G.I., call home

Posted: 05/28/10 by Mobile Future Team

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge on a new mobile phone this weekend, you can probably get a pretty good deal. According to a recent survey, the benefits that mobile users enjoy when trading in for a new phone have never been higher. A May 20th Goldman Sachs report estimated that the average handset subsidy has risen to $128, a 16 percent increase during the past year.

But what about your old handset? Given that this is Memorial Day, here’s a suggestion: Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS).

Teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass. founded Cell Phones for Soldiers in 2004 with $21 of their own money. Since then, the 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. That works out to more than 60,000,000 minutes of free calling cards.

The concept is pretty simple. Just drop your old phone off at one of more than 2,000 drop-off locations around the nation and it will be sold to a reseller. The money goes to purchase phone calling cards for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, donating your mobile phone also makes good environmental sense.

Earlier this year, Liberty Tax franchises collected more than 10,000 mobile phones at their nationwide locations. Little Caesars pizza restaurants offer free postage-paid labels so you can mail in your phone. AT&T, a Mobile Future member, offers drop-off boxes at all its U.S. wireless stores.

But probably the best reason to donate your old mobile phone is when you hear stories like this:

“My name is Isaac, I am a 16 year veteran of the US Air Force. I am currently deployed to the middle east on a 6 month tour of duty and my family is back in the states. Last week I received a knock on my door late at night and outside stood my Superintendant, my first Sergeant, and a chaplain. I got the news that a cousin of mine, who is more like a brother to me, had died suddenly of a brain anuerysm. I had used up my phone cards and had no way to call his parents and tell them how sorry I was to hear the news. They are not close to a military base where I could patch a call through to them.

“Just today I got a phone card from you guys…. I will now be able to call and tell them how sorry I am that I cannot be there in person to lay such a great man to rest. I cannot thank you enough for your giving hearts!

Best regards,

TSgt Isaac Gustafson, USAF Deployed

One more thing: If you’re walking through an airport or down a boardwalk this weekend and see a serviceman or –woman, go up and say thanks. This is one time when saying it in person really is better than doing it over the phone.

Competition in the wireless industry? We think so

Posted: 05/20/10 by Molly Kocour

Today, during its monthly meeting, the Federal Communications Commission released its annual Mobile Wireless Competition Report, which analyzes the state of competition in the mobile industry and, for the first time, also includes information about the broader mobile ecosystem. In contrast to previous versions of the study, the FCC officials who prepare the Mobile Wireless Competition Report did not issue a judgment on the wireless industry’s effective competitiveness, but instead left it open for the Commissioners’ interpretation.

While the Commissioners’ opinion varied, Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter issued the following statement in response to the assessment of competition in the wireless marketplace.

“The innovation that defines today’s wireless sector is unprecedented. The bipartisan, light-touch regulatory approach of the past two decades has fostered competition that has resulted in the world’s lowest per-minute voice wireless prices, largest 3G customer base and most varied and innovative applications and device markets.

“We applaud the Commission for taking a broader look at the wireless sector but it’s hard to understand given all the facts and data in the record why it chose not to conclude that wireless is competitive. American wireless is an extremely vibrant sector that is helping to drive economic recovery, job growth and investment. Going forward, we urge the FCC to recognize this thriving sector while maintaining a policy climate that continues to encourage competition driven above all by consumer demand and the vision of innovators.”

You can read more about competition in the wireless marketplace here.

Mobile Ability - using wireless to connect people with disabilities

Posted: 05/18/10 by Jonathan Spalter

"High speed Internet empowers people with disabilities to become more independent. [It] can remove barriers that keep people with disabilities from participating in everyday activities such as employment, education, civic responsibilities and social connection."

From a joint statement by: The American Association of People with Disabilities and The Communications Workers of America

For America's 54 million people with disabilities, two important events happen this summer. First, there's Memorial Day, when disabled veterans will proudly lead ceremonies and officials will emphasize the need to help those injured in conflict.

Second, July 26th is the 20th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA was a long time in coming and is probably the single most empowering law during the past generation.  But while the ADA has been instrumental in providing legal help for Americans with disabilities, something else is doing an important job in improving basic living standards.

It's your mobile phone.

That's the conclusion of a new research paper that Mobile Future issued today. For all the talk about texting, streaming video, gaming and other apps, one of the most heartening mobile developments involve affordable, life-changing improvements for those with disabilities. The FCC also recognizes this development and hosted a workshop  to explore ways in which new technologies can offer opportunities to meet the communications access needs of people with disabilities.

Take the hearing impaired. In 2006, according to the CDC, 37 million adults in the United States had trouble hearing (ranging from a little trouble to being deaf). That's an increase of more than five million since 2000.

