Motorola Inc. found a third operator in the United States willing to deploy its proprietary integrated Digital Enhanced Network technology and more may follow.
Specialized mobile radio operator Pacific Wireless Technologies Inc. announced plans to offer iDEN technology in central California. The company, formed through the acquisition and combination of Sierra Communications and Cumulous Communications Co., plans to offer commercial iDEN service by spring.
While Pacific Wireless plans to heavily focus on its traditional dispatch customers, it-like Nextel Communications Inc. and Southern Linc-will target service at all users that desire integrated wireless services. iDEN handsets incorporate mobile-phone, pager and two-way radio capabilities.
“We believe we can offer a different level of service for dispatch,” said Jeff Fuller, president and chief executive officer of Pacific Wireless. “In our area, there is a heavy focus on servicing the agriculture and land transportation service. There’s a lot of need for wireless services that vary quite a bit … Nextel has done a good job of creating a market.”
SMR operators have tended to shy away from Motorola’s technology, citing the high costs involved. However Nextel has deployed the technology nationwide and international operators have begun widespread rollouts. This has driven iDEN technology’s cost below analog’s cost, said Fuller.
“This is the wave of the future,” said Fuller. “I believe that all analog systems will become digital. It’s a matter of time before the FCC legislates it.”
Pacific Wireless’ announcement comes on the heals of an agreement between Nextel and handset manufacturer Kyocera Corp. calling for the Japanese vendor to produce an iDEN handset by late next year. Motorola and Kyocera are negotiating a license agreement, Motorola’s first for iDEN technology.
Motorola recently acquired a 20-percent stake in Korea Telecom Powertel, which is upgrading its analog trunked radio system to digital iDEN technology.
