PageNet , also known as Paging Network, Inc., was founded in 1981 by entrepreneur George Perrin and ceased in 1999.
The company grew to become the largest wireless messaging company in the world, with more than 10 million
pager
A pager (also known as a beeper or bleeper) is a wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays alphanumeric or voice messages. One-way pagers can only receive messages, while response pagers and two-way pagers can also acknow ...
s in service, and $1 billion in revenues, before the paging industry's rapid decline in the late 1990s.
Operations
Based in
Dallas
Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County ...
, PageNet held the distinction of building and operating the most extensive one-way paging network in the United States, growing to more than 90 offices across the United States. The company extended operations to Canada and Brazil.
The company was known for its low-cost strategy and aggressive marketing tactics, although in its later years it positioned itself as a technology innovator as well.
Financial difficulties
PageNet's fortunes began to decline in the late 1990s, when the company spent nearly $1 billion to purchase additional spectrum and build out a new network designed to offer advanced services, such as voice paging and two-way paging.
Products developed by
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. () was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, United States. After having lost $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009, the company split into two independent public companies, Motorola ...
for PageNet's network were unsuccessful, as was a reorganization of the company engineered by
McKinsey & Company
McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm founded in 1926 by University of Chicago professor James O. McKinsey, that offers professional services to corporations, governments, and other organizations. McKinsey is the oldest and ...
. Ironically, PageNet had an opportunity to purchase the network that went on to support the successful
BlackBerry
The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus ''Rubus'' in the family Rosaceae, hybrids among these species within the subgenus ''Rubus'', and hybrids between the subgenera ''Rubus'' and ''Idaeobatus''. The taxonomy ...
service, but decided to team with Motorola instead.
As PageNet sank under the weight of its investment, the one-way paging market collapsed—with millions of former paging customers switching to
digital cellular and
PCS
A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or techn ...
services, which cut prices dramatically while offering new features such as nationwide calling plans and
text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, is the act of composing and sending electronic messages, typically consisting of alphabetic and numeric characters, between two or more users of mobile devices, desktops/laptops, or another type of compatible comput ...
. Under its last CEO, John P. Frazee, Jr., PageNet was sold to Boston-based Arch Communications in 1999. That company has since merged with Metrocall to form USA Mobility.
USA Mobility.com
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See also
*
References
Defunct telecommunications companies of the United States
Radio paging
Companies based in Dallas
Defunct companies based in Texas
Telecommunications companies established in 1981
Technology companies disestablished in 1999
1981 establishments in Texas
1999 disestablishments in Texas
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