wmartin@stl-06sima.army.mil (Will Martin) (10/04/89)
The following item is extracted from Sweden Calling DXers, the electronic edition of which is distributed on the ham-radio newsgroup & mailing list: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: SWEDEN CALLING DXERS :: :: from Radio Sweden :: :: Number 2062--Sept. 26, 1989 :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: .... CORDLESS TELEPHONES--A new generation of cordless telephones is appearing in Europe, which are being called "the poor man's mobile telephone". At the same time, the current cordless phones in Sweden cost more than cellular telephones in many other countries. Cordless telephones have become popular all over the Western World and the Far East. The exception is Sweden, where cordless telephones remain too expensive for ordinary households. In fact, Swedish cordless telephones cost more than the mobile or cellular telephones used in automobiles in other countries. This is because Sweden uses a unique frequency band for its cordless phones. The kind found in the rest of the world use frequencies around 49 MHz. This band is, however, still used by television in Sweden. Two transmitters for Swedish Channel 1 use frequencies close to 49 MHz. Rather than move those two transmitters, Swedish Telecom has decided that cordless phones in this country shuld use the exotic frequencies of 914 and 959 MHz. Because of this, the legal cordless phones sold in Sweden cost as much as 10 times what similar units cost abroad. Consequently, many Swedes buy cordless phones in other countries and try to smuggle them past Customs. So far this year Swedish Customs has confiscated 1500 to 2000 cordless telephones. That's roughly twice as many as during all of last year. Now Britain has begun testing the next generation of cordless phones, called CT-2. This operates at 864 MHz, using special digital signals. When you use CT-2, you carry the handset in your pocket, and around town there are relay stations called phonepoints, instead of traditional phone booths. The idea is that you can call out from anywhere within range of a phonepoint, although you can't receive calls. That's why the system is being called the poor man's mobile telephone. The pilot service has only 100 users and 30 phonepoints, all in London. The service is expected to cover all of London by the end of this month, and 1000 phonepoints are to be installed during the first year. When Britain is fully wired, there will be 16,000 phonepoints. The British decision is controversial, because European standards have yet to be decided. Britain hopes to sell its CT-2 system to the rest of Euyrope, so that the same pocket telephone can be used anywhere in the continent. It now looks as thought the French have accepted the British system, for their "Pointel" public cordless network. Happily for Swedes, Swedish Telecom has indicated it will adhere to the forthcoming international standard for CT-2. (George Wood) ... ***End of extract***
CTH_CO@tekno.chalmers.se (CHRISTER OLSSON) (10/13/89)
> CORDLESS TELEPHONES--A new generation of cordless telephones is > appearing in Europe, which are being called "the poor man's mobile > telephone". At the same time, the current cordless phones in Sweden > cost more than cellular telephones in many other countries. 'The new generation of cordless telephones' isn't cordless telephones. It's digital handheld mobile telephones in same size as the smallest mobile telephone today. It`s not a Swedish standard, it's a new European standard. The first telephones will appear in late 1990 and the first system-installation of the new mobile-telephone system is coming to Norwegians in their capital city Oslo for testing. Today's mobile phones cost about $2000 in Sweden; legal cordless phones about $500 - $900. The smallest handheld mobile phones cost a whole $4000. The new digital `poor man's mobile phone' could cost $300 - $400 in the future. > Cordless telephones have become popular all over the Western World and > the Far East. The exception is Sweden, where cordless telephones > remain too expensive for ordinary households. In fact, Swedish > cordless telephones cost more than the mobile or cellular telephones > used in automobiles in other countries. No, mobile phones cost two to three times more than legal cordless phones. > The British decision is controversial, because European standards have > yet to be decided. Britain hopes to sell its CT-2 system to the rest > of Europe, so that the same pocket telephone can be used anywhere in > the continent. It now looks as thought the French have accepted the > British system, for their "Pointel" public cordless network. Forget the British CT-2 system. /Christer Olsson -- Some hackers was here --