Cellular Digital Packet Data Group Releases 1.0 Specification as Planned
PORTLAND, Ore. — July 21, 1993 — The group of cellular carriers that supports the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) project Wednesday released the complete version — version 1.0 — of its open specification designed to enable customers to send computer data over an enhanced cellular network.
The release of the specification is a milestone for the communications and computer industries, enabling the introduction of a variety of new products and applications to serve business and consumer users who need access to information anytime, anywhere.
The packet data approach is ideally suited to those applications that require the transmission of short bursts of data, for example, authorizing a credit card number, exchanging e-mail messages or making database queries. The cellular networks deploying CDPD will enable mobile workers to use a single device to handle all of their voice and packet data needs.
The 1.0 specification provides network and customer equipment manufacturers the parameters for building to this nationwide approach that sends packets of data over existing cellular networks. This version of the specification includes input from parties that reviewed the earlier releases (0.8 and 0.9) and provides details of the CDPD architecture, airlink, external network interfaces, encryption and authentication, network support services, network applications services, network management, radio resource management and radio media access control. Those interested in obtaining a copy of the specification can call CDPD Project Coordinator Tom Solazzo at Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath, 714/545-9400, extension 235.
By releasing the specification in three phases, the participating cellular carriers sought to ensure that both the hardware and applications software would be available when carriers are ready to deploy CDPD. A number of network and subscriber equipment manufacturers have already begun work on CDPD equipment.
Network manufacturers with CDPD projects under development include AT&T Network Systems, Cascade Communications Corporation, Hughes Network Systems, Motorola, Pacific Communication Sciences, Inc. and Steinbrecher, Inc.
"The cellular carrier's effort in defining the CDPD specification has been very impressive. They've demonstrated an appreciation for customer needs and a willingness to invest to meet those needs. AT&T is committed to providing the systems necessary to help carriers deliver exciting new mobile data applications," said Jim Brewington, president of AT&T Network Wireless Systems.
Motorola is also planning CDPD subscriber products for both consumer and industrial applications. "We intend to bring our expertise in cellular and data to the development of innovative CDPD- based products," said Bob Growney, executive vice president and general manager of Motorola's paging and wireless data group.
"The CDPD consortium has enabled companies including Pacific Communications Sciences to go from an initial concept to production subscriber products and infrastructure equipment in two short years. For this, the industry is to be congratulated," said Michael L. Lubin, executive vice president of Pacific Communication Sciences, Inc., a unit of Cirrus Logic of Fremont, California.
Software companies Alcatel TITN, Cellular Data, Inc. and Retix (a manufacturer of hardware equipment as well) are already developing platforms that will drive the CDPD engine.
"By offering both CDPD protocol source technology and certification systems, Alcatel TITN is positioned to assist CDPD equipment manufacturers to accelerate their deployment of CDPD products," said Kevin Connolly, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Alcatel TITN.
A number of hardware manufacturers have also announced plans to introduce CDPD-based products. Cincinnati Microwave, Inc., is one such company. Others include Apple, EO, Inc. and IBM, who have already demonstrated prototype CDPD-enabled devices.
"By leveraging the $20 billion investment in the cellular infrastructure, CDPD will revolutionize personal communications by delivering anytime, anywhere voice and data communications in one device. CDPD will allow developers to create innovative applications and services that take advantage of the technology's unique ability to get data to and from personal communicators almost instantaneously," said Alain Rossman, president and CEO of EO, Inc. The range of companies making an early commitment to CDPD — EDS for example — substantiate analyst projections, which forecast the market for data over cellular to be 9.6 million customers by the year 1997 According to a recent study released in Cellular Sales and Marketing Newsletter, by MTA/EMCI.
"EDS is very excited about the advent of this new technology. We are currently introducing it to EDS customers who we believe will be able to benefit from this technology when it becomes available. In the meantime, we are working closely with cellular operators to help them deploy CDPD," said Keith Lietzke, general manager of EDS wireless data division.
The carriers that funded the development of the CDPD specification are Ameritech Cellular; Bell Atlantic Mobile; Contel Cellular Inc.; GTE Mobilnet, Inc.; McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.; NYNEX Mobile Communications; PacTel Cellular; and Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems. Some of the carriers have already announced relationships with third-party vendors that will help propel the deployment of the CDPD network and related mobile computing devices.
PARTICIPATING CELLULAR CARRIERS ——————————-
Ameritech Cellular, Inc. Rick Slavin, (708) 765-3900
Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems, Inc. Mike Franklin, (908) 306-7310
GTE Mobilnet/Contel Cellular Inc. Charles Napier, (404) 804-3928
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc. Jeff Brown, (206) 828-1346
NYNEX Mobile Communications Jim Ducay, (914) 365-7767
PacTel Cellular Gary Roshak, (510) 988-4406
Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems Jim Wilson, (214) 733-2897
CONTACT:
Waggener Edstrom, Portland, Ore.
Teresa Fausti-Flora, 503/245-0905