AT&T Wireless Services announces commercial introduction of Wireless Data Services in Pittsburgh; Wireless Packet Data Service and Circuit Data Service enable mobile computer users to access corporate applications and data

Business Wire, Nov 13, 1995

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1995--AT&T Wireless Services, Wireless Data Division today announced the commercial introduction of AT&T Wireless Packet Data Service (known in the industry as Cellular Digital Packet Data or CDPD) and Wireless Circuit Data Service in the Pittsburgh area.

Together, these complementary wireless data technologies will meet diverse customer requirements ranging from wireless e-mail access to fleet management.

"Customer applications range from short transactions, such as messaging, to long file transfers," explained Kendra VanderMeulen, vice president and general manager of AT&T Wireless Services, Wireless Data Division. "By offering both technologies, we are able to cover the spectrum of our customers' needs."

Wireless Packet Data Service

Wireless Packet Data Service breaks data into packets and sends them over a network overlay on the existing cellular voice network. The service provides high-speed, reliable, secure and connectionless wireless communications, thereby empowering remote workers to access data from the field and ultimately changing the way they conduct business.

Wireless Packet Data Service is well-suited for applications such as remote database queries, dispatch, data entry, point-of-sale verification and messaging. Data moves quickly at 19.2 Kbps, and charges are based on data volume, not on minutes of use, so users can afford to stay connected and use their applications interactively.

Wireless Circuit Data Service

Wireless Circuit Data Service allows mobile users to transmit data in much the same way data is transmitted using a land line. A mobile user adds *DATA (*3282)/a/ to the beginning of the phone number dialed. Cellular customers with notebook computers using dial-up applications can take advantage of the service today where deployed through the AT&T Wireless network.

Although circuit-switched cellular data technology has been deployed by many carriers throughout the country, the introduction of AT&T's Wireless Circuit Data Service is unique because of several quality enhancements.

"AT&T Wireless Services elected to wait to offer circuit data service until customers could realize a superior-quality service," explained Jeff Damir, director of product marketing and management for the Wireless Data Division. "Cellular technologies have undergone major advances in the recent past. Throughput and reliability have improved significantly through the use of enhanced cellular protocols, maximizing the effectiveness of our Wireless Circuit Data Service."

The key enhancement is the addition of AT&T Paradyne modem pools to provide premium throughput and reliability levels. Damir explained that extensive tests of modem-pool alternatives demonstrated that Paradyne, a leader in the development of cellular-oriented protocols and modem technology, offers superior performance.

A modem pool is a collection of modems at a switching center that offers multiple users a reliable connection across the airlink portion of the data transmission. Until now, each user was required to supply his or her own cellular-enhanced modem on both ends of the connection -- host and mobile unit.

Extensive testing shows that Wireless Circuit Data Service is reliable and offers connections at speeds of up to 14.4 Kbps with modems supporting TX-CEL or ETC. Air-time rates for data transmissions are the same as for cellular voice service. Unlike some cellular carriers, AT&T Wireless Services does not have an additional monthly surcharge for use of the service. In Pittsburgh, Circuit Data Service covers 100 percent of AT&T's cellular footprint. Deployment

In addition to today's announcement in Pittsburgh, AT&T Wireless Circuit Data Service has been introduced in New York. Initially, AT&T Wireless Circuit Data Service is being deployed where Wireless Packet Data Service is available or soon to be introduced. These markets include Dallas; Denver; Fresno, Calif.; Las Vegas; Miami; Minneapolis; New York; Oklahoma City; Orlando, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; Sacramento, Calif.; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; Seattle; and Tampa, Fla.

AT&T Wireless Services is among the nation's largest providers of wireless voice and data communication and messaging services and is a world leader in air-to-ground communications services. The Wireless Data Division of AT&T Wireless Services (formerly McCaw Cellular Communications Inc.) is a recognized leader in the development of wireless data communications.

For additional information, contact the Wireless Data Division at 800/552-3373. The Wireless Data Division's World Wide Web address is http://www.airdata.com. -0-

/a/ The "asterisk" symbol noted in this news release may not appear properly in some systems. *DATA (*3282) should read: "asterisk"DATA ("asterisk"3282).

CONTACT: Waggener Edstrom

Teresa Fausti-Flora or Eleni Tsigas, 503/245-0905

or

AT&T Wireless Services, Wireless Data Division

Beth Bousley, 206/803-4050 or 206/790-1602

or

AT&T Wireless Service, Pittsburgh Region