July/Aug 2004

Ericsson has sold its Mobitex wireless division to a UK-based investment group. The business, renamed Mobitex Technology AB, will continue to operate from Gothenburg, Sweden where its 100 employees are based.

Mobitex is an umbrella name for a collection of standards for wireless packet-switched data networks. It is an "open" system, although Ericsson, the developer, has always retained rights to the technology. Mobitex is used by over 30 networks worldwide, as well as 100 government organisations and emergency services.

The chief executive of the new company is Andrew Fitton, who was previously chief executive of Transcomm (formerly RAM Mobile Data), which is a key UK-based Mobitex network operator. Transcomm was acquired by BT in April.

Mobitex hardware will continue to be manufactured under contract by Ericsson under the new regime, and the two companies will share certain technology patents.

 

Mobitex networks consist of just a few core components: the Mobitex base station, the MX switch, and the NCC network control centre. These are small units that are easy to locate and install.

Mobitex architecture is said to be simple and highly modular architecture, making network management efficient and flexible. Mobitex networks can be configured in many different ways, from a large public nationwide network to a small, privately owned network serving a single region or company.