Trucking Technology Report - Jan. 24
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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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Freight Customers Expect More Internet-based Transactions
The freight industry is likely to see major changes as a result of increased Internet use, according to a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter survey. Freight transportation customers reported that
Among the most important Web features cited for carriers included real-time tracking and tracing, online service performance reports, and real-time transit time calculators, reported the survey.
E-commerce is also likely to change freight patterns, as customers will begin shipping faster, smaller, lighter shipments at more frequent rates. Speed will become of increased importance, yet the Internet should also give greater transparency to the supply chain, allowing carriers to boost efficiency and eliminate the need for emergency transportation services.
The survey also reported that e-commerce will spur customers to use fewer carriers. Customers ranked FedEx, UPS, and their respective logistics divisions as the top freight transportation companies in terms of Web-enablement. Transportation & Distribution (01/01) Vol. 42, No. 1, P. 38
FCC May Allow More Spectrum for Wireless Providers
The FCC may alter current regulations restricting the amount of spectrum that telecommunications carriers can own in a single market. While the restrictions were first instituted to encourage competition, telecom officials believe the rules are now having a negative effect on the growth of the wireless Web industry.The FCC is expected to make a decision concerning the restrictions within several months. According to FCC regulations, telecom firms are only allowed to own 45 megahertz of spectrum in urban markets. Currently, about 190 megahertz per market is open for offering wireless services.
While the FCC says no carrier has reached its limit for owning spectrum, Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson says that firm may reach its limit in New York because it has made billions of dollars in bids to acquire licenses in the market. New FCC Chairman Michael Powell supports removal of the restrictions. Wall Street Journal (01/24/01) P. A4; Wigfield, Mark
Rep. Tauzin Vows to Revamp Telecom Act
Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.), the new House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, intends to revisit the Telecom Act of 1996 that was established to encourage competition.Tauzin said he was discouraged by the slow pace at which the FCC had implemented the act. He promised to significantly reorganize the commission and restrict its authority, especially pertaining to merger reviews. The new marketplace demands a revamped FCC based on competition instead of regulation, Tauzin said.
He has voiced similar views before. When he chaired the telecommunications panel of the Commerce Committee, he fought against rules that he deemed
utdated and harmful to competition and new services. Tauzin co-sponsored a bill intended to facilitate the regional Bells' move into the long-distance market.
But Tauzin's new position is more powerful. He is succeeding former Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas J. Bliley Jr. (R. Va.), who favored the FCC's take on deregulation. In addition, Michael Powell, who supports Tauzin's views, has been appointed the new FCC chairman. Washington Post (01/24/01) P. E1; Goodman, Peter S.; Stern, Christopher
High Court to Hear Cable Web Case
The battle over high-speed Internet access just became more interesting as the Supreme Court said this week that it would make a ruling on the rental rates that utilities charge cable companiesor using pole attachments or underground conduits.
Cable operators currently pay these rental fees when concurrently providing Internet access and TV signals. A 1978 law gives the FCC the authority to regulate the rental rates cable companies are charged for using pole attachments when sending TV signals.
However, earlier this year, an appeals court in Atlanta ruled that the FCC had no authority to regulate similar pole fees for the transmission of Internet data. Now, the Supreme Court will hear an appeal to that ruling. Baltimore Sun (01/23/01) P. 1C; Denniston, Lyle
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