PHOENIX-U S West Inc. launched a new service in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., that makes it easier and more economical for mobile customers to access their office information from remote locations without having a cellular modem back at the office.
U S West Cellular Modem Link Service allows customers to use laptop computers, cellular phones and cellular modems to access data networks without worrying whether the modems at both ends of the connection speak the same language.
Wireless data communications generally require modems with cellular error-correcting protocols on both ends of the connection to ensure wireless data transmission quality. Since many business modems are designed for landline transmission, companies with mobile workers are faced with purchasing cellular modems for the corporate host computer, U S West said.
With Modem Link, mobile workers equipped with cellular modems, cellular phones and laptops can transparently connect to any landline modem quickly and reliably, U S West noted.
By dialing “* DATA” and the phone number of the destination modem, the system routes the call to the Modem Link Service platform at U S West Cellular’s mobile switching office. The platform answers the user’s cellular data call with a cellular modem and then passes the call from the platform’s landline modem, the company explained.