Inter@ctive Paging
Encyclopedia
The Inter@ctive Pager, introduced in 1995 by Research In Motion
(RIM), allowed users to receive and send messages over the internet via a wireless
data network known as Mobitex
. The US Operator of Mobitex, RAM Mobile Data
operated the network and introduced the Inter@ctive Pager service as RAMfirst Interactive Paging(sm). The product was named the 1997 Top Product by Wireless for the Corporate User Magazine. The Inter@ctive Pager was also known as the RIM-900
.
In August 1998, BellSouth Wireless Data replaced the RIM-900 with the RIM 950 and marketed the service as BellSouth Interactive Paging(sm).
The Interactive Paging service introduced wireless users to such features as peer-to-peer
Delivery and Read Receipts and sending fax
es and text to speech messages to a telephone. It also incorporated all the features of a traditional one way paging system (Interactive voice response
, Telocator Alphanumeric input Protocol
, etc..) and added two way extensions to those services. The devices communicated to the internet, peer users, and the PSTN
via a Gateway which also served as the store and forward mailbox for the wireless user. Interactive Paging became known as Interactive Messaging Plus(sm) when BellSouth
and SBC formed Cingular Wireless
.
RIM also produced a proprietary file format called IPD, or Inter@ctive Pager Database.
Research In Motion
Research In Motion Limited or RIM is a Canadian multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada that designs, manufactures and markets wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market...
(RIM), allowed users to receive and send messages over the internet via a wireless
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
data network known as Mobitex
Mobitex
Mobitex is an OSI based open standard, national public access wireless packet-switched data network. Mobitex puts great emphasis on safety and reliability with its use by military, police, firefighters and ambulance services. Mobitex was developed in the beginning of the 1980s by the Swedish...
. The US Operator of Mobitex, RAM Mobile Data
RAM Mobile Data
RAM Mobile Data was originally founded by RAM Broadcasting Corporation as American Mobile Data Communications, Inc. in 1988. The name of the company was changed to RAM Mobile Data in 1989. RAM Mobile Data was the U.S...
operated the network and introduced the Inter@ctive Pager service as RAMfirst Interactive Paging(sm). The product was named the 1997 Top Product by Wireless for the Corporate User Magazine. The Inter@ctive Pager was also known as the RIM-900
RIM-900
The RIM-900 was one of the first wireless data devices, marketed as a two-way pager. It operated on the Mobitex network. It was a clam shell device that could fit on your belt. It had a small keyboard for sending and receiving email and interactive messages....
.
In August 1998, BellSouth Wireless Data replaced the RIM-900 with the RIM 950 and marketed the service as BellSouth Interactive Paging(sm).
The Interactive Paging service introduced wireless users to such features as peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
Delivery and Read Receipts and sending fax
Fax
Fax , sometimes called telecopying, is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material , normally to a telephone number connected to a printer or other output device...
es and text to speech messages to a telephone. It also incorporated all the features of a traditional one way paging system (Interactive voice response
Interactive voice response
Interactive voice response is a technology that allows a computer to interact with humans through the use of voice and DTMF keypad inputs....
, Telocator Alphanumeric input Protocol
Telocator Alphanumeric input Protocol
thumb|right|1985 MetroMedia IXO DeviceTelocator Alphanumeric input Protocol was also known as PET and IXO protocol. This protocol was used for sending one way alphanumeric pages. Originally, devices like the IXO Device were used to send Alphanumeric Pages using TAP. Later, Motorola would create...
, etc..) and added two way extensions to those services. The devices communicated to the internet, peer users, and the PSTN
Public switched telephone network
The public switched telephone network is the network of the world's public circuit-switched telephone networks. It consists of telephone lines, fiber optic cables, microwave transmission links, cellular networks, communications satellites, and undersea telephone cables, all inter-connected by...
via a Gateway which also served as the store and forward mailbox for the wireless user. Interactive Paging became known as Interactive Messaging Plus(sm) when BellSouth
BellSouth
BellSouth Corporation is an American telecommunications holding company based in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth was one of the seven original Regional Bell Operating Companies after the U.S...
and SBC formed Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless
AT&T Mobility LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T that provides wireless services to 100.7 million subscribers in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands...
.
RIM also produced a proprietary file format called IPD, or Inter@ctive Pager Database.