FRIDAY - MARCH 2, 2007 - ISSUE NO. 251 |
Dear friends of Wireless Messaging, I receive lot of phone calls asking my opinion on various issues. Many of the questions come from people wanting to develop new products using ReFLEX technology. They know about my enthusiasm for both two-way text messaging and telemetry using the ReFLEX networks, but they all want to know if the two networks now in operation will still be around when they get their new product or service ready for market. Good question. Since I don't work directly for either USA Mobility or SkyTel, I can't tell you definitively what their long term plans are. (They are welcome to do that here in this newsletter.) I am sure that their decisions will be based on the revenue that the networks produce. I reminded everyone recently that the manufacturers of ReFLEX devices will quit making them if the system operators (service providers) don't buy them in enough quantity to make it worth the effort. Are you amazed at my business insight? I didn't even go to Harvard—in fact I have never even driven by Harvard. What's My Point? If you are still sitting on the fence and trying to decide if you should commit finances to the development of ReFLEX products and/or services, go for it!, become part of the "solution" instead part of the "problem." Actually there is only a problem if we think there is. The spirited debate about the feasibility of Public Safety ReFLEX networks continues this week. I will not accept comments or opinions from anyone who will not give me their name and contact information. I do, however, withhold a person's name on request. Other very important news this week follows. Bruce Deer has resigned as president of AAPC but will serve as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Board as Immediate Past President. Scott Forsythe, the Vice President of the association, has assumed the position of AAPC president. Bell Industries announces the new SkyTel leadership team in a news release that follows. They have promised me more information about their plans for an up-coming issue. 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 Comments On The Use Of ReFLEX Technology By Public Safety Agencies
From: Rex Lee <rlee@nighthawksystems.com> Brad, Thank you for publishing my comments. The “Anonymous Public Safety Official” made a lot of good points regarding manufactures and carriers getting together to create new innovative products. His or her perceptions about paging being dead are a bi-product from an industry that does not market very well. He or she should visit with Nighthawk Systems, Inc. and other manufacturers who are developing new telemetry/M2M solutions that work on paging/ReFLEX technology. We also integrate cellular in one of our utility product offerings but everyone to date that we talk to about both technologies inherently comes back to paging because of cost, ease of use, reliability, and coverage. Mass notification on paging is the most efficient way besides public radio/television to alert the public of an emergency. Group paging by the use of a cloned cap code allows for this process. Nighthawk has taken this concept further by grouping through our firmware. Grouping through firmware allows Nighthawk devices to maintain the ability to be individually alerted or alerted in group priorities such as by geography or random priority or all devices even though all devices are on the same cap code. Cellular radios have to communicate to the network 24 x 7 so there is a constant power drain. If interference impacts the transmitter on the cellular device the network assumes the device is not on the network and forward path messages will not be delivered to the device even though the device is in coverage. Telemetry on an intermittent basis is a risky proposition. All people have to do to understand this is make note of their own personal experience with a cell phone regarding dropped calls while with in a few miles of a cell site. We all experience it. These are characteristics public safety officials need to be aware of with cellular-based telemetry versus paging-based telemetry. Our utilities recognize these issues and come back to paging. We have development experience with both technologies so we see the pros and cons of paging and cellular. The City of Denver is a great case study for public safety applications on paging. They currently automate 24 firehouses, 78 civil defense sirens, 9 traffic signals, and the DOT has many highway safety signs automated by paging integrated with CAD. They are one of many municipalities serviced by paging and Nighthawk on what is suppose to be a dead technology. Thanks Again Brad, Rex M. Lee, |
More Comments On The Use Of ReFLEX Technology By Public Safety Agencies
