BT North America Explores New Markets through Wireless Communications Technologies
WASHINGTON — January 28, 1992 — BT North America Tuesday announced plans to provide alternative network access to the TYMNET network using radio and cellular communications technologies.
The company said that it expects to rollout cellular access to its network by year's end and that radio access to the TYMNET network is now available through ARDIS, the first nationwide radio data network.
BT North America also announced that it participated in the Cellular Data Inc., Mountain View, Calif., and GTE Mobilnet field trial that provided cellular packet switched data access into the TYMNET network. This capability is being demonstrated for the press at the Communications Networks '92 (ComNet '92) exhibition.
"The marriage of value-added data networking and mobile communications technologies is providing new markets for users, particularly those of electronic transactions and credit card services," stated Mark Baker, president and chief executive officer of BT North America. "Coupled with our existing worldwide network, these technologies are giving mobile users the ability to access new services from virtually any location serviced by radio and cellular networks."
Key Trends
According to Dataquest, San Jose, Calif., the current addressable cellular market for data services is estimated at $1.3 billion. BIS Strategic Decisions, Norwalk, Mass., estimates that, by 1995, over 250,000 users will capitalize on cellular technology for their data applications — up from 25,000 users today.
A.D. Little has identified more than 10 million mobile workers as candidates for wireless data services of the type offered by ARDIS.
Three key trends driving the advance of alternative access for value-added network providers include: the faster growth of data communications over voice, the growing mobility of business communications and need for dynamic network access, and the ability for users to bypass traditional methods of network access (telco) for cheaper, faster and, in many cases, more reliable transmission of their data.
Saving Time And Money
Alternative methods to network access can save users considerable time and money. The electronic transaction services (ETS), retail, and credit card industries will be among the first to realize the benefits from both cellular and radio access into the TYMNET network.
Wireless access for credit card authorization and transaction services can give users in the point-of-sale (POS) market up to 50 percent reduction in both transaction cost and transaction time.
"Using cellular access, we can deliver to our customers faster and cheaper transaction services. Credit card transactions, for example, can be completed in half the time using alternative versus traditional dial-up methods," stated Tom Walsh, manager, ETS product marketing for BT North America.
Cellular Trials
CDI and GTE have recently concluded a technology field trial in Houston, in which digital data was successfully transmitted over GTE Mobilnet's cellular systems (using CDI's packet switched cellular technology) and into the TYMNET network for routing and processing.
This unique approach, patented by CDI, sends data packets between the voice channels — keeping the packets from interfering with voice calls by sending them at low power over narrow slices of vacant "buffer" channels (sending data between unused voice channels).
CDI's cellular packet technology promises to provide cost-effective solutions for POS applications that have been prevented from credit card access by previous dependency on telephone lines. The new technology allows multiple users to transmit data without using any of the circuit switched cellular voice channel capacity.
"The combination of CDI's system and value-added networks, like the TYMNET network, will open fields of opportunity for carrier marketing and revenue, as well as provide users with better and faster service for their business-critical applications," said Miklos Korodi, president of CDI.
ComNet Demonstration
With the assistance of Cellular Data Inc. (CDI) and Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems (BAMS), BT North America and CDI are demonstrating use of cellular technology for network access to credit card authorization and electronic draft capture services at ComNet '92 (booth no. 416).
The demonstration simulates a typical credit card purchase but is being done on a mobile basis from within the Washington Convention Center
ARDIS
BT North America has established an interconnection with ARDIS, Lincolnshire, Ill., an IBM/Motorola joint venture, to provide access to TYMNET via the ARDIS nationwide radio data network. The ARDIS network consists of more than 1,200 radio-based stations which provide radio access via hand-held terminals.
The interconnection will broaden domestic accessibility to the TYMNET network and provide customers cost-effective alternatives to traditional network access while allowing real-time network access on a remote or dynamic basis.
"Value-added network providers cannot ignore the need for users to access network services on a mobile basis. The success of the ARDIS network offering is proof that wireless communications are increasingly important for a business society which has become more mobile," said Rob Euler, vice president of marketing for ARDIS. '
"The combination of technologies and the interconnection of ARDIS and TYMNET will not only strengthen both vendors future offerings and accessibility but provide customers with a broader range of solutions for their network computing requirements."
ARDIS customers are provided access into the TYMNET network within the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii and Canada. Service prices for links into TYMNET will range between $650 and $1,350 depending on line speeds (9600 bps – 19.2 kbps), port and location required. Prices include X.25 private access port, software, modems, leased line connection, and unlimited character transmission originating from the port.
BT North America
BT North America Inc., a wholly owned unit of BT (British Telecom), owns and operates the TYMNET Global Network, the world's largest international value-added network with over 5,000 nodes worldwide. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the company offers a continuum of communications products and services, from shared and dedicated networked solutions to electronic data interchange (EDI), electronic transaction services (ETS), electronic messaging, international private leased circuits (IPLC) and videoconferencing equipment.
Note to Editors: BT, TYMNET and the TYMNET Global Network are servicemarks, trademarks or registered trademarks of British Telecommunications, plc. ARDIS is a registered servicemark of ARDIS Co.
CONTACT:
BT North America, San Jose
David Callisch, 408/922-7583