History of Wireless Communications
From Building the Wireless Future® to Expanding the Wireless Frontier™

1990

• RAM Mobile Data Network brought online. CDPD packet networks begin         deployment. GSM cellular systems support circuit-switched data.

1990

• Nextel Communications, Inc. files a series of waivers with the FCC to set up low power, multiple transmitter networks in six of the top U.S. markets. Cellular subscribership surpasses 5 million.

1992

• The FCC allocates spectrum in the 2 GHz band for emerging technologies,           including Personal Communications Services (PCS). The number of cellular        users pass the 10 million milestone. 10,000 cell sites across America.
• World’s first commercial text message sent by employees of Logica CMG.

1993

• Bell Labs develops the DSP1616 chip, a digital signal processor used in           millions of handsets. 

1994

• iDEN network technology, a packet-data network that integrates paging, data communications, voice dispatch and cellular capabilities, is unveiled.

1996

• Bell Atlantic Mobile launches the first commercial CDMA network in the U.S.
• The Telecommunications Act of 1996 becomes law, in part designed to open other communications markets to competition. 38 million cell phones in use in the U.S.

1997

• Subscribership in the wireless industry—cellular, PCS and ESMR—surpasses 50 million.
• Industry benchmark reached: 100,000 direct carrier employment
• 50,000 cell sites across America
• Delivery of digital wireless data and voice networks (2G)

1998

• The average consumer used his or her phone for 122 minutes per month.
• Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired Planet create WAP Forum.
• WAP 1.0 specifications published on the web.

1999

• Congress passes Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act.

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