From the inside out AT&T Wireless aims PocketNet at intranets >BY JASON MEYERS, Wireless Networks Editor

AT&T Wireless Services acknowledged last week that the first stop on the way to wireless Internet access may be corporate intranets.

The carrier's PocketNet service is available for business users requiring wireless access to corporate databases and other information. During the beta test program for the service, which began in July 1996, AT&T Wireless found the platform especially effective in field service applications, such as two-way messaging and dispatch, basic e-mail access and database retrieval.

PocketNet service leverages the company's cellular digital packet data network to stream wireless data to a combination cellular phone/data appliance. To be compatible, applications must be created using hand-held device markup language, a version of Internet-standard hypertext markup language, using software from Unwired Planet.

PocketNet service was originally touted as a wireless resource for both Internet and intranet access, but in its first commercial form the primary emphasis is on corporate network applications.

"Right now, we're really focusing the services on businesses," said Kent Hellebust, director of product management for PocketNet. "The productivity this type of service allows has a high-value proposition in the corporate space.

Besides field service professionals, the service is being targeted at field sales teams for applications such as contact management, scheduling and accessing customer account history.

"There are a number of corporations working on more targeted content," Hellebust said, pointing to real estate brokers looking to query listings or financial professionals tracking the stock market. "Clearly it's high value to brokers who don't want to lose touch with sensitive stock market movements.

One of the first customers is Lucent Technologies. Employees at a Lucent call center in suburban Chicago that supports customer order entry and billing are using the service for remote access to an employee database.

"When I'm out on the road, I can access that directory and do a search for anybody by name and more," said Chuck Coleman, general manager of business communication systems at Lucent. "It's an easy way to access people no matter where you are.

The service is also being used for entry into the personal information manager systems on Lucent's local area network and for e-mail access, he said. Coleman put the e-mail aspect of the service through its paces while standing in line at the Ft. Lauderdale airport.

"I was able to respond to two e-mail messages while I was waiting to board the plane," Coleman said. "It's clearly not something you would use to send a thousand-word document, but for a mobile executive, it has a lot of advantages."

February Feb. 24-27, Inter Comm 97 Vancouver, B.C., Trade and Convention Center, (604) 699-1090 Feb. 26-28, TeleCard World '97 Orlando, Hyatt, (713) 974-5252 Feb. 26-28, Telecom Resellers Opportunities Orlando, Hyatt, (713) 974-5252 Feb. 26-March 1, NTEA Convention & Supershow VII Charlotte, N.C., Omni Hotel, (810) 489-7090

March March 3-5, CTIA's Wireless '97 San Francisco, Moscone Center, (202) 785-2842 March 5-6, Security Management for Internet Commerce Toronto, Westin Harbour Castle, (312) 540-5694 March 6-7, CDMA Engineering and Optimization San Jose, Ramada Silicon Valley, (510) 490-6459 March 16-19, NCTA's Cable '97 New Orleans, Ernest N. Morial Center, (202) 775-3606 March 18-20, FOSE '97: America's Integrated Information Technology Forum Washington, Convention Center, (800) 791-3673 March 18-20, Internet and Electronic Commerce Conference & Exposition New York, Jacob Javits Convention Center, (203) 256-4700 March 24-27, IN World Forum Orlando, Renaissance Orlando Resort, (312) 559-3726 March 25-26, Linking the Internet to Your Call Center Chicago, Doubletree Guest Suites, (800) 420 2145

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