PHS Introduced to the USA

Beginning in July 2001, the PHS system in a "Mobile Local Loop" configuration has been introduced by UTStarcom to the market in the United States of America. Systems are currently in service in approximately 10 small cities and towns in the United States to provide a combination of fixed and mobile service.

These systems are installed as licensed PCS systems using what is typically considered as the "Uplink Half" of the C-Block PCS band (subsets of 1895MHz - 1910MHz).

The application takes advantage of the dynamic frequency assignment, low power, and very small/light infrastructure characteristics of PHS to allow the existing technicians of small telephone companies to install and maintain systems.

The fact that the infrastructure mounts on existing telephone poles or buildings, instead of on large towers, makes PHS environmentally attractive. This, in combination with the fact that UTStarcom's PHS system called Personal Access System (PAS) operates with virtually any Central Office switch in the United States, allows even the smallest operators to get additional benefit from their existing switch and billing system investments while providing wireless service in town at rates comparable to what they charge for wired telephone service.

In showing the system at US conferences of NTCA (National Telephone Cooperative Association) and OPASTCO (Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telephone Companies) conferences, UTStarcom received very positive feedback on how the system can serve the needs of very isolated US communities that otherwise would have very limited access to mobile service.