March 2, 2007 Dear Brad, Thank you for running the series of letters by writers from paging carriers, system installers, and customers comparing the merits of commercially operated paging services and dedicated private systems in meeting the various needs of emergency response organizations. Our industry benefits from open exchanges on this important topic. We share the same goal, which is to offer the right communications services to each user, in order to help save lives and property. I want to add a few more thoughts to the group conversation. James Dabbs made some very important points in last week’s edition with his detailed discussion of the “campus ReFLEX” configuration. USA Mobility, Inc. has designed and constructed a number of campus-based systems that allow for wide-area connectivity. This approach is one of many choices along a continuum of customized solutions that we provide to emergency responder groups. As a national carrier, we have the resources and expertise to address the insular needs of a given customer and also enable that customer, if it desires, to stay connected throughout a region or across the country using our larger network infrastructure. Steven G. Day, Telecommunications Coordinator of the Network Engineering Group of a Washington, DC metropolitan area county, contacted me last week with his thoughts about the “Common Carrier Interconnect advantage,” meaning the use of DID numbers and true trunking interconnection to provide a more reliable connection to the public switched telephone network than the alternatives. He noted that toll-free numbers provide another advantage in providing telephone access to pagers. He also observed that the “first request” from most emergency responders contacting his organization was for coverage outside their local areas, and he commented on the problem of creating individual paging systems that are not interoperable with the systems of adjacent operators. USA Mobility can address this concern for connectivity in a variety of ways. We maintain market level paging terminals with local DID numbers serving almost every State and multiple LATAs. In the event of a disaster, each field market terminal allows the local number to be dialed via a toll-free overdial number into one of our nationwide data centers. We also offer toll-free DID numbers to customers that prefer not to be tied to a local DID number. Also last week, a writer identified only as an “anonymous public safety official” offered some interesting historical perspective about the paging industry, including a reference to “supposed greater operating efficiencies”, but he or she overlooked some facts, including the strengthening of the remaining networks that has resulted from industry consolidation while real efficiencies have been gained. For example, USA Mobility’s primary network coverage is being enhanced while we deconstruct older network components and excess capacity in certain areas, and these operating efficiencies are reflected as strengths in our public financial statements. In fact a review of our public financial statements clearly demonstrates an enormous reduction in annual operating expenses. This has allowed us to stay a financially healthy, strong industry leader. Further, with respect to demonstrating industry leadership, it’s doubtful that critically important two-way paging devices would continue to find a manufacturer or reasonable price point without the order flow that we generate. We are currently the only source of significant volume of two-way pager orders for the current manufacturers. We would welcome others stepping up with us to support this important technology. We also offer a variety of new service offerings and enhancements to make paging more useful for our customers, including our Wireless Messaging Engine (an open architecture platform which acts as a protocol translation switch), our Integrated Resource Manager healthcare solution, and our partnerships with applications providers including Amcom, Vocera, Emergin, and Sensus, among others. Anyway one looks at it; paging is a reliable, low-cost way to provide back-up to broadband voice systems and to extend wireless capability into the hands of responders who lack cell phones or PDAs. Now that other voices have been heard, I hope your readers will look back over the description of the features offered by a robust commercial paging operation, as detailed in my letter in your edition of February 16. One other thing on which we all agree is that local public safety and emergency response officials need to examine all the facts before deciding how to meet their needs for wireless communication service. Many of them have and that is why we continue to enjoy a very strong and positive relationship with this incredibly important group of communications professionals. Vincent D. Kelly |
More Comments On The Use Of ReFLEX Technology By Public Safety Agencies
From: jdabbs@criticalresponse.com Hi Brad, Below is [an article] describing plans to deploy a private CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Rev A network for public safety in the DC area. NYC is also in the process of deploying a similar, UMTS network.
Public safety, and the vendors and consultants who support them, are extremely sophisticated. It is just not reasonable to think that these people can't successfully operate a private ReFLEX network. James Dabbs |
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PAGING CARRIERS |
