SAN FRANCISCO-Personal communications services carriers using Global System for Mobile communications technology in the United States and Canada now have more than 1 million customers.
“Thirteen PCS companies provide commercial GSM service across the U.S. and Canada and are adding new customers at a rate of 110 an hour,” said GSM Alliance Chairman Don Warkentin, chief executive officer of Aerial Communications.
Warkentin said it took the entire U.S. cellular industry more than three years to do what the GSM companies have done in the past 10 months. More than 12 GSM carriers are operating in nearly 700 cities in 32 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
Warkentin said the GSM Alliance, a network of independent, local GSM companies founded more than three months ago, is quickly building out its planned national coverage in the United States and Canada.
Two North American organizations-GSM North America and the GSM Alliance-announced they would commemorate the 1 millionth customer by donating wireless phones, $500 of Pacific Bell Mobile Services airtime, gift food baskets and a check for $1,000 to the non-sectarian Sacred Heart Community Service group in San Jose, Calif. Fire destroyed Sacred Heart’s facility. GSM companies will commemorate the 1 millionth customer by making similar donations.
