SONY
Sony Electronics’ Personal Mobile Communications-America announced the availability of a dual-mode 800 MHz analog/Code Division Multiple Access version of its D-Wave Zuma wireless handset. The lithium ion battery provides up to 2.3 hours of talk time or up to 45 hours standby time in CDMA mode. Features include a 4-line by 12-character alphanumeric display, folding microphone arm and weighs 5.4 ounces. The handset includes Sony’s Jog Dial Navigator, which allows users to scroll through and select from up to 99 memory locations and other features with one hand. Sony also introduced the fourth-generation D-Wave Astra phone, expected to be available in the summer of 1999. Model CM-SB100 will be a dual-band CDMA personal communications services phone. A standard lithium ion battery will increase talk time in the new D-Wave by 50 percent to up to six hours, and standby time by more than 150 percent to up to 160 hours. (800) 222-7669.
NOKIA
Nokia Corp. added two new Time Division Multiple Access handsets to its 5100 series of wireless phones-the Nokia 5120, a dual-mode Time Division Multiple Access/800 MHz analog phone, and the 5160, an 800 MHz dual-band/tri-mode phone. The 5100 series features Nokia’s Navi Key single-button concept, as well as snap-on covers. Nokia 5120 and 5160 features include from eight days to two weeks of standby or three to five hours of talk time, a phone directory that stores 100 names and numbers, text messaging, caller ID, 30 musical ringing tones, an alarm clock and three games. The new Nokia 5100 phones also have high-resolution, illuminated screen with large letters. A full range of accessories is available, including the Nokia LPS-1 Loopset hearing aid adapter, a headset, belt clip and colored covers. Nokia’s new analog handset has a folding design, large display and full-sized keypad. It offers up to 100 minutes of talk time or up to 24 hours standby, phone book memory up to 75 numbers, vibrating alert, 12 ringing tunes and caller ID. The Nokia 282, designed for new cellular users, is expected to start shipping in January. (888) 665-4228.
AUDIVOX
Audiovox Communications Corp. introduced three wireless phones. The MVX-480 was added to the company’s line of Minivox cellular phones, with a new, smaller platform, but which uses the same accessories. A standard NiMH battery provides 80 minutes of talk time and 28 hours of standby time. Available in black or champagne, the MVX-480 is scheduled to start shipping in January. Replacing the PRT-9100 cellular handset is the 3-watt PRT-9200, to which Audiovox has added enhanced software applications. Features include caller ID, voice mail notification, short message service, extended system identification number management and 40-number memory. The PRT-9200 is expected to ship during the fourth quarter with a suggested retail price of $179. Audiovox also introduced a 1900 MHz Code Division Multiple Access phone that uses 13 kilobit vocoder technology. Weighing in at 5.7 ounces, the PCX-1000 has a standard 950mAh lithium ion battery that provides up to two-and-a-half hours of talk time and up to 36 hours of standby time, or up to four hours of talk time and 58 hours of standby time with an extended 1650mAh lithium ion battery. With menu-driven operation, features include caller ID, voice mail notification, SMS, call forwarding, call transfer, call waiting, over-the-air activation, authentication and 100-number memory. The PCX-1000 is slated to ship early in the fourth quarter with a suggested retail price of $299. (516) 233-3300.
NEC
NEC America Inc. introduced its first Code Division Multiple Access phone, two Time Division Multiple Access cellular phones and one analog phone. The DigitalTalk 3100 is a dual-mode CDMA/800 MHz analog handset slated to begin shipping immediately. The handset, weighing 8.2 ounces and standing about 5.8 inches tall, provides more than 200 minutes of talk time and up to 56 hours of standby time. It offers short message service, caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, three-way conference calling and over-the-air activation. The dual-mode TDMA/800 MHz analog DigitalTalk Max 2100 offers more than 170 minutes of talk time and 65 hours of standby time. The handset, also to begin shipping immediately, offers SMS and a menu-driven user interface. The DigitalTalk 2500 is a dual-band, tri-mode handset and provides seamless roaming across the country. It is expected to ship during second quarter of 1999. The analog TalkTime Max 920 cellular phone also is scheduled to ship this month. The Max 920 provides up to 135 minutes of talk time and 36 hours of standby time. Features include one-touch dialing, 24-number memory and a dual NAMs feature that allows customers to make and receive calls in two service areas without paying roaming fees. (800) 225-5664.
ERICSSON
L.M. Ericsson unveiled the KF 788, a dual-band, tri-mode digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service handset that weighs in at 5.4 ounces and measures 4.2 inches tall. The palm-sized handset works on 800 MHz and 1900 MHz systems, making it compatible with analog, digital cellular and personal communications services networks. The KF 788 offers 1.75 hours of talk time and up to 43 hours of standby time, an active flip that answers and terminates calls, vibrating alert, caller ID, personalized ring options in four melodies and 13 ring types, storage of up to 200 names and phone numbers, side-mounted volume keys and recall of up to 40 of the last numbers dialed. AT&T Wireless Services Inc. is offering an exclusive version of the phone, called the LX 788, with the same features through its Digital One-Rate plan. The handset is available in pewter, cabernet, indigo and hunter. Ericsson’s new CF 768 is available in more vibrant colors-bold yellow, red, blue and green. The 1900 MHz Global System for Mobile communications handset weighs 4.7 ounces and stands 4.1 inches tall. The CF 768 delivers up to three hours and 20 minutes of talk time and up to 60 hours of standby time. Other features include support for voice mail, paging, short message service and caller ID, as well as compatibility with Ericsson’s new DI 27 snap-on modem. (800) 374-2776.
