TULSA, Okla.-Axcess Global Systems of Metairie, La., has selected SpaceCom Systems and its FM Cubed satellite technology to provide the backbone for the paging carrier’s new network of alphanumeric paging and information services, SpaceCom said.
The network will use Radio Broadcast Data Service FM-subcarrier signals, which could eventually allow customers to use their pagers anywhere in the world to retrieve messages and receive information, SpaceCom said.
“The advantage of FM radio signals is that their frequencies are the same around the world,” said Phil Lisk, vice president of operations for Axcess. According to Lisk, the taller towers and more powerful signals of FM stations eliminate the need for a multitude of lower power terrestrial transmitters found in a traditional paging system.
This month, SpaceCom’s Chicago International Teleport will begin transmitting the Axcess signal to 94 franchised sites in nine Western states, via the Galaxy IV satellite. The transmission sites are primarily located at or near radio stations which have RBDS capabilities, SpaceCom said.
RBDS signals are typically used by radio stations to transmit ancillary data, such as the names of songs or artists, to listeners with special display units on their radios. Axcess is expanding the RBDS concept to include pager users. SpaceCom said specifically the Axcess RBDS service will deliver regular alphanumeric messages, as well as eight other information services, including news, weather, sports, stock reports and leisure services.
