Page 1 2 Page 1 2| FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 - ISSUE NO. 227 |
Dear friends of Wireless Messaging, It's time to make your travel plans for Orlando.
AAPC’s fall event this year is Enterprise Wireless 2006, September 26-28 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Early registration has been extended to September 4. Please see the AAPC Bulletin below for the full event schedule. Also, please note that there will be a Paging Technical Committee (PTC) meeting from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Tuesday afternoon. Sponsored by:
A guest or a spouse of a member may register at the “additional personnel” rate, which is $150 before 9/4, with the first person registering from a company or organization. That person will be badged and have access to the lunches and the cocktail party and also any sessions or exhibits should they care to attend. Check out this New York Times' article: Orlando for Adults. The weather—right now—in Orlando, Florida.
Now on to more news and views. |
A new issue of The Wireless Messaging Newsletter gets posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the Internet. That way it doesn't fill up your incoming e-mail account. There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world's major Paging and Wireless Data companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers—so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It's all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology. I regularly get reader's comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Data communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it. NOTE: This newsletter is best viewed at screen resolutions of 800x600 (good) or 1024x768 (better). Any current revision of web browser should work fine. Please notify me of any problems with viewing. This site is compliant with XHTML 1.0 transitional coding for easy access from wireless devices. (XML 1.0/ISO 8859-1.) | |||||||||||||||
Radio Van—Mobile Antenna Tower 1974 International Harvester Load Star 1600 4x6 (all-wheel-drive) — 304 gasoline engine rebuilt in 2002. Has a 100 foot extendable tower which nests atop vehicle that can be swung back and electrically extended. Has walk in "shack" for radio equipment and unit contains small generator for power—120 volt Onan—produces 2,500 watts. Has a powered nose winch 15,000 lb Broden AMUS-12F, with 650 feet 3/8" cable. Also has outriggers to stabilize the unit while in operation. Asking
This truck and generator would make a great addition to any wireless company wanting to increase their emergency backup ability for storms and other catastrophic events. Stanley Stann | Mobile Radio Van With 100-Foot Tower
Ideal for deploying a repeater to a remote site in an emergency. Perfect for a Ham Radio Club and/or RACES. |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PAGING CARRIERS |
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| WIRELESS MESSAGING NEWS |
 | Space Data Press Releases 08.30.06 Space Data Corporation |
Space Data Corporation Awarded $49 Million Air Force Contract For Near Space Communications System
Chandler, Arizona - The U.S. Air Force Space Command Space & Missile Systems Center’s Development and Test Wing, Kirkland Air Force Base, New Mexico, today announced that it is awarding a $49 Million contract to Space Data Corporation to provide a near space communications system. “Near space” is defined as 65,000 to 135,000 feet above the earth—higher than airplanes fly, but lower than satellites. “Under previous Space Command contracts, the Air Force Space Battlelab carried out extensive testing of our system over the past two years,” said Gerald Knoblach, chairman and CEO of Space Data. “We are gratified and proud that the Air Force selected our technology as the next important improvement in battlefield communications.”
The Battlelab tests included using the same tactical radios carried by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The results showed that ground-to-ground voice and data communications could be extended from 10 miles to over 400 miles using Space Data’s balloon-borne payloads. Likewise, the Space Data technology significantly improved communications between troops on the ground and pilots flying air support. Further tests were conducted this year as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment—a biennial event sponsored by the Air Force Chief of Staff to test the latest war fighting technologies. Additional advantages identified by the military included ease of launch and the ability to quickly adapt payloads for specific warfighter needs.
The Space Data system utilizes a balloon-borne platform that takes advantage of the very predictable winds in near space to position communications equipment 20 miles above the earth. The GPS-equipped platforms can be launched from the back of a Humvee, for example, and once at altitude provide excellent communications over thousands of square miles.
The Near Space Communications System contract is a five-year “indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity” arrangement that permits the Space & Missile Systems Center to order Space Data equipment as needed. Space Data will also provide training in using the equipment for military personnel.
