Harris
Harris Corp. previewed its ClearBurst 2.5/3.4/10.5 GHz point-to-multipoint system, the newest addition to the Harris broadband wireless access product line, which is intended for deployment by public service providers as well as private network operators. The ClearBurst product offers a solution for delivering Time Division Multiplex-, Internet Protocol- or Asynchronous Transfer Mode-based wireless multimedia services to home offices and businesses. It enables simultaneous video conferencing, Web browsing and digital imaging applications on a 28 GHz system.
ADC Telecommunications
ADC Telecommunications Inc. announced a new version of its SMARTop tower top amplifier product designed for dual-band 900 MHz Global System for Mobile communications operators. The SMARTop dual-band 900 dual duplex masthead unit amplifies 1800 MHz coverage while separating the 900 MHz signal into its own antenna and combining the uplink signals into one feeder line. Jeff Quiram, vice president and general manager for ADC’s Broadband Connectivity Group, Wireless Division, said SMARTop is ideal for dual-band carriers which already have built their 900 MHz coverage and are adding 1800 MHz coverage to the same site.
OmniAlert
OmniAlert introduced an enhanced version of its financial news and information service, now available via the wireless Internet. The service features include an interface that remembers customers preferences, avoiding a time-consuming log in sequence; instant access to customer-specified symbols for real-time quotes on demand; real-time quotes on demand for more than 100,000 securities; review of headline alerts and retrieval of the full news story; and delivery of alerts via wireless device e-mail or text messaging. OmniAlert’s news services are accessible on most wireless phones, personal digital assistants and other devices equipped with wireless Internet browsers such as Phone.com’s UP.Browser and browsers compliant with the Wireless Application Protocol.
Comverse
Comverse Network Systems made available its InfoPeeler wireless Internet portal. The InfoPeeler portal enables wireless service providers to create information and content services, allowing subscribers to access information based on their personal needs, interests and preferences via a wireless handset or mobile device. The accessed information can be delivered to the wireless device, a fax machine, an e-mail address, to voice mail or be read over the telephone using text-to-speech technology.
IBM and Nokia
IBM Corp. and Nokia Corp. announced they will work together to develop Wireless Application Protocol solutions to enable customers to immediately begin extending e-business to wireless devices. Under terms of the agreement, IBM said it will market and distribute the Nokia WAP Server software on its PC servers and license Nokia core WAP technology for integration with other IBM server platforms.
Tegic and Philips
Tegic Communications and Philips Consumer Communications signed a licensing agreement which will allow Philips to integrate Tegic’s T9 Text Input software in future Global System for Mobile communications phones. Philips said it initially plans to integrate the Chinese-language version of T9 Text Input software into the Genie 2000 to be distributed in China by the end of the year. Other Philips mobile phones will follow in all major GSM markets during 2000, the company said.
CMG Telecommunications
CMG said it has enhanced its WAP Service Broker product with the capability of provisioning Wireless Application Protocol handsets “over the air” with all the configuration information that is required to access a specific WAP gateway. This capability enables mobile operators to provision WAP handsets from a central point and shorten activation time for new subscribers to WAP services, said the company. The WAP Service Broker will support the provisioning protocols of individual handset vendors as they are introduced on to the market, CMG said. In its first release, the WAP Service Broker will support the Nokia over-the-air provisioning protocol.
Convergys
Convergys Corp. made available the Atlys billing solution, created specifically for wireless carriers operating outside the United States, said the company. Atlys offers integrated Web-based applications such as e-commerce; support for the primary mobile network standards such as Global System for Mobile communications and Code Division Multiple Access; multiservice billing; and multiple language and currency capabilities, among other features. Atlys is the first in a series of information and customer relationship management solutions that will be known as Convergys Connections, the company said.
Qualcomm
Qualcomm Inc. announced development plans for a chipset that will support the family of Code Division Multiple Access third-generation systems agreed upon by the Operators Harmonization Group. The new chipset and system software solutions will support the CDMA multi-carrier mode, consisting of both 1XRTT and 3XRTT spreading bandwidths and the CDMA direct spread mode. Earlier this year, Qualcomm introduced its MSM5000 chipset and system software solution that is compliant with 3G CDMA 1X MC mode specifications. The MSM5000 chipset and system software, Qualcomm’s seventh-generation MSM, is scheduled to begin field trials in early 2000 with commercial production following the trials.
Qualcomm also unveiled a prototype 3G handset that incorporates features such as video conferencing and Web browsing that may be found in future products.
Nokia
Nokia Corp. launched Total Mobility Home to help Global System for Mobile communications network operators target the family as a single customer.
Mobilix, a telecommunications company in Denmark, said it is planning to launch Total Mobility Home in the next few months. “We wish to connect all the family’s communications systems together into a family center where both scratch-card and subscription-based mobile phones will be combined on equal terms with the usual telephone and Internet connection,” said Monique Moulle-Zetterstrom, chief executive officer of Mobilix. “The core of the family’s own communication system will be an electronic calendar, which may be accessed through both mobile phones and the Internet.” The Total Mobility Home solution is comprised of the Nokia UltraSite solution, the Nokia Virtual Private Network, the Nokia TariffZone and the Nokia Service Gateway, the company said.
Lucent
Lucent Technologies Inc. said it conducted the first multimedia transmission between two wireless networks envisioned under a harmonized third-generation standard based on Code Division Multiple Access technology. The data transmission establishes the viability of network interoperability between the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System and one adhering to a multicarrier CDMA standard. Lucent said the demonstration marks a significant step in the process of achieving true global mobility for consumers and maximizing the potential of global communications for operators.
GSM Association and GSA
The GSM Association announced its has signed a cooperation agreement with the Global Mobile Suppliers Association. The GSM Association represents Global System for Mobile communications, third-generation and satellite operators, administrations, regulators and manufacturers and suppliers. The GSA, a relatively new organization, represents mainly suppliers to the GSM industry. Under the agreement, the two organizations plan to work to promote market entry of GSM into new regions-primarily Latin America, Africa and Asia, according to the groups. “We also want to promote the take-up of data and text services, whilst we maintain preparation for the next generation of GSM-based standards and services,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association.
