900 MHz NPCS Spectrum Now Available for Push-to-Talk iDEN; Private Digital Wireless Networks Are Target Market Will Hold Two-Thirds of the Nationwide NPCS Spectrum
Chandler, AZ
February 25, 2008
Space Data Corporation today announced that it will use its available spectrum to extend the range of Motorola’s iDEN technology over a much greater area of the United States, particularly rural and hard-to-reach locales. Space Data has taken delivery of the first private Harmony™ Wireless Communications System™ (HWCS) manufactured by Motorola, which provides Push-to-Talk / interconnect voice and data IP network services using the iDEN technology on the nationwide 900 MHz NPCS licenses that Space Data holds.
Space Data as the largest nationwide NPCS spectrum holder has 21 new iDEN capable channels. This spectrum is perfect for enterprise customers seeking a private wireless network that includes the integrated digital features of iDEN such as Push-to-Talk, interconnect voice, SMS, location and packet data services. This band extension provides additional spectrum to enterprise customers at a critical time when most SMR spectrum is tied up by the FCC 800 MHz Rebanding initiative.
Space Data offers hosted switch services on its HWCS to enterprise customers seeking to upgrade from analog private radio networks on their campus to digital networks backed by the reliability of licensed spectrum. Through a hosted switch model these customers can gain the benefits of iDEN’s digital features by simply procuring an Enhanced Base Transceiver Station (EBTS) and iDEN handsets then leasing switch time and backhaul. This significantly lowers the cost of entry of digital wireless for enterprise campus security forces, manufacturing, warehousing, amusement park, and other customers that lack a critical mass of users to make owning a HWCS cost effective or simply want to trial the benefits of a HWCS.
With this band extension 78 new radio channels were created, which if all were paired would yield 39 iDEN channels. This is third time that the band of operation of iDEN has been extended. In 2003 the iDEN band was extended from the original 806-821 MHz / 851-866 MHz band to include the 821 -824 MHz / 866-869 MHz to allow for the rebanding of the 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) band. In 2004, the iDEN band was expanded to the 900 SMR band consisting of 896-901 MHz / 935-940 MHz. This third extension now allows operation in the 901-902 MHz / 940-941 MHz portions of the NPCS band. To accomplish this band extension, Motorola obtained FCC type approval under Part 24 for the iDEN Quad 1 Base Radio and the iDEN Quad+2 Base Radio in addition to the i325, i290, i335 and i876 handsets. Future iDEN handsets will also operate in the NPCS band. The HWCS shares the same
EBTS as all iDEN networks.
About Space Data
Space Data is a privately held, Arizona corporation and is a leader at using Near Space Communications to provide wireless services in rural and remote areas. Near Space is that region of the atmosphere higher than airplanes and lower than satellites. Space Data has provided M2M services for the oil and gas industry for the nearly four years in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico using NPCS transceivers on high altitude balloons. It also provides Near Space Communications Systems to the United States Air Force under a $49 million contract. For more information please visit www.spacedata.net
Media Contacts:
Jim Wiesenberg: 480-722-2104; jim.wiesenberg@spacedata.net
Tim Ayers: 202-857-9734; tim@ayersassociates.net