Day 3 Keynote Thoughts: Tying the Messages to Wireless

Just ran back from this morning’s keynote. This one was great.  While the topics of discussion were very often only tangentially related to wireless, I think there are some good lessons in the words of both Senator Edwards and Senator Thompson.

Senator Edwards discussed the role news coverage plays in shaping perception.  He talked about how it is the coverage of something that shapes one’s perception, and how that coverage can sometimes ignore the reality of a situation.  I think there is a wireless tie-in here.  So often, the only news we hear about wireless is negative – but the fact is that people are happy with their wireless service. According to a recently released poll, more than 9 out of 10 consumers are satisfied with their wireless service. I mean, a 90% success rate on anything is impressive. It’s even more so when you consider that the industry is serving hundreds of millions of Americans every day. The fact and reality is that the wireless industry has an impressive record of delivering to meet the demands of the American consumer.    

Then Senator Thompson came to the stage. He discussed a number of issues, but what really resonated with me  was Senator Thompson’s message with regards to “Disagreeing without being disagreeable” – this message has real application in the current, and evolving wireless policy ecosystem.  As the wireless space evolves, we are facing more and more issues that get people more and more energized.  That’s simply the reality.  Net neutrality is a perfect example of this energized environment.  Very often NN proponents are so emotionally involved in the issue that it’s difficult for them to step back and have a more low-key dialogue.  In order to have constructive discussions about the merits and facts of this issue, those on both sides need to consider those facts objectively.   You can be impassioned without being unreasonable, but it’s tough to do that when the volume is turned up loud.  I think we all would do well to “turn down the volume” in order to ultimately sit across the table from one another and seriously discuss the facts.