ATLANTA-GTE Mobilnet has launched its first commercial Code Division Multiple Access cellular service in Austin, Texas.
The company is offering a dual-mode Sony-branded handset, the CM-D500, manufactured by Qualcomm Personal Electronics through its retail stores and direct sales. GTE said it eventually plans to expand distribution to all of its sales channels, which include computer and electronic stores.
Retail price for the handset starts at $300. Handset supply will not be limited, said the company. Features of the handset include caller ID, call-waiting and numeric paging.
GTE said its CDMA system covers about 50 percent of its current analog area. Customers can default on the analog network when traveling outside the digital coverage area.
Austin was GTE’s first test bed for CDMA service, which involved a service trial with 250 customers. The company originally planned to launch commercial service in San Jose, Calif., first and then follow with Austin. “The system was ready in Austin. We felt there was no sense in holding back,” said Susan Asher, a GTE spokeswoman.
GTE is planning a December launch for CDMA service in San Jose. Most of the company’s other major markets will have service within the next 15 months. GTE has 73 metropolitan markets nationwide. Lucent Technologies Inc. provided switching and cell site equipment.
This is the third commercial launch of cellular CDMA service in the United States. 360
