NEC, Microwave Networks ink DMR licensing pact

NEC Corp. has licensed its U.S. digital microwave radio (DMR) patents and counterpart patents covering fundamental telecommunication techniques such as QAM to Microwave Networks Inc. (MNI). Both parties also agreed not to assert their DMR patents in the future.

"This is the first licensing agreement that MNI has entered into with another digital transmission manufacturing organization and MNI hopes this agreement is a precursor to enhanced worldwide cooperation between digital radio companies," said James Gordon, President of MNI.

NEC has previously licensed its DMR patents to a telecommunications manufacturer in North America and is currently negotiating similar patent licenses with other telecommunications manufacturers worldwide.

"NEC seeks to actively pursue patent licensing agreements with global telecommunications manufacturers that recognize the value of its intellectual property," said Hideyuki Ogata, vice president at NEC's intellectual asset management unit. "We have always embraced new and collaborative ways of driving innovation and will actively work toward the increased development of the global telecommunications market."

In the 1960s, NEC began R&D in the field of DMR and developed the 'first' commercial DMR equipment in 1969. Since then, it has developed various DMR systems and techniques. NEC's DMR equipment, including its point-to-point wireless access system, Pasolink, is shipped to over 110 countries and is recognized for its performance and reliability.