AT&T wireless technology goes digital on traditional lines

AT&T announced the invention of a fixed wireless technology to carry high-speed digital communications directly to most households across the country at many times the capacity of traditional copper wire.

AT&T President John Walter said, "We are announcing the creation of what we believe will be the communications medium for the 21st century. This is the first major technology breakthrough for the new AT&T, continuing the company's heritage of innovation and positioning AT&T as the communications leader for the next century."

Developed jointly by AT&T Wireless Services and AT&T Labs, the new technology will employ a fixed wireless system that can provide consumers high-quality, secure wireless communications to and from their homes at speeds many times faster than existing telephone lines.

The fixed wireless system will initially provide each household with two phone lines and the capability for high-speed Internet access at 128 kilobits per second. The technology includes sophisticated encryption capability to protect consumers' privacy and prevent fraud.

Consumers will be able to use their existing touch-tone wired telephones and keep their current phone numbers. The new technology will give consumers the ability to use their wireless phones as extensions in their homes at local service rates.

The only new equipment required on the customer's house is a transceiver about the size of a pizza box that can be mounted on the side or back of a house.

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