ATLANTA-GTE Mobilnet Inc., Hughes Network Systems Inc. and Pacific Communications Sciences Inc. completed field trials using circuit-switched Cellular Digital Packet Data technology. CS-CDPD allows CDPD users to transmit packet data over existing circuit-switched networks and gain nationwide wireless data coverage.
GTE said it expects to deploy CS-CDPD in all of its markets this year.
Prior to CS-CDPD, packet data usage was confined to those areas covered by CDPD networks, GTE said. CDPD networks are deployed in nearly 60 market areas in the United States, as well as cities in Canada and South America.
“CDPD and CS-CDPD together serve today’s rigorous wireless data networking needs,” said Jay Sheth, director of business development for GTE.
“These complimentary technologies will provide users with a powerful competitive tool-national, reliable and easy-to-use wireless access to their network LANs [local area networks], host computers, even the Internet from virtually anywhere in the United States.”
The CS-CDPD field trials used GTE’s existing cellular network, HNS’ infrastructure and PCSI’s Ubiquity 2000 modem, which integrates support for CDPD.
“Service coverage is a fundamental element of providing effective wireless solutions to users,” said Dan Merriman of Giga Information Group.
