Case Study: Nationwide Mobile Data Network

Creating the First Nationwide, Commercial Wireless Data Network

The Client

RAM Mobile Data USA, L.P.

 

The Project

In 1983, RCC (then RAM Communications Consultants, Inc.) began planning and designing the first nationwide, commercial wireless data network, known as RAM Mobile Data.

 

RCC's Role

RCC's vast team contributed in many ways to this project:

 

• Our engineers performed RF engineering to develop a national footprint.
• Regulatory staff performed frequency planning and licensing for frequencies in the top 200 U.S. markets.
• Our facilities group performed site acquisition and zoning services and oversaw the design and construction of base station sites.
• Our software engineers designed and developed network management software, including a GUI to network alarms and traffic statistics, for the Ericsson Mobitex system.
• Our field staff completed testing and acceptance verification and performed site optimization at every site.
  

 

In 1994, RAM Mobile Data entered into a joint venture with Bell South to continue expansion of the system. In 1996, Bell South (later Cingular) purchased a controlling interest in the company and renamed the system Cingular Wireless. Today, the system is owned by SkyTel (formerly Velocita Wireless) and is still operating with the more than 2,000 base station sites throughout the United States.