Providers Trial E-911 Solutions

As wireless providers trial E-911 solutions, reliability is their top concern. E-911 solutions and location-positioning technology come in network-based, handset-based and hybrid solutions. Handset solutions generally are GPS-based, such as Integrated Data Communications' handset-based GPS Solution, while network-based solutions come in three flavors: angle of arrival (AOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA) and multipath fingerprinting. TruePosition, Cell-Loc, Grayson Wireless, CellTrax and Lockheed Sanders manufacture technology based on TDOA; AccuCom and KSI's technologies are based on AOA; and SigmaOne's solutions are based on both TDOA and AOA. U.S. Wireless creates multipath fingerprinting solutions.

Hybrid solutions include assisted GPS - such as SnapTrack's solution, which divides the processes of the GPS signal between the handset and the network - and enhanced observed time delay (EOTD) - such as Symmetricom's solution, and Cambridge Positioning Systems' (CPS) solution, which requires software in the handset, location measurement units at each site, and a central computer server. superscript *

Today, most E-911 solutions are at the field trial stage. In September, Verizon Wireless and Allen Telecom, parent company of Grayson Wireless, announced the successful completion of a large-scale CDMA field trial of Allen Telecom's Geometrix E-911 wireless location solution. Geometrix equipment was installed in Verizon Wireless base station cellular sites to cover a land area of more than 1,000 sq km in and around Lexington, KY. Verizon Wireless conducted more than 4,000 tests in 60 different calling scenarios, and all test calls were made from standard commercially available handsets. Last March, Verizon Wireless and U.S. Wireless announced the successful completion of technical field trials in Baltimore of U.S. Wireless' CDMA RadioCamera system.

Last June, SnapTrack announced that an international consortium of GSM providers, handset suppliers, applications providers, infrastructure manufacturers and semiconductor manufacturers will evaluate SnapTrack's wireless handset location technology. Publicly disclosed U.S. providers in the consortium include Vodafone AirTouch Communications and BellSouth Mobility DCS.

In April, SigmaOne successfully conducted a series of audited field trials for "a major wireless TDMA - AMPS carrier." The company did not name names, but the previous November it announced that Bell- South Cellular would conduct a market trial of its system.

Last February, TruePosition announced it successfully completed field trials with Bell Atlantic Mobile of CDMA location technology, and that TeleCorp PCS, an AT&T Wireless affiliate, agreed to conduct a market trial of TruePosition's Wireless Location System over TeleCorp's 1.9GHz TDMA wireless communication system in New Orleans by year's end. Also in February, Cell-Loc successfully completed trials of its Cellocate System within both analog and digital environments, and CPS said it is working with North American providers to undertake service trials of its Cursor mobile location technology.

superscript * Information according to Cahners In-Stat Group and Fall Creek Consultants