On July 22nd, 1998, the PHS Forum of the Americas announced the addition of 7 new member companies at its first formal organizational meeting in San Jose, California. The formation of the group was announced at CommunicAsia '98 in Singapore under the full endorsement of the PHS MoU Group.
The Forum, with 14 member companies, met this time to formalize its structure and plan its charter activities. The latest additions to the Forum are ECI Telecom, Lucent Technologies, NEC do Brazil S.A., Nitsuko Corporation, Rohde & Schwartz, Sharp Corporation, and Symbionies Ltd. These companies join an original list of members that includes ADC Wireless Systems, ArrayComm Inc., Kyocera Corporation, Market Tel 48C.A., Nichimen America, UTStarcom, and Zetax Technologia S.A. Membership is expected to expand as more manufacturers and operators learn of the superior wireless solutions offered by PHS technology.
Member companies identified market requirements for the Americas and formulated operational goals for the group's activities. Most of the companies involved with the Forum have significant contracts and field trials underway in the region and believe the Forum will be an important organization to address market requirements and promote the spread of PHS in the Americas.
With offices in North and South America, members will meet on a regular basis to collaborate and apply their expertise in the market to support PHS at all levels. The next meeting will be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil on September 2, 1998. All interested companies are encouraged to participate in the Forum.