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Bell Industries Announces SkyTel Leadership Team Leaders Bring Strong Execution Focus and History of Innovation INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) (PRIMEZONE) — Bell Industries, Inc. (AMEX:BI) today announced SkyTel's new leadership team. SkyTel is a leading nationwide provider of wireless services to Fortune 1000 and government customers. James G. Myers has been named president of SkyTel. Prior to this appointment, Myers served in senior leadership positions at XM Satellite Radio and MCI. At MCI, Myers operated the SkyTel division shortly after its acquisition in 1999 by Worldcom. "Jim Myers brings an extraordinary wealth of expertise and experience to SkyTel. Having successfully led the company in the past, he knows how to leverage the power behind the SkyTel brand. With Jim's leadership, we can expect crisp execution and a relentless focus on customers and innovation," said John Fellows, chief executive officer of Bell. Bell also appointed Bradley K. Richards as executive vice president of sales and marketing for SkyTel. Richards has served in senior positions at MCI, Gateway, and Dex Media, and most recently founded and operated his own management and IT consulting firm, Willowleaf Partners LLC. Fellows continued, "Like Jim, Brad brings a unique blend of experience and expertise to SkyTel. His critical focus on execution, innovation and speed to market is essential to SkyTel's future successes." Myers added, "I am very excited about the future for SkyTel and for our customers. We have an experienced leadership team that is properly positioned to capitalize on both new and emerging wireless technologies. We are now precisely focused on solidifying SkyTel's market leadership position." SkyTel is a leading provider of wireless messaging services and support, including email, interactive two-way messaging, wireless telemetry services and traditional text and numeric paging to business and government customers throughout the United States. SkyTel employs approximately 375 people and generated revenues in excess of $100 million in 2006. SkyTel is headquartered in Clinton, Mississippi and was founded in 1988. Bell Industries completed its purchase of SkyTel last month. About Bell Industries, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements
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Source: PrimeNewswire
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Public can now sign up for Travis Co. Sheriff’s office alerts Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 09:14 AM The Travis County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with CitizenObserver, a St. Paul, Minnesota company that provides internet communications tools, to provide citizen alerts, press releases and crime prevention information via the web and e-mail. This new tool will allow the Sheriff’s Office to get critical information out to the public so they can be our eyes and ears in the community. The alerts will notify a person, who is registered with the site, that there is information on the website. The information that is given out is the same information given to the public via the various news agencies and community events but this site allows the person who does not watch the news to get the information too. Anyone can sign up and registration is free. Simply go to the CitizenObserver website at http://www.citizenobserver.com/signup to register. Once a person has registered they can decide how they will receive alerts (via e-mail, cell phone text message, pager or fax) and will then know there is new information available on their community web page. “We can put the information out on a single site and we don’t have to keep up with any address databases,” said Sheriff Hamilton, “it is up to the individual to decide if they want to receive information from us or not. It is also a way for us to get critical information out to the public very quickly. I think it is a win-win situation for everyone. So sign up today!” |
Source: Statesman.com
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Messaging & Cellular
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Consulting firm blasts FCC public safety network plan By Matthew Lasar An international consulting firm has called the Federal Communication Commission's proposed public safety network "so fraught with uncertainties, problems, and the potential for conflict" that it is unlikely to perform as intended. RCC Consultants' 126 page critique of the FCC's Ninth Notice on the 700 MHz Band says that one of the central points of the proposal—letting the network lease broadband spectrum to commercial companies—goes against Federal law. The FCC plan fails "to establish broadband services that have as their sole or principal purpose the protection of life, health or property;" RCC's February 15th filing charges. The firm provides wireless support to state and local governments. On December 20th, 2006, the FCC launched a Notice proposing a national public safety communications services provider that will operate almost 250 video and broadband channels, and be allowed to access hundreds more under certain conditions. The network will be run by an entity that charges on a fee-for-service basis, even permitted to market spectrum to other companies "through leases or in the form of public/private partnerships." RCC's filing says that:
The firm concludes its comments by asking the FCC to develop "a bottom-up rather than a top down approach to the development of wideband and broadband public safety networks." |
Source: LLFCC.net
