Broadband
Multi-mode cellular data technology
CellFlex GoldTM
Ositech’s
CellFlex Gold is the ultimate enhancement to its breakthrough
technology, CellFlex, which enables a single cellular data phone
to provide universal cellular data connectivity for mobile users
with laptops on the go. CellFlex Gold enables the use of
compatible handsets to provide mobile data access using any
broadband packet cellular coverage such as EDGE, GPRS, CDMA
1xEV-DO, CDMA 1xRTT,
Digital Circuit
Switched as well as Analog using a single adaptor.
According to
In-Stat/MDR, a market research group based in Scottsdale Arizona,
mobile data has now become a mainstream application among the
cellular subscribers in the US. However, unlike Europe and Asia
where there is one major dominating technology implemented, the US
is mired by no less than five different technologies and their
corresponding spotty cellular coverages nationwide. This is
compounded by the fact that not one Cellular Service Provider
holds the licenses in every market Nationwide. The result being
(according to latest FCC’s 8th CMRS report) that only
51.3% of the Nation’s area is covered by CDMA networks, 53.5% by
TDMA / GSM networks and 35.9% by iDEN networks. AMPs network
coverage is by far the most at over 95% of the Nation’s geographic
area.
CDMA Coverage TDMA/GSM
Coverage
iDEN Coverage AMPS
Coverage
This unique
situation in the Americas has required the use of cellular phones
with multiple cellular radios designed to work with different
technologies. Generally dual mode phones combine AMPS as the
backup technology with the primary digital technology of the
provider (CDMA/TDMA/GSM) to enable nationwide coverage. There are
phones (GAIT: TDMA+GSM+AMPS) with radios for as many as three (3)
different technologies. All of this to allow the cellular service
providers to offer nationwide single rate price plans to their
roaming subscribers, by the use of these multi-mode phones. While
the phone manufacturers made it a point to produce multi-mode
phones for voice, cellular data was not looked at with the same
zeal because of slow connection speeds and lack luster revenue
performance.
This
non-availability of multi-mode cellular data solutions along with
slow connection speeds in the past has thwarted widespread use of
cellular data in the US.
The landscape
has now changed for the better with the availability of high-speed
packet data support available from all major networks. This
however still has not diminished the need for multi-mode data
solutions since none of these implemented high-speed data
technologies provide a coast-to-coast nationwide coverage for
data.
GSM/GPRS – Coverage
CDMA/1xRTT – Coverage
Unlike the
custom broadband cellular PC Cards, the CellFlex Gold solution provides
two additional very important features. Namely, the ability to
provide a backup data connection in areas where digital coverage
is not available and the extraordinary Return on Investment to the
owner. It is a well-known fact that a user with a
non-CellFlex adaptor for cellular data cannot move from one
network (e.g. Cingular) to another (e.g. Verizon). The
adaptor for one network will not work on the other and a new
adaptor will have to be purchased. This basically restricts the
user from capitalizing on the flexibility provided by local number
portability.
Not so with
CellFlex Gold equipped adaptors from Ositech. The same card would
work on any cellular network in the world. Just connect
your compatible cellular handset you use to make voice calls on
the network and presto you are able to do data also! Ositech’s
clients have been using their CellFlex solutions for over 5 years
without having to purchase another adaptor.
What is
CellFlex Gold?
We know that to communicate data over telephone lines we need a
device called a “modem”. As such to use the high-speed digital
cellular network for data transfer, a digital cellular modem is
required, whereas for data transfer over the backup analog
cellular network a different analog modem is needed. Ositech’s
CellFlex Gold technology provides support for these different
modems in a single unit and can intelligently detect and use the
appropriate modem for the required network coverage available.
Only CellFlex Gold data modems enable the user to make a data
connection from wherever their phone can make a voice call.
Nationwide Data connectivity using
CellFlex modems
With the
CellFlex Gold modem and a multi-mode phone, you can make high
speed data connections (separate data plan required) wherever
coverage is available as well as digital or analog data
connections using your airtime plan minutes. Ositech’s products
based on the CellFlex Gold technology, apart from providing a
universal cellular data modem also provide easy to use, unified
interface software, Mobile Protégé for interacting with and
setting up connections over different networks. This eases the
problems in the field that users experience with reconfiguration
requirements to make connections using different networks. No
need to reconfigure, results in maximum up time as the inadvertent
errors during configuration are eliminated. Ositech’s Mobile
Protégé software makes all of this a breeze.
