Ericsson hangs up SuperCordless

Ericsson has shelved its low-tier personal communication services platform in the face of mounting uncertainty about the future of the entrepreneurial wireless market.

The company's SuperCordless offering was designed as a limited-mobility wireline replacement. The system is based on an adapted version of digital European cordless technology.

Ericsson decided to stop offering the product partially because of the late-developing competitive situation involving C block PCS license holders that have not yet entered the market.

"We have discontinued the SuperCordless product due to weak market demand for low-tier products," said Dick Hayter, director of wireless local loop for Ericsson Network Systems.

Ericsson publicized a $50 million contract for SuperCordless equipment with Personal Technology Services, a holder of 10 MHz PCS licensees, in mid-1996. The vendor is discussing alternative network system opportunities with the carrier, Hayter said.

21st Century Telesis, a C block license holder, also had expressed interest in the system, although it had made no public formal agreement.

Ericsson still offers its Freeset wireless PBX system, aimed at indoor and campus applications, and will continue to develop wireless local loop systems for U.S. and foreign sales, Hayter said.

On-Line

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OFF-LINE

PCS stalemate ...but the yet-to-be resolved financial situation among C block providers is preventing wireless network equipment vendors from cracking a potentially lucrative market.

Off-hook Ericsson shelves its low-tier, low-mobility SuperCordless offering--another sign that manufacturers are losing faith in opportunities presented by the entrepreneurial market.