HP, Motorola Team on Linux Telecom Platform

Expanding upon a long-term relationship, HP (NYSE: HPQ) and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) today announced a multiyear agreement under which Motorola plans to incorporate HP technologies into its CDMA and iDEN network infrastructure offerings.

The resulting platforms in Motorola's Radio Access Network will provide mobile operators with telecom network infrastructure technologies. Globally, mobile operators strive to generate new revenues and reduce network costs by replacing network elements built on proprietary technologies with modular, industry-standard products.

"This collaboration between Motorola and HP is a significant development for standards-based network infrastructure," said Keith Mallinson, executive vice president at the Yankee Group.

"Operators need flexible and scalable network infrastructure at lower and lower prices, allowing them to invest in new services. HP brings low-cost commercial IT while meeting rigorous specifications of carrier-grade networks. Motorola will focus on expanding capacity and lowering cost per subscriber with this standardized platform."

Hardware-Software Platform

Specifically, HP will deliver and support a complete hardware and software platform that will help manage key functions in the central call path of the network.

The new platform consists of three elements: HP cx2600 64-bit rack-mount server, a carrier-grade version of HP's commercial rx2600 server; the Linux operating system, with carrier-grade features in line with OSDL specifications and hardened to meet telecom standards; and HP OpenCall Radio Signaling Controller, a version of HP's implementation of the Signaling System 7 standard that handles call signaling and connection in the core network.

Motorola, working with HP, will integrate its own high-availability middleware and application software with elements of the HP platform to create the core infrastructure for its iDEN network, which will use the HP Integrity cx2600 server running Linux, and the Motorola CDMA radio access network, which will use all three elements of the HP platform.

"Motorola has been collaborating with HP throughout HP's 25 years in telecom networks, and this new platform embodies the power of the convergence of IT and telecom," said Ann Livermore, executive vice president of the Technology Solutions Group at HP.