August 1, 2001 2:41 PM, EDT

Trucking Technology Alert - August 1

The Trucking Technology Report and Alert are compiled by Information Inc., a supplier of news summaries for vertical markets. Information Inc., subscribes to nearly 7,000 news sources, including: major newspapers and magazines; regional, national, international, and business wire services; weekly and monthly trade journals; business periodicals; legislative sources and non-industry sources.

Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.

b>Today's Technology Headlines:

Cell-Phone Jamming Business Takes Off
Kansas Gives Truckers Easier Ride
Busy Little 802.11b's Could Sting Tech Titans
Cell Phone Efficiency Burst Possible

Cell-Phone Jamming Business Takes Off

A number of new technologies are being introduced to deal with what many people believe are wireless phone annoyances.

The increase in the number of mobile phones around the world has been accompanied by a rise in frustration over where those phones are used. Accordingly, even though cell-phone jamming is against the law in the United States and elsewhere, the business of cell-phone jamming is booming.

Despite the fact that those who use cell-phone jammers may incur FCC fines of $11,000 a day, Israel-based NetLine Communications Technologies says it is selling huge numbers of its C-Guard Cellular FireWall mobile-phone jamming equipment. According to Mary Beth Griffin, vice president of North Carolina-based BlueLinx, her company expects to sell approximately 1 million of its devices, which are being developed to automatically shut off the ringers of cell phones. Griffin adds that several theaters and two major movie chains, are among those interested in the device.

Meanwhile, Washington-based Zetron introduced a device four years ago that is able to detect mobile phones within a 100-foot radius and can be programmed to inform officials or play a recorded message asking the owner to leave the handset outside. A spokesman for Zetron says demand for the device is growing. ZDNet (08/01/01); Charny, Ben

Kansas Gives Truckers Easier Ride

The Motor Carrier Services Bureau of Kansas has been running a new pilot program since June for a Web site that allows truckers passing through the state to purchase permits online.

The old system involved registering by phone and having to wait for the papers to be faxed over, a process which took at least a day, and cost truckers valuable hours waiting at the state border. So far, 200 online permits have been purchased. More and more truck stops are being equipped with Internet access, and drivers are starting to make use of laptops to manage their businesses. The site is specifically designed for truckers carrying crops coming up from Texas on their way to Canada during harvesting, when time is of the essence.

Additionally, a new portal has been released together with the online permitting service, supplying truckers with useful information garnered from several state agencies, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and the state Department of Transportation. Civic.com (07/31/01); Morehead, Nicholas

A NAME="story3">

Busy Little 802.11b's Could Sting Tech Titans

A cheap, high-speed wireless data technology called 802.11b--also known as Wi-Fi--is threatening to undermine the multibillion-dollar efforts by telecommunications companies to construct next-generation cellular networks.

Wi-Fi is an open standard--meaning the underlying technology can be used for free--for wireless communication using the unlicensed spectrum at 2.4 gigahertz. The 2.4-gigahertz section of the radio spectrum is shared by baby monitors, cordless phones, and microwave ovens. The Wi-Fi base station, which is approximately the size of a hardcover book, has an omnidirectional range of 200 feet and carries data at up to 11 megabits per second; 10 times faster than most cable modems. Companies like Microsoft and Prudential are now replacing their wired computer networks with Wi-Fi wireless networks, and Microsoft recently made a deal to place Wi-Fi in every Starbucks.

Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks to the technology standard. The technology is fractured among a lot of small companies making billing a problem, and it does not work in a moving car, which means it will be used primarily in a stationary mode, not mobile mode. In addition, because hackers are latching on to it, security is not particularly good.USA Today (08/01/01); Maney, Kevin

Cell Phone Efficiency Burst Possible

According to research firm Cahners In-Stat Group, radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) provide significant increases in efficiency and will grow in popularity once the technology obstacles are overcome.

Handset manufacturers could potentially create new wireless phones that feature better functions and increased energy efficiency with the use of RF MEMS. In-Stat officials expect the market for RF MEMS will increase to $350 million by 2006. However, the market for such technology may face difficulties because of packaging and technical glitches. Wireless News Factor (07/31/01); McDonough Jr., Dan

Previous Trucking Technology Report

For more technology news, subscribe to our daily e-mail newsletter!
Full Name: E-mail Address:

7630