Trucking Technology Report - Sept. 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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European Food Groups Plan Internet Exchange
European consumer goods exchange CPGmarket.com is positioning itself as a alternative to the U.S.-based exchange Transora.com.
CPGmarket.com intends to focus on the European market, reasoning that European manufacturers continue to rely more on European suppliers than global e-marketplaces. CPGmarket.com and Transora.com both offer procurement, supply chain management, logistics and other services over the Web. Analysts believe that the plethora of exchanges will shake down to one or two players per sector. Financial Times (09/12/00) P. 7; Grande, Carlos
Chicago Ponders Banning Use of Cell Phones While Driving
The law firm of Mayer Brown & Platt is seeking to prevent a ban on using mobile phones while driving in the Chicago.Traffic Committee Chairman Burton F. Natarus is planning for a committee vote on Sept. 25 to decide if the use of cell phones while driving will be banned in the city.
The law firm has some of the nation's leading telecom firms among its clients, including Ameritech Cellular, AT&T Wireless, and Nextel Communications, according to papers submitted to the city's board of ethics.
Natarus announced yesterday that he still needs to persuade more committee members before he will have enough votes to pass the ban. Chicago Sun-Times Online (09/12/00)
Geoworks Files Complaint to Block WAP
Geoworks has submitted a complaint with U.S. trade regulators that accuses Phone.com and Sanyo Electric of creating a Web browser that is covered under a Geoworks' patent. Geoworks CEO Dave Grannan says that while other telecom firms intending to create similar Web browsers have had licensing discussions with the company, Sanyo and Phone.com refuse to discuss a possible licensing agreement.Roughly 550 companies employ the technology created by Geoworks, which is used in mobile phones, PDAs, and small computers. The technology, which was patented in 1994, was developed to provide an industry standard for wireless Web browsers. Nokia, Ericsson, and Motorola are still having licensing talks with the company, according to Grannan. Bloomberg News (09/12/00)
China Backs U.S. CDMA Mobile Technology
China's minister of information industry, Wu Jichuan, has reestablished China's commitment for using narrowband CDMA. QUALCOMM, the maker of CDMA, was concerned that China had decided not use its CDMA standard. The comments by Jichuan were the strongest in support of using CDMA technology by a senior Chinese official in the last couple months.The latest comments are in opposition to prior revelations made by China Unicom executives that the company would not create a CDMA network. CDMA is the major rival of GSM technology, which is promoted by such industry leaders as Nokia and Ericsson.
Jichuan did not reveal the extent to which CDMA technology will be employed. The establishment of a small CDMA network in the country could help China attain better technology transfer and procurement deals with telecom firms from the United States and Europe. China is the world's second largest cell phone market. Financial Times (09/12/00) P. 25; Kynge, James; Roberts, Dan
Telematics Market Expected to Soar
In-vehicle wireless systems, also known as telematics, will enable passengers to access a variety of services, including roadside assistance and voice-operated phone dialing. The subscriber rate for telematics services is expected to climb to 820,000 by the close of the year.General Motors was one of the first providers of telematics services when it introduced its OnStar service in 1997. The service originally provided a mobile phone to each user, who was responsible for selecting the wireless service. The company plans to offer 1 million OnStar-equipped vehicles by the conclusion of the year. Next year, OnStar plans to offer more mobile phone related data capabilities, such as access to stock quotes and e-mail.
Verizon Wireless has signed a deal with the automobile maker to the meet the wireless connectivity needs of the service. Meanwhile, rival Sprint PCS recently announced a deal to provide wireless services and handsets to Ford Motor. Ford plans to use Sprint PCS' all-digital network for wireless connections, while General Motors will use an older analog network provided by Verizon.
Industry analysts expect the move of many wireless operators into the telematics market will prove successful. tele.com (09/04/00) Vol. 5, No. 17, P. 31; Collins, Johnathan
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