PORTLAND, Ore., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- (OSCON, Oregon Convention Center, Booth #P3) – Range Networks, the leading provider of open source cellular systems and leader of the OpenBTS software project, today announced the public release of OpenBTS-UMTS 1.0, providing data capability for 3G networks. The new code is available to the OpenBTS community immediately as a free download.

KEY FACTS:

• 3G stack now primed for innovation – This 1.0 release marks the opening of the 3G stack to innovation and makes OpenBTS the only open source project to support 3G networks.
• Meets 3GPP standards – OpenBTS-UMTS delivers an enhanced data speed of at least 384 kbits/s per user and in a lab environment can increase to 800 kbits/s download speeds per user. This enhancement enables Web access, streaming video and use of mobile applications on 3G-enabled handsets. It is 3GPP-compliant and operates on any of the 3GPP-defined UMTS frequencies.
• Ettus Research and Nuand endorse 3G open source – Industry leading software-defined radio (SDR) suppliers have shown support for the 3G release and plan to develop products that support OpenBTS-UMTS.
• New Contributor License Agreement (CLA)– Range Networks is also announcing changes in the open source CLA, designed to encourage greater community participation in the advancement of the mobile industry. OpenBTS.org now implements a Harmony CLA to strengthen the ownership and copyright claims of contributors.

SUPPORTING QUOTES:
Matt Ettus, founder and president, Ettus Research, said:
"It is exciting to see the OpenBTS project releasing data capability for open source 3G networks. As the leading provider of software-defined radio systems, we look forward to supporting the OpenBTS-UMTS code on the USRP™ product line. I think the new CLA will also reinforce community developer involvement, help to grow the community, and build further momentum for the open source mobile infrastructure ecosystem."

Robert Ghilduta, co-founder, Nuand LLC, said:
"Having the OpenBTS project opening up 3G networks to innovation is extremely exciting, and at the BladeRF project we look forward to collaborating to get our radio running with the OpenBTS-UMTS stack."

Harvind Samra, CTO, Range Networks, said:
"As Range Networks looks to advance the future of cellular networks, our goal is to provide developers with the tools they need to be successful. This initial UMTS release to the open source community is a natural progression in our strategy to apply IP networking to mobile infrastructure and we're looking forward to seeing even more exciting projects unfold with OpenBTS as a platform for innovation."

Social Media Destinations:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/range-networks 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RangeNetworks
OpenBTS Community: http://www.openbts.org/

About Range Networks
Range Networks is developing the future of cellular networks. Founded by the inventors of OpenBTS, the company is the leader in commercial open source cellular systems. Range Networks' systems are simple to deploy and manage at a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions. Based on OpenBTS, Range Networks delivers mobile connectivity for rural communities, remote industries and emergency responders, and supplies development networks to commercial labs and universities. www.rangenetworks.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kim Dearborn
Nadel Phelan, Inc.
+1-831-440-2407
kim.dearborn@nadelphelan.com

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SOURCE Range Networks