Posted on 01/30/2002 10:18:44 AM PST by Defiant
OKLAHOMA CITY--Rural wireless operator Dobson Communications on Tuesday said it planned to upgrade to an advanced data-capable network based on the world's dominant wireless technology.
Dobson's decision follows two of its largest roaming partners, Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless Services. Cingular and AT&T Wireless are the nation's No. 2 and No. 3 wireless operators.
The three companies currently have digital wireless networks based on the TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) standard, but that technology cannot easily be upgraded with a high-speed data capability.
They have chosen instead to build a parallel network based on GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), the dominant wireless technology standard in the world. The advanced version of that is called GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and it promises always-on, high-speed Internet connections.
Dobson said it also agreed to a new 10-year roaming relationship with Cingular Wireless. A company receives roaming fees when a customer from another service makes a call on its network.
The company provided no time frame for when the new network would be completed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.