Ericsson forms office mobility unit
ATLANTA-Ericsson Inc. announced the formation of the Wireless Services unit in response to the increasing need for wireless communications in the workplace.
Ericsson said the new unit will provide a wireless office solution based on the Interim Standard-136 Time Division Multiple Access protocol. The solution will give subscribers total mobility through a single phone, with one number and nationwide roaming.
The Wireless Services unit will be responsible for product development and management, operations, marketing and financial control, said Stockholm, Sweden-based Ericsson.
Siemens debuts dual-band GSM set
ATLANTA-Siemens Wireless Terminals introduced the S16 globalband phone that supports both the European 900 MHz and North American 1900 MHz Global System for Mobile communications standards.
The phone has an easy-to-use menu that allows a user to exchange short messages, faxes and data while on the road, and its low energy consumption increases battery life, enabling the user to travel for several days without having to reload or change the battery, according to the handset manufacturer.
U S West releases WatchMark suite
ATLANTA-U S West International Systems Group announced a suite of decision support software, WatchMark, for a diverse array of wireless networks that will allow wireless carriers to navigate through complex network information using fault and performance data that are graphically and geographically displayed.
U S West said it also has formed an alliance with Tertio, a European-based integrator to jointly develop solutions aimed at closing the gap between the network management and customer service centers of wireless telecom operators.
Both companies recognized that network management and customer service centers for a typical network operator exist separately and are unable to exchange valuable fault and customer information. U S West’s WatchMark and Tertio solutions result in more efficient management of trouble tickets as well as happier customers, said U S West.
U S West’s WatchMark products now support Telecommunications Management Network Q3 standards. The TMN Q3 is a series of recommendations from the International Telecommunications Union that promote the use of common management services and standardized interfaces.
Lucent chip doubles memory
ATLANTA-Lucent Technologies Inc.’s Microelectronics Group introduced an integrated chip for cellular phones that doubles the memory of its previous-generation device and makes possible smaller phones with more advanced features, said the company.
The chip, called EVRC Pro (enhanced variable rate codec), is Lucent’s second-generation EVRC speech coding device for the Code Division Multiple Access market. The chip integrates a digital signal processor and voice codec on the same chip, enabling smaller phone designs. In Lucent’s earlier EVRC offering, the voice codec function was on a separate chip.
CellPort and Americom partner
ATLANTA-CellPort Labs announced it has partnered with Americom to help drive penetration of hands-free technology into the marketplace. CellPort has developed the CellPort universal hands-free system that secures and powers the phone, charges its battery and provides access to an external antenna.
Americom provides installation services using a fleet of installation vans and 500 technicians in 26 states.
Service is provided under a client carrier’s brand name or as part of Americom’s new Wireless Wizards division.
HP, Bellcore start training program
ATLANTA-Hewlett-Packard Co. and Bellcore announced plans to begin a technician training program in April. The companies said the program is designed to address the need for qualified technicians and engineers within the wireless industry.
The two-day RF Basics course includes principles of radio-frequency communications and teaches students to perform basic computations and identify primary components of an RF communication system. Subjects of the course include spectrum, modulation, propagation, power transfer, loss vs. frequency, radio frequency, noise/interference, dB theory, harmonics, filtering, grounding, transmission lines, receiver/transmission, components/devices and basic circuit functions, said the companies.
The three-day Digital RF Communications Basics course focuses on noise, digital modulation, multipath, dispersion, error rate, problems with analog, modulation scheme, microwaves, characteristics of modulated signals, bandwidth and test equipment. When the students have completed the course, they are expected to be able to identify the characteristics and principles of Time Division Multiple Access, Code Division Multiple Access and Global System for Mobile communications technologies, said the companies.
Students can attend courses at Bellcore’s Training and Education Center near Chicago or at one of several other planned sites. Courses also can be organized at a client’s location and tailored to meet specific needs, said the companies.
Synacom, Ericsson enter fraud pact
ATLANTA-Synacom Technology Inc. and L.M. Ericsson formalized a distribution and maintenance agreement calling for Ericsson to incorporate Synacom’s Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service/AMPS fraud prevention system in its wireless networks.
According to the agreement, Ericsson will provide the sales, marketing and local in-country support for an integrated fraud prevention solution, said Synacom. The systems facilitate the activation of the authentication capability using a secure A-key programming device and a flexible and secure A-key management system to interface with Ericsson’s authentication center capability.
