Wireless Industry News

 

NEW HP JORNADA 928 EXTENDS MOBILITY WITH VOICE CAPABILITY

Hewlett-Packard Company has introduced its first, full-color wireless digital assistant with telephony capabilities. The  GSM/ GPRS-enabled Jornada 928 WDA offers always-on Internet connectivity as well as the freedom to efficiently manage voice, data and personal information from a single device. Product details

10 Million Wireless Internet Users in US
A new survey reports 10 million active wireless Internet users in the United States. This figure, representing 11 percent of US wireless users, includes those surfing the web or checking email. The study, from ComScore Media Metrix, reports that 5 million of the 19.1 million users of handheld computers and 5.8 million of the 67.2 million mobile users utilize wireless Internet access. (Source: Reuters, Wall Street Journal)

More People Abandoning Land Lines
There is a noticeable trend developing across the country. More cell phone users are abandoning their conventional phone service and relying solely on mobile phones. The total number of telephone lines decreased last year for the first time since the Depression. According to the Yankee Group, a telecommunications consulting company, nearly 3 percent of telephone users have made their wireless phones their primary phone, citing reasons such as cost, convenience and constant changes in location. This number is expected to increase. (Source: New York Times)

Emails and Text Messages Outnumber Letters
British people read more emails and text messages than personal letters, reports a study by the Office for National Statistics. When asked what "personal reading" they had done in the past week, 32 percent of the 1700 people polled said text messages, compared to 31 percent for personal emails and 29 percent for personal letters. The study also reports that males were more likely to send and receive personal text messages, while females more often read and write written letters. (Source: Ananova)

Crossing Guards Armed With Cell Phones
Crossing Guards in Southern New Jersey will soon be equipped with cell phones as an extra tool to help protect children. Community members of Cumberland County donated the phones to local police departments who in turn will hand them over to the crossing guards. Prior to this, crossing guards had no way to communicate in case of an emergency. This posed a serious problem for guards stationed in rural areas where finding a phone could be difficult. (Source: Cumberland County News (NJ))

Personal Computers, Digital Cameras To Get Wireless Internet Capability
DDI Pocket Inc. will soon launch the personal handyphone system (PHS) card terminals that allow personal computers, digital cameras and other digital devices wireless Internet capabilities. This system, smaller than a piece of gum, enables communications software to access the Net without using a PC or phone. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

SMS Fails to Grow in US
Short Messaging Service (SMS), which proved extremely popular in Europe and Asia has yet to catch on in the US. According to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, last year, of the 19 billion SMS communications, almost all were sent outside of the US. Analysts predict that SMS will never thrive here like it did in other parts of the world. Europe and Asia relied on SMS because it was often cheaper than making a cell phone call and also because email and instant messaging had not developed in Europe and Asia as it did in the US. Backers of SMS hope that it will increase in popularity with the introduction of multimedia messaging, enabling users to send images. (Source: New York Times)

Driving Directions Over the Cell Phone
Wireless carriers including AT&T and Sprint PCS have begun to offer lost drivers directions over their cell phones. In what is described as a spoken version of www.mapquest.com, a voice-activated system offers the shortest route from the starting point and destination given. The mapping software, Microsoft MapPoint, is updated regularly with road closures and construction delays. Often carriers do not charge extra for this service, however customers will pay for the airtime from their available minutes. (Source: Miami Herald)

Car Provides Internet Access In Boston
Inspired by the wireless networks available at Starbucks, Tech Superpowers, a Boston-based Apple Macintosh supplier, has wired a black Saturn Coupe with a WiFi wireless network allowing those within 150 feet of the stationary vehicle to access free Internet connection on their laptops or Pocket PCs. The car is furnished with a six-foot antenna and has wireless service supplied by T-Mobile, a division of Germany's Deutsche Telekom, and computer maker Hewlett-Packard. The car will be parked on Boston's Newbury Street. (Source: Boston Globe, MacCentral.com)

