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Private Line covers what has occurred, is occurring, and will ocurr in telecommunications. Since communication technology constantly changes, you can expect new content posted regularly.

Consider this site an authoritative resource. Its moderators have successful careers in the telecommunications industry. Utilize the content and send comments. As a site about communicating, conversation is encouraged.

Writers

Thomas Farely

Tom has produced privateline.com since 1995. He is now a freelance technology writer who contributes regularly to the site.

His knowledge of telecommunications has served, most notably, the American Heritage Invention and Technology Magazine and The History Channel.
His interview on Alexander Graham Bell will air on the History Channel the end of 2006.

Ken Schmidt

Ken is a licensed attorney who has worked in the tower industry for seven years. He has managed the development of broadcast towers nationwide and developed and built cell towers.

He has been quoted in newspapers and magazines on issues regarding cell towers and has spoke at industry and non-industry conferences on cell tower related issues.

He is recognized as an expert on cell tower leases and due diligence processes for tower acquisitions.

« Correct Marconi History | | Wireless Directory »

December 12, 2004

Posted by Tom Farley & Mark van der Hoek at 04:07 PM

Old IMTS phone

Q. I have an old IMTS phone, you know, pre-cellular. (internal link to mobile telephone pages.) Where can I use it?

A. (From Geoff Fors) "Sorry, None of the present former Bell affiliates offer IMTS car phone service to the best of my knowledge. The service ended when the manufacturers ceased supporting the equipment, among other reasons. That being said, at least one former Bell IMTS system is still in use in Pennsylvania / New Jersey, run by Bob Green. I think the name of one of them is Schuylkill Mobile Fone. Any remaining IMTS systems are more or less hobby systems rather than going concerns."

"As of the late 1990's the Whidbey Island Telephone Co. was still offering IMTS service but you had to rent the equipment from them, and it was very expensive, something like $ 85 per month plus air time. A self extinguishing business, basically."

"The low band Bell MTS phone channels on the West Coast were sold at FCC auction about a year ago. They went for practically nothing. The purchasers are at the moment trying to figure out what to do with them." Geoff

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