Knoblach explained that a commercial version of the company’s technology called a SkySite platform has provided digital communications service to the energy industry for more than two years. The SkySite system operates over the South-central and Southwestern United States and allows energy firms to monitor and control equipment remotely. At 20 miles above the earth, the Space Data technology is well above weather systems. It provided uninterrupted service throughout last year’s hurricane season, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For this reason public safety agencies and emergency management officials are also evaluating the advantages of near space communications for domestic uses.
For additional information, visit www.spacedata.net.
Source: Space Data Press Release
FCC Prepares For Another Big Spectrum Auction
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Currently in the midst of an advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum auction whose bids have already approached $13.6 billion (Telecom Policy Report, Aug. 28), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now gearing up for a 2007 contest on radio frequencies collectively known the 1.4 GHz bands for both fixed and mobile services.
The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau said Auction No. 69 slated for Feb. 7, 2007 would involve a total of 64 licenses in the paired 1392-1395 MHz and 1432-1435 MHz bands, and in the unpaired 1390-1392 MHz band. The commission appears relatively open on the permissible services that will be allowed to winning licensees, suggesting that any combination of fixed and mobile applications could include local loop Internet access, high speed data transmission only, advanced two-way mobile and/or paging services.
Auction No. 69 envisions two 3-megahertz blocks, each consisting of a pair of 1.5 megahertz segments in the 1392-1395 MHz and 1432-1435 MHz bands, offered in each of six economic area grouping (EAG) regions - Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, Central/Mountain and Pacific - plus one 2-megahertz block of unpaired spectrum in the 1390- 1392 MHz band offered in each of 52 city/urban metro-oriented major economic areas (MEAs) such as Boston, New York, et al.
According to the FCC, licensees will have to employ harmful interference protection measures if operating near the borders of Canada and Mexico because the U.S. currently doesn't have international agreements with those two countries in the 1.4 GHz bands. In addition, there are several government operations that will continue to operate in these bands so sharing, relocation and/or migration approvals may be needed from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
The auction is now at the stage of the FCC seeking comments and replies by Sept. 11 and Sept. 18, respectively, on rules, regulations and procedures. This involves official bureau proposals for upfront payments, bidding eligibility, minimum acceptable and opening bid amounts, reserve prices, simultaneous multiple rounds, package bidding, rule waivers, conditions that can stop bidding, provisionally winning bids, the removal/withdrawal process, defaults, post auction matters and numerous other criteria.
In another development, the FCC said it is planning to step up the pace on the current AWS-1 bidding (Auction 66) that started in Aug. 9 for some 1,122 licenses n the 1,710 MHz-1,755 MHz and 2,110 MHz-2,155 MHz bands. Having completed 58 rounds as of yesterday evening and now seeing some reduced activity, the regulator is increasing the number of bidding rounds per day from 4 to 6 and halving the time of each round from 60 to 30 minutes in an effort to accelerate Auction 66's conclusion.
Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA subsidiary remains the top bidder with provisional wins totaling more than $4.1 billion for 118 licenses. Other leading active offers have been from the likes of Verizon Wireless (via its Cellco Partnership bidder), the Cingular Wireless joint venture of AT&T and BellSouth, NextWave Telecom-backed AWS Wireless, MetroPCS and SpectrumCo (a consortium of Bright House Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner and Sprint Nextel).
Source: TelecomWeb
Iridium and Raytheon Provide First Responders Fully Interoperable Emergency Communications
BETHESDA, Md. – August 30, 2006 – /PRNewswire/ – Iridium Satellite and Raytheon’s JPS Communications announce a joint marketing initiative to provide first responders a fully interoperable communications service for use in disasters. The two companies are making Iridium voice and data communications services available to customers packaged with the JPS ACU® Interoperability Technology.
“Hurricane Katrina last year really brought to light the problem first responders – from the federal to local levels – had during evacuations, search and rescue, and cleanup,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Iridium Satellite. “Essentially, they couldn't talk to each other. There were two issues – they were relying on land, cell and radio-based communications, yet towers went down and flooding severely hampered infrastructure. Second, if their systems did happen to be operational, they couldn't ‘talk’ with other systems because there was no interoperability component connecting them. It was a total breakdown.”
