Trucking Technology Report - Oct. 17
 |  |
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>
Mobile Phones to Get Text Messaging
Text messaging services for wireless device users are exploding in popularity around the world. For instance, AT&T Wireless (AWE) is set to launch today a new text messaging service for mobile phone users. The service will offer free and unlimited messaging on specific phone models until the end of February. After February, the company plans to offer a series of service offers, such as 500 messages a month for $4.99.
SMS messaging has become a huge craze in Europe, mostly due to its popularity among teenagers. Industry analysts say an average of 10 billion SMS messages are sent per month in Europe. Washington Post (10/17/00) P. E1; Goodman, Peter S.
YadaYada Introduces Wireless Palm Service
YadaYada is offering a new mobile service for users of either the Palm V or Handspring Visor. The new service will compete with a similar service offered by OmniSky. Both services cost about $40 per month, but OmniSky also offers a $200 rebate for installation.n response to the rebate offering, YadaYada has chosen to offer an installation fee of $150 for a limited period of time. Both systems require users to buy a $299 wireless modem.
YadaYada hopes its service will attract more users by providing wider Web browsing capability and a customized Internet portal. To defend its leading market share, OmniSky will soon make a series of announcements, including the finalization of an Web portal agreement with InfoSpace. Associated Press (10/16/00)
Qwest Price Cap Proposal Unveiled
Qwest (Q) could generate an extra $42.9 million from phone rates in Arizona over three years and have the freedom to establish future rates with certain restrictions under a planned arrangement with state regulators.The plan has been touted as a way to steady phone rates as the state proceeds with deregulation. The plan may bring a narrow decline in basic residential phone rates. But critics contend that the proposal would enable Qwest to undercut prospective rivals and would be a disadvantage to customers. The proposal would allow Qwest to reach its goal of an $88.6 million increase in revenues from the state.
At a pretrial hearing in Phoenix on Monday, the proposal was introduced. While those involved where provided with an outline of the proposal, a detailed plan may not be submitted until Friday. Arizona Daily Star Online (10/17/00); Wichner, David
© copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
| ||||
