Trucking Technology Report - Oct. 30
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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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Wireless Ethernet Shows Its Potential
The successful display of wireless Ethernet technology at the agenda 2001 computer conference in Phoenix during the beginning of the month indicates that the technology is ready for mainstream use. Those who attended the conference used Ethernet speeds to download email and access the Web.
Although the standard works on the 2.4 GHz radio band, which does not require a license to use, some industry watchers are worried that the band may become too overcrowded in the near future. Apple Computer contributed to the Ethernet standard's popularity by using in its Airport products for mobile communications last year. Now both wireless and telecom firms are seeking to acquire valuable sites in highly traveled areas, such as hotels and airports.
For instance, both Mobilstar and Wayport have revealed the completion of deals with hotels and airports to deploy the 802.11b standard. In addition, United Airlines and Aerzone recently announced a deal to implement 802.11b at various locations of the airport, including gate areas and terminals.
Apple and IBM (IBM) are currently the only computer manufacturers offering mobile computers with 802.11b already installed. But by next year the standard is expected to be equipped on most mobile computers. The standard can transmit at higher speeds than 3G standards, which have been promoted ardently by the industry. New York Times (10/30/00) P. C5; Markoff, John
DoCoMo Says Its Top Priority is U.S. Partner on Cellphones
NTT DoCoMo President Keiji Tachikawa says his company's strategy for foreign expansion is presently centered on making an alliance with a U.S. firm for launching high-speed wireless service within the next couple years. Tachikawa also reiterated that DoCoMo will debut cell phones, with speeds 40 times faster than current speeds for downloading video and music, in Japan by May of next year.The company has plans to be the first carrier worldwide to deliver 3G phones. But some industry observers predict that DoCoMo is not likely to meet the proposed date and may even have reduce the scale of its present mobile service because of capacity problems.
Tachikawa says DoCoMo is most likely to partner with a U.S. carrier that uses TDMA technology. Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless are likely to be courted by DoCoMo. Wall Street Journal (10/30/00) P. A21; Landers, Peter
More Local, State Governments Consider Restrictions on Driving and Talking
Currently, 300 local communities and 37 states are considering passing legislation that would prohibit vehicle drivers from talking on mobile phones. But the cell phone industry and its supporters say that talking on a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle is no more dangerous than a lot of other activities done while driving, such as eating.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that around 6.3 million of the country's car accidents per year are a consequence of driver distraction. But no comprehensive study has been completed to indicate what percentage involved the use of a mobile phone. Now, some state police departments, such as Maryland's, have begun measuring car accidents involving the use of a mobile phone as a separate statistic. Baltimore Sun (10/30/00) P. C1
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