AG Communication Systems, Toll Free Cellular reach agreement providing intelligent network solution for free cellular calling.PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 1996--Toll Free Cellular, a Seattle-based company introducing the free calling nature of 1-800 service to the cellular marketplace, has partnered with AG Communication Systems to develop an intelligent network (IN) solution that offers cellular carriers easy technical implementation of free cellular calling services. In conjunction with AT&T Wireless Services and U S WEST NewVector Group, last October Toll Free Cellular launched free cellular calling in the greater Seattle market. Now planning with carriers its national roll-out of the service, Toll Free Cellular hailed its agreement with AG Communication Systems as an important milestone in the introduction of toll and airtime-free cellular calling. "Free cellular calling is a strong win-win proposition for carriers; the service adds value for subscribers and it represents an entirely new source of MOUs (minutes of use)," said Mark Lazar, Toll Free Cellular's chief executive officer. "Now, as we coordinate coast-to-coast introduction of the service, AG Communication Systems has provided a key piece of the puzzle by providing a solution that allows easy integration of free cellular calling into existing networks." AG Communication System is designing the solution and developing the software supporting Toll Free Cellular's service under the company's INgage(TM) line of IN products. Toll Free Cellular will retain exclusive rights to the service software for three years. Previously, any cellular call -- even those placed to 1-800 numbers -- incurred subscriber airtime air·time n. 1. The time during which a radio or television station is broadcasting. Also called airspace. 2. The time at which a radio or television program is broadcast. charges. Toll Free Cellular's service enables businesses to purchase #800 (pound sign 800) numbers that work much like traditional 1-800 numbers. The company receiving the cellular call pays for the airtime, not the caller. Among the more than 525 numbers already available in Western Washington
Western Washington is a region of the United States defined as that part of Washington west of the Cascade Mountains. are #800 (pound sign 800) numbers for Boston Markets Boston Market (known before 1995 as Boston Chicken), headquartered in Golden, Colorado, is a chain of American fast-food restaurants. Founded in December 1985 in Newton, Massachusetts, the chain grew rapidly in the early and mid-1990s, filed bankruptcy in the late 1990s, and , Hilton Hotels
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC TYO: 8648 ) is the largest commercial bank in the United States in terms of deposits, and the largest company of its kind in the world. and Budget-Rent-A-Car. "The excitement generated by Toll Free Cellular's launch in Seattle is exceeding expectations; it seems it won't be long before #800 (pound sign 800) numbers are nearly as common as 1-800 numbers," said Gerry Bobeczko, AG Communication Systems' vice president and general manager of IN products. "We're pleased that AG Communication Systems is playing a key role in the introduction of this landmark service." Toll Free Cellular is a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. founded in Seattle to introduce free cellular calling nationally. Phoenix-based AG Communication Systems, a joint venture of AT&T and GTE GTE General Telephone & Electronics GTE Génie Thermique et Énergie (French) GTE Gas Turbine Engine GTE Global Tropospheric Experiment GTE Geothermal Energy GTE Gas Turbine Efficiency plc (Sweden & USA) , is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced telecommunications products and services, including IN and access products. AG Communication Systems' GTD-5(R) EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions) Sound card functions that reproduce the reverberation effects heard in different environments. Developed by Creative Labs, EAX provides an extension to the Windows DirectSound and OpenAL programming interfaces. digital switching systems Switching systems (communications) The assemblies of switching and control devices provided so that any station in a communications system may be connected as desired with any other station. serve more than 17 million customers worldwide in business, industry and government, as well as subscribers serviced by the public telephone network. The 100-year-old company's 1995 revenues totaled $320 million. -0- All AG Communication Systems' products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks. GTD-5 is a registered trademark used under license from GTE Corp. CONTACT: Toll Free Cellular Lynn Ridenour, 206/505-2218 or AG Communication Systems Diane Saunders, 602/582-7511 |
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