Many in the ATM industry had great expectations for cellular digital packet data, a form of wireless telecommunications introduced in the late 1990s. Yet deployers largely ignored it.

The main knock: limited coverage area. Bob Hunsberger, a wireless data systems engineer for Verizon Wireless, said CDPD coverage was spotty, with "big holes," including a little place known as metro Atlanta and other cities.

Hunsberger said there could be 10,000 ATMs running CDPD--an estimate he admitted was liberal.

Excitement about wireless is growing again, however, with carriers dropping CDPD in favor of new--and they say improved--technologies.

Several carriers, including Cingular, are rolling out general packet radio service. Others, including Verizon and Sprint, are supporting code-division multiple access.

Unlike CDPD, which Hunsberger likened to an "overlay" designed to allow data transmission over voice networks, both CDMA and GPRS were created specifically for data and support devices like PDAs and Blackberries.

Coverage will be "much more ubiquitous" for both technologies, Hunsberger said. Verizon supports CDMA in the same footprint as its voice network--97 of the nation's top 100 metro areas.

John Willmon, vice-president of business development for transaction processor Columbus Data Services, which has about 650 ATMs running CDPD, said wireless can replace leased lines or frame relay in high-volume locations where operators want a fast, "always-on" connection but balk at the cost of those technologies, which can run more than $200 a month.

Willmon said not having to fool with wires speeds installation and makes it easier to move ATMs, as well as eliminate the upfront expense of a business phone line.

According to Verizon, CDMA will cost less than the $30 to $50 a month associated with a business landline, possibly less than $20.

Wireless works well at locations such as shopping malls, where it can be especially difficult to install landlines. Jim Walker, senior vice-president of ATM Banking for PNC Bank, said his institution used CDPD for more than 200 off-site ATMs for that reason.

Walker also said he prefers wireless to dial-up because of its "always on" connectivity, which makes it easier to monitor ATM activity.

Telecommunications providers are working to make it easier for deployers to use wireless technologies. Ventus Networks, for instance, recently introduced a cellular transport and routing service that utilizes its proprietary VFN wireless series routers, enabling operation in all GSM and CDMA2000 environments.

"By streaming diverse cellular options, we’ve dramatically increased our geographic coverage, and we can get the service up and running fast," said Ron Riva, vice-president for Ventus.