Shares Fall as McCaw Hedges Nextel
Craig McCaw, credited with saving Nextel Communications in 1995 by investing $949.6 million in the company, has begun to hedge his shares in the company. Beginning in April, Mr. McCaw entered into a series of agreements that limit his exposure on a third, or 19.3 million shares, of his 8.1 percent stake in the company. A spokesman for Mr. McCaw claims that Mr. McCaw is optimistic about Nextel and telecommunications in general, however, is protecting himself in a time of "crazy events - like war." Due possibly in part to Mr. McCaw's recent activities, shares of Nextel, the number 5 wireless company in the US, have fallen 9 percent. A spokesperson for Nextel claimed that Mr. McCaw continues to be very involved in the company and has given no indication of anything but confidence in Nextel. (Source: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post)

More Americans Relying Solely on Cell Phones
According to an NBC report, the number of cell phone users abandoning their landlines and relying solely on their cell phones is steadily increasing. Three percent of households, or almost 5 million people, no longer have landlines and now use only wireless phones. This number is expected to double or triple in the next five years. Reasons for dropping landlines often include cost, portability, instant service and convenience. (Source: Play the NBC Video , View the NBC Text)

AT&T Offers Unlimited Calling Plan
AT&T Wireless has launched an unlimited calling plan promotion. For $99.99 a month, in areas where the company has put in next-generation infrastructure, a GSM/GPRS network, consumers can make all the domestic calls they desire, with no additional charges for long distance or roaming. According to AT&T Wireless, GSM/GPRS is available in about 80 percent of its markets. (Source: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Reuters)

Wireless Use in U.S. to Nearly Double by 2006, Yankee Group Estimates
U.S. consumers are making more of their calls on wireless phones. Wireless subscribers tallied 356 monthly minutes of use in 2001, and are expected to reach 641 monthly minutes of use by 2006, a Yankee Group study said. Almost 30 percent of non-business calling minutes were spent on wireless phones as of the third quarter. That percentage is expected to increase to more than 50 percent by 2006. Also, 70 percent of Americans will own cell phones by 2006, up from nearly 50 percent, the Yankee Group projects. (Source: Reuters, Wireless NewsFactor)

Microsoft Announces New .Net Tools
Microsoft announced new tools that are designed to make it easier for developers to create applications for mobile devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants. The company introduced a second test version of its .Net Compact Framework tool for writing Internet services software for mobile devices. The software will be incorporated into an upcoming version of Microsoft's Visual Studio.Net that will allow programmers to use the same tools to design software for personal computers, servers and mobile devices. Microsoft also introduced its new SQL Server CE 2.0 software that enables employees to download data from their companies' networks to their hand-held computers, work offline, and then connect to the network again to synchronize their work. SQL Server CE 2.0 is downloadable free from Microsoft's Web site. (Source: ZDNet News, IDG News Service

U.S. Congress Unlikely to Pass Privacy Bill This Year
With only six weeks until congressional elections, lawmakers are unlikely to vote House or Senate versions of privacy legislation into law. House lawmakers said they would continue to refine their bill in an effort to gain more support for it in next year's session. Considerations include scaling back liability protections for businesses. Businesses voiced strong opposition to provisions in the Senate version of privacy legislation saying that implementing it would hurt their bottom lines and add to the costs of their products. (Source: Reuters)

Wireless Technologies to Change How Wars Are Fought and Won
If the U.S. goes to war against Iraq, American soldiers will be equipped with communications technologies that weren't available even to troops who fought in Afghanistan. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), defense contractors and others in private industry have been working furiously to develop, evaluate and have ready communications, logistics and weapons systems that enhance military capabilities. One new tool is the C4ISR Node that enables branches of the military with incompatible radio systems to communicate with each other. Later, the nodes could be used to create temporary broadband networks that transmit data and gather information. The C4ISR is an initial step toward creating a broadband communications grid that is secure, and that moves as battlefield situations change. Troops would have instant access to information such as localized weather conditions, enemy positions, target characteristics , terrain, map data to street level in urban conflicts, and the ability to form and re-form peer-to-peer networks. (Source: BusinessWeek)

