We Will Be Reading About This More> (long)
Top Companies Embraced BellSouth Wireless Data as
Network Provider of Choice for Enterprise, Personal
Solutions
BUSINESS WIRE
WOODBRIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1999--
Wireless Data Industry Moved into
Broad-Based Markets in 1998
With BellSouth Wireless Data Leading the Way
1998 will go down as the year that the wireless data industry moved into the
mainstream with BellSouth Wireless Data leading the way as the network
provider of choice for such major companies as [ Microsoft ] and 3Com's
Palm Computing Division.
Among the highlights of a historic 1998 were:
-- [ BellSouth Corporation ] formally acquired 100 percent operational
control of the former RAM Mobile Data and renamed the company
BellSouth Wireless Data. The deal, which served as a bellwether
for what was to transpire in 1998, was a huge endorsement for
wireless data in that the industry had the backing and power
behind it of one of the premier telecommunications companies in
the world. (March);
-- Sears Roebuck & Co. named BellSouth Wireless Data as winner of
its prestigious Innovation Source of the Year and Partners in
Progress awards for 1997 for providing it with a cost-effective
application of satellite technology that seamlessly integrates
with BellSouth's nationwide wireless data communications network.
Solution provides 100 percent coverage between Sears' home office
and its Product Services home repair technicians (April);
-- Microsoft and BellSouth Wireless Data announced an alliance to
wirelessly enable Microsoft(R)Windows(R)CE applications for the
BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network(SM) . Agreement was a
major step towards bringing wireless capabilities in the future
to millions of Microsoft customers at price levels that will make
it attractive for many more companies to deploy enterprise-wide
solutions.
Microsoft's Harel Kodesh, vice president of the Internet
Appliance Division, had this to say about the alliance:
"BellSouth Wireless Data's expertise and experience in providing
proven wireless data communications solutions makes it the right
partner for Microsoft in this exciting endeavor. The strength,
intelligence and maturity of its network provides us with a
powerful tool as we create wireless applications for Windows CE."
(May);
-- The BellSouth Interactive Paging(SM) Service was launched
nationwide, giving paging users the ability to initiate and
respond to messages via Internet e-mail, to other pagers, fax
machines and telephones directly from the new RIM Inter@ctive(tm)
Pager 950. The RIM Inter@ctive Pager 950 is an easy to use,
wearable device with a full keyboard that fits in the palm of a
hand and is powered by an Intel386(tm) processor (August);
-- Sybase, Inc., BellSouth Wireless Data and Research In Motion
Limited announced a strategic alliance to extend the reach of
enterprise information to the RIM Inter@ctive Pager 950, using
UltraLite, a small 'fingerprint' deployment option of Sybase(R)
Adaptive Server(R) Anywhere mobile database. For the first time,
organizations will be able to extend critical business
applications, such as sales force automation, service & support
and scheduling, to an interactive paging device (September);
-- BellSouth Wireless Data announced it would support the platform
of the new Microsoft/ Qualcomm joint venture, Wireless Knowledge
LLC, which will provide Microsoft Exchange customers with
wireless access to vital corporate information and applications
using a wide range of mobile devices (November); and
-- Palm Computing introduced its revolutionary new Palm VII(tm)
connected organizer, which will operate over the BellSouth
Intelligent Wireless Network. The Palm VII, when it becomes
commercially available in 1999, will be the first-ever,
out-of-the-box wireless data solution for consumers. Palm VII
customers will be first to use Wireless Subscription Management
(WSM), a groundbreaking technology enhancement from BellSouth
Wireless Data which allows end users to wirelessly select service
options and activate their Palm VII right out of the box within
60 seconds.
Marc Bercow, vice president, strategic alliances and platform
development for Palm Computing, said: "Our requirements included
seamless, nationwide coverage, a high degree of reliability and
the ability to deliver information and messages in a matter of
seconds rather than minutes. There was one obvious choice -
BellSouth Wireless Data's Intelligent Wireless Network. BellSouth
Wireless Data was the only company that could deliver to our
specifications and achieve our goals with Wireless Subscription
Management." (December)
"Wireless data no longer will be viewed simply as a niche solution for
specific industries," said William F. Lenahan, president and CEO of
BellSouth Wireless Data. "In 1998, BellSouth Wireless Data led the way in
extending wireless data for the first time into personal and enterprise
solutions for a wide range of end users through the new Palm VII connected
organizer, BellSouth Interactive Paging Service and, in the near future,
applications for Windows CE. With our company and our strategic partners
at the forefront, wireless data has arrived."
As BellSouth Wireless Data took a lead role in bringing wireless data into
the mainstream, it remained committed to its industry- specific business in
providing customized wireless data communications solutions to aggressive
and innovative companies seeking to maintain a competitive advantage and
increase personal productivity. Several major organizations joined the ranks
of BellSouth Wireless Data customers, including [ Progressive Insurance ] ,
Virginia Power and [ Konica Business Technologies ] .
BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network
At the core of BellSouth Wireless Data's efforts over the past year was the
powerful BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network, which covers more than
93 percent of the urban business population of the U.S. The introduction of
Wireless Subscription Management was just one major achievement during
the year.
BellSouth Wireless Data also completed an unprecedented three software
revisions to its network during the year. These included enhancements to
base station software that improved in-building penetration and geographic
reach. The enhancements combined with the addition of base stations in
markets served by BellSouth Wireless Data is resulting in coverage that is
comparable to one-way paging local coverage. BellSouth Wireless Data
added more than a base station a day during 1998 on its way to doubling the
number of deployed base stations by the year 2000.
The company also introduced frame relay as a standards-based connectivity
option to the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network. The new connectivity
option gives companies that already have frame relay an efficient and
cost-effective way to extend their business into the wireless paradigm.
"Our goal is to make wireless data solutions as universal as wired solutions,
and we made a lot of progress towards that end in 1998," Lenahan noted.
"1999 promises to be an equally exciting year. We look forward to an
expansion of service offerings in conjunction with the BellSouth Interactive
Paging Service, commercial availability of the Palm VII, our continued work
with Microsoft, new strategic partnerships with industry leaders and the
introduction of new services and devices enabled for our network that will
have significant impact on a broad-based marketplace. Clearly, wireless
data will continue to move full-speed ahead in 1999 and BellSouth Wireless
Data will be at the helm." SEQN: BW1281
(Copyright 1999) |
