The Netherlands PTT – PTT Telecom BV – is to start field trials of a new digital mobile telephone system claimed to combine the advantages of cordless telephony 2 (CT-2) mobile cellphones and the UK Telepoint service. The BCT 900 system, or CT-3 as it has been labelled, was developed by Ericsson Paging Systems NV and is based on an early version of the Digital European Cordless Telephony, DECT, specification due to be ratified in a couple of years’ time. Its foremost application until that time will be as a mobile phone for office use via a 900MHz radio link to the central private branch exchange. Outside the office, it enables calls to be made whenever the user is in range of a linked base station, and unlike Telepoint, calls can also be received by the hand-held phones – assuming, of course, the user happens to be in range of a base station. Ericsson acknowledges that the penetration of CT-2 in the UK will mean that CT-3 – which is not compatible with CT-2 – will not be a commercial viability over here until something new comes in, such as the forthcoming Personal Communications Network. The Netherlands PTT is to commence field trials this summer, and CT-3 is expected to be av ailable for office use by early 1991.