New Air2Web Products Allow Blended On- and Offline Work
Version 5 of Air2Web's Mobile Internet Platform (MIP) allows mobile workers to get data wirelessly, work offline and then synchronize with the network when online. MIP supports Java, x-HTML and Air2Web's A2WML. Air2Web also introduced version 2.0 of 2Mail, and a new product 2Notify. With 2Mail, users are now able to read and reply to e-mails in and out of coverage using devices from Research In Motion (RIM). The features will be available for Palm and J2ME devices by the end of 2002. The new 2Mail adds content encryption, sender identity, validation, and signature capability to the e-mail environment. Users can also receive e-mail alerts containing the first 90 to 160 characters of the message, calendar updates and meeting reminders on short message service (SMS) devices, as well as WAP phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and RIM devices. 2Notify enables businesses to alert customers and employees of relevant new s and information on all digital device classes, including SMS, WAP and landline phones, desktop e-mail systems, PDAs, smart phones and interactive pagers. 2Notify provides receipt confirmation and action prompts. (Source: InfoWorld)

FCC to Stop Requiring Cellular Coverage Area Maps
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to end the requirement that cellular companies provide maps of their coverage areas. The 20-year-old rule applied to companies using cellular technology, but not to companies using newer personal communications service technology. The FCC took the position that competitive pressure and customer demand would motivate the companies to continue to provide the maps, therefore the rule was unnecessary. Consumer advocates disagreed saying wireless companies should be required to provide more, not less, information about their service. Many of the companies have already said that they will continue to publish the maps. "Coverage is totally the No. 1 concern of customers," said Jeffrey Nelson, spokesman for Verizon Wireless. "If your call doesn't go through, you are going to be unhappy." The rule change becomes effective at the end of November. (Source: Los Angeles Times, Washington Post)

Number of U.S. Households with Cell Phones Up 7.6 Percent
According to a study from J.D. Power and Associates, the number of U.S. households with wireless phones grew 7.6 percent between 2001 and 2002. The U.S. Wireless Industry Services Study(SM) released Wednesday said that 56 percent of households in the 27 largest U.S. markets surveyed use wireless phone service, representing a 107 percent increase over 1995 - an average increase of 11 percent per year. However the growth rate is slowing. Despite the fact that the average price of a wireless phone call continues to drop, only 5.8 percent of non-wireless phone users indicate that they intend to subscribe within the next year. The study indicates that providing superior customer satisfaction has become critical in the wireless industry to bolster customer retention and increase revenue potential. Top-ranking providers with higher overall satisfaction scores not only retain customers an average of two months longer, they also ge nerate approximately $4 more in monthly revenue per customer. Satisfied customers are 56 percent more likely to choose their current carrier again than are customers of providers with below-average satisfaction scores. AT&T Wireless once again performs particularly well in meeting customer expectations in 2002, the study found. The company ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction in 15 markets, largely by demonstrating a competitive advantage in customer service and brand image. AT&T is in 24 of the 27 markets included in the study. Other providers that perform well include Verizon Wireless, ranking highest in nine markets; Cingular Wireless, ranking highest among three markets; and T-Mobile, ranking highest in two markets. Cincinnati Bell, which is included in the study for the first time, garners the highest ranking in the Cincinnati market. There are ties in the highest-ranking companies in two markets: AT&T and Verizon in Pittsburgh and Washington D.C./Baltimo! re, and between Cingular and Verizon in Houston. The 2002 U.S. Wireless Industry Services Study is based on responses from 17,659 households in 27 of the largest U.S. markets. (Source: Reuters, CBS MarketWatch)

Verizon Wireless Introduces AOL Instant Messenger Service
Verizon Wireless Wednesday began offering America Online's popular AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service. The service allows users to exchange instant messages using a cell phone or other wireless device, as well as a personal computer. Verizon Wireless customers can use the same AOL or AIM screen name and password as they do on their computers. Verizon Wireless customers using the AIM service will only be charged for the messages sent and received according to their Verizon Wireless price plan. They can pay as they go for $0.02 per message received and $0.10 per message sent or select from three bundled plans: 100 sent or received messages for $2.99 per month; 200 sent or received messages for $3.99 per month; and 600 sent or received messages for just $7.99 per month. Extra sent messages are $0.10 each and received messages are $0.02 each. Customers need a two-way text-enabled wireless phone and Verizon Wireless digital s ervice. The AIM service does not use airtime minutes and is available in all Verizon Wireless coverage areas. (Source: Dow Jones Newswires, CNET News.com, allNetDevices)

Rate plan Review
 

This month we will review Pre-Paid, no contract plans.

