Next for the cellular phone
Article Abstract:
The lack of radio frequencies allotted to cellular telephone communication by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has forced the telecommunications industry to design more sophisticated cellular phone technologies which rely increasingly on digital transmission. Three new technologies may be available for use some time in 1993. Time division multiple access, which is currently available, can triple network capacity by staggering phone calls in sequence. Code division multiple access offers 15 or 20 times the network capacity, but might have some flaws. Extended time division multiple access is a variation of time division, but may offer the enhanced network capacity of code division without its suspected drawbacks. The move to digital communications will not only increase network capacity, but improve voice quality and allow cellular phones to operate on less power and thereby increase the amount of time users can talk before recharging batteries.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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A video telephone from MCI
Article Abstract:
MCI Communications Corp is developing the MCI Video Phone, videoconferencing equipment that should compete with AT&T's Video Phone and will cost an estimated $750. Both systems fail to provide perfect real-time motion due to the fact that both video phones rely on regular phone lines to send video images that are too large to successfully transmit as real motion. The phones end up sending vocal messages and slightly delayed video images that make the users appear to be moving slowly underwater. Video calls cost the same amount as regular phone calls. MCI must receive approval from the Federal Communications Commission and has not yet displayed a working prototype model. The MCI system will not be compatible with the AT&T system, but MCI's success may hinge on the success of AT&T's model.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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Consumer videophone by A.T.&T
Article Abstract:
AT&T plans to begin marketing a 'videophone' in May 1992. The product is expected to cost $1,500. Even though the it makes use of the latest signal-processing and compression technologies, the new videophone generates images that appear to move slowly. This is because television pictures require large amounts of data, but the carrying capacity of AT&T's networks is limited. Nevertheless, AT&T hopes to appeal to a mass market with its innovative product, which is called the AT&T Videophone 2500. The product will appear in AT&T Phone center stores in May and in retail outlets by mid-1992. AT&T will also place videophones in airports and in hotel lobbies, and videophones will be available for rental.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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