Page 2 of 2 Page 2 of 2 | WEDNESDAY - NOVEMBER 9, 2005 - ISSUE NO. 186 |
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| Wireless Messaging Newsletter | ||
| WIRELESS  MESSAGING | |
| FEATURED ADVERTISERS SUPPORTING THE NEWSLETTER |
| WIRELESS NEWS |
FCC extends emergency alert rules
By Jeffrey Silva
Nov 3, 2005
WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission today extended emergency alert rules to digital media technologies, while soliciting additional comment on how the government can integrate wireless technologies into a next-generation public warning network.
The FCC said it also is examining how a modernized EAS system can better accommodate individuals with hearing and vision disabilities, and is seeking feedback on how the EAS rules should be revised to more effectively reach non-English speaking individuals.
"Hurricane Katrina (and Hurricanes Rita and Wilma) have only served to emphasize the need for a comprehensive and robust alert system that allows officials at the national, state and local levels to reach affected citizens in the most effective and efficient manner possible," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. "This system should have built-in redundancy features. Among other things, it should incorporate the Internet, which was designed by the military to be robust and contains network redundancy functionalities. The system also should take advantage of advances in technology that enable officials to reach large numbers of people simultaneously through a variety of communications media."
The FCC last year launched a proceeding to consider updating a Cold War-era emergency alert system based -at least at state and local levels-on voluntary participation by radio and television licensees and cable TV operators.
"Surely it is also time to explore a more comprehensive EAS system," said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps. "People today use communications devices to receive information in so many ways-wireline, wireless, radio and television broadcasting, satellite, cable, IP technologies, and others. To make our warning systems and information dissemination as effective as possible, we need to figure out how to integrate these diverse technologies."
A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is working on legislation to expand the nation's emergency alert system to take advantage of wireless and other advanced digital technologies. Other countries are headed in the same direction.
On a separate front, the Department of Homeland Security is working with national mobile phone carriers, public TV stations and others to develop a national digital platform for emergency alert transmissions.
Debate continues in the mobile phone industry over which technology would work most effectively for cellular carriers.
Rural wireless provider Airadigm Communications Inc. is moving forward with cell broadcast technology to offer emergency alert service to subscribers in Appleton, Wis.
Source: RCR Wireless News
US telco mergers get FCC rubber stamp
Time to move on
By Tim Richardson
Published Tuesday 1st November 2005 12:08 GMT
Two mega mergers in the US telecoms sector got the green light yesterday after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said it was satisfied the deals offered "significant benefits" to punters.
The approval means that SBC can go ahead with its $18bn merger with AT&T while Verizon can finally swallow MCI as part of an $8.5bn deal.
In its ruling published yesterday the FCC said that customers would "reap the rewards of the public interest benefits that will flow from these mergers" including the "integration of complementary networks" that would "increase efficiency and provide consumers with new services and improved network performance and reliability".
It went on: "The mergers will create stable, reliable US-owned companies that will provide improved service to government customers and benefit national defense and homeland security." As well as being in the national interest, the money saved by the pairings should also see more cash ploughed into R&D.
FCC chairman Kevin Martin acknowledged that concerns had been raised by the mergers of these communications giants including what effect this might have on competition both for rivals and end users.
But he concluded that enough measures were in place to ensure that the mergers would not succeed at the expense of competition. "I know that many have expressed questions about these mergers...[but] I believe that the remedy imposed by the Department of Justice should adequately address any concerns in this regard," he said.
Source: The Register (UK)
| READER'S COMMENTS |
From: wayne@handypage.net
Subject: Tornados in Indiana !!
Date: November 7, 2005 9:57:24 AM CST
To: brad@braddye.com
Need to get more information available out on your House Emergency pager unit !!!!
Some of the residents in the Indiana tornado stated that they never heard the emergency sirens, or that they heard them start and then went off (probably electric or phone outage because of the storm).
Some people were supposed to get the emergency alert by cell phone, but this was at night, and the cell phone was probably off or being charged ???
Now that we are seeing more and more drastic emergency events in this country, it would seem that we need a more reliable way to give alerts and emergency information to the population.
Looking at the technology that is available out there, the pager is the only item that would allow an alert to be sent quickly. The pager unit runs months on a battery, doesn't need to be charged, and is ON all the time. Paging carrier equipment and formats would allow the quick alerting of such units versus other technology. Because Paging has higher power transmitters, if gets more coverage in dense cities, and wider coverage in rural areas. One Paging transmitter covers more area than several Cellular sites. Keeping all those Cellular sites up, running and connected during an emergency is a hard task. Keeping one Paging site up during any emergency is an easier task.
Additional information could be sent to a display screen, or some sort of digital audio could be used for alerting or information. (Whatever happened to that Flex digital audio format ??) This would work for the "blind" or "reading disabled" person (I think I am getting to be one of those).
A blinking strobe could be connected to the unit for "deaf" people.
If the unit was available with a receiver board that had VHF, UHF, or 900 bands on it, and it could be programmed for any paging carrier's system. (why not, a scanner can do that) That would allow coverage over most of the U.S., especially in the rural areas, where the bigger carriers don't have equipment, and the smaller systems do.
