SAN FRANCISCO-Pacific Bell is testing PACS technology for possible use as a wireless local loop product.
A Personal Access Communications System was deployed as a test in San Francisco using the AIReach technology of Hughes Network Systems Inc. Hughes radio ports were connected to a Hughes radio port controller by 10 Pacific Bell T1 lines. The controller was linked by Pacific Bell ISDN basic rate interface lines to a digital switch in a nearby Pacific Bell central office.
Pacific Bell is expected to conduct more extensive, two-way tests of PACS technology early next year. PACS cells have a range of 1,000 feet to about a mile, Hughes said.
PACS is not just a “reduced microcellular” system, said Dr. Arunas Slekys, vice president of Hughes’ digital cellular networks unit. PACS offers reuse of frequency, is truly microcellular and performs handoffs, he said.
