At CTIA’s Wireless ’99:
The Jambala Wireless Application Protocol Gateway, which
will allow operators to improve and expand wireless data services to their customers, said the company.
An open-
application platform, the Jambala WAP Gateway is a network node that serves as a bridge between the wireless
network and the Internet. It converts and optimizes Internet information to meet constraints of wireless transport and
devices such as smart phones and personal digital assistants. Acting as a “client” for Internet application
servers, the WAP gateway can be accessed through Cellular Digital Packet Data, Short Message Service or other
bearers, including circuit-switched Global System for Mobile communications and Time Division Multiple Access
networks. Field trials for the Jambala WAP Gateway are scheduled for the second quarter. Commercial availability is
targeted for the second half of the year.
An agreement with Omnipoint Communications Inc. to provide General
Packet Radio Services in the United States. GPRS will allow Omnipoint to offer wireless access to the Internet and
other Internet Protocol-based services at speeds up to 115 kilobits per second, more than a tenfold increase over current
wireless network speeds, said Ericsson. GPRS also facilitates implementation of voice over IP services. The companies
plan to conduct field trials of several GPRS applications on the Omnipoint PCS 1900 network this year. Commercial
launch is targeted for mid-2000.
TDMA Digital Data and Fax Version 4.0 software and infrastructure. This circuit-
switched data product allows TDMA subscribers to combine a laptop computer and PDA with a digital data-capable
mobile phone for wireless access to e-mail, the Internet and the company information network in a cost-effective way,
said Ericsson. The digital data and fax function uses a digital traffic channel and an Ericsson interworking function to
transfer circuit-switched data over the wireless network. The IWF, which acts as a gateway with a modem pool
function located in the mobile switching center, supports communication between TDMA networks and the public
switched telephone network or a data network. The software supports 800 MHz and 1900 MHz bands and a field trial is
being conducted this quarter, said the company.
A line of next-generation power systems developed for the U.S.
market. The first system, BZA 201 26, supplies highly reliable DC power for radio base stations and associated
transmission equipment, said Ericsson. It is designed to provide +24 volt power to radio equipment and -48 volts to
transmission and other telecom equipment. The BZA’s modular design allows for incremental growth. It is compact,
and designed as a pre-assembled, plug-in system for easier installation and maintenance.
Over-the-Air Service
Provisioning, introduced in accordance with TIA/EIA Interim Standard-725. This functionality enhances Ericsson’s
current over-the-air activation applications. OTASP is available in conjunction with Ericsson’s MXE short message
service center. OTASP allows operators to distribute mobile phones through any outlet, without the need for special
equipment or in-store training, said Ericsson. In the prepaid environment, operators are able to activate and deactivate
prepaid subscribers at a lower cost.
The TDMA Pro value-added service, which allows cellular and personal
communications services carriers to offer customers group calling, first answer, sequential group calling and broadcast
messaging (real-time and pre-recorded) features. TDMA Pro is a network add-on, so the radio-frequency interface is
transparent between mobiles and the base station, said Ericsson. The service works with any handset compatible with
the TDMA network infrastructure.
