October 5, 2001 2:01 PM, EDT

Trucking Technology Alert - Oct. 5

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.

Today's Technology Headlines:

Wireless Users Dropping Phone Lines
Methane Fuel Cell Developed
Wireless Web Isn't Connecting

Wireless Users Dropping Phone Lines

A small but growing number of Americans are dropping their local phone line service and going completely wireless.

According to research and industry groups, approximately 3% to 5% of America's 120 million wireless subscribers have completely ditched their local phone lines. Wireless-only users list a number of reasons for dropping local phone lines, including irritation with local phone service, the ease of mobile phones, and saving money.

A bigger, but more difficult to measure groups making long-distance calls using mobile phones instead of land-based phones, because those calls cost no more than local ones on newer mobile phone service packages. For example, a wireless service plan with 3,400 minutes including long distance and various other frills can cost as little as $40 a month, where as a local phone line with various frills and a generous amount of long-distance calling can cost $75 a month.

The discrepancy is already causing problems for companies such as WorldCom and AT&T, which are seeing their long-distance revenues decline. Mobile phone carriers, on the other hand, have seen subscriber numbers and revenues increase substantially. Dallas Morning News (10/05/01); Bajaj, Vikas

Methane Fuel Cell Developed

According to Motorola, a team has developed a working methane gas-powered fuel cell that can power a cell phone for a month without recharging.

The fuel cell consists of a small electrochemical device containing methane that undergoes a release of oxygen, heat, and electricity, allowing it to power a battery. Motorola claims that the key to its 2-inch by 4-inch by 0.5-inch device is that it contains all processes to power a phone. Other companies such as Sony and NEC are working on comparable technologies, many of which involve methane.CNET News.com Online (10/05/01)

Wireless Web Isn't Connecting

Many wireless Internet industry analysts and business users painted a gloomy picture for the near future of the mobile Web at the Seybold technology conference.

Whereas Europe and Japan have quickly adopted the technology and developed applications that appeal to the public there, the United States has yet to finalize standardization issues and discover what will lure consumers.

However, Openware's Cindy Dahm was upbeat about the money-making prospects of the wireless Internet, noting that users already are used to paying for services, unlike many people accessing fixed-line Internet content. Jupiter Media Metrix analyst Seamus McAteer said mobile phones are not a good platform for Internet content, and that laptop computers offer users more applications.

Meanwhile, Metricom's shutdown of its Ricochet service has left doubts in many people's minds about the near-term viability of such schemes. Wired News (10/05/01); Batista, Elisa

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