AT&T protects cellular phone calls from unwanted listeners
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- December 10, 1992 -- New technology from AT&T is cutting eavesdroppers out of the loop for cellular phone conversations.
The AT&T Cellular Privacy System protects cellular calls by scrambling the cellular telephone's over-the-air signal. The signal is descrambled at the cellular carrier's switch, trans- mitting a conventional phone signal to the recipient.
If the scrambled over-the-air signal is intercepted, the eavesdropper will hear only a chirping sound. AT&T's advanced privacy technology destroys the intelligibility of the over-the- air signal.
"This system significantly increases the usefulness of cel- lular phones for anyone in business with a duty of confidentiality--or anyone who simply wants protection from eavesdroppers," says Ed Hickey, AT&T Vice President, Secure Com- munications Systems.
"It enables users to conduct business on their cellular phone just as they would in their office or home."
The AT&T system is an unprecedented solution to a problem inherent in cellular technology. Cellular telephone calls, transmitted as radio signals, are easily interceptable with inex- pensive, widely available scanners.
The AT&T Cellular Privacy System is the first widely available, integrated solution to the privacy problem. It offers benefits far beyond those of any other cellular privacy products. o It's the first privacy system with technology compact enough
and light enough to be embeddable in today's small, portable phones. o The system features an unmatched combination of high voice
quality and an advanced level of privacy. o It is applicable to all three types of cellular telephones--
portable, transportable ("bag phones") and mobile (car phones). The system has two components. The AT&T privacy unit at- taches to the phone and scrambles the phone's signal. The Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) unit is installed at the cel- lular carrier's switch and descrambles the signal.
The first compatible phone is the AT&T Model 9000 Privacy- Capable Cellular Telephone, an 8.9-ounce portable model.
Suggested retail price of the Model 9000 is $795. The op- tional privacy unit retails for $895. The phone, privacy unit and switch unit will be available in February.
For more information, contact David Arneke, 919 279-7680, or Bill Jones, 919 279-6511.
AT&T protects cellular phone calls from unwanted listeners
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- New technology from AT&T is cutting eavesdroppers out of the loop for cellular phone conversations.
The AT&T Cellular Privacy System protects cellular calls by scrambling the cellular telephone's over-the-air signal. The signal is descrambled at the cellular carrier's switch, trans- mitting a conventional phone signal to the recipient.
If the scrambled over-the-air signal is intercepted, the eavesdropper will hear only a chirping sound. AT&T's advanced privacy technology destroys the intelligibility of the over-the- air signal.
"This system significantly increases the usefulness of cel- lular phones for anyone in business with a duty of confidentiality--or anyone who simply wants protection from eavesdroppers," says Ed Hickey, AT&T Vice President, Secure Com- munications Systems.
"It enables users to conduct sensitive business on their cellular phone just as they would in their office or home."
The AT&T system is an unprecedented solution to a problem inherent in cellular technology. Cellular telephone calls, transmitted as radio signals, are easily interceptable with inex- pensive, widely available scanners.
The AT&T Cellular Privacy System is the first widely available, integrated solution to the cellular privacy problem. It offers cellular users benefits far beyond those of any other cellular privacy products. o It's the first privacy system with technology small enough
and light enough to be embeddable in today's small, portable phones. o The system features an unmatched combination of high voice
quality and an advanced level of privacy. o It is applicable to all three types of cellular telephones--
portable, transportable ("bag phones") and mobile (car phones). The system has two components. The AT&T privacy unit at- taches to the phone and scrambles the phone's signal. The Mobile Telephone Office Switch (MTSO) unit is installed at the cellular carrier's switch and descrambles the signal.
The first compatible phone is the AT&T Model 9000 Privacy- Capable Cellular Telephone, an 8.9-ounce portable model. The op- tional privacy unit and its extended battery add less than six ounces to the weight of the phone. The module and battery add about a half inch to the depth of the phone.
The Model 9000 is a full-featured, third-generation cellular phone. Other compatible models are in development by AT&T and other manufacturers. Privacy modules for those phones are being developed by AT&T.
Suggested retail price of the Model 9000 is $795. The op- tional privacy unit retails for $895. The phone, privacy unit and switch unit will be available in February.
The phone will be sold through carriers and by a variety of retail outlets including cellular telephone agents, consumer electronics stores and mass merchandisers and through an inter- national network of distributors.
Because the privacy system scrambles the only over-the-air portion of the call, no matching unit or special equipment is re- quired at the receiving end.
Installation of the privacy module is quick and simple. Once the phone is equipped, privacy is activated by simply pressing a button anytime during the call.
Service and support for the phone and privacy unit will be available through the nationwide network of Antel service centers.
The AT&T Cellular Privacy System was developed by AT&T Secure Communications Systems, a world leader in the design, manufacture and integration of encryption and privacy products. It is a primary supplier of secure products to the governments of the United States and other nations as well as corporations around the world.