Category: Wireless Carriers

Verizon Changes Position: Please Hold the Wheel When Driving

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

Shortly after we contacted Verizon’s PR guy, Jeffrey Nelson and told him about Verizon’s shocking policy of advocating handsfree driving,  the press release was, ah, amended in part.

While Verizon changed the body of its press release to make it clear that they don’t support handsfree driving, they still the same (and now contradictory) headline: “Verizon Wireless Reaffirms Support For Hands-Free Driving And Bans On Texting And E-Mailing While Driving.”

Here is the revised press release, with the additions highlighted in red.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Today, Verizon Wireless reiterated its support for handsfree use of wireless phones while driving and bans on texting and e-mailing while driving following the DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight state laws aimed at prohibiting motorists from talking and sending text messages while driving.

Verizon Wireless Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein made the following statement: “When it comes to using mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle, Verizon Wireless
has a long and proud record of leading the way toward common-sense public policies.

Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free use of wireless phones while driving laws. We support bans on texting and e-mailing while driving. And we have run an ad campaign urging people not to text while driving. “Therefore, we strongly oppose the efforts of the proposed DRIVE Coalition to confuse the issues and hinder the adoption of laws to protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians.”

Verizon Wireless broke from the rest of its competitors in the U.S. wireless industry by supporting state-wide hands-free use of wireless phones while driving laws as early as 2000. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

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Verizon Urges You to Take Your Hands off the Wheel While Driving?!

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

In a shocking turn of events, Verizon Wireless is now advocating “hand-free driving.”  In fact, according to Verizon Wireless’s Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein, “Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free driving laws.”

Now, I don’t believe that hand-free driving is a very good idea, and I suspect that most people don’t either, but when one of the largest international wireless and telecom firms makes a resounding statement of support like Verizon has, I guess you have to sit down and take a closer look at the core values you believe in.

Okay, I just did, and one of my core values is to hold on to the wheel while driving.

I urge you: Please, keep your hands on the wheel while you drive!

Here’s the exact text of Verizon’s press release, issued this very day. . .

Verizon Wireless Reaffirms Support For Hands-Free Driving And Bans On Texting And E-Mailing While Driving

07/08/2010

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Today, Verizon Wireless reiterated its support for hands-free driving and bans on texting and e-mailing while driving following the DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight state laws aimed at prohibiting motorists from talking and sending text messages while driving.

Verizon Wireless Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein made the following statement:

“When it comes to using mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle, Verizon Wireless has a long and proud record of leading the way toward common-sense public policies. Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free driving laws. We support bans on texting and e-mailing while driving. And we have run an ad campaign urging people not to text while driving.

“Therefore, we strongly oppose the efforts of the proposed DRIVE Coalition to confuse the issues and hinder the adoption of laws to protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians.”

Verizon Wireless broke from the rest of its competitors in the U.S. wireless industry by supporting state-wide hands-free driving laws as early as 2000. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

Perhaps Verizon’s PR department needs a new proof-reader. The one who reviewed this press release may be in danger of committing ‘hand-free editing.’

-Jonathan

PS: The link below will show you the actual press release.

VerizonWirelessHandsFree.20100708

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Elements of Wireless Design

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

In yet another in my occasional series of “elements of wireless design” I’d like to share with you an outstanding design developed by the City of Piedmont, California and T-Mobile.

Excellent T-Mobile Camo Site in Piedmont, California

The antennas are hidden behind the faux vents in the bell tower.  The equipment is inside the building.  If I had not had this site pointed out to me by the rightfully proud planners in the City of Piedmont, I never would have guessed it to be a PCS wireless site.

Good job, Piedmont!

Good job, T-Mobile!

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Cows in Action!

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

That’s COWs as in Cells on Wheels. I was digging through my collection of cell site photos and ran across a few I hadn’t posted from the October 2007 fires in Orange County. I’ve added a few photos of AT&T’s cow, and Nextel’s 20KW portable generator. The photos are in the celltowersites.com/gallery/ in the COWs section.

Click on the gallery link at the top of the page, or on the large picture above to visit the gallery.

Moo.

Jonathan

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Forrester Research: When all Phones Are Smart…

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

…none are.

Forrester Research has just released the first in a series of reports on “SmartPhones” concluding that so many mid-range phones now have smart features, it’s hard to define what a really smart phone is these days.

“All mobile handsets are becoming smarter and Internet-capable. Yesterday’s smart high-end phone is today’s midrange phone and tomorrow’s entry-level phone. The ‘smartphone’ category is no longer useful as all phones become smart.”

To redefine really smartphones in a smart-saturated handset marketplace, Forrester proposes a new trifecta to define future ‘real smarts’ in a cell phone handset:

1. Openness and extensibility; and

2. Consumption and creation; and

3. Utility and entertainment.

(No, I don’t know what those terms mean, either, but for US $749 you can purchase their report, released on May 15th, and find out.  By the way, at 23 pages, your per-page cost is only $32.57…a bargin if the page count doesn’t include the table of contents; about the author; about Forrester; about etc.)