This
intelligent utility working with your cell phone determines the
optimum way to establish a data session from wherever you happen
to be. All you have to do is to click connect and you get
connected regardless of what data technology is available. All of
the reconfiguration required is done behind the scenes for you
leaving you to enjoy the ultimate in mobile data experience.
What does CellFlex
Gold do for mobile users like me?
Just like multi-mode cellular phones are a must to be able to make
voice calls from anywhere, the CellFlex Gold multi-mode cellular
data modem will give you the ability to access vital information
from anywhere. With a single mode solution, a connection is only
possible in one type of coverage area and you are restricted in
your ability to roam. With CellFlex Gold, you can do data from
anywhere you can make a voice call with your cellular phone. Also
the same CellFlex Gold PC Card will work if you ever decide to
change your cellular service provider, as you will not have to buy
another adaptor.
What
about data connection speed?
Data
connection speed is dependent on the type of cellular data
coverage available and authorization to connect. Apart from
high-speed packet data, digital and analog connection throughput
is boosted manifolds by the use of connection accelerator software
such as
ExpressLink.
Is it a
useful investment?
Aside
from giving you access to your important data from anywhere while
roaming, CellFlex Gold provides mobile flexibility and a
forward-looking wireless solution. It is not only compatible with
today’s mobile phones, but also looks towards compatibility with
upcoming phones and emerging wireless technologies. With Ositech's
CellFlex Gold products (the
King of Hearts Trumpcard or the
King of Clubs Trumpcard), you have a solution that you can use
today AND will be using it tomorrow without having to purchase a
new adaptor again as the technology advances.
How does
CellFlex Gold work?
Cellular
phones work on different networks; Analog (AMPS) is the first of
the cellular technologies, and is therefore more widespread than
its various digital counterparts (TDMA, CDMA, and iDEN, GSM).
While urban areas in North America will have multiple technology
coverages available, many rural areas are still only covered by a
single analog-only coverage. For this reason, Multi mode cellular
phones are in great demand, as they allow the user to make voice
calls using various different network coverages. CellFlex Gold
takes your Multi mode phone’s capabilities to the next level by
enabling dynamic data connections from any coverage area you can
use your phone in.
Why do I
need a Multi Mode interface?
With strictly analog or digital data solutions, your access to
data will be restricted to the respective coverage areas. This
means you can’t always make a successful connection, depending on
the coverage area you find yourself in (see maps above). Multi
Mode cellular phones can detect which coverage area you are in,
and then automatically switch to use the available coverage. This
feature allows you to make a connection wherever a cellular
network exists.
Wireless data solutions have always suffered greater limitations
compared to voice connections using cellular phones. While you can
connect through any analog network using an analog cellular modem,
you can only do data on digital networks where the network
supports digital data. This requires the user to not only be aware
of the network coverage and whether it supports digital data, but
also to configure his/her system while on the go to select the
correct interface when starting up the application. With the
introduction of CellFlex Gold technology, Ositech has created
dynamic multi mode data support through a single solution, which
intelligently selects and establishes a data connection using
whichever network coverage is currently available for data. What
this means to you, as a wireless data user, is that while
previously (whether you knew it or not) your wireless data
solution would be limited to either the digital or the analog
coverage areas (please refer to the coverage maps above), with
Ositech’s CellFlex Gold technology you can have complete
connectivity. You can now dynamically connect, with no
configuration required, to access vital information from either a
digital OR an analog coverage area. CellFlex Gold gives you the
ultimate freedom in wireless data connectivity and keeps you in
touch from anywhere a cellular call can be made.
What use
would I have for Multi Mode data?
Multi mode data provides the freedom for total connectivity, no
matter where you travel. You can use a digital solution while in
the city, but when traveling out of town where digital data
coverage might not be available, you can wind up cut off from
vital information. In the past, you would have needed a second,
totally different solution to deal with this problem; a digital
one for the city, and an analog one for roaming. Ositech’s
CellFlex Gold technology provides you with an all in one multi
mode solution, allowing you to make connections from anywhere you
may travel, including many cottage or holiday destinations, now
possible with one integrated solution. Ositech’s
King of Hearts or
King of Clubs Cellular Connection Kits with CellFlex Gold,
ensure access to your important data; anytime, anywhere, any
place.
CellFlex Products
