Page 1 2 3 Page 1 2 3 | FRIDAY - MAY 12, 2006 - ISSUE NO. 212 |
Dear friends of Wireless Messaging, The FCC's Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks will be holding an important meeting in Washington today. They will be discussing their proposed recommendations to the FCC that are due by June 15, 2006. Their report is supposed to include ways to improve disaster preparedness, network reliability, and communication among first responders such as police, fire fighters, and emergency medical personnel. I certainly hope that their report includes something about using our established Paging Networks. Our industry was well represented by Bruce Deer and Vince Kelly who both made oral and written presentations to the Panel at their meeting last March in Jackson, Mississippi. Sometimes when writing this column I feel torn between loyalty to two groups or two companies. Today is one of those times. Most of you know that I do consulting work with any time that is left over after finishing the newsletter each week. I have many friends and respected colleagues involved in Paging, Wireless Messaging, Telemetry, and related fields. Usually the challenge is convincing the small operators that I still love them after saying something nice about the large ones. The complaints come quickly. Right now two of the "big guys" are squabbling. I like them both and have done consulting work for both of them as well. I always point out that my time is for hire but my opinions are not—not unlike newspapers that don't let their advertisers influence their editorials. I also sign NDAs and promise not to divulge any information from one customer to another. For many years I worked for Motorola and—as a condition of my employment—had to sign an agreement every year, promising to closely guard any proprietary information, so it is second nature to me. I refer now to USA Mobility and Verizon Wireless (The Paging division of Verizon Wireless). I have been wondering recently —in print—why there hasn't been any official news about Verizon Paging being sold to American Messaging Services Inc. (AMSI) Well, one of the reasons surfaced this week. Many of us have been watching the FCC web site for progress on transferring Paging licenses from Verizon Paging to AMSI. From what I have been able to find out, USA Mobility and Verizon Wireless have a 50/50 partnership in a company called “Nationwide 929.8875 LLC” and the Paging license issued to that company got transferred to AMSI by Verizon Wireless without asking for their partner's approval. [Read page 3 here.] So, USA Mobility has filed a couple of really hot protests with the FCC. (In legalese: A Petition for Reconsideration and A Motion for Stay.) These submissions are both part of the public record and will eventually show up on the FCC web site as File No. 0002488164. Either party is welcome to comment here—just not too long please. Many thanks to Ayrewave for renewing their ad for one year to help finance my trip to Myrtle Beach. These guys really know their stuff. I have heard that they are especially good on the GL C2000 family of controllers.
And speaking of Myrtle Beach, today is the last day to register for the AAPC Wireless Forum at the discounted EARLY REGISTRATION rate. You can register later but it costs a little more. You can click here to do it now and then come back and read the rest of the newsletter. I hope to see you there. Now on to more news and views. |
A new issue of The Wireless Messaging Newsletter gets posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the Internet. That way it doesn't fill up your incoming e-mail account. There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world's major Paging and Wireless Data companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers—so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It's all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology. I regularly get reader's comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Data communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it. NOTE: This newsletter is best viewed at screen resolutions of 800x600 (good) or 1024x768 (better). Any current revision of web browser should work fine. Please notify me of any problems with viewing. This site is compliant with XHTML 1.0 transitional coding for easy access from wireless devices. (XML 1.0/ISO 8859-1.) MORE PAGES
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| WiPath Communications, LLC. |  |
| Are pleased to invite you to a product training seminar | |
| Please RSVP by May 12, 2006 | |
| WHEN: | May 16th 2006 12:45 pm to 5:00 pm. (IWCE Vegas) |
| WHY: | To help you increase your sales with new and innovative paging products designed for your Public Safety, Fire Services, and Business and Industry customer base. |
| AGENDA: | |
| 12:45–2:00 | Complimentary Lunch |
| 2:00 to 3:00 | Wipath Mobile data terminals which include the MDT400 and the WDT2000. The MDT400 Mobile Data Terminal is capable of being connected to a trunked or conventional 2-way radio or to a variety of other wireless data devices such as digital cellular transceivers (GPRS/CDMA etc). The WDT2000, rugged duty Mobile Data Terminal, is designed for use in the most demanding of environments at the same time as promising ease of use by any vehicle-based or other field operator. |
| 3:00 to 3:45 | Features and benefits and market applications of the new PDT2000R ruggedized in vehicle Paging Receiver, the PDR2000 paging monitoring system and the other innovative signaling products. |
| 3:45 to 4:00 | Break |
| 4:00 to 4:30 | VACS (Volunteer Availability Communication System) is a web based software / hardware system that manages the collection and dissemination of volunteer availability data in real time for organizations that rely on volunteers to provide services in critical times. Typical of such organizations are volunteer fire departments and brigades, civil defense, coastguard and other emergency services |
| 4:30 to 5:00 | Questions |
| Please RSVP by May 12, 2006 | |
| WiPath Communications, LLC George Rishfeld Tel: 805-532-9964 Cell: 805-907-6707 Fax: 805-529-8549 Skype: grishfeld6625 | |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PAGING CARRIERS |
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| WIRELESS MESSAGING NEWS |
RIM Announces Plans to Launch BlackBerry Service in China
May 11, 2006
Beijing, China and Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that China Mobile Communications Co., Ltd (China Mobile) plans to offer BlackBerry® in China.
