BellSouth Cellemetry® Data Service and Wireless Data Concepts Join Forces to Monitor Time Warner's Cable Battery Supplies
ATLANTA - (February 23, 1998) - BellSouth and Wireless Data Concepts announced an agreement
today to use BellSouth's Cellemetry® Data Service and Wireless Data Concepts' patented
cable monitoring application to remotely monitor Time Warner's stand-by power supply units.
Cellemetry Data Service will transmit equipment status information over the AirTouch
cellular network in Cincinnati to a Wireless Data Concepts information facility for processing.
Wireless Data Concepts' ORIONTM Series enables Time Warner to collect data and
send messages regarding the operating status of its stand-by power supply units over a wireless
network virtually anytime, anywhere. For example, a stand-by power supply unit can transmit
a signal to a central facility to proactively notify Time Warner that a thunderstorm has
severed power at a site, potentially interrupting cable service. This enables a staff person
to visit the site and solve the problem quickly.
"Time Warner is pleased to have this new ability to remotely monitor our stand-by power supply
units in a cost-effective manner. The system allows us to manage our stand-by power supplies
more efficiently, enabling us to further enrich our quality customer service program and remain
the leader in cable entertainment services," said Bill Spies, vice president of engineering at
Time Warner.
Cellemetry Data Service, a patented wireless technology developed by BellSouth, enables a
variety of equipment to be remotely monitored by using the existing cellular network's non-voice
data and control channels. Cellular carriers may choose what type of Cellemetry Service
deployment method is appropriate based on their needs. Cellemetry Service's single, centralized
service bureau enables carriers to implement Cellemetry Service in all carrier markets without
requiring additional infrastructure modifications or sales distribution costs. Cellemetry Service
also provides other architectures for carriers wanting closer involvement in the deployment of
the service.
"Cellemetry Service, through the ubiquity and broad coverage of the cellular system, enables
companies to deploy their monitoring systems where needed without having to incur expensive
modification costs," said Roger Birkle, president of Wireless Data Concepts. "We chose Cellemetry
Service because BellSouth is both a data provider and a major cellular operating company and
understands the needs of both groups. Our customers will benefit from BellSouth's experience
in the wireless arena."
"Cellemetry technology allows us to provide a highly-reliable service for transmitting small
amounts of critical data at a low cost to customers like Time Warner," said Tim Weith, manager
of enhanced services at AirTouch-Eastern Region. "We are pleased to offer this wireless data
transmission capability as part of our portfolio of services."
"When data is transmitted using Cellemetry Service over a cellular network, it is transmitted
solely over the network's control channels and there is absolutely no impact on or use of the voice
channels," said Ed Comer, director of the Cellemetry Business Unit for BellSouth. "By using this
underutilized portion of the cellular network, we provide Time Warner with a low-cost and reliable
monitoring system without sacrificing AirTouch's valuable voice channel capacity."
AirTouch-Eastern Region, which will provide the Cellemetry Service to Time Warner and Wireless
Data Concepts, currently offers Cellemetry Service throughout its coverage area in Ohio and Michigan.
Since the introduction of Cellemetry Service in early 1996, BellSouth has signed contracts to
provide Cellemetry with carriers in North America representing approximately 140 million potential
customers (POPs). Other carriers include BellSouth Cellular Corp., Bell Mobility (Canada), CommNet,
Kansas Cellular, Rural Cellular Corporation, Sygnet, US WEST NewVector Group and Vanguard Cellular.
Wireless Data Concepts LLC is based in Cincinnati and provides status monitoring equipment for
the cable industry's stand-by power supply units using the ORION Series. The ORION Series is easily
installed in the leading power supplies in use today.
The Cincinnati Division of Time Warner Cable is a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Locally, Time
Warner Cable serves more than 200,000 customers in 54 Greater Cincinnati communities.
AirTouch Communications is a global wireless communications company, with interests in cellular,
paging and personal communications services in the United States, Belgium, Germany, India, Italy,
Japan, Poland, Portgual, Romania, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden, as well as an interest in Globalstar
satellite system. The company, based in San Francisco, serves over 10.7 million proportionate
customers worldwide.
BellSouth Corp. (NYSE: BLS) is a $20 billion communications services company. It provides
telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing, video, Internet
and information services to more than 29 million customers in 20 countries worldwide.
NOTE: More information about Cellemetry Data Service can be found on the Cellemetry web site at
http://www.cellemetry.com. For more information about BellSouth, visit the BellSouth web site at
http://www.bellsouth.com. Also, BellSouth news releases dating back one year are available by fax
at no charge by calling 1-800-758-5804, ext. 095650.
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Cellemetry is a registered trademark of BellSouth Corporation.
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