DCR Communications Inc. and Westinghouse Electric Corp. reached an agreement in principle for a multimillion-dollar investment commitment by Westinghouse in the new personal communications services company. Westinghouse’s communications systems division will become DCR’s primary network systems integrator and provide technical services to support the buildout and operations of DCR’s planned nationwide PCS network. Washington, D.C.-based DCR plans to bid for licenses in the upcoming Federal Communications Commission C-Block PCS auctions.
United States Cellular Corp. has agreed to sell its BusinessLink Personal Communications System to Panasonic. BusinessLink is a wireless extension of a private branch exchange telephone system that enables users to answer their desktop telephones via wireless handsets from any location. The agreement with Panasonic allows United States Cellular to offer manufacturer warranties along with its service warranties on the BusinessLink system.
Critical Data Systems of Longwood, Fla., and Ericsson Private Radio Systems have joined forces to promote the widespread acceptance of mobile data applications. The initial project for the deal combines Critical Data Systems’ data software called 4DAT with Ericsson’s network platform, Enhanced Digital Access Communications System, or EDACS. The initiative also attempts to expand the field of target customers for mobile data and match them with applications that can be adjusted to suit various users’ needs. “We have designed our software to dispose of the myth that mobile data is difficult or expensive to do,” said Bonnie Warren, director of market development for Critical Data Systems.
Glenayre Technologies Inc. will supply advanced voice messaging services to CommNet Cellular Inc. for use in CommNet’s 274 counties throughout nine states. Using Glenayre’s Modular Voice Processing System, CommNet plans to offer services such as broadcast fax distribution, message waiting notification, call completion and information and data services to its cellular customers.
Ericsson Inc. and Pacer International will provide and install Ericsson’s digital telephone switching system and “Telecool” cooling system in two new American Personal Communications Inc. sites located in Merrifield, Va., and Hanover, Md. Pacer International provided the complete installation of the “Telecool” system, an energy efficient cooling application.
ProNet Inc. announced it has completed the acquisition of Houston-based Paging & Cellular of Texas. Paging & Cellular, ProNet’s largest reseller in Houston, was acquired for approximately $9.5 million, which was paid in cash at closing. In 1993, ProNet initiated an aggressive acquisition strategy to provide local and regional paging coverage in five distinct regions of the nation-the Northeast, Southeast, South Central, Midwest and West. To date, the company has acquired 12 paging operations and has nine pending transactions that are expected to close by the second quarter of 1996.
