Trucking Technology Alert - Oct. 29
 |  |
Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Seamless Demand Seen Lacking in U.S.
- Settlement Near on Wireless License
- Logistics Help Designed for Chemical Companies
- Cellular Vendors Find New Market
Seamless Demand Seen Lacking in U.S.
In the United States, third-generation (3G) wireless services are still a long way off. Although some firms intend to start providing 3G services before the end of this year, a seamless, easy-to-use, nationwide system is not yet in sight. For one thing, mobile phone carriers currently employ a number of communications systems that will be upgraded to 3G in various ways, meanwhile there currently is no place on the radio spectrum to put such services.There also is considerable doubt as to whether businesses and consumers want and need 3G services. Forrester Research analyst Charles Golvin says flatly that people do not surf the Internet on their phones. Golvin says phones are most useful for semi-urgent transactions or pieces of data that need to be effected in short order, such as trading stocks. Such services can already be provided over current systems, using 2.5G technology. International Herald Tribune (10/29/01) P. 8; Martin, Mitchell
Settlement Near on Wireless License
NextWave Telecom reportedly has reached a deal with AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless that should lead to a broader settlement over the ownership of more than $16 billion in licenses to provide wireless services. The recent agreement comes on top of progress that has been made recently with the federal government and a number of other wireless carriers. NextWave Telecom, a bankrupt wireless communications firm that currently owns the licenses, has agreed to pay AT&T Wireless approximately $25 million and Verizon Wireless over $100 million to reach a settlement.The bankrupt company has also agreed to pay the federal government a further $50 million. Under the recent agreement, NextWave Telecom would walk away with approximately $5 billion from the resale of the licenses, and the U.S. government would get approximately $11 billion. The license dispute arose after federal courts held that the U.S. government had wrongly confiscated NextWave's licenses and resold them. NextWave had purchased the licenses at an auction in 1996, but it subsequently filed for bankruptcy protection and defaulted on its payments to the government. The FCC is currently taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the agency may drop its appeal if a settlement is agreed on. New York Times (10/29/01) P. C1; Romero, Simon; Sorkin, Andrew Ross
A NAME="story3">
Logistics Help Designed for Chemical Companies
The Elemica exchange plans to introduce this month a new logistics and supply-chain management solution for chemical producers in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.Supply Chain Solutions is designed to give chemical companies real-time logistics control and provide more flexibility in changing cargo carriers, routes, and other transit information in case of border closings or problems with air travel. According to Elemica's director of supply chain, Linda Dansbury, a chemical company could use the system to adapt to possible changes, such as stricter inspections, without having to scrap its manufacturing and plant schedules.
Law enforcement agencies are pushing for stricter monitoring of carriers and drivers carrying chemicals after the terrorist attacks, which could eventually end the just-in-time manufacturing methods preferred by the chemical industry. KPMG partner Chuck Raz is skeptical automated responses will suffice for such events as the ones on Sept. 11. Raz suggests Chemical companies could increase transportation lead times to help adjust to any future delays, but this option would increase inventory and transportation costs. Another option is for operators to use idle production capacity in case of delays. InternetWeek (10/23/01); Moozakis, Chuck
A NAME="story4">
Cellular Vendors Find New Market
The market for wireless and information technology solutions in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and public transport sectors has led to the development of a major new market for technology vendors that will be worth $5 billion in Europe and $8 billion in the United States within the next five years.A recent report from ARC Group, called "Wireless ITS-Signaling, Traffic Control and Information System," predicts that new channels such as control systems, signaling systems, public transportation information, and Intelligent Transport will open up new and profitable opportunities for wireless players. Wireless technologies can help to provide information, signaling, and remote control capabilities for safety applications and fleet management. Wireless cellular systems especially, with their expertise, hardware, and widely available coverage offer a reliant and convenient alternative to proprietary radio systems and other methods of communication.
Cellular systems also provide standardized solutions for a lot of communications requirements in the control and signaling areas of transport and ITS systems and are being implemented in these sectors by a number of major companies, such as Siemens. Telephone IP News (11/01) Vol. 12, No. 11,
Previous Trucking Technology Report
© copyright 2001 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
| ||||
8068
