Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.telcom From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: telcom Wed, Mar 25 1992 Date: Wed, 25 Mar 92 05:43:34 EST Message-ID: 03-25 0000 DECISIONLINE: Telecommunications USA TODAY Update March 25, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network SMART CARS USE SATELLITES: The USA's biggest test yet of smart-car technology begins Wednesday in Orlando, Fla. Satellite signals and a magnetic compass pinpoint car location while wheel sensors measure distance traveled. Orlando's Traffic Management Center transmits up-to-the minute reports - based on traffic-signal monitors, highway surveillance and police - to the in-vehicle computer. (For more, see special Smart package below.) NUMBER OF RADIO OPERATORS RISES: American Radio Relay League says the number of licensed amateur radio operators has gone up by more than 100,000 in the last five years. In 1988, there were 436,828 licensed operators. Now, there are 547,139, the league says. The biggest jump of licensed operators was in 1990 when there were 38,820 new hams. SPRINT GAINS DEFENSE CONTRACT: Sprint said Tuesday it will offer digital channel bank equipment, installation and training to federal agencies through an award from the Defense Commercial Communications Office. The eight-year contract is estimated to be worth in excess of $5 million. The digital channel banks will link defense and civilian federal agencies' networks with FTS2000. SPRINT TO USE TELCO SYSTEM: For its contract with the Defense Commercial Communications Office, Sprint plans to use Telco Systems, Inc.'s-Route 24 digital channel bank. These units mix data and voice signals from government-owned private branch exchanges (PBXs), private lines, modems and computers, to a standard T-1 (1.544 Mbps) high-speed signal that can interface with the FTS2000 Network. KODIAK SIGNS DEAL WITH EVEREX: Kodiak Technology Inc. and Everex Systems Inc. said Tuesday they have signed an agreement under which Kodiak will manufacture Ethernet adapter cards for Everex. The Ethernet adapters will carry the Everex "Speedlink" brand name and will be sold through Everex distributor and value-added-reseller sales channels. Product shipments will begin in March, the firms say. SKYPIX SIGNS FINANCING DEAL: SkyPix and Transamerica Commercial Finance Corporation have signed a National Floor Plan Finance agreement, the firms said Tuesday. TCFC will provide financing to selective dealers and distributors for the SkyPix hardware package which includes integrated receiver-decoder, hand-held remote control and a satellite antenna. MICROCELL ENTERS JOINT PROJECT: Magnavision Corporation said Tuesday it has made an agreement with Microcell Systems Corporation for the purpose of creating Personal Communications Network Systems - Telecommunications Business. The two will design, manufacture, sell and install the systems. Microcell invented many of the technologies. Magnavision is a wireless communication cable television company. RECYCLING HOTLINE IN ARIZONA: A free telephone service lists more than 600 locations across Arizona that accept recyclable items. The Arizona toll free number is 800-947-3873. Categories include reusable items such as clothes, furniture and appliances. Funding the service, the nation's first statewide hotline, are Arizona Public Service Co., Waste Management Inc. and two Phoenix broadcasting stations, KNIX radio and KPNX TV. COURT TV TO GO INTERNATIONAL: Super Channel, the pan-European cable TV network, will carry Courtroom Television Network's live coverage of the International Court of Justice's hearing on the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The hearing marks Court TV's first live international telecast. Proceedings will be simultaneously translated from the two languages of the Court - French, and English. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON SMART: TEST TO LAST A YEAR: Smart cars that show drivers routes to get to their destination and warn of traffic tie-ups along the way begins testing Wednesday in Orlando, Fla. Avis will offer 75 specially equipped Oldsmobile Toronados as part of the $12 million yearlong test - a project of AAA, General Motors, the Federal Highway Administration, Florida's transportation department and Orlando. SATELLITE PLOTS LOCATION: The smart cars comes with a color video monitor which displays maps with turn-by-turn directions, distance to go and arrival time. A satellite keeps track of the car's exact location and transmits traffic information. The computers also offer alternative routes and a database of tourist and business information. BIG TEST PLANNED FOR 1994: In addition to the test in Orlando, Fla., 25 cars offer drivers five alternatives to a 12-mile stretch on Interstate 10 between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, Calif. The two-year test is nearly over. About 5,000 cars will be involved by late 1994 in a test in Chicago's northwest suburbs. (End of package.) Telecommunications Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM