PCS Service Provider in Texas and Oklahoma Deploys AirCore Platform
NEW ORLEANS (PCS ’99, Booth #3102) - September 22, 1999 - TECORE® has announced today that Choice Wireless has selected its AirCore® switching platform for deployment in Texas and Oklahoma. Choice Wireless initially will provide GSM service to the Lawton-Duncan, OK, Basic Trading Area (BTA) with a population of more than 180,000 potential subscribers, and will expand its coverage to include an additional 440,000 potential subscribers (POPS) in the Sherman-Denison, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, and Ardmore, OK BTAs.

Choice Wireless is a consortium comprised of three independent telephone companies: Cherokee Telephone Company, Community Telephone Company and Muenster Telephone Corporation. Quantum Communications will manage and operate the system for Choice Wireless.

TECORE is a leading supplier for GSM-1900 switching infrastructure in the small to medium-sized markets, working with PCS operators in six states covering approximately 2 million POPS. The AirCore switching platform was included as part of AirNet® Communications’ ideal solution for this wireless operator. AirNet will supply its new high-speed data ready AdaptaCell® Base Transceiver Stations and AirSite Backhaul Free Base Stations® as well as other BSS equipment.

"After reviewing all competitive infrastructure alternatives extensively, we selected TECORE because of its advanced feature set which provides competitive advantages to enable us to differentiate our service offering at an economical cost," said Alvin Fuhrman, president of Choice Wireless. "The AirCore platform allows us to deploy our services from a position of strength and sets in motion the delivery of high-quality services to our subscribers."

AirCore offers a compact footprint, comprehensive feature set, carrier class high availability and cost-effective scalable capacity from a few hundred subscribers to as many as 100,000 subscribers. AirCore features fully integrated functionality for Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Home Location Register (HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR), Authentication Center (AuC), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), Operation & Maintenance Center (OMC) and Prepaid services.

"The AirCore is easy to operate and is packed with advanced features that are well suited to our operations efficiency such as compact size, graphical user interface and an integrated prepaid solution," said Leonard Davis, director of operations for Quantum Communications. "The AirCore platform represents a major step forward in switching technology for carriers in medium-sized markets such as Choice Wireless."

TECORE’s integrated Prepaid solution provides real-time debiting for wireless and wireline carriers, including the support of calling cards, debit cards and prepaid cards for additional revenue stream.

"TECORE is pleased to bring the future of wireless communications to Choice Wireless with the deployment of our integrated, next-generation switch," said Jay Salkini, TECORE president and CEO. "Carriers such as Choice Wireless are fueling the deployment of advanced features in small to medium markets, expanding the availability of GSM service across the United States."

Founded in 1991 and based in Columbia, Md., privately held TECORE® is a leading supplier of scalable multi-service switching systems for the converging wireless and wireline networks. TECORE’s innovative AirCore Platform is the first and only switching platform on the market that can simultaneously support multiple wireless protocols and wireline applications. This includes GSM, CDMA, TDMA and AMPS for cellular, PCS and WLL operators; and tandem switching and wireline services for IXCs and CLECs, as well as an integrated prepaid solution. The company is well positioned to support the evolution of wireless technologies to third-generation by integrating VoIP, SS7-IP and ATM with its AirCore Platform for broadband applications. Through direct sales, system integrators and OEM partners, TECORE is providing customers in small-to-medium-size, rural and emerging markets with unique competitive advantages in the dynamic new age of converging services.