BELLEVUE, Wash.-McCaw Cellular Communications Inc. said it has begun testing switching equipment from AT&T Network Systems Inc. and L.M. Ericsson in two markets. McCaw plans to purchase $450 million dollars worth of switching equipment during the next several years from the two companies to construct its Time Division Multiple Access system for personal communications services.
The orders signify McCaw’s official choice of TDMA technology rather than Code Division Multiple Access technology. According to McCaw, its digital platform already has been extensively implemented throughout its 800 MHz frequency cellular licenses across the country. The same platform will be implemented at the 1900 MHz range and will offer a number of features, including caller identification, message waiting indicator, short messaging and increased battery life.
Although McCaw has not named a supplier yet for PCS handsets, the company noted that wireless handset manufacturers, including AT&T and Ericsson, are preparing dual-mode (analog and digital) and dual-frequency (800 MHz and 1900 MHz) phones that will allow customers to use one phone throughout the nationwide McCaw network.
McCaw will test the AT&T Network Systems switching equipment in Chicago and Ericsson equipment in Atlanta. McCaw said the new systems combined with its existing network will cover 80 percent of the U.S. population.
