The Ericsson GE Mobile Communications Inc joint venture, where the Swedish company’s stake is now up to 80%, has unveiled the Mobidem AT, the world’s first commercial packet radio modem that successfully implements a circuit-switched AT command set interface – AT in this case having nothing to do with IBM Corp’s Advanced Technology personal computer bus, but referring to Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc command set, which starts every command with AT! for Attention; the Mobidem AT is claimed to provide quick compatibility with all major personal computer operating systems, including MS-DOS, Windows, Macintosh System, Unix and such; while it is a packet-switched radio by design, the Mobidem AT also incorporates a Packet Assembler-Disassembler and a special Mobile Transport Protocol in firmware that enables it to mimic a simple circuit-switched telephone connection; it costs $775 including the spare rechargeable battery and charger.
