To: MrGreenJeans (2043 )
From: David Wiggins
Thursday, Nov 4 1999 1:39PM ET
Reply # of 2044
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov 4, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AirTouch Cellular today
launched Net Access, an all-digital service that lets travelers and
mobile workers in Portland access the Internet, online services or
corporate networks while on the go.
Armed with a laptop computer and a data-ready AirTouch digital phone,
customers in the greater Portland area and the coastal cities between
Astoria and Pacific City now can enjoy the freedom and convenience of
Net Access -- one of the fastest and most convenient wireless
information services offered by a major U.S. wireless carrier.
AirTouch was the first major digital CDMA carrier to launch commercial
wireless Internet service in the United States, beginning this July in
Seattle, Salt Lake City and Michigan. Last week, the company added
Columbus, Ohio to its list of markets that now have Net Access service.
AirTouch plans to roll the service out to its entire wireless footprint
by first quarter 2000, and to cover the nation through roaming
agreements with other carriers in the same period.
Users at airports, client sites or even the beach now can send and
receive e-mail, files and faxes; access their company?s intranet;
update contacts and schedules; and use the Internet to check a
customer?s Web site, monitor news and stock prices and review airline
schedules -- all without having to plug into a telephone line.
"In today?s fast-paced world, Net Access will help you stay in touch,
manage information more productively and balance your life," said
Kelley DeLaney, branch director for AirTouch in Oregon. "It promises to
be as revolutionary for personal information access and management as
cellular was for voice communications."
Net Access is the first of several planned Mobile Internet offerings
from AirTouch. Products coming soon will include wireless portal
services that work with handheld smart phones and personal digital
assistants to facilitate a variety of mobile messaging, information and
e-commerce services.
Unlike previous wireless data access services, Net Access doesn?t
require an expensive wireless modem. It works with new data-ready
digital phones such as the sleek, lightweight and inexpensive Qualcomm
860 Thin Phone. The phone, connected to your laptop with a simple
serial cable (available from AirTouch), is all you need -- the service
requires no other hardware or special software.
Net Access provides a speedier and much more reliable connection than
older analog-based wireless services and is more than adequate for
text-based applications such as e-mail or most Web browsing.
In addition, Net Access connects you directly to the Internet
exceptionally fast -- typically in less than 10 seconds compared to as
much as 30 seconds for dial-up access from your desktop.
"With its promise of broad geographic coverage, Net Access will be an
invaluable tool for many professionals and business people who can?t
afford to wait to access vital information," said Andrew Seybold,
mobile communications analyst and publisher of Andrew Seybold?s
Outlook. "The service is affordable, easy to use, and will set
customers free from the tether of telephone lines while they?re on the
go."
The service is priced for now at the same airtime rates as voice
communications. While connected to Net Access, customers can use the
minutes they already have in their monthly bundle. The Qualcomm 860 is
available through AirTouch retailers in Oregon for $129. |
