Trucking Technology Report - Jan. 18
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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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Five Major Railroads Plan Web Exchange
Several North American freight railroads have announced plans to launch RailMarketplace.com, a business-to-business Internet exchange for the rail industry.
Other partners in the exchange, which has raised $10 million toward its launch so far, include General Electric's (GE) Global eXchange Service and passenger railroad Internet exchange iRail.com. Wall Street Journal (01/18/01) P. C4
FCC Clears WorldCom-Intermedia Deal
The FCC yesterday cleared WorldCom's (WCOM) $4.4 billion bid to acquire Intermedia Communications, the company that holds a majority interest in Digex. WorldCom announced in September its intent to acquire Intermedia as a way to gain control over Digex, which provides Web hosting to enterprises.Despite the FCC's clearance, WorldCom is facing a lawsuit opposing the deal as well as antitrust terms set up by the Justice Department that some analysts believe WorldCom is having trouble complying with. Digex's minority shareholders have filed suit in a Delaware court, alleging that they would have received a better offer for Digex by itself. The trial is set to begin on March 14, but a decision may not be made until August, according to the plaintiffs' lawyer.
WorldCom and Intermedia executives revealed Wednesday that they expect the deal to go through, although the Delaware judge cautioned that substantial penalties could be incurred if the deal is closed. Terms of the deal allow either party to end the merger if it has not gone through by June 30. Washington Post (01/18/01) P. E1; ElBoghdady, Dina
Buzzing About Cell Phone Safety
Consumer fears that cell phone radiation may cause cancer are not consistent with the results of most cell phone studies investigating the topic.The results from two such studies were unveiled last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine. Both studies, which compared cancer patients who had used cell phones with non-cancer victims who had used the devices, concluded there was no cancer link.
However, some skeptics question the validity of the studies since cancer caused from small doses of radiation could take years to develop. George Carlo, one of the industry's toughest adversaries, was in charge of a $25 million study backed by the cellular industry to determine the health hazards of cell phone radiation. Carlo remains committed to his findings that cell phone radiation can produce harmful effects. In addition, Dr. Leif Salford, a neurosurgeon, maintains that cell phone radiation may reduce the biological defenses designed to protect the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream.
Cell phone companies staunchly defend their products from these insinuations. The Food and Drug Administration, along with FCC, is given jurisdiction over the safety of electronic devices. Both agencies concur that recent studies have yet to provide ample evidence linking cancer with cell phone emissions.
However, consumers are putting more pressure on the industry to ensure the safety of their products. Many consumers are purchasing cell phones with lower emissions. But manufacturers point out that all mobile phones meet the specific absorption rate (SAR) guidelines, which outline the radiation levels accepted as safe by government regulators. Time (01/15/01) Vol. 157, No. 2, P. 48; Greenwald, John
Lucent Revs Up Fiber-Optics Push
Lucent Technologies (LU) unveiled a new broadband fiber-optic technology on Wednesday and inked a deal to provide the gear to Time Warner Telecom.The company's WaveStar OLS 1.6T system uses DWDM technology to provide Internet and voice traffic over fiber-optic networks at speeds reaching 1.6 terabits. Time Warner Telecom inked a three-year, $100 million deal to deploy the equipment. The installation is expected to be finished in some western states by the middle of the year.
Time Warner Telecom, which offers local telecom and Internet access to enterprises, will use the technology to broaden the capacity of its networks. CNet (01/17/01); Grice, Corey
Online Bank Readies Expense-Reimbursement Program for Truckers
First Internet Bank of Indiana has furthered its alliance with the trucking industry by developing a direct banking deposit system for truckers' expense reimbursements.The wireless QUALCOMM (QCOM) network will permit companies to electronically deposit reimbursement funds into truckers' individual bank accounts, enabling the employee to handle all his or her personal banking needs directly through automated teller machines located anywhere in the country. The system will also allow more efficient payment tracking and a quick deactivation of the ATM card belonging to a driver who quits suddenly, owing the company money.
The system is currently being tested through Celadon Group (CLDN), which intends to offer the service to the 4,000 independent member-trucking companies of the TruckersB2B consortium. Information Week (01/08/01) No. 819, P. 107; Rosen, Cheryl
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