As described in Mobile Future's paper, a new wireless system developed at the Georgia Tech Research Institute offers those with hearing difficulties the ability to caption events in real-time. The device translates spoken words into text and displays it on a screen.

Meanwhile, according to Scientific American, researchers at the University of Washington (Seattle) are developing software that lets mobile phone users communicate through sign language and real-time video instead of being limited to text messaging.

But what about those who can't see? Some of the same technology that lets you save money while shopping is also turning the phone into an electronic seeing-eye companion.

As we discovered, mobile apps can use smartphone cameras to scan labels and announce the contents of grocery items, their nutrition labels, and even pill bottles. When merged with GPS technology, these apps can assist the visually impaired by giving them step-by-step directions through their smartphone.

Know someone with a speaking disability? An estimated 6 to 8 million Americans have this challenge. Many, if not most, can now take advantage of low- or no-cost communications apps on their cell phone. There's voice output software that conveys typed messages; downloadable text-to-speech software can be an effective, less-costly alternative to speech devices covered by private insurance and Medicare.

Also, some experts say that children with speech impairments often prefer using "mainstream" technology which is less stigmatizing.

Mobile Future's research paper is meant to be both an assessment and a celebration of the key innovations that are helping those with disabilities. It is also a "look-ahead" at the next phase wireless technologies in the pipeline which promise even more transformational impacts for the one in five Americans who live with disabilities.

This column was originally posted on Huffington Post on May 13, 2010.

Police ask teens to join crime fight

Posted: 04/27/10 by Hiram 'Art' Contreras

Pew released a new study looking at how teens use cell phones. While much of the findings are somewhat obvious, what is interesting is how different groups and constituencies can apply the technology to communicate and connect with teens about various issues, including public safety and crime prevention.

“Fully 72% of all teens — or 88% of teen cell phone users — send text messages, up from 51% in 2006. Among all teens, text messaging has now overtaken every other common form of interaction with their friends.”

The recent Pew study clearly shows why law enforcement should pursue a strategy that encourages teens to use their cell phones to report crime. Since their social activities move them into various venues, more often than not, these young adults are very aware of crime incidents. The fact that teens are comfortable in using their cell phones and  there is an assurance that their identity will be kept confidential can help law enforcement and the general public realize a great benefit. After all, it is only through an involved citizenry that government can assure a safe environment for its citizens.

You can read more of the report’s findings here.

Earth Day 2010: Unwired and proud

Posted: 04/22/10 by Jonathan Spalter

Cross-posted from Huffington Post

Earth Day is this week so what better time to take stock of the ways that mobile products can help make a greener planet.

A 2009 national traffic survey concluded that Americans wasted 4.2 billion hours and 2.8 billion gallons of gas stuck in traffic jams. But some areas are starting to get a more efficient handle on traffic thanks to wireless. Take Los Angeles County, which has recently deployed a wireless monitoring system across more than 1,000 intersections.

The wireless system allows traffic managers to change traffic light timing instantly to reflect changing traffic conditions, including rush hour patterns and accidents. The result has been a reduction in commuting times by as much as 20 percent.

Speaking of saving gas, look at the environmental impact from the decision by Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona's largest electric utility, to install wireless utility transmitters on homes and offices. With more than 160,000 wireless smart meters already installed, APS has estimated that its savings include 150,000 fewer field visits. The utility has committed to deploying about 1 million wireless meters by the end of 2012.

Even beyond green benefits of fewer trucks on the road, the integration of wireless monitoring systems into a home or building electrical system pays almost immediate dividends. Let's say you left on a week's vacation and forgot to turn off the AC or water heater. No problem: There are smartphone apps for different mobile operating systems that let you turn off (or on) the heating, AC, water heater, or security cameras. For a few options, click here.)

Closer to home, wireless technologies are increasingly saving patients from having to drive to a doctor's office, not to mention providing better care. For the elderly and the infirm especially, these can be major benefits.

Also encouraging, wireless users are also seeing more evidence of the convergence of mobile phone chargers, so that you won't need to throw out a charger when you switch phones. All the major phone manufacturers have committed to this by 2012 and it looks like consumers may not even have to wait that long.

But for all the benefits of recycling, the best way to help the environment is by giving your old phone to someone who needs it. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a great organization that will take your old phone, wipe off any data and uses the sale proceeds to purchase at least an hour of calling time for soldiers abroad.

Finally, are you the type who leaves your phone charging all night and then leaves the charger plugged in even after removing the phone? Based on research into "standby" electricity consumption by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, if there are 50 million phone adapters in the U.S. left plugged in all year, that uses more than 100 million kilowatts of electricity - or enough for the average yearly electrical needs of 25,000 Americans.

Take an Earth Day resolution right now: Unplug your chargers!

