AT&T unveils extended in-building wireless communication system

Mobile Phone News, Jan 22, 1996

"This product represents the best combination of landline and mobile applications," said Ray Pennotti, wireless access systems director.

The target market for the system is large businesses and high-usage customers who depend on their phones in and out of the office. The system currently can serve up to 660 users, according to spokesman Wes Dvorak. Barry Weinbaum, director of wireless mobility solutions, said that a system uses 50 stations on average. Each station costs around $1,800-$2,000.

Plans for the future include developing a system combining voice and data, adding the capability of handoff between the cellular network and the PBX, and evolving the program into digital. The system will be demonstrated at ComNet at the Washington Convention Center Jan. 29-Feb. 1. It will be available in the second quarter. AT&T GBCS will market the product to businesses with its line of AT&T Definity products while AT&T Network Systems will distribute it through cellular service companies that will sell it to their subscribers.

AT&T Wireless Services Inc. is one carrier that has the opportunity to test both the AT&T system and Ericsson's [ERICY] version of the wireless extended in-building communication system (MPN, Dec. 11, 1995, page 6).

"They both have the same strengths and opportunities. They are both aimed at people not tied down to their desks," said Stew Chapin, marketing director for AT&T Wireless. "Walls and floors soak up single strength. Both solutions address this issue" with a combination of radios and antennas, he said.

But the architecture is where the two systems differ, Chapin explained. AT&T's system has tight integration with the private network, allowing the user to have access to the features of that network. Ericsson's system has tight integration with the public network, which allows smooth handoff to or from the cellular network when the user enters or leaves the premises.