Head of the class Airadigm's Einstein PCS marks C block first

The small size and modest territory of Airadigm Communications aren't characteristic of a trendsetter, but the company became one last week anyway.

The personal communication services operator beat out its fellow C block licensees when it turned up its network in Appleton, Wis., and became the first to offer commercial service. Despite the limited footprint-the Appleton basic trading area serves about 400,000 potential customers-the carrier can now begin a marketing blitz to promote its Einstein PCS brand throughout its territory.

The company attributed its quick rollout to its GSM technology, its infrastructure vendor's aid, the local Oneida Indian tribe's financial backing and its 40-member company's extensive telecom experience.

"We had a good partner in the Oneida tribe to help provide financing, and very strong vendor support from Ericsson," said Bob Schulze, senior vice president of Airadigm. "Rather than having people just investing, we have people with experience running telephone companies.

Einstein PCS is also the first 1.9 GHz wireless service available to consumers in Wisconsin's Fox Valley region. Airadigm will distribute service through a new retail store in Appleton.

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