GTES has recently made the strategic decision to expanding its development activities to include wireless location technologies; a market that researchers forecast could reach $3.6 billion by 2010. In support of this new strategic direction, GTES has developed SHERLOC™ a complete one-stop wireless location service, providing the flexibility of being protocol neutral and network agnostic. Targeted at business customers who need to track their high-value shipments or better manage their service or delivery fleets, SHERLOC™ is a hosted application that combines configuration flexibility with ease of use. GTES is offering SHERLOC™ services both directly and through authorized resellers. If your company has an interest in finding out how location services can enhance your revenue stream, and has the contacts and expertise to make you successful in the location marketplace, please contact us for further information at www.sherlocgps.com and select “Reseller Opportunities,” or call us at 770-754-1666 for more information. www.gtesinc.com GTES is the only Glenayre authorized software support provider in the Paging industry. With over 200 years of combined experience in Glenayre hardware and software support, GTES offers the industry the most professional support and engineering development staff available. Continued Support Programs CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR SUPPORT NEEDS
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Registration Number | Status | File Number | Owner Name | Latitude Longitude | Structure City/State | Overall Height Above Ground (AGL) | |
1 | 1050903 | Constructed | A0382848 | CSSI* | 32-16-09.0N 098-18-52.0W | Lingleville, TX map | 93.0 |
2 | 1050905 | Constructed | A0446642 | CSSI* | 32-49-04.8N 098-06-13.3W | Mineral Wells, TX map | 24.8 |
3 | 1056264 | Constructed | A0446643 | CSSI* | 32-58-33.0N 097-56-33.0W | Whitt, TX map | 92.4 |
4 | 1057649 | Constructed | A0382852 | CSSI* | 32-20-33.0N 097-44-57.0W | Glen Rose, TX map | 60.9 |
5 | 1057656 | Constructed | A0446641 | CSSI* | 32-18-08.0N 098-29-36.0W | Desmona, TX map | 83.2 |
6 | 1057659 | Constructed | A0382844 | CSSI* | 32-21-23.0N 099-26-01.0W | Baird, TX map | 89.3 |
7 | 1232880 | Constructed | A0317614 | CSSI* | 32-51-05.0N 098-06-31.8W | Mineral Wells, TX map | 134.0 |
8 | 1042515 | Constructed | A0050114 | CSSI* | 32-44-21.0N 097-48-00.0W | Weatherford, TX map map—close up | 112.8 |
* Communications Sales & Service Inc. d/b/a CSSI
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For Information, Contact: Inilex LAUNCHES kepler security system; revolutionizes how consumers USE THEir Vehicles (Palm Desert, CA DEMO — Jan. 30, 2007) — Inilex, a leading provider of intelligent GPS systems, launched today a new, end-user product, called the Kepler Advantage. The Kepler Advantage gives consumers the ability to control their vehicles wirelessly via any phone or by accessing the Internet. The product plugs easily into the car’s data bus, allowing it to issue commands such as unlock doors, set alarms, start the engine and control a host of other functions without the need for complicated wiring. Chris Shipley, the organizer of DEMO and lead analyst for the Guide Wire Group commented, “We chose Inilex to launch the Kepler Advantage at DEMO 2007, because of its unique set of features and new capabilities in automotive security and monitoring. As consumers look for simpler security for their cars, Inilex meets those needs and adds a few creative touches. We’ll expect to see the Kepler Advantage take off this year.” “We are providing consumers with an affordable option to monitor their vehicles for security, safety and much more functionality,” said Scott Ferguson, CEO of Inilex. “Customers will now be able to control more aspects of their cars with just the touch of a button, an option not currently available with any current automotive security devices in the industry.” One of the most unique features that the Kepler Security System from Inilex offers is the “QuickFence™.” The QuickFence gives the customer the ability to secure their vehicle wherever it’s parked using their cell phone. The Kepler Security System locates the position of the vehicle and sets a virtual fence around it. If the vehicle moves outside the QuickFence, the customer will be notified via text message on their cell phone or by email. The customer can relay real-time information, such as speed and location, to the police, who recognize that as a “crime in progress.” This is a higher priority for the police to respond to than simply reporting a vehicle theft, which they consider a “crime committed.” The entire Kepler Security System has three models available to the automotive industry and to consumers through regional dealerships. The company’s goal is to match the different needs of a diverse driving audience: The Kepler — The Kepler is the most cost effective system that allows consumers to have the base capabilities of the GPS features to find and track their vehicles at virtually the same cost as any security device currently available on the market. MSRP $695.00 The Kepler Plus — The Kepler Plus allows consumers more functionality with tracking, start and stop reporting, speed reporting and multiple geo fencing. MSRP $920.00 The Kepler Advantage — This system has the most functionality of all three products, allowing consumers to actually control a host of functions in their cars through their phone or Internet. Users can retrieve various status and diagnostic reports or send commands to control various mechanical devices such as lock, un-lock, start, ignition disable, and other user convenient features. MSRP $1,279.00 About Inilex: |
Source: Allison & Partners
We at Unication have listened and delivered.
About Unication Co., Ltd.