Verizon Wireless

	"Free Up" Pre Paid National Cellular Price: $99.99 Quantity in Basket: none
Verizon National Pre Paid NOW referred to as "FREE UP" is an excellent way to have NATIONAL PRE PAID service at a nominal charge. NO CONTRACT ! NO CREDIT CHECK! You Pay $99 You Get: The Phone: A Digital Tri-Mode Kyocera 2135 The Airtime: $15 of Airtime THE CASH : a $30 mail in rebate making your net cost $69.99 The Coverage: National!! Weekend & Evening: All Weekend and Evening Minutes are billed at 10 cents per minute. Phones are text message capable. ALL FOR ONLY $69.99 When you want more airtime just choose which demonination of card you would like to re-up with. Your can "RE-UP at locations throughout the US or you can do it with us over the internet. See Re-up Rates Below $30 CARD 30 CENTS MIN $50 CARD 30 CENTS MIN $75 CARD 30 CENTS MIN $100 CARD 30 CENTS MIN ALL NIGHT AND WEEKEND MINS ARE AT 15 CENTS PER MINUTE. All Mobile to Mobile minutes are at 15 Cents per minute.

To ORDER Click Here!

Sprint PCS

Sprint does NOT offer a pre-paid plan at this time.

AT & T

Free yourself from annual contracts, credit checks, and monthly bills with AT&T Free2Go WirelessSM! Choose the amount of wireless minutes you need and purchase more when you need them. It's the perfect solution that gives you the freedom of wireless service and the flexibility of managing your wireless budget. Everything you need is in the box The AT&T Free2Go Wireless box includes: A Nokia 5165 Digital multi-network phone $25 Refill Card to get you started. Standard battery, charger, headset A mail-in offer for an additional $25 Refill Card Plus lots of included features like AT&T VoiceMail and AT&T Wireless Text Messaging   Nokia 5165 - Phone Details Buy Now Shipping available to billing address only.   Calling Plans We've got great low rates that include domestic long distance calls! Just decide where you'll be using your wireless phone. Local calling plan Great rates for calls placed within your Home Calling Area*. You'll have a different rate for domestic roaming when you make calls outside your Home Calling Area. National Calling Plan Frees you from domestic long distance and roaming charges across the country. You get great rates for all your calls placed within the United States*. *Additional charges will apply for international and directory assistance calls. Credit card calls excluded. Included AT&T Wireless Features With AT&T Free2Go Wireless, you receive the following features at no additional monthly charge to keep you in touch while on the go. Service includes:* AT&T Wireless Text Messaging** AT&T VoiceMail with Message Waiting Indicator AT&T Caller ID Three-Way Calling *NEW* AT&T Wireless #121 service for voice-accessed information Line Blocking Call Waiting Call Forwarding Per-Call Blocking Plus, now you can also get *NEW* AT&T Wireless Ring Tones**   You'll have your own personal 10 digit wireless phone number and direct dialing as well as the ability to call to over 220 international countries.*** * Use of some features will incur airtime or roaming charges. ** Feature requires compatible phone. *** International long distance rates vary depending on destination. Adding More Airtime. Get Lower Rates, Extra Minutes and More Refill Options!   Now, get the option to purchase $10 Refill Cards. Also, get rates as low as $0.12 per minute with the $100 card on the local plan when all minutes are used before the expiration date Refill Cards are available in $10, $25, $50, $75 or $100 denominations Buy eMinutes online Call toll-free 1 800 888-7600, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Visit an AT&T Wireless Store, or Authorized Dealer, including participating Western Union locations across the United States. Already Have a Phone? If you have a Digital multi-network phone* that is compatible with the AT&T Wireless network, simply pick up a Starter Kit to sign up for service. Starter Kits are available in authorized dealers locations. It includes a comprehensive user guide and quick tips to get you started. *Does not include the Ericsson R280LX, R289LX or Mitsubishi T250 Internet Ready Phones.

