These two articles provide the results of a set of analyses conducted
to compare two major radio technologies, DECT/PWT-E and PACS, for thei
r suitability in the local loop in the United States to provide voice
and data services. DECT, digital enhanced cordless telecommunications,
is a radio interface standard developed in Europe mainly for indoor w
ireless applications and being promoted lately for wireless local loop
applications as well. PWT, personal wireless telecommunications, isa
DECT-based standard developed by TIA in the United Stales for the unli
censed PCS applications. PWT-E, enhanced, is the version that is suita
ble for the licensed PCS applications. PACS, personal access communica
tions systems, is a total system standard (i.e., radio interface and a
ssociated network infrastructures) developed in the United States for
licensed PCS applications. (PACS-UA and PACS-UB are the standards for
the unlicensed PCS applications.) For the wireless local loop (WLL), w
e make an assumption that the radio technologies operating in the lice
nsed PCS spectrum are more suitable to provide a quality of service th
at is expected traditionally from a local exchange company (LEC). Ther
efore, this article focuses on the PACS and PWT-E, rather than PACS-UB
and PWT. Also note that the article focuses on the North American ver
sion, PWT-E, rather than the European version, DECT. Part 1 is an intr
oduction to the PACS and PWT technologies. Part 2 provides a short ove
rview of PHS and CCT and then compares the systems in proposed deploym
ents in Jacksonville and Miami, Florida.