British Telecommunications Plc has launched the first transatlantic paging service, Metrocast. The new NEC pager with alphanumeric capabilities weighs 4.41 ounces and can store 40 messages of 15 words. The pager service divides the US and the UK into zones and the Metrocast is able to scan the 14 main paging frequencies in the 150MHz to 160MHz band until it finds the frequency on which the message has been transmitted. At present, the pager can use only VHF channels, but British Telecom plans to extend its use on UHF. To send a message, the user telephones an operator – in the UK, in London and in the US, in San Diego – leaving a message for a particular paging number. This is transmitted to the Metrocast exchange via International Packet Switchstream, IPSS, and forwarded to the customer. Should a user change destination, the paging bureau has to be contacted and the message will be held until it can be transmitted. The pager is targeted at Telecom’s present half a million users of its pager service, as well as anyone conducting transatlantic business. The Metrocast pager costs UKP48 per week or UKP144 per month to rent on a temporary basis; to rent permanently, there is a UKP30 connection fee plus UKP45 per month subscription fee. British Telecom expects most of its customers to opt for the short-term hire option. The systems for the paging service were supplied by Metrocast, San Diego, although the design originated with South West Computer Systems in Dallas, later taken over by Metrocast. There are six CPUs in the US and a duplicate system comprising four CPUs in the UK. The computers are old-fashioned S100 bus machines but will be upgraded to 80286 MS-DOS machines next year. The processors accept the call and output data on the pager identity, channel and zones in which it will operate and the call is transmitted. The planning of the project began two years ago, and the actual development took six months. The central terminals in San Diego and London are connected to local terminals in large cities throughout the US and UK, thus coverage depends on the local paging system. British Telecom looks for the transatlantic service to turn a profit next year.
