PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
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Data Devices
Data devices are being designed to provide non-voice communications between terminals to send data messages such as electronic mail and facsimiles. Some companies have already developed personal digital assistants (PDAs) that combine a cellular phone, note pad, fax machine, and personal computer.
Data Communications Technology
Narrowband PCS will provide expanded data transmission with acknowledgement. This service will allow longer messages (data) than alphanumeric paging but not have the capacity to compete with wireless networks. Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) is a technology under development that will allow the transmission of data during downtime between voice transmissions on narrowband PCS. Providing voice and data transmission on the same service has strong appeal for some applications. A recent study by the Personal Communication Industry Association (PCIA) predicts that 7 percent of PCS volume will be in data.
Satellite
In mid-1994 two satellite ventures, Celsat Inc. and Personal Communications Satellite Corp. (PCSC is a subsidiary of American Mobile Satellite Corporation), filed applications to provide mobile voice communications based on building, launching, and operating satellite systems. While the FCC has yet to allocate spectrum for these ventures, the companies are moving ahead. In its application to the FCC Celsat described its systems as "the first to propose a hybrid (space-ground) mobile personal communications service. The service is proposed for the 2 GHz band. Both companies are planning to operate terrestrial-based PCS systems that will operate in concert with the satellite-based systems. They are planning to integrate the technologies required for both into dual-mode telephones. Completion between the proposed satellite-based PCS systems and cellular will not exist for initial offerings. PCSC plans a $2,000 terminal with a service charge of $1.20 per minute, considerably more costly than cellular.
Inmarsat, a London-based satellite company, has launched an international hand-held mobile venture called Inmarsat P. This venture has yet to file with FCC for spectrum, but it is also considering the 2 GHz frequency.
The FCC is considering these allocation requests. This issue involves interference with other ventures currently operation in the spectrum. So far satellite ventures have not been faced with bidding for spectrum. There are also issues of worldwide spectrum allocation. Two GHz is not currently scheduled for worldwide access by satellites until 2005, but this date may be moved up at the World Radiocommunication Conference in October 1995.