Marconi is betting that ArrayComm’s IntelliCell technology, deployed in over 65,000 based stations worldwide, can ensure that the poor performance of 2G cellular systems, such as dropped calls and slow data rates, does not plague the next generation of wireless systems.

ArrayComm’s solution works differently than the present 2G cellular systems in that it broadcasts the same signal over the entirety of a wireless cell to connect sender and receiver. Since IntelliCell software enables ‘smart antennas’ to direct signals to and from users, there is less likely hood of radio interference that results in dropped calls and poor service. In addition, the company says that its technology has proven to yield increases in a carrier’s capacity by multiplying existing bandwidth and coverage as well as faster data rates. ArrayComm is promising Marconi that it can duplicate the same benefits for the 3G W-CDMA systems Marconi expects to deliver to its carriers.

Commenting on the investment, Aldo Olivari, Marconi Mobile’s chief executive officer, said, "Incorporating IntelliCell technology into our solutions gives us a significant head start in the race to deliver superior 3G systems."