Looking to take advantage of what is widely seen as the most open telecommunications market in the world, Los Gatos, California-based Metricom Inc has retained Perot Systems Corp to help it to create one or more Metricom Microcellular Data Networks for subscriber-based wireless data communications services here in the UK. The networks are designed for rapid, high-volume wireless transmission of data for the likes of utilities, financial institutions and field services groups. Perot Systems will help Metricom to form a UK joint venture company by obtaining appropriate regulatory approvals for Metricom’s network operating frequencies and access devices, and rounding up the initial customer contracts needed to launch commercial operations. Metricom expects to take on additional partners here. The Metricom system uses relatively low-cost spread-spectrum digital packet radios typically mounted on light poles and roofs.
