Where there's a WILL [wireless in the local loop]

Linking telephone subscribers into the network via wireless in the local loop (WILL) promises to boost telephone usage and enhance the effectiveness of telecommunications liberalisation. There is a wide choice of wireless technology potentially suitable for deployment in WILL applications. Candidates include the various analogue cellular technologies, digital cellular including GSM, and cordless systems including CT2 and DECT. The author discusses the FDMA/TDMA based fixed radio access system of Ionica, and the CDMA based system of Liberty. Both are in competition with BT. The choice of radio technology is discussed as are the problems caused by telecommunications liberalisation