Synacom’s secure A-key management system is based on protecting the integrity of the A-keys used in authentication fraud protection, said the company. The A-key is programmed into the mobile phone and simultaneously stored in the operator’s network. The A-key is never visible to the subscriber, service provider or operator’s personnel.
DSP ships CDMA chipsets in bulk
ATLANTA-DSP Communications Inc. said it has begun volume production of Code Division Multiple Access baseband processor chipsets. First volume deliveries are expected during the first quarter and further quantities are scheduled for delivery to handset original equipment manufacturers beginning the second quarter.
DSPC’s D5411 CDMA chipset, consisting of a CDMA digital ASIC and an analog interface ASIC, offers a low-cost, low-power solution that provides full baseband processing for dual-mode, dual-band Interim Standard-95 handsets worldwide, said DSPC.
Brightpoint to distribute for Sanyo
ATLANTA-Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan, selected Brightpoint Inc., Indianapolis, as the exclusive U.S. distributor of its Code Division Multiple Access Personal Communications Services handsets and accessories, the companies announced.
Brightpoint plans to assist Sanyo with its entrance into the American market. Sanyo will sell the handsets and accessories directly to a limited number of carrier customers.
Best known for its home electronics and audio-visual equipment, Sanyo has been manufacturing wireless phones in Japan since 1994.
Stratus offers E911 solution
MARLBORO, Mass.-Stratus Computer Inc. announced an Intelligent Network-based local number portability solution that is designed to enable wireless carriers to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s mandates for local number portability implementation.
Stratus partnered with Englewood, Colo.-based TeleSynthesis to develop LNP functions at the service control point level, said the company. The SCP maintains location routing information used to route calls to ported numbers.
The Stratus solution also provides a path to a Wireless Intelligent Network architecture, which allows carriers to create, customize and deploy new subscriber services.
The SCP solution supp
orts Interim Standard-41 triggering mechanisms for number portability and will be available to meet all Phase I and Phase II FCC number portability mandates, said the company.
ReadyCom product in Korea
ATLANTA-ReadyCom Inc. announced it formed a strategic alliance with SK Telecom to distribute ReadyCom’s portable two-way voice mail receiver in Asia, as well as to investigate Code Division Multiple Access applications of ReadyCom’s technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, SK Telecom will install ReadyCom’s Responder Voice System hardware in its cellular network in Korea. The Responder technology allows carriers and distributors to offer two-way voice messaging services.
IBM, Microsoft join wireless group
ATLANTA-IBM Corp. and Microsoft Corp. have joined the board of directors of the Wireless Data Forum, an association of wireless data carriers and developers, announced WDF.
Randy Granovetter, communications technology manager for Microsoft; Robert O’Hara, development manager of the mobile electronics product unit of Microsoft; and Peter Willen, development director of global telecommunications for IBM, will lead their companies’ involvement with the WDF.
“Microsoft and IBM will bring a unique perspective to the WDF as it develops targeted strategies to promote wireless data in the post-protocol era,” said Richard Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical officer of Bell Atlantic Mobile and president of the WDF board of directors. “WDF intends to serve as a focal point for efforts to promote wireless data and mobile computing.”
IBM and Microsoft both develop wireless applications and software.
The WDF held its member meeting in Atlanta to establish its strategic development program for 1998.
Bell Atlantic gains CDPD support
DULUTH, Ga.-Bell Atlantic Mobile teamed with Atlanta’s local carriers to support the Cellular Digital Packet Data protocol during the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association’s Wireless ’98 show there last week, using a mobile data base station by Astronet Corp.
Astronet’s Micro-MDBS extends CDPD services to localized environments not covered by existing macrocellular networks. It can be installed as an addition to a public CDPD network, or be used as the central component of a private wireless network.
At Wireless ’98, Astronet installed one of its systems “to provide coverage for the show floor and long hauling the connection from the Micro-MDBS back to a Mobile Data Intermediate System at Bell Atlantic’s Baltimore facility,” said Dan Howell, Astronet’s Micro-MDBS product manager. “When subscribers come up on channel in Atlanta, they register with the switch in Baltimore.”
Astronet, headquartered in Duluth, Ga., is a Mitsubishi Electric America company.