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BLOOSTON, MORDKOFSKY, DICKENS, DUFFY & PRENDERGAST, LLP |
BloostonLaw Telecom Update Skype Wants FCC To “Open” Wireless Industry Through Old “Carterfone” Rules Petition offers unique questions for rural telco, small business, wireless clients Skype has asked the FCC to create “an industry-led mechanism” to ensure the openness of wireless networks. In a February 20 petition, Skype asked the Commission to subject the wireless industry to the Carterfone rules, which would allow consumers to use devices and software of their choice on mobile phone networks. The Carterfone rules, which were enacted in 1968 during the old Bell System monopoly era, allow consumers to hook any device up to the landline phone network, so long as it does not harm the network. Prior to the Carterfone decision, AT&T provided all telephones and devices connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and it routinely sued companies that sold unauthorized products that could be attached to the network. The Carterfone itself was an acoustic coupler for land mobile radios. Invented by Tom Carter, it was used to allow radio-equipped oil field drill rigs to patch calls into the telephone network. Arguably, the Carterfone decision helped spur new innovations, such as the fax machine and Internet modem. In more recent times, the Carterfone principle has been extended to other communication networks, such as cable modem and digital subscriber line (DSL). But, as the Skype argument goes, the principle has not been applied to cellular networks. As a result, Skype says, that market has evolved into one that is heavily controlled by wireless carriers. They dictate which phones are used on their networks, what content users can access, and which applications can run on wireless phones. Some carriers have even included specific terms in their service contracts that prevent customers from downloading and using software from Skype on their networks. Thus, Skype's motivations for filing the petition are clear. The company has created software that allows people to make free phone calls across the Internet. And now it wants users who access the Internet via a mobile device to be able to use their software and services, too. Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, published a report titled Wireless Net Neutrality earlier this month also arguing that the "Carterfone" rules should apply to the cellular industry, because otherwise carriers exert too much influence on the design of the devices and the applications that run on them (BloostonLaw Telecom Update, February 14). Adam Thierer, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Digital Media Freedom, at the Progress and Freedom Foundation, suggests that Skype wants the FCC to implement Wu’s proposal into law. In its petition, Skype states that “[c]onsolidation and the relationship between handset manufacturers and carriers are producing market practices that raise substantial questions about whether consumers are receiving maximum benefits of wireless competition.” Skype goes on to say that wireless carriers are using their “considerable influence over handset design and usage to maintain an inextricable tying of applications to their transmissions networks and are limiting subscribers’ rights to run applications of their choosing.” As a result, Skype requests that the Commission issue a declaratory ruling that Carterfone applies to the wireless industry, launch a rulemaking proceeding, and enforce the Carterfone rules as they would apply to wireless. Nokia E61/62: As an example of carrier control, Skype cited the marketing of the Nokia E61 and E62 smart phones. According to Skype, the E61, which was released in Europe in the summer of 2006, is a high-end email device and phone seen as a competitor to BlackBerry and Palm Treo. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity. In the United States, however, Cingular (now AT&T) was the exclusive vendor for a stripped-down version known as the E62. Skype describes the E62 as a “crippled model, which lacked, among other things, Wi-Fi connectivity.” Citing a product review, Skype explained that the reason for the stripped-down model in the United States is the carriers’ fear of the E61’s (the European model’s) ability to handle voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) calls “when you’re near a friendly wireless network.” Intentionally removing Wi-Fi functionality from the Nokia E62 interferes with a consumer’s ability to place Internet calls, thereby harming innovation and price competition, Skype said. “Unfortunately,” Skype continued, “all carriers appear to engage in such restrictive practices to varying degrees. For example, Verizon typically disables Bluetooth data transfer functionality in handsets so as to require customers to use the carrier’s paid services instead of utilizing Bluetooth to accomplish the same goals.” Skype also cites a disclaimer on Nokia’s Web site: “Some networks have limitations that affect how you can use phone features. Your service provider also may have requested that certain features not be activated in a phone….” Handset locking: Another common practice of control, Skype said, is the locking of handsets, which forces consumers to pay for additional, unwanted or unnecessary equipment. Skype states that the practice of locking is at odds with that in most other countries. “While regulators in most countries do not prohibit handset locking outright, they typically ensure that locking is done for legitimate purposes only—such as to prohibit theft or fraud and the enforcement of a rental or installment contract, rather than for anti-competitive reasons—and that consumers are made aware of handset locks and how to unlock them,” Skype said. Terms of service: Skype also argued that “terms of service” offered in U.S. carrier contracts “go well beyond prohibiting activities that might harm the network.” Instead, Skype said, they are designed to prevent the use of