HEWLETT-PACKARD
New timing components for base stations, featuring Global Positioning System technology, and five new accessories for GPS antenna systems were introduced by Hewlett-Packard Co. at PCS ’98 last month. Also unveiled at the trade show was a test solution for installing and maintaining radio-frequency infrastructure systems for Cellular Digital Packet Data mobile data base station equipment. The new products include two GPS time and frequency reference receivers-the HP 58533A and 58540A. The HO 58540A offers higher performance than the HP 58533A and can support the timing requirements of both Global System for Mobile communications and Code Division Multiple Access networks. The HP 58533A, which supports only GSM systems, is HP’s least expensive time and frequency reference receiver. Both provide timing synchronization for paging and emerging enhanced 911 networks using GPS technology. E911 enables a cellular phone to be located when the user calls 911. The HP 58533A costs $1,600, and the HP 58540A is priced at $1,850. Both receivers are expected to be available worldwide next month. In addition, HP introduced the 5834A GPS timing antenna, which integrates an antenna, GPS receiver, interface and power supply into a single weatherproof package. The antenna delivers a signal of 1 pulse per second that can be used directly for network synchronization or as a steering reference for precision oscillators used in wireless cell sites. The HP 58534A timing antenna is now available for $895. (800) 452-4844.
ADC Telecommunications
A Global System for Mobile communications network on wheels was demonstrated and a family of 1900 MHz personal communications services products was unveiled by ADC Wireless Systems Group, a business unit of ADC Telecommunications, at the PCS ’98 trade show in Or
lando, Fla., last month. The NOW is a GSM microcellular-ba
sed network system that can be installed in a standard stretch cargo van, allowing carriers to establish new temporary service where wireless coverage is needed. Unlike its mobile counterparts, such as a cell site on wheels, or COWs, the GSM NOW is a complete network, consisting of a switch and a base station controller and transceiver. The system is powered from a standard 220 VAC source or -48 VDC batteries instead of a separate power source. ADC’s transmission solution enables flexible configuration options, including extension to an existing mobile switching center or delivery as a complete GSM network, connecting directly to the public switched telephone network. Applications for the new PCS product family-called CityWave-include GSM networks, wireless offices for extensions, stand-alone private branch exchange and private networks, adding capacity to existing coverage areas, extending service to tunnels, subways and parking garages and providing temporary service for large events or emergencies. CityWave, which supports GSM 900 and Digital Cellular System 1800 technologies, features base transceiver stations, base station controllers, a combined BSC and BTS, and operation, maintenance centers and mobile switching centers. (612) 938-8080.
TEGIC
Seattle-based Tegic Communications announced plans to deliver its T9 text-input technology in Chinese characters during the fourth quarter. Today, the T9 text input-which stands for text from nine keys-is available in Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish. In addition to the Chinese character-based text input, Tegic also is developing a Japanese version. T9 input for the Chinese market is based on technology developed by Asian Communications, with which Tegic has an exclusive licensing agreement. (206) 343-7001.
NORTEL
Northern Telecom Ltd. announced the Passport 8300 G, a wireless data platform based on its Passport data switch, that provides an immediate 200-percent improvement in the effective Global System for Mobile communications data rate, the company said. The wireless gateway also supports digital connection to the Internet/intranet, fax services and the existing portfolio of Interworking Function services with increased capacity. The switching platform is designed to allow operators to evolve toward wireless Internet Protocol networks cost-effectively. Nortel plans to extend the capabilities of the Passport 8300 G to support mobile standards including General Packet Radio Services and Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution. GPRS will initiate the move from the circuit-based environment to a packet-based architecture, providing data rates of up to 115 kilobits per second, and EDGE will provide data rates as fast as 384 kbps, said Nortel. The platform also is the basis for the third-generation unified core network using Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems technology with data rates up to 2 megabits per second. (800) 466-7835.
ALCATEL
Alcatel Telecom launched a new generation of microwave radio products at the Personal Communications Industry Association’s PCS ’98 trade show last month. Alcatel’s MDR-8000 universal platform is capable of transmitting from 2 DS1s up to OC-3 SONET in the 2 GHz to 11 GHz frequency range and can accommodate up to 10 transceivers in a 7-foot bay. The wireless platform addresses both asynchronous and SONET interfaces to meet the requirements of wireless providers, private networks, competitive local exchange carriers and other operators that need wireless solutions in their networks.
ERICO
Erico Inc. now offers a more versatile Cadweld system for wireless telecommunications applications with permanent lug-to-cable connections. Erico offers a single Cadweld mold for seven lug sizes to replace multiple molds. No multiple tools or dies are required, unlike with crimped connections. Cadweld welded lug connections will not loosen or corrode and will carry more current than the conductor itself, said Erico. The lightweight welding equipment does not require special skills to use. Cadweld telecom lugs and molds are ideal for grounding and bonding requirements of codes and standards, including NEC, CEC, TIA and BICSI. (800) 677-9089.