Benefits Easy-to-learn, one-button navigation for all of the phone's features. It's a very simple and intuitive way to realize the benefits of a digital phone. Nokia $50 Mail-In Rebate: Phone and service must be active for 30 days and when rebate is processed. Sales tax applies to original purchase price. Allow approximately 10 weeks for rebate check. See rebate form for full details.    Specifications Weight: Less than 6 ounces (w/standard battery) Battery Life: Up to 3 hours 15 minutes talk time and 8 days standby (w/standard battery) Height: 5.2 inches tall    Features 5 line LCD display makes for an easy read, day or night. View text, numbers or graphics on the oversized display. Includes permanent signal and battery strength indicators. Select from any of the 30 ring tones or play one of the 3 games. Receive short text messages directly on your phone. Clear display text View the last 10 calls missed, the last 10 numbers dialed and the last 10 calls received. Phone book: Up to 100 Locations. Other great features: Alarm Clock, Automatic Redial, Call Forwarding, Call Hold, Call Timers, Clock, One-Touch Dialing    Included Accessories Extended NiMH Battery Overnight Charger Headset/Earbud Nokia $50.00 mail in rebate

Cingular

Prepaid Phone in a Box - Columbus, OH Includes phone and prepaid card. Now available for online purchase.

Nokia 5165 Online Price: $129.99 Included: $30 airtime credit SPECIAL OFFER:$50 REBATE Nokia 3360 Online Price: $189.99 Included: $30 airtime credit SPECIAL OFFER:$50 REBATE The mail-in rebate is valid only between August 1, 2002 and September 30, 2002. Nationwide Long Distance is included. An activation fee of $25 may apply. The airtime credit is applied to your account after activation. This airtime credit is for new activations only. The airtime credit includes a 90-day service period. Service period begins on date of activation. The mail-in rebate is valid only between August 1, 2002 and September 30, 2002. Nationwide Long Distance is included. An activation fee of $25 may apply. The airtime credit is applied to your account after activation. This airtime credit is for new activations only. The airtime credit includes a 90-day service period. Service period begins on date of activation.  Prepaid Cards - Prepaid cards are available in several values and packaged minutes. Prepaid wireless gives you all the things you want from wireless service – without the things you don’t want:   No long term contract No monthly bills No deposit No credit checks No surprises Rates as low as 10¢ a minute on nights and weekends           Get your phone, pick your plan...   Nights & Weekends Plan Local Calls All card denominations Peak Rate: 35¢ a minute Off Peak Rate: 10¢ a minute Long Distance Calls U.S.: No additional charge Canada and Mexico: Additional 15¢ a minute *Off peak rates are effective from 9 pm to 7 am weeknights and all day Saturday and Sunday. ... and never pay a bill Plan includes: Nationwide Long Distance   Call Waiting Three Way Calling   Details:   Terms and Conditions   Above described local rates apply on calls originating and terminating within your designated local coverage area. Free calls: *729 automated customer service, 611 customer service, and 911 emergency. 900 numbers are not available. Digital features may not be available in all Cingular Wireless Prepaid Service coverage areas. Credit card calling is required for calls placed while roaming outside the local coverage area. Cingular Wireless prepaid cards are nontransferable and non-refundable and may only be used with Cingular Wireless Prepaid Service plans. All prepaid cards are subject to an expiration period ($10 card-30 days, $20 and higher cards-90 days). Unused account balance is forfeited at expiration date. Prepaid accounts with a $0 for 14 days will be canceled. A service activation fee and new mobile phone number will be required to reactivate service. Directory assistance is $1.29 plus airtime. International calls are $2/minute (except Canada and Mexico). Service may not support calls to certain international destinations. Airtime and other measured usage are rounded up to the next full minute at the end of each call for billing purposes. Certain advanced digital features are not available. Airtime charges apply on Call Waiting and Three Way Calling. All service is subject to the Cingular Wireless Prepaid Service Terms and Conditions. Cingular Wireless and the graphic icon are service marks of Cingular Wireless, LLC. @2002, Cingular Wireless, LLC. All rights reserved. Questions? Call 1-888-843-0859.

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