applications and services for competitive reasons. “Such restrictions on the services that a subscriber’s handset can access go beyond a carrier’s reasonable business interests and impinge upon the right of consumers to make full use of the equipment and service they have purchased.” In this regard, Skype cites Verizon’s “unlimited data plans and features” which “may only be used with wireless devices for the following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet browsing …. The Unlimited Data Plans and Features may not be used for any other purpose. Examples of prohibited uses include, without limitation, the following: (i) continuous uploading, downloading or streaming of audio or video programming or games; (ii) server devices or host computer applications, including but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine-to-machine connections or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing….” Bundling: Skype noted that it has been almost 15 years since the Commission examined the influence of wireless carriers on the wireless handset marketplace, when the Commission addressed the issue of whether wireless carriers should be permitted to bundle handsets and services. But that 1992 analysis focused almost exclusively on the pricing of handsets within a market of smaller carriers limited to voice services, Skype said. The issue today is not simply whether four nationwide wireless carriers can control the market for voice telephony, but whether they can control the adjacent markets for applications and services that use the carriers’ third generation (3G) wireless platform, Skype argued. But Skype’s critics have been quick to respond. "Skype's self-interested filing contains glaring legal flaws and a complete disregard for the vast consumer benefits provided by the competitive marketplace," Steve Largent, chief executive of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA), said in a statement. "The call for imposing monopoly era Carterfone rules to today's vibrant market is unmistakably the wrong number." Similarly, Adam Thierer of the Progress and Freedom Foundation writes: “In a nutshell, I think the primary reason that we're all so uncomfortable with the Wu proposal and Skype's call for such regulations is that Carterfone-like rules and corresponding FCC interconnection/attachment mandates are completely inappropriate for competitive markets. Those rules were handed down in an era of government-protected monopoly for telecommunications. But there are no longer any protected monopolies in this marketplace.” But some experts believe that with or without regulation, the days of carriers controlling the customer experience on mobile phones are slowly coming to an end. Already consumers with smart phones running Windows Mobile can download the Skype product, even if the operator forbids it. At our deadline, the Skype petition had not been placed on Public Notice. However, we expect that the FCC will seek comment on the important issues that Skype has raised. Thus, we invite clients to contact us with their ideas on this matter. The Carterfone Decision: The FCC’s Carterfone Order was adopted on June 26, 1968. Essentially, the case involved the referral of an antitrust suit from a federal district court (affirmed by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals) to the Commission in which Carter Electronics Corp. alleged that AT&T was illegally preventing the interconnection of the Carterfone product to the PSTN. In its 1968 Order, the FCC defined the Carterfone device as follows:
AT&T, acting in accordance with its interpretation of tariff FCC No. 132, filed April 16, 1957, advised its subscribers that the Carterfone, when used in conjunction with the subscriber's telephone, is a prohibited interconnecting device, the use of which would subject the user to the penalties provided in the tariff. But the Commission decided that the “Carterfone fills a need, and that it does not adversely affect the telephone system.” As a result, the FCC held that AT&T’s tariff was “unreasonable” in that it prohibited “the use of interconnecting devices which do not adversely affect the telephone system.” |
Source: Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy and Prendergast, LLP
For additional information, contact Hal Mordkofsky at 202-828-5520 or halmor@bloostonlaw.com
EUROPEAN MOBILE MESSAGING ASSOCIATION |
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Layoffs at SkyTel 03/01/07 About 33 people lost their jobs at SkyTel locations in the jackson area Thursday. Most of those laid off worked at the old World Com building in Clinton, which now has a sign on the front of it saying Verizon. A spokeswoman for Bell Technologies, which purchased SkyTel, as of January 31st, said the layoffs were adjustments as a result of that acquisition. She said all of the employees were offered severance packages. Angie Yang said there are still about 150 employees working in the Jackson area for SkyTel, out of a total of 200 nationwide and Bell is excited about the future of SkyTel. The Clinton police department had been notified of the layoffs and sent one squad car to the scene. There were no disturbances over the layoffs. |
Source: WBLT Channel 3
• FIREHOUSES • SCHOOLS • PUBLIC FACILITIES • GOVERNMENT FACILITIES • EMERGENCY ROOMS • WHAT DO FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES, WISPS, HAVE IN COMMON? THEY ALL USE NIGHTHAWK. Nighthawk Systems Inc. manufactures low cost and reliable remote control products for fire house alerting, volunteer alerting, activation of warning signs and sirens, and a number of applications for public safety. The Company manufactures the EA1 and the FAS-8 which have been designed specifically for these applications. Both products are paging based and will work with any public or private paging network. They are available in all VHF, UHF, and 900 MHz paging frequencies. The products can serve as the primary notification system or an excellent, low-cost backup to existing systems.
