Trucking Technology Alert - Dec. 13
 |  |
Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- FCC OKs Area Codes for Pagers, Cell Phones
- AT&T Wireless Offers Web Service
- Wireless Companies to Expand Night Minutes
FCC OKs Area Codes for Pagers, Cell Phones
The Federal Communications Commission announced recently that it would permit state regulators to seek new area codes exclusively for pagers and mobile phones.The unanimous decision by the FCC, which is expected to cause uproar among wireless users, is aimed at slowing down the disruptive--and costly--explosion of area codes. According to experts, a 10-year-old explosion of popular electronic devices, such as mobile phones and fax machines, as well as poor industry management of telephone numbers, are depleting the supply of area codes. California is among the hardest hit by demand for new phone numbers. Since 1991, California--which was among five states that requested authority from the FCC to implement specialized area codes--has added 14 area codes, and a number of experts say a run on phone numbers in the 909 code area of San Bernardino County, as well as the 310 code in the Los Angeles area, could lead to more additions, bringing California's area code total to more than 25. Under the new system, California's Public Utilities Commission could either create an overlay within existing area codes or create one new statewide area code for all mobile devices.
A NAME="story2">
AT&T Wireless Offers Web Service
AT&T Wireless is introducing a new voice service and advanced data network in Kansas City and Chicago. The move is part of an attempt to convince U.S. consumers of the potential of the wireless Web.The new service incorporates a number of major technical improvements, although it will only be available at first to business customers. According to James Johnson, AT&T Wireless general manager for Indiana and Illinois, laptop computers hooked up to the new wireless network, for example, will be able to function at the same levels as dial-up home service. In addition, voice service on AT&T's new network will operate from the same worldwide system for mobile communications that is found in most foreign countries, enabling AT&T customers to use the mobile phones when traveling overseas.
Johnson added AT&T will continue to operate its current network, which uses a digital operating system called TDMA, by running the two systems at the same time. Chicago Tribune (12/13/01) P. N1; Van, Jon
A NAME="story3">
Wireless Companies to Expand Night Minutes
Experts say that clogs in daytime calling are forcing mobile phone companies to offer increasingly lopsided plans. For instance, an AT&T Wireless plan provides unlimited nights and weekend calling and 400 "anytime" minutes during the day.The reason for such lopsided plans is because most mobile phone calls are made during the day. According too Charles Mahla, a senior economist at the Sacramento, Calif.-based consulting firm Econ One, this has the effect of clogging telephone networks during the day. At the same time, networks are no where near as full on the weekends and in the evenings. As a result, most rate plans actually offer more minutes than average customers could ever use, according to the regional vice president for marketing at Cingular Wireless in Dallas. Dallas Morning News (12/13/01); Bajaj, Vikas
Previous Trucking Technology Report
© copyright 2001 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
| ||||
