5 million.

About the CDG
The CDMA Development Group is a trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA technologies. The more than 130 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-, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

Note to editors
cdmaOne is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT:
CDG News Bureau
Ricca Silverio
(714) 540-1030
Fax: (714) 540-1060

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