Trucking Technology Report - March 14

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:

ul>

  • NTT to Offer Wireless Web in U.S.
  • Advance Paying Popular for Cell Phones
  • Sears Plans for Handhelds to Route Inventory

    NTT to Offer Wireless Web in U.S.

    NTT DoCoMo plans to launch its "i-mode" wireless Internet service in the United States next year.



    According to DoCoMo's managing director over global strategy, Kyoyuki Tsujimura, the service will first be offered in the Seattle area and will be introduced throughout the country over the course of a year or two.

    He adds that AT&T Wireless will create a unit this May for dealing with future i-mode service.

    I-mode charges in the United States would be nearly identical to what Japanese customers pay for the service, according to Tsujimura. Associated Press (03/14/01); Kageyama, Yuri

    A NAME="story2">


    Advance Paying Popular for Cell Phones

    Prepaid wireless plans have become popular among U.S. consumers, especially with one out of three people being turned down for traditional service following a credit check.

    Customers using prepaid represent 12 million of the total 105 million people subscribing to wireless services in the United States. At 40 cents to 50 cents per minute, it is more expensive than traditional plans costing 30 cents per minute.

    Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless are among the companies offering such packages.

    Resellers of wireless airtime, such as Shared Technologies Cellular and TracFone Wireless, have become major players in the market.

    Prepaid packages are preferred by several groups of consumers, such as students with limited or no credit history, immigrants, and truckers. Forbes (03/05/01) Vol. 167, No. 6, P. 156; Donovan, Doug

    A NAME="story3">


    Sears Plans for Handhelds to Route Inventory

    Sears, Roebuck and Co. announced plans recently to distribute 15,000 wireless handhelds to workers in its 860 department stores. The devices, which use the Palm operating system, will be used to aid the handling of inventory.

    Analysts say the $20 million to $25 million agreement could be the largest ever involving devices equipped with the Palm OS. The devices will be able to aid workers with such tasks as merchandise pickups and price changes.

    A built-in bar code reader enables Sears' employees to more efficiently

    andle inventory. The device's wireless LAN modem is able to transmit to the store's server, allowing for faster scanning of incoming product shipments. Computerworld (03/05/01) Vol. 35, No. 10, P. 7; Brewin, Bob

    Previous Trucking Technology Report

    copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service

    For more technology news, subscribe to our daily e-mail newsletter!
    Full Name:
    E-mail Address:
    Subscribe to the Trucking Technology Alert

  •