The Iridium/Raytheon collaborative effort gives customers of both companies access to Iridium mobile satellite voice and data communications services packaged with the JPS ACU product line including: the ACU-1000™, ACU-T™ and ACU-M™. The ACU-1000 can interconnect up to 24 communications devices at a time, including those based on satellite communications, radio, cellular or land-based networks. Coupled with JPS Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP)/Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) products, the ACU can be networked to provide multiple nodes for larger applications and for wide area interoperability systems (WAIS™).
“The ACU family of products can ‘plug-and-play’ with Iridium phones and Iridium-based systems, as well as all other first responder communications devices. First responders can now use Iridium and the ACU to keep connected no matter how badly affected the surrounding area or telecommunications infrastructure,” said Lee Martin, director of Department of Defense and federal sales, JPS Communications.
The ACU family of products can simultaneously cross-connect different radio networks, connect radio networks to satellite communications and telephone systems, or network RoIP/VoIP talkpaths. An operator can use the HSP-2A module of the ACU device to monitor or establish an interconnection with any (or all) of the connected communications systems. It provides voice prompts to assist system users and includes a software graphical user interface (GUI) that is fully touch screen compatible. The ACU platform is completely scalable and field configurable to meet customer and application needs. It provides three different methods of operation for system redundancy and is neither computer- nor network-dependent to operate.
Iridium Satellite offers a package of voice and data mobile satellite communications solutions ideal for first responders in emergencies because it operates even when all other sources of communications fail. The Iridium package, in addition to ACU technology, can include:
In addition, Iridium provides services customized to meet user needs including consulting, training and customer service.
As witnessed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Iridium/Raytheon solution is an integral tool in all stages of emergency response:
For more information about services available through the Iridium/Raytheon partnership, please contact Iridium Satellite toll free at 1-888-947-4348 or at sales@iridium.com or Raytheon at 919-790-1011 or at sales@jps.com.
About Raytheon
JPS Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Raytheon Company, designs, manufactures and sells electronic hardware and software products that enhance the effectiveness of communications systems. The company offers unsurpassed local, regional, state and wide-area interoperability by directly connecting or networking any of the following devices: HF, UHF, VHF, 800 MHz and P25 radios along with iDEN phones, satellite communication, cellular, WiFi and digital landline telephones.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (http://www.iridium.com/) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.
CONTACT: Liz DeCastro of Iridium Satellite LLC, +1-301-571-6257,
liz.decastro@iridium.com; or Jim Rhodes of Rhodes Communications,
+1-757-451-0602, jrhodes@rhodescomm.com; or Kristy Hudson Foushee
of Raytheon Company, +1-919-865-1252, kristy.foushee@jps.com
Web site: http://www.iridium.com/
Source: Iridium Press Release
Datastream | The news in brief
The National Warning System is a bit under the weather
08/21/06; Vol. 21 No. 16
The Homeland Security Department wants a contractor to refurbish the 24-hour emergency telephone network that links the National Warning System with governors’ offices and emergency officials in 50 states.
The system is operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at its Mount Weather Operations Center in Virginia.
FEMA intends to negotiate with Communications Laboratories Inc. of Melbourne, Fla., to replace the equipment, but also wants other qualified contractors to offer descriptions of their services and pricing within 15 days. The agency said it would decide whether to seek competitive bids for the project after those proposals are received.
The warning system was developed in the 1950s so that the federal government would have immediate voice communications with governors and other nonmilitary officials in case of a nuclear attack. It has since evolved to provide warnings of terrorism attacks, severe weather, natural disasters and other incidents.
Source: Washington Technology (Thanks to Paul Fitzgerald of InfoRad)
Streaming Radio Arrives at Sprint
By Susan Rush
August 31, 2006
NEWS@2 DIRECT
Sprint Nextel is turning up the tunes with the launch of its new Sprint Radio service, which streams both music and video.
The new service features more than 50 channels of streaming radio and video. Programming covers music, music videos news, weather, sports, finance and entertainment. All three of Sprint's networks - Sprint Power Vision, Sprint Vision and Nextel - support the subscription-based service, which runs $5.95 a month.
MSpot is powering the newly launched service. Specifically, mSpot is responsible for content production and ongoing operations of the Sprint Radio service, Sprint says.
In other Sprint music news, the carrier is rolling out new features for its Sprint Music Store, including the ability to offer personalized recommendations based on a customer's past purchases - as well as other customers' past purchases. The service also now enables customers to re-download a song if it is deleted, and customers equipped with select Sprint phones can use external buttons to play, pause, skip, fast-forward and rewind.
