800-service brings secure communications

ANAHEIM, Calif.--Responding to the ever increasing need for more secure communications, North Hollywood, Calif.-based Secure-Net will initiate a service April 1 to provide cellular subscribers secure phone conversations via an 800-number network combined with the company's voice privacy scrambling unit. Subscribers with Secure-Net's scrambling unit plugged into their cellular mobile or transportable phone can access central office switch-based scrambling by calling a nationwide 800-number.

The scrambling unit was debuted at the recent Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association's (CTIA) Wireless '93 conference and was displayed again here for participants at the International Mobile Communications Expo/Spring (IMCE).

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The Secure-Net system uses a Transcrypt International privacy unit to provide secure communications between cellular phones and any landline telephone service, including voice mail. Secure-Net maintains an exclusive marketing agreement with Lincoln, Neb.-based Transcrypt--a provider of encryption devices--incorporating all U.S. cellular secure modems.

With the Secure-Net system, no special descrambling equipment is needed for the landline telephone or private branch exchange (PBX) receiving the cellular call because a decoder is incorporated into the company's security service. Conversations carried across two cellular telephones can be secured if both telephones have a Secure-Net unit.

The unit currently is available for mobile and transportable cellular phones, and portable cellular phone privacy units are undergoing testing, said Ronald Semler, Secure-Net president.

The privacy unit must be customized to work with each cellular phone type and currently is configured for some of the best-selling transportables on the market, he said. Secure-Net units for other models can be customized in about four weeks, Semler said.

Suggested retail price for the Secure-Net system is $488, and the company suggests a standard $1 per-minute airtime charge.

... How It Works

Users can install Secure-Net by plugging the voice privacy unit into their cellular telephone jack and then accessing the Secure-Net system by calling an 800-number. Through Secure-Net's software and switching network, users can have a secure conversation to any U.S. landline number.

Because Secure-Net's 800-number system is nationwide, cellular subscribers can secure their cellular phone conversation when roaming outside their home cellular service area.

The company is targeting attorneys as a potentially large customer base for the product. In its product literature, Secure-Net cited numerous state bar ethic opinions and court rulings that advise attorneys to inform clients when they are using a non-landline phone and advise clients any communications during the phone conversation cannot be treated as confidential.

"Attorneys and their client who talk on unsecured cellular phones are risking one of the most important and confidential aspects of their relationship: the attorney-client privilege," wrote Secure-Net.

Secure-Net's first 800-number privacy switch is in Lincoln, Neb., where the company was testing the system. The company soon will install privacy switches in Atlanta and Denver, said Semler. The privacy unit will be sold through dealers, said Semler.

...Local Carriers Can Install Privacy Unit in MTSO

By paying a monthly fee and an airtime percentage, local cellular carriers can install Secure-Net's mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) |Central Office Cellular Descrambler' unit to scramble calls directly at the carriers' switch. MTSO descrambler unit installation at the central office will allow home market subscribers direct access to the party they are calling without using the 800-number. While roaming, the customer could secure calls by using the 800-number.

Secure-Net's Privacy Units

Compatible With:

Fujitsu Commander FS, ST, DX, LT

OKI 600 Series; and 800 Series

NEC 3800/4800

Nokia LX-11/Mobira M-1 and 400

Audiovox CTR-1900, 1900A, 2000,

CMT410A, BC55A CTX3100,

4100, 3200, 4200 SP85A,

PRO8, PR200

Motorola 3000

Mitsubishi 800/1500

Diamondtel-92

Shintom

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