Motorists in downtown San Francisco are participating in a pilot project that allows them to use their wireless devices to locate empty parking spaces on city streets. This novel program is designed to reduce carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and save valuable time. To learn more watch this segment from our July installment of our Wonder of Wireless webcast, and take a few moments to see what else we have to offer in our July WOW.

With more than 270 million wireless subscribers in America, it comes as no surprise that companies are increasingly using common short codes (CSC) in their marketing and branding strategies. CSCs allow anyone, including media, entertainment, consumer packaged goods, advertising or technology companies to connect mobile users with their goods and services using interactive applications never before available in the wireless industry.

In a press release issued last Monday, we announced the launch of a new media monitoring process to validate that the promotional materials used to market short code campaigns comply with the industry’s Consumer Best Practices. 

The addition of media monitoring has expanded the capabilities of the wireless industry's "CSC Auditing and Monitoring Initiative" to provide consumers with greater protection from entities that are non-compliant. This new process will capture the promotional campaign information that is offered in print, online, radio and television advertisements.

So, what does this mean for consumers? The new media monitoring process will enable consumers to engage more confidently in programs by knowing that there are standards in place and mechanisms designed to provide greater oversight and prevent unscrupulous behavior. 

For more information on common short codes and the new media monitoring process, click here.

To view the wireless industry’s Consumer Best Practices, click here. 

Today I had the privilege of participating in an online child safety panel at the 2009 Presidential Initiative Summit in Philadelphia. Hosted by our friends at the National Association of Attorneys General, the event was focused on protecting and empowering America’s next generation.

During my remarks, I announced another step in the wireless industry’s efforts to educate parents about wireless online safety. CTIA has developed six simple tips for parents to start the discussion with their kids about their behavior in a mobile environment. To make it easier for all of us to remember, we used the word “SAFETY” as an acronym:

• “S” stands for “Smart.” The industry provides a lot of features and information for parents on how to keep their kids safe. While parents want to be with their children at all times, so we can protect them, it’s not always possible. That’s why parents need to educate their kids about smart wireless behavior.
• “A” stands for “Aware.”  Unlike TV, movies or music, wireless is an interactive service. This means parents need to be aware of how kids are or can use these products and services. By understanding what’s available, parents can determine what responsible wireless behavior means for their kids.
• “F” stands for “Familiar.”  CTIA is encouraging parents to know their child’s wireless plan, cell phone features, parental controls and privacy options. Wireless service providers have this information on their web sites. 
• “E” stands for “Experience.” Today’s kids and teenagers think one of the coolest things is getting a new cell phone. They love to communicate with their friends via text or through one of the many available mobile applications and social networks. As parents and policymakers, it’s important that we experience wireless devices in the same manner as our children. By embracing these new experiences, parents will be better informed so they can set their family’s guidelines and rules.
• “T” stands for “talk.” Keeping an open dialogue is important and it encourages kids to talk to their parents about how they are using their cell phone. CTIA believes that proper wireless behavior begins with the five “W’s” of wireless.
  o Who is your child contacting?
  o What should kids be doing on their cell phone?
  o When and Where can they use their cell phones?
  o Why all of this is important?
• “Y” stands for “Yearly Review.” As your child grows up, it’s important to keep your family’s rules and guidelines updated to reflect new technologies and your child’s new age. 

The SAFETY Tips are just one of the many tools the wireless industry provides for parents to help educate and encourage their kids in responsible and safe use of cell phones. 

You can download your copy of this informative pocket-guide  today. For more information on keeping your kids safe in a mobile environment, please visit www.wirelessfoundation.org.  

Safelite Autoglass, one of the nation's largest windshield repair companies, is realizing tremendous savings and increased productivity thanks to wireless. Watch how Safelite runs its company with the aid of innovative mobile applications that equip field technicians and support staff with GPS technology to better manage their day and handle repairs in an efficient, paperless fashion in our February installment of CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless webcast.

