Trucking Technology Report - Oct. 25
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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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On Broadband Future, Gore and Bush Offer Crucial Differences
The winner of the upcoming presidential election will play a significant role in shaping future information-technology policy. The cable and telecommunications industries especially are wondering which candidate will occupy the White House next year and what his presidency will mean to their operations. Contributions to the two parties from the communications industry in this election have totaled $27 million, the Center for Responsive Politics reports.
Observers expect a Bush administration would also be less likely to interfere in proposed corporate mergers and other industry issues. Although this pleases larger, more established firms, some startups worry that they will not be able to compete in the broadband market in such a climate.
A Gore administration would rely more on government intervention, observers believe. As vice president, Gore has shaped the telecommunications policy of the current administration and has drawn some criticism for guiding policy at the supposedly independent FCC.
Gore is a strong proponent of competition and open access, and cable companies would likely face increased pressure, perhaps in the form of new regulations, to open their networks to other providers. Gore would also continue the current administration's E-rate program to provide broadband links to remote or underfunded locations.
Smaller firms and Internet service providers would benefit from a Gore administration, observers forecast, because they would be on more equal footing with larger firms. Wall Street Journal (10/24/00) P. A1; Davis, Bob
Siemens to Become Pure E-Commerce Player
Siemens AG, a global electronics firm, announced that it will become a pure e-commerce player over the next three years. The company plans to spend $900 million converting its business, including supply-chain management and procurement, into an Internet-based company.According to Heinrich Pierer, the company's president and CEO, because Siemens develops the technology that is the foundation of e-commerce, moving the company to the Internet is the next logical step. Traffic World (10/23/00) P. 22; Parker, John
Wireless Devices Bring Security Risks, Insurance Concerns
The proliferation of a variety of mobile devices in the hands of consumers has led some industry observers to question how secure the current wireless infrastructure is. Transmissions of corporate data via wireless devices have led to greater concerns by insurers of how to handle possible liability claims.With the wide use of mobile services, a variety of insurance applications could be possible. For instance, business interruption insurance could be offered to those companies concerned that their transmissions may be interrupted by weather or malfunctioning satellite system. Insurers must also be careful that their policies do not provide overlapping protection for wireless equipment failure that is already covered by property coverage plans owned by the business' owners.
With the concerns about health problems caused by exposure to radiation generated by cell phones, insurers need to also consider future claims. National Underwriter (10/16/00) Vol. 104 , No. 42, P. 27; Tingley, Marcia M.
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