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Date: 13 Feb 94 04:34:13 GMT
From: dbatterson@ATTMAIL.COM(David Batterson)
Subject: File 7--Wireless Messaging

               RAM Mobile Data Out To Win Wireless Race
                          by David Batterson

     RAM Mobile Data is gearing up to take on the cellular phone
Goliaths over the coming $billions in revenue from wireless messaging.
Its biggest competitor is probably McCaw (itself now in the process of
being taken over by AT&T.)

     The cellular companies are pushing CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet
Data), the digital packet-switched technology to be laid on top of the
existing analog cellular phone infrastructure.  RAM claims advantages
over CDPD, including free nationwide roaming, cheaper rates, fewer
packet retransmissions due to errors, and better data security.

     Although the CDPD specification allows for 19.2K-bps speed, vs.
8K-bps for RAM, both deliver an e-mail message in about the same time
(two to five seconds per packet).  RAM claims that's due to CDPD
granting voice messages priority over data, so "channel hopping" is
required for all message transfers.

     RAM offers a flat monthly rate that's cheaper than nationwide
alphanumeric paging: $25 for up to 100KB of messages.  "A leading
nationwide paging service charges $100 per month for sending only 2000
characters," said Martin S. Levetin, a senior vice president at RAM.
"The affordable low-end pricing will encourage individuals to try
wireless mail," Levetin added.

     RAM charges $75 a month for up to 400KB of messages, with
additional messages at $.20 per KB.  A "power user" plan offers
unlimited messaging for $135 a month.

     The major LAN e-mail programs--Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail,
WordPerfect Office, DaVinci EMAIL and CE Software--now support the RAM
wireless system.  "These top LAN-based products, as well as AT&T Mail
and RadioMail, give today's mobile professionals a range of
connectivity choices," Levetin said.

     RAM claims it now services more than 6,300 cities and towns, or
"over 90 percent of the U.S. urban population."  Their current
capacity can reportedly serve some one million users.  Due to its
modular design, the RAM net can expand easily to allow for rapid
growth.

     Two radio modems now make use of RAM: the Intel Wireless Modem
and the Mobidem AT wireless modem from Ericsson GE Mobile
Communications.  The RAM network uses the MOBITEX architecture, an
open, international standard for two-way wireless data communications,
originally developed by L.M. Ericsson in Sweden.

     RAM's hierarchical network consists of subscriber units, base
stations, local switches and long distance provider switches.  Like
CDPD, the RAM net uses TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol).  It also works with the X.25 protocol (now used by
retailers for credit card processing), and SNA.

     RAM Mobile Data USA Limited Partnership is a joint venture of
BellSouth and RAM Broadcasting Corp.  BellSouth owns 49 percent of the
company.
                                   #

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