Remember the old 'The Who' song, Goin' Mobile?  "I can pull up by the curb, I can make it on the road, goin' mobile. I can stop in any street and talk with people that we meet. Goin' Mobile. Keep me moving. Out in the woods, or in the city, it's all the same to me........ the world's my home when I'm mobile".  It was a great tune when it was released back in 1971, and it certainly could be the wireless industry's anthem today! Find out how AT&T wants to help you go mobile, everywhere, all of the time, in this interview with Glenn Lurie, the President of Emerging Devices and Resale,  AT&T. Glenn tells us about his new position at AT&T and their mission of introducing wireless capabilities into a whole host of emerging devices far beyond just mere handsets in a segment from our  January edition of the CTIA Wonder of Wireless webcast.

Windy city residents are on the move like never before downtown, thanks to their wireless devices and the Chicago Transit Authority. See how the CTA is using wireless to revolutionize mass transit and make riding the bus even more convenient and easy for millions of passengers in our January installment of  our Wonder of Wireless webcast.

It's been some week, huh?  There's an awful lot to process on the financial front... the Dow down 777 points yesterday  (I'll be working until I'm 70), then up more than 300 so far today (okay, maybe 68). It’s  assuredly an uncertain time, and in some respects, more than just a little scary.  

After we take a collective breath, and look around, we’ll see that while there are real reasons for concern and real problems to be solved -- but it’s not all “doom and gloom.”  For example,  consumer  confidence actually rose August to September.  And while we might not have a “bailout” plan in place just yet, I believe one will ultimately be passed. 

But instead of reading this for my quick take on the economy, I'd like you to think about how wireless fits in this picture. I have no doubt that the  wireless telecommunications sector will be a leader in our economic recovery.  According to Ovum, wireless productivity gains will generate more than $860 billion over the next 10 years , generating millions of new jobs and creating impressive advances for American business. New, high-speed 4th generation technology, such as Sprint’s WiMAX service  which is becoming commercially available within the next week,  is going to enable applications and services that at once seemed “Jetson-esque” .  AT&T and Verizon have also committed to the LTE – a 4G wireless standard – and expect to make it available in the next 24 months. 

The continued deployment of these 4th generation technologies, and the sustained growth in wireless broadband subscribership (about 70% of new broadband lines between June 2006 and June 2007 were wireless subscriptions), will enable increased productivity and efficiency in the enterprise community and truly life-style changing developments for the public.  Business users and consumers alike require a wireless high-speed internet experience akin to that they find on their desktops.  The industry is working hard to meet that demand , and the promise of the wireless future is fantastic. 

Right now, it’s easy  (and understandable) to look around and be  a little scared – but before we get too worked up, let’s take a dispassionate, measured look at  the big picture. Yes, times are tough. Our 401K accounts and overall confidence are taking hits. But wireless is a positively life-changing technology that is a critical key to the solution, and that should factor into every policymakers' mindset when looking at rules and regs that pertain to this dynamic facet of America's economic rebound. 

Just because we’re in San Francisco this week doesn’t mean the work in Washington stops.  Today CTIA filed an FCC ex parte on behalf of hundreds of  companies expressing united opposition to the adoption of any "free" broadband mandates in the AWS 3 proceeding.

Our position: while any company should be free to voluntarily provide a "free" advertising-based service to consumers, a regulatory mandate for such a service will harm consumers and potentially delay access to next generation broadband services, especially in rural areas. 

A free service will harm consumers?  How?

Think about it:  At best, given a “free” service’s limited revenue opportunity in any market – a case exacerbated in rural areas – the licensee would have little incentive to invest and build-out the service, thereby defeating its original purpose.  At worst, having to compete with a “free” service could potentially drive most competitors out of any market, which means a reduction in broadband choice and availability.  The FCC will have essentially provided a disincentive for other companies to deploy broadband networks at a time when it should be promoting broadband build-out. 

We know that tailoring auction rules to a specific company's business plan won’t increase broadband adoption in the United States – recall the recent D Block debacle.  The US broadband market is already intensely competitive and is characterized by intra and intermodal competition, multiple business plans and innovative service packages.  

If the Commission wants to see further US broadband adoption, it should seriously consider the multiple currently pending proceedings aimed at doing just that.