In pursuit of providing consumers with voice paging service, Paging Network Inc. announced its new VoiceNow advanced messaging service will use Motorola Inc.’s InFLEXion technology.
InFLEXion is the fastest paging protocol available, enabling two-way voice and data communications at speeds up to 10 times faster than delivered over the POCSAG protocol.
VoiceNow is “an answering machine in your pocket,” said Don Shirley, PageNet’s director of advanced wireless technology. Messages are delivered in the caller’s voice and can be stored and replayed. VoiceNow will operate on three nationwide channels. PageNet aims to build out its VoiceNow networks, with service available by summer 1996.
Open interface developed
Motorola Inc.’s Cellular Infrastructure Group signed an agreement with Fujitsu Ltd. to develop a digital open interface for fixed wireless phone systems in the international market.
The development is based on a non-proprietary open interface for fixed wireless telephony that will allow operators to integrate public switched telephone network switches and base station equipment from different suppliers. The system will be available by first quarter 1996 to international markets, including Asia, Latin America, Eastern Russia and Africa.
Development will include Fujitsu’s FETEX-150 Central Office Switching System and Motorola’s Wireless Local Loop system.
Geotek signs investors
Geotek Communications Inc. announced Vanguard Cellular Systems Inc. and Toronto Dominion Investments, a subsidiary of Toronto Dominion Bank, agreed in principle to invest $10 million in Montvale, N.J.-based Geotek.
The agreement calls for Vanguard and Toronto Dominion each to purchase $5 million of convertible preferred stock. Geotek provides wireless communications through Frequency Hopping Multiple Access technology. Geotek and Vanguard first formed a strategic alliance in February 1994, with Vanguard investing $30 million in Geotek.
Geotek also awarded IBM Corp. a contract valued at $40 million to build out its FHMA network. IBM will provide turnkey site construction and project management for about 200 Geotek base stations.