October 17, 2001 10:24 AM, EDT

Letter to the Editor: Long Live Analog

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John Sarto

I>Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

eopleNet Communications Corp.

inneapolis, Minn.

I’ve had opportunity to read the article, "Qualcomm Drops Analog System Used to Track Untethered Trailers," in your Sept. 10 issue. While informative, I felt some of the information was potentially misleading — specifically, the contention that digital and satellite communications are superior to analog cellular communication for fleet-based applications.

Without question, the emergence, convergence and evolution of technology used to help propel the trucking industry have all increased exponentially over the past two decades. Global Positioning Satellite tracking, wireless and other advancements have played, and will continue to play, a vital role in improving efficiency, customer service, profitability and safety. But when incorporating these technologies into our communication solutions, there is no disputing one fact: The best technology is that which is in the best interest of the customer and those that they serve.

While digital and satellite communications might be considered the technology du jour, the most useful, beneficial technology for our customers continues to be the analog cellular network. And, in our view, it will be for years to come, based primarily on its reliability, availability and versatility. The customer benefits of analog cellular as a communications platform are clear:

Advanced capabilities: Greater bandwidth enables customers to access and utilize advanced messaging, bar coding and signature capture capabilities not available with satellite-based systems.

Greater coverage: Analog cellular has the best signal coverage and signal acquisition reach across North America. Satellite communications signals are blocked by concrete,metal, geographic impediments such as hills and even inclement weather. Digital coverage has a limited reach outside of the top metropolitan areas.

Cost effectiveness: There are over 40 million subscribers on the analog cellular network, allowing the trucking industry to realize greater economies-of-scale across service and equipment costs. The 40 million analog users include the likes of General Motors Corp., which relies on the analog cellular network for its 1.5 million OnStar users. This is a company that, like PeopleNet Communications Corp., has made a conscious decision to make the analog cellular network its network of choice for travel-intensive customers.

Sustainability: Currently mandated by the Federal Communications Commission, the analog cellular network is supported by dozens of national, regional and local carriers nationwide. It remains the only common link across North America for cellular communications and roaming as the maze of telecommunications evolution unfolds.

What’s the best route for technology in the trucking business? Technology that delivers the greatest competitive edge to its customers. We are unwavering in our commitment to [our customers] and will not be dissuaded by our competitor’s attempts to form industry opinion without facts.

This letter appeared in the Oct. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.