Asia Telecom 97 was held over a six-day period from June 9 through 14, 1997 at the World Trade Centre in Singapore under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) -T. The fair, organized and conducted by the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS), brought together more than 470 carriers and equipment suppliers from 30 countries under the theme “The Sky’s The Limit” with an attendance of more than 40,000 people from 104 countries.

During the exhibition, macro-cell wide-area mobile communications, such as GSM and paging systems, were popular. Also, micro-cell mobile communications systems including PHS, DECT and PCS, and WLL (wireless local loop) systems attracted considerable attention. Among these wireless systems, PHS and PHS-WLL were featured by many carriers and manufacturers.

At the Japan pavilion, jointly organized by 13 companies, exhibitors displayed and demonstrated advanced mobile communications systems and equipment such as: high-speed data-communications systems for 32 kbps Internet access in accordance with PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum Standard); voice/data communications system using PS (personal station) function-contained PDA (personal digital assistant) equipment; and public/private communications systems. The following are highlights of each firm’s exhibition relating to PHS and PHS-WLL (Firms in Alphabetical order):
\ ArrayComm, Inc. featured a live demonstration of its IntelliWave WLL system, showing its excellent voice quality and fax/data capabilities. The company’s President and CEO, Mr. K. Martersteck was on a WLL panel that was televised by Asia Telecom TV.
\ Casio Computer Co., Ltd. displayed PHS phones.
\ DDI Corp. demonstrated its PIAFS data/voice communications systems via a public PHS system with its catchphrase, “Your best partner, DDI.”
\ Fujitsu Ltd. displayed its network management, PHS-PBX and PHS-WLL systems with its concept, “Fujitsu Total Network Solution N The Future is here.” The company conducted demonstrations of 32 kbps data communications by its PHS-PBX system based on PIAFS, and domestic/ international communications with its PHS-WLL system.
\ Hitachi, Ltd. with its concept, “Power of Networking,” exhibited its PHS-WLL system “RN1000,” multimedia PBX, and public PHS system, demonstrating voice communications with the PHS-WLL system including its fixed radio terminals and personal stations (PS), and Internet access via its multimedia PBX based on PIAFS.
\ KYOCERA Corp. displayed PHS phones, data devices and presented its PHS-WLL system through video.
\ Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. showed RP (Radio Port) and FSU (Fixed Subscriber Unit) of AIRSTAR-WLL, PIAFS terminals, PHS testers and checkers, demonstrating PHS data terminals.
\ Mitsubishi Electric Corp. exhibited public and indoor PHS systems (CS and PS)
\ NEC Corp. with its exhibition theme “just imagine. NEC Multimedia” showed public PHS, PHS-WLL and PHS-based wireless PBX systems, demonstrating voice and high-speed 32 kbps data communications based on the PIAFS using a digital camera and personal computer (PC).
\ Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) with its watchword, “Always You & NTT,” conducted the demonstrations of voice communications, using six PC units, and high-speed, 32 kbps image transmission in conformance with PIAFS.
\ Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. made presentations on how its card-type PHS combined with PCs and earphone/microphones enables voice and data communications. The company also showed its PHS-WLL system and cordless office communications system.
\ Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. showed PHS phones and demonstrated data communication via Internet.
\ SHARP Corp. demonstrated 32 kbps bearer communication using PHS phones and data card
\ Toshiba Corp. exhibited and demonstrated light and small PHS model DL-S26P capable of high-speed data transmission as well as a brand new pocket communicator, GENIO, enabling PHS, e-mail, Internet browsing etc. with the concept “Data Communications by PHS.”
\ UTStarcom, Inc. gave a live demonstration AIRSTAR-WLL, its PHS-based WLL system, providing visitors free local and international calls by mobile handsets and fixed wireless subscriber units.