RIM and China Mobile will initially focus on supporting multinational corporations with operations in China. China Mobile will soon offer BlackBerry service nationwide and provide SIM cards to support BlackBerry service. Availability of BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™ and BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ will be announced at a later date.
“Millions of mobile professionals around the world have recognized the unique security, manageability, efficiency and reliability of the BlackBerry architecture,” said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at RIM. “We are very excited to bring BlackBerry to China. The collaboration of China Mobile and RIM will extend the reach of BlackBerry to a large and important market.”
BlackBerry on China Mobile’s GPRS network will enable corporate customers to enjoy wireless access to email, phone, organizer, Internet and other corporate data applications.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research in Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.RIM assumes no liability and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee in relation to third party products or services.
Source: RIM
New Skype 2.5 With SMS Text Messaging
Posted: 2006/05/09
From: Skype-News
Skype has released the beta version of Skype 2.5 Beta, the latest edition of its software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make worldwide voice and video calls for free over the Internet and low cost calls to and from telephones.
Anyone who downloads the free Skype software can now send an SMS message to most mobile phones worldwide, usually for a fraction of the cost of sending SMS from a mobile cell phone. The sender can optionally specify a mobile phone number to which replies can be sent, so the receiver simply replies as to any normal SMS. It is much easier to type out and send an SMS from Skype.
Other improvements include easier dialing feature for international calls, as Skype users can now select the country without knowing the country dialing code, and much improved speed of topping up with new Skype credit without having to actually login to Skype.com, from within the Skype window.
Skype users who also use Microsoft Outlook can now quickly view their Outlook contacts in Skype and call them directly using SkypeOut, a call from Skype to traditional landlines or cell phones.
Conference Calling is also improved, in that you can now instantly see who is talking on a conference call as the participant's picture flashes when they begin to speak.
Further new features in the free Skype 2.5 Beta are "Shared Contact Groups" which makes it even easier to share contacts with friends and family and help them connect with other people. You can now bring groups together with the click of a button to start a group chat or conference call.
At long last Skype has also introduced "Automatic Updates" so you can opt to receive a prompt to download the latest Skype software any time the product is upgraded.
Source: Mathaba News
Paging System to be Upgraded May 6
Some restrictions will be in place for one hour on May 5
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Durham, N.C.—On Saturday, May 6, at 4 a.m., Duke’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) will be performing phase I of the upgrade to Duke’s central paging system infrastructure. This upgrade will affect Duke Hospital and Duke University only. Phase II, is scheduled for later in May and details will be shared in a future memo.
During phase I of the upgrade, Duke will be operating on its backup paging system. Therefore, all pages will be processed and calls routed by the OIT Telephone Operators (such as code calls) will be performed as usual.
The upgrade will require performing certain tasks prior to the actual cutover which will affect individual users. During the one-hour window (9 p.m. and 10 p.m.) on Friday, May 5, please note the following restrictions:
For questions in advance of this upgrade, please contact John Robinson at 684-3830. If you experience problems during the upgrade, please contact the OIT Communications supervisor at 684-2588.
Source: Duke University
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ARRL Updates Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 Course
NEWINGTON, CT, May 4, 2006—The ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) Program has revised and updated its Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) Level 3 course. The new top-level EmComm course, designated EC-003R2, will replace EC-003 in the program's list of online offerings. ARRL Online Course Development Coordinator Howard Robins, W1HSR, says the updated curriculum incorporates some major changes.
"This update is very significant, because it brings the management training part of the AREC program into line with today's homeland security environment," Robins remarked. "This is the first revision of the AREC Level 3 course since it was originally introduced in December 2000. Needless to say, much has changed since then, and this revision reflects those changes."
EmComm Online Course Editor Dave Colter, WA1ZCN, was the principal author of EC-003R2, Robins noted. He says a number of individuals with experience in the emergency communications arena beta-tested the updated course, and it underwent a thorough final review prior to its release. The AREC Level 1 (EC-001) and 2 (EC-002) courses are prerequisites for the Level 3 course.
According to Robins, EC-003R2 includes significant information about how Amateur Radio emergency communication leadership must prepare and function in the post-September 11, 2001, era. He says the updated course takes into account the "many changes in the homeland security landscape—a term that did not exist when the original Level 3 curriculum was developed—and how Amateur Radio fits into that landscape."
New topics include:
Robins points out that several other Level 3 units have been revised to better focus on leadership and management.
Registration for EC-003R2 opens Monday, May 15 and will remain open through June 4. The inaugural class will begin Friday, June 16.
To learn more about this and other online educational offerings from ARRL, visit the CCE Course Listing page or contact the CCE Department.
Source: ARRL
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