News:
The following is an excerpt of an AirTouch press release:
AirTouch Cellular's Powerband digital service offers Caller I.D. and new message options to Los Angeles subscribers
Business Editors and High-Tech Writers
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 1996--As AirTouch
Cellular-Los Angeles continues to expand the reach and availability
of its digital Powerband service to subscribers in the Greater Los
Angeles area, the company is introducing two new digital features,
Caller I.D. and Powerband Messaging.
Now, in addition to improved call quality, better privacy and
longer battery life, Powerband customers can easily control their
wireless communication by choosing which calls to answer and which
messages to return in order of priority.
"While much attention has been focused on the future capabilities
of PCS, subscribers on our Powerband network can benefit from many of
those promised features today," explained Brian Jones, AirTouch
Cellular-Los Angeles executive vice president and general manager.
"Caller I.D. and Powerband Messaging are value-added services of
our digital network that can enhance the productivity of our
subscribers now."
Caller I.D., which is offered at no extra charge, enables
Powerband subscribers to view the phone number of the incoming
caller on the screen of their digital phone before answering. This
new digital feature gives customers the ability to answer only those
calls they want to receive, while letting others be answered by voice
mail or Powerband Messaging.
Additionally, Powerband customers can block their own cellular
number from being displayed on all outbound calls or on a per-call
basis.
Powerband Messaging, available for $8.95 per month, makes it easy
for wireless subscribers to stay in touch by transforming a digital
phone into a portable answering machine that receives and stores
messages in three ways -- voice mail, digital pages and short text
messages.
Powerband Messaging receives and stores these three types of
messages even if a subscriber's digital cellular phone is in use or
has been turned off. When used within a digital coverage area, this
new service displays the date and time the message or page was sent.
Audible beeps indicate when a message is received, so customers can
save both time and money by checking messages only when notified.
When callers reach the Powerband Messaging menu, they can choose
to leave a private voice mail message, send a page by entering a
telephone number, or select a short text message from a menu of
options. AirTouch Powerband Messaging subscribers are notified of
new messages and pages as soon as they turn on the phone or complete
the call currently in progress.
Powerband Messaging lets users return pages and voice mail
messages instantly by pressing the SEND button, which immediately
dials the phone number displayed. Subscribers can also store and
scroll through pages and messages to return calls according to
priority.
AirTouch's Powerband digital service is based on Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) digital technology. In May, the company
launched Powerband digital service to existing high-use customers in
Los Angeles. By the end of this year AirTouch expects Powerband
service to cover up to 80 percent of the Greater Los Angeles calling
area. |
