GTE and IBM Announce Strategic Partnership for National Wireless Network Services

Strategic Insights -

GTE Personal Communications Services (GTE PCS) and IBM have announced a strategic marketing arrangement that will provide mobile workers with access to a full range of networking applications and value-added telecommunications services. This new capability will be powered by the IBM Global Network, enabling GTE and IBM customers to access a wide range of services, including email, electronic data interchange (EDI), Internet services, and enhanced voice services, via their cellular technology. The partnership aims to deliver national wireless voice and data services, revolutionizing the way corporate customers and their mobile workers access essential services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership will provide GTE and IBM customers with cellular technology access to all services available on the IBM Global Network within the U.S., including email, EDI, Internet services, and enhanced voice services.
  • GTE views the arrangement with the IBM Global Network as a significant advancement in the delivery of national wireless voice and data services.
  • The partnership will enable corporate customers and their mobile workers to gain wireless access to IBM's industry-leading range of value-added telecommunications services.
  • Initial market trials with major U.S. corporate customers will begin immediately.
  • GTE also will remarket some IBM Global Network services to its existing and prospective mobile data customers.
  • IBM will integrate wireless and wireline access to network computing and applications of the IBM Global Network, creating national and ultimately global wireless voice and data access capability.
  • GTE PCS and IBM will collaborate to develop new services and applications for mobile workers.

Statistics:

  • GTE is the second-largest cellular service operator in the United States.
  • The IBM Global Network has more than 25,000 customer enterprises.
  • The IBM Global Network supports more than 7,000 local area networks and 5,500 interconnected networks.
  • The IBM Global Network provides networking services in nearly 100 countries.

Sources:

  • "...Mobile workers using cellular technology will now have access to a full range of networking applications and value-added telecommunications services..." (Business Wire, Feb. 1, 1995)
  • "GTE views the arrangement with the IBM Global Network as a significant advancement in the delivery of national wireless voice and data services," said Dr. C.J. Waylan, executive vice president - Product Management and Business Development, GTE PCS.
  • "Our partnership with GTE will enable corporate customers and their mobile workers to gain wireless access to IBM's industry-leading range of value-added telecommunications services," said John M. Whiteside, general manager, IBM Global Network.
  • GTE Personal Communications Services, headquartered in Atlanta, is an operating unit of GTE Corp. and is comprised of GTE's cellular businesses (GTE Mobilnet and Contel Cellular), GTE Airfone and GTE Telecommunications Services Inc.