TWS combiner can house 6 carriers
ATLANTA-TWS Inc. introduced a personal communications services antenna combiner at Wireless ’98 in Atlanta that allows up to six PCS providers to share a single antenna.
Using a patented technology called SpectraShare, which TWS developed jointly with the Scientific Research Corp., the antenna combiner provides coverage in areas where height restrictions or limited space for antenna placement make collocation difficult, said TWS.
SpectraShare simultaneously supports Code Division Multiple Access, Time Division Multiple Access and Global System for Mobile communications PCS interface standards. The SpectraShare PCS Antenna Combiner is designed to be located at a tower base. It provides an interface between each base transceiver station and the common antenna array, said the company.
TWS and SRC said they are planning trials in several PCS networks during the second quarter.
Motorola unveils base station
ATLANTA-Motorola Inc.’s Cellular Infrastructure Group introduced a new base station, which the company boasts could reduce capital expenditures for personal communications services operators by more than 30 percent.
The six-sector SC 4812 provides twice the call-carrying capacity of any other single-frame Code Division Multiple Access base station in the industry, according to Motorola CIG. The base station supports the 8-kilobit enhanced variable rate vocoder, which, in combination with the six-sector site design, can enable network operators to obtain at least 16 to 18 times the capacity of three-sector analog networks, the company said.
The first installation of the SC 4812 base station is underway in Israel, as part of Pele-Phone Communications Ltd.’s nationwide CDMA network, which Motorola CIG is building.
“We have started deploying Motorola’s new, ultra-high capacity SC 4812 in Israel with plans for extensive use in our high traffic areas in both three-sector and six-sector configurations,” said Nissim Ben-Dayan, vice president of engineering and operations for Pele-Phone. “The SC 4812’s advanced capabilities will allow us to realize tremendous capacity gains while deploying our nationwide CDMA system at a lower cost than ever before.”
Nortel unveils Reunion portfolio
Northern Telecom Inc. announced the Nortel Reunion broadband wireless access portfolio that uses digital point-to-multipoint radio technology at frequencies from 2 GHz to 42 GHz to deliver full voice, data, Internet and video services.
Nortel said operators using this solution can take advantage of compact plug-and-play functionality to quickly and cost-effectively deploy high-speed, high-capacity broadband multimedia service to business and residential customers.
Available for market trials beginning this month, Nortel already is building first networks for Teligent Inc. at 24 GHz and WinStar Communications Inc. at 38 GHz using Nortel Reunion solutions.
Nortel said it will be ready to being rolling out Nortel Reunion networks at 28 GHz for other operators later this year when the Federal Communications Commission’s local multipoint distribution service spectrum auctions are completed.
Ill. Superconductor expands line
ATLANTA-Illinois Superconductor Corp. introduced the PowerMaster and TowerMaster product lines, as well as two additions to its existing SpectrumMaster and RangeMaster product lines of high-performance filters for wireless telephone communications.
The PowerMaster line uses new technology from ISC that allows superconducting filters to handle large amounts of radio-frequency power for the first time. The PowerMaster products extend the use of ISC’s filters to include transmit applications. PowerMaster technology provides a high-performance duplexer, handles continuous power levels of up to 30 watts and is designed for use on 1.9 GHz personal communications services networks. The duplexer allows a PCS operator to obtain the benefits of high-performance filtering on both the forward and reverse paths in a system.
ISC’s other new product line, TowerMaster, offers a compact tower-mounted version of the company’s RangeMaster front-end system. The factory tunable TowerMaster filters are designed to maximize cell site reverse path coverage.
The first new product, SpectrumMaster Ultra, a high-end version of SpectrumMaster Classic, is designed for use in the most demanding radio-frequency interference environments. It is even more sensitive than the Classic and boasts very low insertion loss.
Also new to ISC’s lineup, the RangeMaster Omega front-end is an effective solution for cost-conscious operators looking for range extension and improved coverage in low-interference suburban and rural market areas.
Tellabs FP4.0 coming to market
ATLANTA-Tellabs introduced the Titan 532L digital cross-connect along with two separate feature packages. The 3.0 feature package of hardware and software provides the Titan 532L system with an STS-1E interface, enhanced DS1 performance monitoring, DS1 and full nxDS0 test access and dynamic test access ports.
