Wireless Shorts

Portland gets PCS system Western Wireless has added Portland, Ore., to its growing coffer of operational personal communication services systems. The VoiceStream Wireless branded system is based on PCS 1900 technology and uses infrastructure equipment from Northern Telecom and Nokia Telecommunications. The system is Western Wireless' fourth in the 1.9 GHz frequency band.

AT&T, SBC swap markets SBC Communications and AT&T Wireless services have struck a deal under which AT&T acquired PCS licenses for Little Rock, Ark., and Memphis from SBC and a 35.7% interest in Pittsburgh's cellular market, plus a cash payment. In return, SBC has acquired control of AT&T's cellular properties in Arkansas and AT&T's 9.4% share in the cellular system in Worcester, Mass.

BellSouth expands PCS presence BellSouth Mobility DCS has expanded its PCS network to include Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point, Wilmington and Fayetteville, N.C.; and Columbia, Florence and Myrtle Beach, S.C. The first portion of the system was launched last month in Charlotte, N.C.; Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.; and Knoxville, Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City, Tenn.