Mobile data communications: the future is in networks

As mobile data communications moves away from specialized markets towards a more integrated role with established data communications networks, the service features and quality that are supported must address the expectations of the experienced network user. These services include: provisioning for coverage and capacity; network management; billing; network administration; network access; authentication, reliable data transfer (connection-oriented), unreliable data transfer (connectionless or datagram) and transparent inter- and intra-network roaming. The paper describes the service requirements and the services facilities of a wireless data network. An existing mobile data network offering: the Motorola DataT.A.C network is discussed as an example.<>