The 4.0 feature package is a combination of hardware and software that provides the Titan 532L system with a high-density DS1 interface, a hi
gh-density DS3 interface and enhanced DS1 performance monitoring.
FP3.0 is available today. FP4.0 is expected to be available next month.
Nortel offers voice dialing
ATLANTA-Northern Telecom Inc. introduced an enhanced, network-based wireless voice-activated dialing service that allows wireless users to place calls by speaking a name or telephone number.
Canadian wireless carrier Bell Mobility said it plans to add new service using the technology.
The service features a personal directory of up to 30 names and numbers, and allows subscribers to add, modify or look up directory listings without having to train the system. Nortel also has added patented noise reduction and speaker-independent connected digit recognition technology. Support for multiple languages is available.
Nortel wireless voice-activated dialing runs on the Nortel Wireless Service Node, an intelligent peripheral that uses wireless intelligent networking protocols. This allows Bell Mobility to provide the service to both its analog and digital customers, Nortel noted.
Motorola has CDMA handset
ATLANTA-Motorola Inc.’s Cellular Subscriber Sector introduced three new members to its MicroTac family of handsets, which all use the company’s own Code Division Multiple Access technology-based chipset: the SC-725 for the United States, the SC-725CV for Hong Kong and the DMT-8000 for South Korea.
The SC-725CV offers the option to display Chinese characters, while the DMT-8000 has the capability to display Korean characters, and both models support the delivery of Chinese and Korean text messaging.
Motorola’s Cellular Subscriber Sector also introduced the Micro Digital M70, which features a new scrolling display, similar to a pager, that allows short messaging subscribers to review alphanumeric messages with the touch of a button. The phone also supports sleep-mode capability, enabling users to keep their phones on for extended periods with a single battery charge.
Repeater wins Clearnet contract
ATLANTA-Repeater Technologies said it won a sole-source systemwide contract to provide personal communications services Code Division Multiple Access over-the-air repeaters to Clearnet Communications Inc.
The contract is valued at $5 million and includes Repeater Technologies’ new advanced Network Repeater-the OA1900C NR, which the company says is the only repeater offering 6.3 watts of output power. The repeater also provides 3 dB more link budget and maintains the extended battery talk-time designed into PCS networks, said the company.
The contract includes the implementation of a regional network control at Clearnet’s national Network Operations Center to monitor all repeaters that are in the network.
Allen Telecom introduces repeater
ATLANTA-Allen Telecom Systems Division introduced the EAC-850, a 2-channel Code Division Multiple Access repeater designed to enhance coverage in focused areas like tunnels, indoor settings, dense urban sites and sports stadiums. The repeater can also be used to add coverage in CDMA buildouts over an existing analog system, or as a driver to in-building coverage systems. The EAC-850 features SAW filtering and automatic gain control. It can be remotely operated to set the channel or frequency, turn the radio-frequency path on or off and set the gain, alarm thresholds or status.
Firm makes dual-band antennas
ATLANTA-The Antenna Specialists division of Allen Telecom Inc. introduced two new cellular/personal communications services dual-band antennas for mobile applications.
The APDM923 uses the division’s patented “On-Glass” technology for a permanent mount. The ASPRDM1994, offering 3 dBd gain for both cellular and PCS application, uses a magnet mount for temporary use. Both new models come with 15 feet of ProFlex Plus low-loss cable. The APDM923 series is supplied with an FME adapter for easier distributor stocking. The ASORDM1994 series is available complete with a mini-UHF or TNC male connector attached.
GTE TSI wins various deals
TAMPA, Fla.-GTE Telecommunication Services Inc. signed agreements with Philips Consumer Communications L.P. and Samsung Telecommunications America for its Encrypt-A-Key Repository product.
Encrypt-A-Key provides a secure method for obtaining, storing and activating the secret A-Keys that are the foundation of authentication, said GTE TSI. The equipment manufacturers generate and program A-Key’s into handsets and send the A-Keys with the corresponding electronic serial numbers to the Encrypt-A-Key Repository. The repository’s database then is checked for the appropriate A-Key when a wireless operator processes an activation for an authentication-capable handset.
GTE TSI signed an agreement with Ora Electronics to market a new portable A-Key programming device that eliminates handset keypad programming, said the company. Ora’s remote programming device programs A-Keys through the handset busport.
