Low-speed data over the PWT wireless phone system

Local area networks (LANs) allow computer users to access information on both local and remote servers. Increasingly, these users need access to their company's network continuously for such tasks as reading e-mail or retrieving and logging information. Wireless data networks can allow workers continuous connectivity, even when they are away from their desks. In some instances, a wireless network already may be in place in the form of a personal wireless telecommunications (PWT) phone system that provides wireless voice access. Such wireless phone systems can be extended to serve also as low-speed data networks. In this paper, we present a system architecture that provides wireless data access using the same infrastructure as a PWT phone system. We describe the system's design and present results from an implementation using Lucent Technologies' DEFINITY® Wireless Business System (DWBS) with custom modifications.