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Check out video from MCA's Oklahoma Wireless Event
Click here to watch the FOX 25 video on the InTouch application that is referenced in the video.
Experts Applaud Oklahoma’s Wireless Growth
Check out Tuesday’s Edmond Sun which had a front page article highlighting MCA’s recent wireless event at Oklahoma Christian University.
Wireless Growth Impressive - Oklahoma City Oklahoman Op-Ed
The Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City ran an opinion piece by Jonathan Spalter in today’s paper about wireless technology in Oklahoma. Jonathan, Chairman of Mobile Future, will be a featured speaker at the “Better Life With Wireless” forum this Friday at Oklahoma Christian University. The forum is sponsored by MCA, the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, and Oklahoma Christian.
Click the link above to read what Jonathan had to say.
Battle Brewing Between Charter and DirecTV
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran an interesting article yesterday about cable provider Charter Communications suing DirecTV over a recent advertising campaign that highlights Charter’s recent bankruptcy and apparently poses questions about Charter’s ability to adequately service their customers.
More amusing than the actual story are the reader comments. Seems there are plenty of St. Louisans that have strong feelings about the locally-based cable company.
The best thing about stories like this are they really highlight the reasons that MCA supported the video competition legislation in Missouri in 2007. While some readers commented that they thought Charter was a monopolist in St. Louis, many others point out that they dropped Charter service and have switched to other cable providers, satellite providers, or the new U-verse service being offered by AT&T.
That’s the beauty of a free-market system where competition really exists. If you are not being serviced to your satisfaction, you are free to find a new provider. You have choices.
Wi-Fi Takes to the Air... Literally
Wireless internet access has become nearly ubiquitous over the past several years. Wi-Fi hotspots can be found just about everywhere these days — in most major bookstores, coffeeshops, and in thousands of fast food restaurant across the country.
However, for most commercial air travelers who wanted to stay connected, Wi-Fi has eluded them… until now.
USA Today reports today that this summer AirTran Airlines will be the first major Airline to offer Wi-Fi access on every flight nationwide. And while AirTran may be the first major airline to bring a wireless Internet option to all of its customers, they certainly will not be the last.
A Better Life with Wireless The Future is Today
Join us for a free seminar exploring the rapid growth of wireless technology, and how it will affect you in the future.
MODERATOR
State Representative Mike Thompson, Energy and Utility Regulation Committee Chair
PANELISTS
Jonathan Spalter, Mobile Future Chairman
James Brehm, Frost & Sullivan Wireless Analyst
Luke Hartman, iTunes Application Developer
DATE
Friday, May 29
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Registration at 11:00 AM)
LOCATION
Banquet Hall of the Gaylord University Center, Oklahoma Christian University
2501 E Memorial Road, Edmond
SPONSORS
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce
Oklahoma Christian University
Lunch Will Be Provided
RSVP
http://action.mocomm.org/rsvp
National Broadband Strategy Takes Center Stage at FCC
The Federal Communications Commission laid out their plan to develop a national broadband strategy yesterday, releasing a Notice of Inquiry which “seeks comment to inform the development of a national broadband plan for our country. Its focus is to enable the build-out and utilization of high-speed broadband infrastructure.”
The Commission went on to say, “But ‘infrastructure’ barely hints at the importance of what we are undertaking. Highspeed ubiquitous broadband can help to restore America’s economic well-being and open the doors of opportunity for more Americans, no matter who they are, where they live, or the particular circumstances of their lives. It is technology that intersects with just about every great challenge facing our nation.”
Read the FCC’s official announcement here (PDF file)
The Commission is currently seeking public input which it will consider before submitting a congressionally mandated plan by February 17, 2010.
Among the statutory requirements of the FCC’s plan:
“ The Recovery Act specifies that the Commission’s plan must include an analysis of several specific elements of broadband deployment. First, the Commission must analyze the most effective and efficient mechanisms for ensuring broadband access by all people of the United States. Second, the Commission must include a detailed strategy for achieving affordability of such
service and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and service by the public. Third, the Commission must include an evaluation of the status of deployment of broadband service, including progress of projects supported by the grants made pursuant to this section. Finally, the Commission must include a plan for use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing a broad array of public interest goals, including consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic growth, and other national purposes.”
What should the FCC’s plan include? Comment below.
CEOs See Wireless as Answer to Economic Crisis
A couple of weeks ago, we asked: Is personal communications technology was recession-proof?
Yesterday, the CEOs of Verizon and T-Mobile took the recession topic to a completely different level. Speaking at the opening day of the CTIA Wireless 2009 conference, the chief executives argued that the wireless industry may not only be recession-proof, but that the wireless industry may also lead the charge for America’s economic recovery.
Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg:
“I do not mean to minimize the challenges we face—as an industry or a country—as we try to get our economy going again,” Seidenberg said during his speech. “But wireless innovation has been a foundation of our country’s prosperity for the last 25 years, and I’m confident that this great and vibrant industry will continue to be a leader as we put our economy back on the path to growth.”
While the comments from both CEOs are obviously self-serving for the industry, we think they have merit. What do you think? Comment below.
Click here for further reporting on this story from CNET News.
What's New for Mobile in 2009?
CTIA Wireless 2009 will be held April 1-3 this year in Las Vegas. Following the previous link will get you up-to-the-minute information of all the moblile tech wonders being announced at the convention this year.
For an in-depth review of what this year’s event has to offer, head on over to CNET’s review of the show.
Is Personal Communications Technology Recession-Proof?
BusinessWeek reports on a recently released study by GfK Roper Consulting regarding which forms of communications technology are still considered must-haves, even in tough economic times.
It seems that cell phones (and more specifically, smartphones) are the closest to being recession-proof, especially among younger users. On the other end of the communications tech spectrum, consumers are more likely to get rid of cable and satellite television service.
The big question: Why do cell phones hold up so well? Without a doubt, the answer is complex. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that cell phones are quickly becoming our go-to information devices.
Another cause might be that many people have ditched their landline phones for a cell phone-only lifestyle.
Seems consumers believe that the future lies in wireless technology.
