Trucking Technology Report - Dec. 4
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Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
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Coca-Cola Signs Deal to Use go2 Systems Wireless Directory
Coca-Cola (KO), the largest supplier of beverages in the world, has completed an agreement with go2 Systems, a wireless Web technology firm, to offer location specific services for its restaurant clients.
Coke decided to offer go2's technology to eliminate the sign-up process for its customers, the firm's executives said. The company also hopes the deal will boost sales for its fountain customers. Wall Street Journal (12/04/00) P. C6
'Smart' Technology Offers a Glimpse of the Future
Automatic communication between product units, pallets, trailers, trucks, and shipper and carrier systems will be in the not-too-distant future thanks to electromagnetic identification and other technological advances.The "smart components" already planned for trucks - which could alert the driver to potential mechanical breakdown ahead of time - could also use an onboard communications device to schedule servicing. To the supply chain, this is like a product unit that can communicate the need to be replenished.
Current computer and communications systems cannot handle this information load, but advances in parallel processing, software, and wireless and fiber-optic Internet communication will make it feasible before long. This will benefit the trucking industry, since it is more flexible than any other transportation mode. Commercial Carrier Journal (11/00) Vol. 157, No. 11, P. 4; Thomas, Jim
Options for Cutting the Cord and Going Wireless
While close to 4.4 million Americans have wireless Web access, service remains expensive and slow.Bills for mobile Internet access are likely to run at least $30 per month. Currently, WAP phones are one of the more popular devices for accessing the wireless Web. Sprint PCS, Verizon Wireless, AT&T (T), and Nextel Communications (NXTL) all offer wireless Web services. Charges for the services typically run from $7 to $20 per month, not including per minute fees. In addition, an Internet-capable phone can cost between $125 to $400. Some services allow users to send faxes to machines in close proximity, view flight schedules, find driving directions, and comparison shop.
But WAP has some significant drawbacks. First of all, the screen can only display 10 to 15 characters at once. And putting in text can be excruciating slow. For instance, a user must punch the 7 key four times for the letter "s."
For consumers not interested in WAP phones, two-way text pagers may be a better choice. These pagers have some of the same data capabilities as cell phones. However, the user must have access to a PC with an advanced set-up. Two-way text pagers are usually priced around $150, but monthly charges are often higher than Web phone rates. For $15 month, a user can transmit and receive 250 e-mails per month.
For those interested in more Web capability, Research in Motion offers its BlackBerry pager models for between $400 and $500. The devices give the user access to a large portion of Internet. GoAmerica provides the wireless service for the devices. But downloading Web pages is very slow because of the 9.6 Kbps speed provided by most cellular networks.
Lastly, PDAs, are another mobile option for accessing the Net. Leading PDA maker Palm said it will equip all its PDA models with wireless Web connectivity before the end of the year. Presently, only the $499 Palm VIIx can access the Internet. U.S. News & World Report (11/27/00) Vol. 129, No. 21, P. 72; Rae-Dupree, Janet
Wireless Operators Learning to Share Spectrum
The U.S. Commerce Department and the FCC have completed studies examining the prospects of wireless operators sharing the 1710 MHz to 1885 MHz bands and the 2500 MHz to 2690 MHz bands with companies already providing services on the spectrum.The studies were undertaken to determine the efficacy of using the spectrum bands for 3G services, as mandated by a directive from President Clinton. The directive calls for the FCC to aid the wireless industry in finding the most appropriate spectrum for delivering new 3G services.
Presently, a large portion of the 1755 MHz to 1850 MHz band is being used by the Defense Department for both federal and military systems. The cellular industry has identified the 1710 MHz to 1885 MHz band as probably the best spectrum for providing 3G services.
Gregory L. Rhohde, assistant commerce secretary for communications and information and National Telecommunications and Information Administration administrator, says the studies indicate a promising outlook for sharing the 1755 MHz to 1850 Mhz spectrum. But according to NTIA's report, segmenting the band into three portions also remains a strong possibility.
Meanwhile, the part of the study focusing on sharing agreements for the 2500 to 2690 MHz bands was not as optimistic. The heavy presence of fixed-wireless operators, such as WorldCom (WCOM), on the band may make it difficult to form extensive sharing agreements without hurting existing services, the study concluded. Telephony (11/20/00) Vol. 239, No. 21, P. 12; Luna, Lynnette
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