3607 Communications Co. launched its Code Division Multiple Access digital cellular phone network in Las Vegas and is offering the service to new and existing customers.
The system, which covers 85 percent of the company’s analog traffic areas, will allow 3607 to increase network capacity in anticipation of future customer growth. Boasting a 30 percent penetration rate, Las Vegas is one of the most penetrated cellular phone markets in the nation.
“Digital service is a natural extension of our current network in southern Nevada, which uses both analog and [narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone Service],” said Dennis Foster, company president and chief executive officer.
Customers can purchase a dual-mode phone, manufactured by Qualcomm Personal Electronics, from 3607 retail stores. The phones provide five hours of continuous talk time and two hours standby time plus improved in-building reception, increased privacy and protection against fraud, said the company.
Subscribers will be able to sign up on any existing rate plan with the option to purchase either a digital or analog handset. Like the analog service, digital handset costs will vary according to individual rate plans, said 3607. The company said it has no immediate plans to advertise the service.
Users will have roaming capabilities with AirTouch Communications Inc.’s Los Angeles CDMA network, which launched limited service in May. The route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is one of the most highly traveled in the nation, said Margaret Kirch Cohen, 3607 spokeswoman.
3607 took six months to build out the network. During that time, about 100 employees and associates were loaded on the network. Motorola Inc., which has deployed CDMA systems in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, provided the infrastructure, valued at $12 million.
3607 is the first carrier to offer CDMA cellular service to all existing and new customers. Bell Atlantic Nynex Mobile launched CDMA service in April but is only offering it to select small businesses and consumers in Trenton, N.J., and Bucks County, Pa. In mid-May, AirTouch rolled out its CDMA network in Los Angeles and has been moving its high-end analog users onto the network. AirTouch also announced it will activate its CDMA network for the Republican National Convention Aug. 12-15 in San Diego.
“In major population centers, like Los Angeles or New York, cellular phone companies are deploying digital technology to increase call capacity requirements,” said Foster. “Because 3607 Communications operates in medium-sized cities and in smaller metropolitan and rural areas, we’ve been able to deploy technology on our own time frame.”
3607 is using the 8 kilobit-per-second vocoder for advanced voice quality with plans to migrate to the 13-kilobit vocoder next year. Las Vegas is the only Nevada market where 3607 offers service, with no holdings in the adjoining states of California or Arizona. The other cellular operator, AT&T Wireless Services Inc., operates a Time Division Multiple Access digital network and analog network.
