Trucking Technology Report - March 13
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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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Calling for 411 Info Will Cost More
Phone companies have increased their rates for 411 directory assistance, and additional increases may be on the way, according to consumer advocates.
Qwest Communications raised its rates March 1 in Colorado to $1.25 from 85 cents.
BellSouth recently increased some 411 rates in Florida, Mississippi, and Georgia to 95 cents from 85 cents.
In addition, SBC increased local 411 rates in four states in 2000. USA Today (03/13/01) P. 1B; Backover, Andrew
Nokia Talks Brightly as Its Shine Begins to Fade
Nokia is faced with many challenges threatening its dominance in the global cell phone market, including a critical shift to third-generation technology (the next generation of wireless technologies beyond today's digital PCS technologies).Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila remains optimistic that his company is in good standing for the future. Some observers doubt Ollila's optimistic view of the wireless future, citing the downturn in mobile phone sales.
Nokia plans to sell millions of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service - an emerging technology standard for high speed transmission) phones in the fourth quarter, expects GPRS technology to become more popular during the second half of this year.
But some analysts say issues involving GPRS technologies need to be resolved before services are launched. Financial Times (03/13/01) P. 20; Brown-Humes, Christopher
Md. County Uses GPS in Snowstorms
By using automatic vehicle location services, Howard County, Md., has made it easier to ensure that roads are kept clear during snowstorms by allowing the county Department of Public Works to keep track of its plows.Back-to-back storms in 1996, in which several plows became stranded and residents flooded the agency with angry telephone calls, convinced the county to develop a new
pproach to managing snow.
During the winter of 1999 and 2000, the county tested GPS-based vehicle location systems, getting advice from several other cities and counties that had begun using vehicle-tracking on their snowplows.
Next year, the county would like to create an Internet interface by which county residents can access information about which streets have been plowed and estimate when their own streets will be plowed--which should decrease the number of calls the bureau receives during snowstorms. Geospatial Solutions (02/01) Vol. 11, No. 2, P. 33
Wireless Web Picks Up Faster Overseas
While advanced wireless Web services will soon make their debut in Europe and Asia, the technology will take longer to reach the United States.Current mobile Internet services have attracted little attention from consumers. But the services are much more popular in Europe and Asia, where landline Internet access is not as affordable or available.
Forrester Research estimates that 54% of Europeans will use wireless Web services by 2005. Entrepreneur (03/01) Vol. 29, No.3, P. 22; Kooser, Amanda C.
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