I propose labeling this blog as being 14G, which gives me a few years before someone proposes 15G, to which I must say, “Gee!”

-Jonathan

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Traffic, Talking, and Early Termination

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

Several recent articles have appeared linking cell phone usage while driving (or merely walking on the streets) to a higher rate of traffic-related deaths.

In an article titled, “Danger of Cell Phone Use: While Walking Or Driving, Cell Phones Increase Traffic, Pedestrian Fatalities” published in Science Daily on March 8, 2009, several new studies about traffic deaths related to cell phone use are reviewed.

The “life-saving effect” occurred as the volume of phones grew into the early 1990s, and increasing numbers of cells were used to call 911 following accidents, leading to a drop in fatalities, explains Loeb. But this life-saving effect was canceled out once the numbers of phones reached a “critical mass” of  about 100 million and the “life-taking effect” – increased accidents and fatalities — outweighed the benefits of quick access to 911 services, according to [Rutgers University, Newark, Economics Professor Peter D. ] Loeb.

Here is a link to the AAA Foundation’s December 2008 report.

Sobering stuff!  It’s the ultimate early termination fee.

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T-Mobile Gunning for MetroPCS and Cricket?

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

t-mobile_logoIn what seems like a frontal assult on MetroPCS and Cricket, T-Mobile has quietly rolled-out a customer loyalty program: If you’ve been with T-Mobile for at least 22 months, you can signup for a $50/month nationwide voice service.

This type of pricing would be an interesting run on MetroPCS and Cricket, which offer all-you-can-eat fixed pricing, but with limited service areas (go outside and you pay hefty roaming fees on those two networks).

No, the T-Mobile program doesn’t offer data (you can get that for another $35/month), but if you’re a traveler and do nt use da ph 4 txting then it’s a good deal.

Jonathan

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And it won’t cause explosions, either!

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

motorola-i365isSprint is featuring this nifty little Motorola handset, the i365IS, which it says “…is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to ignite fuel and cause a fire or explosion. Intrinsically safe devices are safe to use in hazardous areas that may contain flammable gasses, vapors or dust.”

Cool!

The basic specifications for this little gem are:

  • Form factor: Intrinsically safe, Mil-spec certified ruggedness in a monolith form factor
  • Dimensions: 5.3’’ x 2.1’’ x 1.2’’ Weight: 7.05 ounces
  • Network: iDEN® 800/900 MHz for Nextel Direct Connect1, interconnect and data
  • Display: 64K colors; 130 x 130 monolith
  • Battery Specifications: Max Capacity Li-Ion
  • Talk Time: Approximately 300 minutes3

Sprint also describes special safety features of this phone, which should sell like a barn burner! (Sorry, bad puns are de rigeur around here).  They include:

  • Intrinsically Safe2: The i365IS offers a protection technique for safe operation of electronic equipment in explosive atmospheres, when used with IS battery and accessories.
  • Bundled Advanced Features (AFU)
  • Emergency Group Call – Takes priority over all other phone activities and makes a special emergency tone in the phones receiving the call. In an emergency, reach everyone in your group instantly.
  • Multi-Simultaneous Talk-Group – Listen to up to four talk groups at a time. Don’t miss any important details or safety information.
  • Isolated Site Operation – Allows user to continue to make and receive group calls on the hub last used, even if the connection is lost. Ensures that no one is left behind.
  • Status Messages – Send call alerts that include predefined text messages to get right to the point.
  • Ultra-Rugged Design: The i365IS is a rugged and durable monolith handset certified for military specification requirements including humidity, blowing rain, dust, shock and vibration.

No word on pricing, but Sprint sells the Motorola i365 that is NOT intrinsically safe (the IS suffix) for $239.99 minus an instant discount of $150.00 for an end sales price of $89.99.  I expect the -IS model will be a wee-bit more than that.

Jonathan

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Sprint Nextel to release 4Q08 Results on 2/19/09

Posted on by Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer

colorsprintlogo1OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Feb 06, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE:S) will release its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2008 on Thursday, Feb. 19. The results will be posted at www.sprint.com/investors at approximately 7 a.m. EST. Sprint Nextel management will host a conference call at 8 a.m. EST to discuss the results.

Sprint Nextel Conference Call Information
Date:                   Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009
Time:                 8 a.m. EST
Call-in Numbers:  Toll free: 866-763-0020 (US/Canada) –
ID Required: 83732306

International: 706-902-1194 – ID Required: 83732306

Please plan on gaining access 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

A simultaneous webcast will be available at www.sprint.com/investors. Please note that questions may only be submitted through the conference call option. Replays of the conference call will be available shortly afterward by calling 800-642-1687, and entering the code: 83732306.

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