The Sprint Music Store enables customers to browse, preview and purchase songs over the air (OTA). Several music labels are connected to the service, including EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group.
The Music Store, which launched in October 2005, reached 1 million downloads in mid-February and hit the 2 million mark in early April.
Source: Wireless Week
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GTES has recently made the strategic decision to expanding its development activities to include wireless location technologies; a market that researchers forecast could reach $3.6 billion by 2010. In support of this new strategic direction, GTES has developed SHERLOC™ a complete one-stop wireless location service, providing the flexibility of being protocol neutral and network agnostic. Targeted at business customers who need to track their high-value shipments or better manage their service or delivery fleets, SHERLOC™ is a hosted application that combines configuration flexibility with ease of use. GTES is offering SHERLOC™ services both directly and through authorized resellers. If your company has an interest in finding out how location services can enhance your revenue stream, and has the contacts and expertise to make you successful in the location marketplace, please contact us for further information at www.sherlocgps.com and select “Reseller Opportunities,” or call us at 770-754-1666 for more information. www.gtesinc.com GTES is the only Glenayre authorized software support provider in the Paging industry. With over 200 years of combined experience in Glenayre hardware and software support, GTES offers the industry the most professional support and engineering development staff available. Continued Support Programs CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR SUPPORT NEEDS
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Samsung demos 4G technology, plans late 2008 launch
Sean Shim
EE Times
(08/31/2006 9:03 AM EDT)
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea — Samsung Electronics demonstrated its 4G mobile technology on Thursday (Aug. 31), claiming it can deliver multi-cell data handovers at speeds of 100 Mbps. Samsung said
In a demonstration aboard a bus traveling at about 37 miles per hour, the technology achieved inter-cell data transmission handovers, including the broadcast of high-definition TV and high-speed Internet access. Samsung claimed the handover is possible while moving at a speed of up to 70 miles per hour.
The demonstration was part of the two-day 4G forum here.
Also demonstrated was roving 1-Gbps data transmission while delivering a 32-channel HD broadcast download, Internet access and video telephony services.
Samsung claimed the roving data transmission speed is 50 times faster than current mobile WiMAX technology.
"We hope to drive development and standardization of 4G mobile technology," said Lee Ki-Tae, president of Samsung's Telecommunications Network Business. Lee added that Samsung's 4G technology will be deployed in handsets by the end of 2008.
Samsung has invested more than $100 million in its 4G technology, which it bills as a next-generation wireless service that will replace mobile WiMAX technology. Both Samsung's 4G technology and mobile WiMAX are based on orthogonal frequency-division multiple access. Samsung said other core technologies used in its version of 4G include MIMO and Smart Antenna.
Samsung has deals to commercialize mobile WiMAX services with nine wireless operators in seven countries, including the U.S., Italy and Brazil. "Successful commercial launch of mobile WiMAX will lead to another success story of 4G communications," Lee claimed.
Spectrum for 4G mobile wireless will be allocated during the World Radio Communications Conference scheduled for October 2007. The 4G mobile communications format is expected to become commercially available in 2010.
About 175 industry representatives from 20 countries are participating in the Samsung forum, which is focusing on 4G service requirements and spectrum, the company said.
Source: EETimes.com
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The European Mobile Messaging Association (EMMA), will be holding their second annual conference at the Hilton Hotel in Budapest. It will take place on November 15-17, 2006. Please see all the details on page two of this issue in the EMMA newsletter section. 
The technology behind the z-1500 has been developed in harmony with world standards providing you with two-way voice communications of exceptional clarity and reliability. If you’re concerned about coverage across a large installation then take a closer look at the z-1500. A single control unit (CCFP) will support up to 125 handsets, 32 base stations and 224 repeaters. By connecting two CCFP control units together, the entire capacity can then be doubled allowing an expansion of up to 250 handsets, 64 base stations and 448 repeaters. This means that not only will the z-1500 satisfy the demands of almost any installation but ‘dead spots’ that occur within cellular networks are easily eliminated on the z-1500 system using a simple ‘plug and play’ repeater unit.
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