Mobitex enjoys wide acceptance as a global standard for wireless
data networks. This technology was originally developed by
Swedish Telecom as a private network similar in purpose to the
Ardis network. The network became commercial in 1986. Since
then, many networks have been deployed in Europe, the United
States, and Australia. The frequency varies by country but the
United States and Canada mainly use 900 MHz. In the United
States, Mobitex is operated by RAM Mobile Data, a subsidiary of
Bell South. There are over 1,200 base stations installed nationwide
with service in more than 7,700 cities and towns, covering
approximately 93 percent of America’s urban business population.
Mobitex technology offers six distinguishing features that
other networks lack:
• Transparent, seamless roaming
• Store-and-forward
• Dependability (99.99 percent)
• Interoperability and connectivity options
• Capacity to support millions of subscribers
• Security second to none
Channels use 12.5 kHz bandwidth and support a data rate
of 8 Kbps. The network operates in the United States at 935
MHz to 940 MHz for the downlink (base to mobile) and 896
MHz to 901 MHz for the uplink (mobile to base).