Mobile cellular phone

Continuing the courtship between cellular and satellite technology, London-based Inmarsat recently reviewed its Project 21 study results at its council meeting July 23-28 in Stockholm. The Project 21 study has "concluded an operational system is possible before the year 2000," said Hans-Christina Haugli, an Inmarsat Project 21 official, at the recent International Mobile Satellite Conference in Pasadena, Calif.

The Inmarsat-P service will provide global satellite voice communications to inexpensive handheld phones, as well as such other services as fax, data, paging and positioning.

The handsets will be dual-mode to operate through the cellular system when in range and via satellite in non-cellular coverage areas. "We're currently planning a 1998 time schedule [for Inmarsat-P handheld satellite service], and we find we'll be competitive with other systems. Massive investments are required," he said.

"Inmarsat has been studying [the handheld] market for some time," Haugli said. The safety of handhelds is important, he said, because "if customers don't think the phone is safe, they won't buy it." The power level of the Inmarsat-P would be lower than or similar to that of cordless telephones and cellular phones, Haugli said.

"We have been having very close and detailed discussions with cellular manufacturers on the world of handheld technology," he said.

"The antenna size is important on the handheld; the unit needs to have a small antenna. We've learned some interesting things," he said.

"We want to take advantage of the many cellular technigues in our handheld," Haugli continued.

Inmarsat plans to use cellular techniques to reduce the price and size of its Inmarsat-P handheld terminal.

Possible Inmarsat-P Features

* Dual-mode digital cellular-satellite phone

* Fax, data, voice, messaging, paging and

navigation capabilities

* Global roaming

* Indoor roaming

* Size estimates of 300cc based on 1993

technology

* 24-hour standby time

* At least 1 hour of talktime

* End-user price of $1,500 or less