The paging carrier would only need a satellite receiver, or something similar to get the alerts, similar to the EBS system for broadcast. I am sure that every paging carrier would be interested in providing this service, and they could sell the unit, install it, if necessary, and provide the service for a small charge per month or year.
Several different type of alerts could be sent, Emergency, Weather, and Amber alerts to think of a few. Each Alert could have it's own programmable type of alert on the unit, with a life threatening alert to override and send off all the bells and whistles.
Now is the time to look at providing this service, as the public is getting more and more interested, and SOMEBODY will eventually respond to providing the service, probably Cellular. Paging is the "BEST" way to provide this service !!
Wayne Markis
Interstate Wireless, Inc.
wayne@handypage.net
480-350-9400
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Sales and Marketing Contacts
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Want to help the newsletter? Become a SPONSOR Promote your company's image with one of the posters or better yet, one of the commercial advertising packages
* cost per week—six-month minimum—or 26 issues For more details, and pricing on the various advertising options please click here |  
Customers in Latin America may contact Brad Dye for price and delivery information. Español esta bien—con toda confianza. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Motorola CreataLink OEM Modules Specifications:
Inputs/Outputs:
General:
Motorola brochure. CreataLink POCSAG 900 Mhz Telemetry Modules These are new closeout surplus and still in original Motorola packaging with very favorable below cost pricing. Several hundred are available. They have RS232 serial outputs in addition to the trigger points and the optional external antenna connectors. Please let me know if there is any interest in this opportunity. Estos son módulos de sobra, nuevos en su embalaje original de Motorola. Los precios son muy favorables, menos del costo original. Hay centenares de ellos disponibles. Incluyen salidas seriales RS232 en adición a los puntos de abre y cierra. También tienen conectores opcionales para antenas externos. Avísame por favor si hay alguna interés en esta oportunidad. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| RAPID DEPLOYMENT EQUIPMENT |
Radio Van/Mobile antenna lab, IH 1974 load star 1600 4x6-304 gasoline engine rebuilt in 2002. Has a 100 foot extendable tower which nests atop vehicle that can be swung back and electrically extended. Has walk in box to set up radio equipment for testing and unit maintains small in unit generator for power. Unit has outriggers to stabilize while in operation. Asking
This truck and generator would make a great additions to any wireless company wanting to increase their emergency backup ability for storms and other catastrophic events. Stan Stann |  |
Kohler-325 KVA/260KW generator-info follows: 1 ea. Kohler Model 250 REOZD, Serial number 0621698, 260KW, 325 KVA at .8 power factor 120/208 VAC-3 phase 60 hertz 1,800 RDM on trailer, 3 axle with 400 gal fuel tank, powered by a John Deere engine, model number 6063TIC35. Note: Generator is new, only has 24 hours use. With generator is new never un-packed 1 ea. 800 AMP automatic transfer switch KCT-AHNA 0800S in one NEMA-3R tap box. Current cost for the above $64,827.18, we are seeking FOB our shop $52,240.00. Also have 8 Glenayre GTL 8500, 931.1875 MHz. Radios have GLS 2164 receivers, exciter, PP controls and Glenayre power amplifiers. We have 6 DB809 antennas all in the 929.240 MHz range. Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to give me a call. Most sincerely, Stan Stann |  |
| TECHNOLOGY NEWS |
Microsoft May Buy Stake in AOL
Monday November 7, 7:56 am ET
Microsoft Emerges As Front-Runner in Talks Surrounding Potential Sale of Stake in America Online
NEW YORK (AP)—Microsoft Corp. has emerged as the front-runner in talks surrounding the potential sale of a stake in America Online.
Several issues could delay any potential transaction. The New York Times reports one issue is whether such an alliance would be another risky partnership for Time Warner Inc. The company is also looking at whether a new partner at AOL could help Time Warner navigate the digital world.
Microsoft approached AOL several months ago to discuss joint ventures, but any agreement is still likely weeks away.
Last week Time Warner's chairman and chief executive, Richard Parsons, acknowledged the talks. But he says the discussions are very fluid, and they don't know whether a deal will even be reached.
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Microsoft lead suitor for AOL
Mon Nov 7, 2005 1:04 AM ET
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters)—Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, has emerged as the lead suitor for a stake in Time Warner Inc.'s Internet unit America Online (AOL), according to a report by The New York Times.
Microsoft aims to fold its MSN Internet service into a venture with AOL, the newspaper said, adding that any agreement would be several weeks away.
One issue that has yet to be resolved would be how the venture would be governed. Time Warner does not want to cede control unless it receives a "very rich offer," the NYT said.
Microsoft and Time Warner could not be immediately reached for comment.
Other suitors seeking a stake in AOL include Google Inc., Comcast Corp., Yahoo Inc. and News Corporation, sources familiar with the situation previously told Reuters.
