WASHINGTON-With the huge capital costs of spectrum, infrastructure and marketing playing a major part in the rollout of new personal communications services, PACS technology may become an attractive option for firms planning to bid on 10 megahertz licenses later this summer.
PACS is a low-tier, low-power technology based on microcells that can be readily installed at relatively short distances from one another at costs far below what is required for other, high-power PCS technologies. In addition, PACS can be easily integrated into pocket phones that use other accepted standards.
The technology, which has been field tested by U S West Inc. in Boulder, Co., is based on Personal Handyphone Systems that have proven to be a smashing success in Japan and on Bell Communications Research Inc.’s wireless local loop replacement, or WACS.
PACS is more sophisticated than PHS technology, having the capability of cell-to-cell hand-off at vehicular speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. The technology can provide 64 Kbps data transmission and support various custom calling features.
Victor Liang, vice president of wireless business for Siemens, said PACS handsets will cost between $100 and $150, and that because of the low power consumption and output, phones can operate on standby for seven to 10 days. Talk time is six to 10 hours.
“PACS has a very good advantage because it has wireless, wireless local loop and mobility features,” said Liang.
PACS is most apt to be deployed in densely populated areas, but that’s not a hard and fast rule.
GCI, an Alaskan long-distance telephone carrier, has chosen PACS to roll out PCS throughout that state.
The National Paging & Personal Communications Association is working with Siemens Stromberg-Carlson, a major PACS vendor, to promote the technology for small- and medium-sized businesses.
“This is an excellent business development and assistance partnership arrangement and we applaud Siemens for accepting the challenge,” said Micheal Walker, president of NPPCA.
Siemens, a huge German telecommunications manufacturer with U.S. offices in Boca Raton, Fla., will provide financial assistance to PCS licensees short of taking an equity position in pocket phone operators.
Other manufacturers expected to offer PACS are Motorola Inc., NEC America and Panasonic.