GTE TSI also announced it signed RoamerXchange service contracts for six customers including Sprint Spectrum L.P., HighwayMaster Corp., Iridium L.L.C., NBTel Mobility, Telus Mobility and Western Wireless Corp.
The RoamerXchange service allows carriers to share proprietary roamer agreement information and technical data sheet information electronically, said GTE TSI.
Lucent offers messaging tools
ATLANTA-Lucent Technologies Inc. introduced a new set of messaging solutions that it said will allow consumers to send and receive messages from anywhere, anytime, to anyone on any network.
Appropriately dubbed AnyMedia Messaging, the solution uses Lucent’s Intelligent Messaging Architecture, a network-based messaging infrastructure and tool set. Lucent said the IMA allows service providers the ability to create and deploy new messaging services using the customization tools.
The announcement is a result of Lucent’s acquisition of Octel Communications Corp. and is offered by Lucent’s Octel Messaging Division. “Lucent has taken an important first step with AnyMedia Messaging in marrying the strength of Lucent’s operating support services with Octel’s messaging expertise,” said Jan Bergeron, a senior analyst at Probe Research.
cdmaConnect helps with roaming
ATLANTA-The CDMA Development Group announced cdmaConnect, a program developed to offer CDG member operators outside of North America and new personal communications services operators in the United States an end-to-end Interim Standard-41 roaming solution.
Developed in conjunction with wireless industry veterans, GTE Telecommunications Services Inc. and Cibernet, cdmaConnect provides the necessary process, structure and solutions for roaming service provisioning, including a standard inter-carrier roaming agreement, data clearing, financial settlement, billing standards, call validation and delivery, fraud management and connectivity, said the CDG.
AirNet to equip Panhandle Telecom
MELBOURNE, Fla.-AirNet Communications Corp. said it signed a contract to supply personal communications services wireless infrastructure equipment and services to Panhandle Telecommunication Systems Inc.
Under terms of the agreement, AirNet will supply and install a turnkey Global System for Mobile communications system for PTSI. Development of the GSM 1900 system is scheduled to start during the second quarter and continue into August, said AirNet.
“AirNet’s GSM/PCS-1900 solution was designed so that community-based wireless operators could extend cost-effective digital services to all areas, especially rural communities and highway corridors,” said Glenn Ehley, vice president of AirNet.
PTSI obtained two licenses in the D-, E- & F-block auction to provide PCS service in the Liberal, Kansas, basic trading area, including the Meade, Morton, Seward, Stevens, Beaver and Texas counties. The company said it offers deregulated telecom services such as cellular, paging, Internet access, direct TV and long distance to the Oklahoma panhandle, north Texas panhandle an
d southwest Kansas.
Qualcomm announces data initiative, handset deal
ATLANTA-Qualcomm Inc. announced a multifaceted strategic initiative to deliver integrated, end-to-end wireless data solutions to its Code Division Multiple Access carrier customers.
Under the banner, “The Quickest Way to Data,” the goal of the initiative is to jump start the wireless data revolution-the convergence of wireless telephony and information delivery-by providing CDMA carriers and their customers with data-enabled handsets, infrastructure and value-added application services.
As part of Qualcomm’s ongoing commitment to the development of CDMA wireless data, new technologies are being developed that will enable carriers to link to the Internet and support enterprise networks in facilitating access to information and applications, said Qualcomm. These developments will leverage Qualcomm’s Eudora Internet messaging software and provide users with mobile applications such as electronic mail, calendaring and scheduling and contact management, said the company. Qualcomm Inc. announced a new joint agreement with AirTouch Cellular, U S West NewVector Group Inc. and PrimeCo Personal Communications L.P. valued at about $240 million for Qualcomm’s Q phone series and QCP series Code Division Multiple Access handsets.
Qualcomm has begun shipments and will continue shipping through mid-1999.
ZipLink announces WISP program
LOWELL, Mass.-ZipLink L.L.C., a national Internet service provider, announced the availability of its Wireless Internet Service Providers Reseller Program.
WISP gives providers of paging, personal communications services, cellular and other wireless devices the ability to include an Internet e-mail address with each communications device.
WISP customers are notified when they receive an Internet e-mail document, and a personal toll-free number for each device allowing one point of access for fax, voice-mail, Internet access and e-mail, long-distance and conference calling and instant location and follow-me services, said Lowell-Mass.-based ZipLink.
