Cellular Technical Services Company Announces Beta Test of Blackbird Fraud Prevention Software

Strategic Insights -

Cellular Technical Services Company (CTS), a leading provider of real-time information management systems for the wireless communications industry, has partnered with Los Angeles Cellular Telephone Company (L.A. Cellular) to conduct a beta test of its Blackbird pre-call fraud prevention software application. The beta test aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Blackbird in detecting and preventing cellular fraud through "cloning," a process in which cellular phones are modified to duplicate a legitimate customer's phone. CTS's patented signal processing technology, known as "fingerprinting," will be tested in a live environment to distinguish between legitimate customers and counterfeit users.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Blackbird software application uses patented signal processing technology to detect and prevent cellular fraud through "cloning."
  • The beta test will involve the installation of the Blackbird system in certain L.A. Cellular cell sites in two phases.
  • The test aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Blackbird in detecting and preventing cellular fraud.
  • CTS plans to aggressively market Blackbird to wireless service providers both domestically and internationally during the first half of 1995.
  • The Blackbird platform can provide a range of service-enhancing software applications in the future.
  • Gene Welsh, CIO of L.A. Cellular, emphasized the importance of the beta test in evaluating the CTS product features and benefits in a live environment.
  • Bob Dahut, CTS President, stated that the system's ability to capture valuable pre-call data can provide an effective, pro-active solution to the problem of cloning.

Statistics:

  • The cellular fraud problem is growing rapidly, with the need for effective solutions becoming increasingly urgent.
  • The Blackbird system captures a cellular phone's unique frequency pattern at the cell site, before it enters the service provider's system.
  • The system can automatically interdict and shut down the call if a proper match is not made.
  • CTS's real-time information management systems help cellular carriers obtain real-time information and maximize value, control, and flexibility of their systems.
  • The beta test is scheduled to take place in two phases.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, December 19, 1994
  • Cellular Technical Services Company's press release, December 19, 1994
  • Los Angeles Cellular Telephone Company (L.A. Cellular)