House to Vote on Spectrum Inventory Act

Posted: 04/15/10 by Molly Kocour

Congress is making progress on important legislation that is near and dear to Mobile Future's heart - the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act.  This week, the House passed the bill, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), and charges the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications & Information Administration to account how and where private stakeholders are using spectrum. It is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law soon.  Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter issued the following statement in response to the bill's passage:

“We applaud the passage of the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act in the House. With wireless Internet usage projected to grow at 100 times the rate of wireless voice traffic over the next 10 years, spectrum is a precious resource. The passage of this bill helps pave the way to make more spectrum available quickly and responsibly to keep pace with consumer demand and enable the next wave of mobile innovation and economic opportunities.”

You can read more about spectrum here.

NBP: Full Steam Ahead

Posted: 04/15/10 by Mobile Future Team

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski issued a statement last Thursday outlining the Commission’s ongoing efforts to achieve the much-applauded National Broadband Plan (NBP).

"We are putting the National Broadband Plan into action," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "The Commission's Bureaus and Offices have already begun executing on the strategy the National Broadband Plan lays out to connect all Americans to broadband, unleash innovation and investment, enable job creation, and ensure a bright future of economic opportunity and prosperity."

And to ensure these goals — employment, continued innovation and investment, the FCC must tread carefully among potential regulation landmines. We want to nurture the broadband sector, which has been a tremendous boon to our country and economy — not stifle it with unnecessary roadblocks.

The White House goes mobile

Posted: 04/06/10 by Mobile Future Team

Put a new bookmark on your PDA: Mobile.WhiteHouse.gov.

Over the weekend, the White House launched a version of its website that's optimized for mobile users. It doesn't have the smooth graphics interface of the usual WhiteHouse.gov but the content is just as easily accessed, including the blog, announcements and photos.

During the campaign, President Obama understood better than any candidate the value of mobile technology in reaching and motivating voters. His mobile outreach set a remarkable standard for cost-effective outreach. Judging by this new website, it looks like he and his staff are keeping that lesson close to heart.

FCC Chairman Genachowski to be Next Youtube Star

Posted: 03/12/10 by Mobile Future Team

While Savannah, New York City, and Seattle gear up for St. Patrick’s Day this Wednesday, March 17, telecom enthusiasts nationwide will have their eyes turned to the nation’s capital, as the FCC presents its long-awaited National Broadband Plan to Congress. The day before it hits the Hill, the FCC will unveil the plan at an Open Commission Meeting, finally disclosing its contents after a 13-month-long process involving online workshops, town halls, and hearings across the country.

Keeping pace with the transparency surrounding the National Broadband Plan’s creation, Youtube’s Steve Grove will interview FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski immediately following the public meeting. In this session, Mr. Grove, head of news and politics at Youtube, will ask the Chairman questions submitted by the public spanning across a range of topics, including broadband’s potential impact on health care, education, and job creation. Announcing the interview, the FCC stated, “No topic is off-limits… we want to know what Americans have in mind for Internet innovation in the 21st century.”

The blog at broadband.gov encourages the public to join in the discussion using Citizen Tube and submit individual questions for Chairman Genachowski via Google Moderator. The deadline for questions is Sunday evening at midnight on the west coast.

The Chairman’s Mark

Posted: 02/19/10 by Jonathan Spalter

100 megabit per second connections to 100 million homes.

No question that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski laid out an ambitious goal this week for nationwide, affordable broadband. Leaving the details aside for the moment, the underlying concept is important: As Mobile Future consistently has repeated in this blog, all who care about mobility in the US should agree with Chairman Genachowski, about the urgent need to expand wireless capacity so that mobile users continue to have a good quality of service.

As he said only two months ago:

“There may be no greater spur to America's global competitiveness than getting this right. The record contains powerful evidence that the demand on our commercial mobile spectrum is on a course to outstrip the supply.”

Julius’ pledge, though ambitious, is vitally important. But its implementation also will be very expensive.

To effectively walk his talk, the National Broadband Plan he will be submitting shortly to Congress will need to include coherent and practical policies that actually encourage America’s wireless build-out, and enable the considerable private sector investment needed to support it.

The numbers speak for themselves: More than $300 billion invested in wireless during the past 25 years. And according to NY Times tech columnist Randall Stross, even in an urban setting, a typical wi-fi deployment cost in an urban area runs $75,000 to $125,000 per square mile just to install the equipment. The FCC itself as estimated that some $350 billion in new investment will be required to achieve our nation’s broadband goals.

The Chairman has identified a crucial need, and has offered a bold vision for meeting it. Now the pressure’s on for the FCC – and all of us who care about our mobile future -- to work together in creating innovative policies that will help solve that problem rather than exacerbate it.