The EA1 is the solution for remotely activating public warning signage. Examples include tornado sirens, flash flood warnings, fire danger, Amber Alert, icy roads, etc. The EA1 can also send text messages to scrolling signs. This can occur in conjunction with the activation of audible alarms and visual strobes. This is ideal for public notification in buildings, schools, hotels, factories, etc. The group call feature allows for any number of signs or flashing lights to be activated at the same time over a wide geographic area. In addition, the EA1 Emergency Alert is the perfect solution for low cost yet highly effective alerting of volunteer fire fighters in their home. When activated the EA1 will emit an audible alarm and activate the power outlet on the units faceplate. A common setup is to simply place the EA1 on a table and plug a lamp into the faceplate. When paged from dispatch or any touch tone phone the EA1 will awaken the fire fighter to a lit room. As an option the EA1 can be ordered with a serial cable, allowing for attachment of a serial printer. When paged the alphanumeric message will be printed out at the same time the alarm sounds and the outlet is activated. The EA1 is an ideal complement to alphanumeric belt pagers common to volunteers.
The FAS-8 is designed for activating one or more relays in a firehouse and if desired, printing the alphanumeric message to a serial printer. For this application the FAS-8 is set to activate upon receiving the proper paging cap code sent from 911 dispatch. Up to eight different devices can be activated all with individual time functions. The most common devices to turn on include the PA amplifier, audible wake up alarm, and house lights. The most common device turned off is the stove. The FAS-8 can accept up to 8 different cap codes and have separate relay and time functions per cap code. This allows for different alerting to be accomplished at the same physical location depending upon which cap code is sent. This can be very helpful when fire crews and medical crews are housed in the same building.
Put the innovative technology of Nighthawk to work for you. For more information on any of our products or services, please contact us. Nighthawk Systems, Inc. Phone: 877-764-4484 |
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| hmce@bellsouth.net | |
Please click here to e-mail Ayrewave. | SATELLITE CONTROL FOR PAGING SYSTEMS $500.00 FLAT RATE TAPS—Texas Association of Paging Services is looking for partners on 152.480 MHz. Our association currently uses Echostar, formerly Spacecom, for distribution of our data and a large percentage of our members use the satellite to key their TXs. We have a CommOneSystems Gateway at the uplink in Chicago with a back-up running 24/7. Our paging coverage area on 152.480 MHz currently encompasses Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Kansas. The TAPS paging coverage is available to members of our Network on 152.480 MHz for $.005 a transmitter (per capcode per month), broken down by state or regions of states and members receive a credit towards their bill for each transmitter which they provide to our coverage. Members are able to use the satellite for their own use If you are on 152.480 MHz or just need a satellite for keying your own TXs on your frequency we have the solution for you. TAPS will provide the gateways in Chicago, with Internet backbone and bandwidth on our satellite channel for $ 500.00 (for your system) a month. Contact Ted Gaetjen @ 1-800-460-7243 or tedasap@asapchoice.com |
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
From: Diana Navarro Dücker dnducker@prodigy.net.mx
Subject: PORTAL AMMCAC — febrero
Date: February 26, 2007 2:18:02 PM CST
To: undisclosed-recipients
Hola!
Los invito a que lean el artículo de este mes en http://ammcac.com/DN/index.htm, y les recuerdo que doy cursos y pláticas para empresas y universidades sobre este tema.
Sus comentarios siempre serán bienvenidos en webmaster@ammcac.com, o en mi correo.
Saludos . . . dnd
UNTIL NEXT WEEK |
There was so much news this week that I didn't have room for it all. Here are some links to important items that you shouldn't miss:
2/23/07
Chairman Kevin J. Martin Announces his intention to Appoint Derek Poarch Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief.
[pdf]
2/22/07
Comments of Swissphone Telecom on the FCC’s Ninth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—60 pages but you must read this. It is very well done.
[pdf]
2/26/07
USA Mobility and Amcom Software Form Alliance to Enhance Healthcare Communications
[pdf]
3/1/07
USA Mobility Sets Date to Report Fourth Quarter and 2006 Results
[pdf]
2/28/07
USA Mobility Named Wireless Technology Sponsor by American College of Emergency Physicians
[pdf]
That's all for this week.
With best regards, | Brad Dye P.O. Box 13283 | ![]() | ![]() | |
Skype: | braddye | WIRELESS ![]() MESSAGING | ||
Telephone: | +1-217-787-2346 | |||
E–mail: | brad@braddye.com | |||
Web: | Consulting page ![]() | |||
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK |
“I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.” “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” “Don't take the wrong side of an argument just because your opponent has taken the right side.” |
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