AirTouch Launches All-Digital Mobile Internet Service - AirTouch Cellular - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Nov 15, 1999

AirTouch Cellular Tuesday launched Net Access, an all-digital service that lets travelers and mobile workers in Spokane and North Idaho cut the tether to their desktops and access the Internet, online services or corporate networks while on the go.

Armed with a laptop computer and a data-ready AirTouch digital phone, customers in Spokane and North Idaho now can enjoy the freedom and convenience of Net Access -- one of the fastest and most convenient wireless information services offered by a major U.S. wireless carrier.

AirTouch was the first major digital CDMA carrier to launch commercial wireless Internet service in the United States, beginning this July in Seattle, Salt Lake City and Detroit. Net Access also was recently launched in Columbus, Ohio and Portland, Oregon. AirTouch plans to roll the service out to its entire wireless footprint by first quarter 2000, and to cover the nation through roaming agreements with other carriers in the same period.

Users at airports, client sites or even the beach now can send and receive e-mail, files and faxes; access their company's intranet; update contacts and schedules; and use the Internet to check a customer's Web site, monitor news and stock prices and review airline schedules -- all without having to plug into a telephone line.

"In today's fast-paced world, Net Access will help you stay in touch, manage information more productively and balance your life," said Robert Duron, branch manager for AirTouch in Spokane. "It promises to be as revolutionary for personal information access and management as cellular was for voice communications."

Net Access is the first of several planned Mobile Internet offerings from AirTouch. Products coming soon will include wireless portal services that work with handheld smart phones and personal digital assistants to facilitate a variety of mobile messaging, information and e-commerce services.

Unlike previous wireless data access services, Net Access doesn't require an expensive wireless modem. It works with new data-ready digital phones such as the sleek, lightweight and inexpensive Qualcomm 860 Thin Phone. The phone, connected to your laptop with a simple serial cable (available from AirTouch),

is all you need -- the service requires no other hardware or special software.

Net Access provides a speedier and much more reliable connection than older analog-based wireless services and is more than adequate for text-based applications such as e-mail or most Web browsing.

In addition, Net Access connects you directly to the Internet exceptionally fast -- typically in less than 10 seconds compared to as much as 30 seconds for dial-up access from your desktop.

"With its promise of broad geographic coverage, Net Access will be an invaluable tool for many professionals and business people who can't afford to wait to access vital information," said Andrew Seybold, mobile communications analyst and publisher of Andrew Seybold's Outlook. "The service is affordable, easy to use, and will set customers free from the tether of telephone lines while they're on the go."

The service is priced for now at the same airtime rates as voice communications. While connected to Net Access, customers can use the minutes they already have in their monthly bundle. The Qualcomm 860 is available through AirTouch retailers in Spokane for $129.

AirTouch serves 9 million U.S. cellular and PCS customers on a proportionate basis. Its ventures operate in 25 states and 22 of the top 30 U.S. markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. AirTouch is part of Vodafone AirTouch Plc, the world's largest wireless communications firm, based in the United Kingdom. It has mobile operations in 23 countries on five continents, with more than 31 million proportionate customers. For more information, visit the AirTouch web site at www.airtouch.com.