And yet another CDMA PCS launch here in the USA...
ALLTEL to Launch its First PCS Offering in
Jacksonville, Florida Customers Benefit from
ALLTEL's 'One Stop Shop' and One Bill
February 24, 1998
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc. -- ALLTEL (NYSE: AT)
has announced that Jacksonville will be the site for its first launch of PCS (personal
communications services), an advanced digital version of wireless service, later this
week. Also, for the first time in Jacksonville, customers will be able to get their
communications services from one source, and on one bill.
"This is an exciting time for ALLTEL in Jacksonville because not only are we able to
launch a premiere digital wireless service in Jacksonville, but we are the first company to
offer customers one single provider for long- distance, paging, Internet, and PCS,"
stated Mike Flynn, president for ALLTEL's communications operations. "ALLTEL
customers will enjoy the benefits of receiving one consolidated, easy-to-understand bill
for all their communications services. Also, customers may tailor their communications
package to meet their specific needs."
Flynn explained that as customers have unique and multiple communications needs,
ALLTEL provides multiple communications solutions. "In a family, a teenager may need
a pager, one spouse needs wireless service, and another Internet," said Flynn. "And,
obviously, every household needs residential long-distance service.
"Likewise, a business may have needs to utilize multiple services from our
telecommunications portfolio. ALLTEL can provide all of these services, all on one bill,
all from one source.
"We believe this convergence of services, or 'one-stop shopping' represents the future
of communications," said Flynn. "And, what better place to introduce a convergence of
services than in Jacksonville, one of the fastest growing markets in the southeast
region." As part of the launch, ALLTEL will open three new convergence retail stores in
Jacksonville.
ALLTEL is utilizing the Sony CM B-3200 PCS dual-mode, dual-band wireless phone for
its PCS offering. ALLTEL's PCS wireless phones have the ability to operate on either a
digital or analog (cellular) network and will automatically switch from digital to analog
when customers travel outside of the new digital coverage area. Unlike some other
digital phones offered by other carriers, ALLTEL's PCS phones will not have a limited
range and will allow customers to enjoy nationwide coverage. Each customer's service
will include nationwide roaming, caller ID, voice mail, first incoming minute free, call
waiting and call forwarding.
"Our PCS wireless phones are compatible with current wireless systems throughout
North America, including analog, PCS, and other digital wireless networks," said Flynn.
"We want our customers to have the latest in technology without sacrificing any
convenience."
ALLTEL selected CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology for its digital
wireless platform. CDMA is a spread spectrum system first used by the United States
military. ALLTEL's network will include CDMA mini-cell equipment and one of the
world's most widely deployed switching systems, the 5ESS (r)-2000 switch.
"Our digital technology has been in careful commercial development for several years,"
said Flynn. "In our trial of digital wireless service, we determined that the CDMA system
provided the highest level of service. Voice clarity and user capacity on the CDMA
system are far superior to other digital wireless systems because voice sampling takes
place at a higher rate than on other systems.
"Cellular conversations are also clearer because of smoother, less noticeable transfers,
or 'soft hand-offs' between cell sites, as a customer's phone simultaneously
communicates with multiple towers while in use."
The other benefit of ALLTEL's PCS offering is security, Flynn said. " Because each
voice conversation is digitized and then tagged with a code, it is nearly impossible for
someone to eavesdrop on a conversation, so customers will enjoy peace of mind
knowing they can talk with more privacy," he said.
ALLTEL is a customer-focused, information technology company that provides wireline
and wireless communications and information services.
SOURCE ALLTEL Corporation |