Source: Reuters
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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 | ||||
Please click here to e-mail Ayrewave. |
| VoIP News |
US company hopes to block Skype in China
November 08, 2005 10:00 am ET
By Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service
Verso Technologies Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, hopes to soon win a contract to block Chinese Internet users from using eBay Inc.'s Skype VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) software, the company said Monday.
A Chinese telecommunications operator has begun a paid trial of Verso's NetSpective M-Class filter, a product that is designed to block VoIP calls made using Skype, as well as other peer-to-peer applications, Verso said in a statement. If the paid trial now underway in one Chinese city goes well, the operator will purchase the NetSpective M-Class application filter before the end of the year, it said. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"The trial is representative of the significant opportunities for Verso's products in the Chinese market, where VoIP is highly regulated and the use of Skype software has been deemed illegal," said Yves Desmet, Verso's senior vice president of worldwide sales, in a statement.
Verso did not provide additional details of the trial to block Skype or name the Chinese operator behind the project.
In September, China Telecommunications Corp. (China Telecom), one of two major fixed-line operators in China, began blocking SkypeOut calls made from Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city that lies along the border with Hong Kong. SkypeOut is a service that allows someone with the Skype software installed on their PC to make international phone calls at a fraction of the cost that a telecommunications operator would charge.
The blocking of SkypeOut calls from Shenzhen started several days before Verso announced on Sept. 14 the availability of the NetSpective M-Class application filter, which the company billed as "carrier-grade Skype filtering technology."
While Verso said in its release that the use of Skype is illegal in China, the situation is more nuanced.
Chinese government officials have been generally tolerant of VoIP software, such as Skype, that is used to make calls from one PC to another. But the ability of Skype users to make calls to a phone via the SkypeOut service is more sensitive, because this directly affects the revenue that operators such as China Telecom earn from international phone calls.
On the one hand, the Chinese government owns the carriers and will act to defend their interests, said Duncan Clark, managing director of BDA China Ltd., a telecommunications consultancy in Beijing. However, the Chinese government also wants to see the price of making phone calls come down, he said.
"It's a question of bureaucratic politics," Clark said.
In China, Skype has made an effort to show its sensitivity to the concerns of operators. The Chinese-language version of the Skype software made available through a partnership with Tom Online Inc. only permits calls from one PC to another; SkypeOut calls are not permitted. However, Chinese users can access SkypeOut by downloading the software directly from the Skype Web site.
Source: Macworld
Senate Puts FCC on Hold
New law redraws the VoIP E911 map the FCC has followed to set more flexible directions and access to rest stops.
November 3, 2005
The Senate Commerce Committee passed a bill late Wednesday that gives Internet voice providers access to the same Emergency 911 services as wireless service providers and also raps the knuckles of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for setting unreasonable compliance conditions.
The IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005, which was passed unanimously, sets new guidelines for the FCC and takes much of the edge off of the FCC’s recent policy. It requires the FCC to formulate new rules for VoIP E911 within 120 days, in effect erasing the FCC’s November 28 compliance deadline.
The FCC had set a number of shifting deadlines for VoIP providers to receive E911 service acknowledgments from their customers. The FCC set a hard deadline of November 28 for overall compliance.
The penalty for the subscriber was disconnection, which seemed rather harsh, and may have prompted the committee to act. Some thought it was counterproductive to establish disconnection of consumers as a reasonable penalty.
Direct 911 Access
The new law gives VoIP providers direct access to the traditional E911 network instead of forcing them into complex work-around networks. It also gives VoIP providers access to the same indemnification that is available to traditional phone companies and wireless service providers.
“The legislation ensures that IP phone companies have access to E911 components that may be controlled by competitors, which the FCC order… did not do,” said the committee’s statement. “[It] provides the liability protection that public safety and industry groups need to be able to provide 911 service.”
The legislation also provides the FCC with more flexibility by establishing a waiver process by which VoIP service providers may continue to add subscribers after December 31, 2005.
A waiver requires a provider to demonstrate to the FCC that the provider is technically or operationally unable to comply with FCC rules. The FCC can grant waivers of limited duration lasting not more than one year. The waivers may also be limited in geographic area.
“The waiver gives us the opportunity to get our job done in a more flexible environment,” said Brooke Schultz, a spokesperson for Vonage, the largest VoIP service provider in the United States. “This legislation puts us on the same playing field as the wireless carriers and gives us access to the core elements of the E911 network.”
The committee accepted an amendment by Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye that limited the FCC’s waiver authority. The FCC has 45 days to either grant or deny a waiver. After that period, the waiver will be deemed granted.
Source: Red Herring (Thanks to Barry Kanne for sending in this article.)
| UNTIL NEXT WEEK |
Well, what do you think about the new two-page format? As always, many thanks to everyone who has sent me news-worthy articles. You have helped keep it interesting. I am sorry that I didn't take more photos at the AAPC conference last week—I will do better next time. I have been an amateur photographer for most of my live, and I am still learning. The new digital technology has really made many things possible that were difficult or impossible before. Take care.
 With best regards,  | Brad Dye P.O. Box 266 |  |  | |
| Skype: | braddye | WIRELESS MESSAGING | ||
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| E–mail: | brad@braddye.com | |||
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