Clear-Com^® Showcases Advanced Intercom
Belt-Pack at NAB2005

Las Vegas, NAB 2005, Booth C7319A

News Release: July 27, 2005

In a direct response to legislative change, Clear-Com Communication Systems is to showcase its advanced CellCom™ Digital Wireless Intercom product to the USA market at NAB2005. Based on the intercom specialist’s award-winning FreeSpeak® technology, the CellCom™ beltpack delivers a wireless version of a traditional wired intercom control panel for communications including point-to-point and party line (conference) without multiple frequencies or manual selection.

CellCom™ is the world’s first wireless system to include local route programming, crosspoint level control, assignment of IFBs, groups and full non-blocking mixing facilities. It delivers superior audio quality, performance, functionality, scalability, operating costs and flexibility compared to traditional analogue wireless.

With UK customers including the Royal National Theatre already using CellCom™, Clear-Com is to begin shipping CellCom™ in the USA by early summer following the FCC rules update in the unlicensed 1920MHz to 1930MHz band.

Danny Popkin, technical development manager for BBC Studios, which uses the FreeSpeak® system, says: "The BBC needed to move away from conventional, simple two-way radio in VHF and UHF bands towards full duplex, high audio bandwidth integrated solution, which only Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak® allows us to do. Also the VHF and UHF bands are becoming more congested and frequency planning and allocation is time consuming and can be difficult. FreeSpeak® eliminates these complexities with the added advantage of all users being able to roam freely around Television Centre while still being in constant communication with all, or selected members of the production team, which is invaluable."

With high quality 7kHz audio, full-duplex operation and low-power microwave technology, CellCom™ eliminates the noise, interference and performance issues associated with traditional radio talkback systems using congested UHF and VHF bands. CellCom™ continuously monitors the band for the best channel and, automatically roams to a new channel if this should change.

CellCom™ uses a cellular network of active antennas around the production environment that are connected directly to the base-station or matrix using CAT5 cable. No special RF cabling is required. Each low-cost antenna provides a radio cell supporting up to five full-duplex users. To add users, simply add another antenna.

“CellCom™ is essential for people on the move who need to keep in touch,” says Clear-Com MD Chris Exelby. “Without having to drop what they are doing, users can speak privately and securely to individuals or publicly to select groups with minimum hassle and the lowest possible cost.”