It’s been a busy time for us at CTIA this week with FCC filing deadlines, Hill activities, Distracted Driving Summit and of course, our International CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment show next week.

But on Tuesday, we submitted a very important ex parte filing  to the FCC requesting more spectrum because, to put it simply, it is the backbone of our industry. 

It’s not something that most people think about, but it’s what allows the wireless industry to create and develop the great things that you and I take for granted everyday. As Steve said in his statement about the filing, spectrum drives the innovation and competition.

In our filing, this was the first time we had suggested a specific amount of spectrum to be identified and allocated. We said that the goal should be at least 800 MHz of additional spectrum over the next six years. We also requested policymakers to meet short-term spectrum needs by pairing and allocating readily-available spectrum.
 
To read the filing, please click here.

Here are a few of the media stories on our filing:

• mobihealthnews, CTIA to FCC: More spectrum for mHealth
• WIRED, Wireless group tells FCC: Show us the spectrum
• Broadcasting & Cable, CTIA wants more spectrum
• WirelessWeek, CTIA Petitions FCC for More Spectrum
• mocoNews.net, CTIA To FCC: Without More Wireless Spectrum, ‘Demand May Outpace Supply’
  

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of snopes.com, but it’s a Web site that takes urban legends and either proves they’re true or debunks them.  

One urban legend that I seem to keep hearing about the wireless industry that I wanted to debunk is the rumor about the speed that U.S. consumers have versus the rest of the world. 

Without getting too complex, the majority of U.S. consumers use either GSM or CDMA technology.  Examples of GSM carriers are AT&T and T-Mobile while CDMA carriers are Verizon Wireless and Sprint.  

3G GSM is called High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA).   

According to a July 2009 release from the GSM Association, the U.S. has 32 million HSPA subscribers out of the 131 million worldwide. The U.S has 7% of all GSM subscribers in the world but has 23% of all HSPA subscribers in the world. 

The 3G CDMA technology is called Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO).   

According to Informa Telecoms & Media Group’s June 2009 report on World Cellular Information Service (WCIS), the U.S. has 63.1 million EV-DO  subscribers out of 106.78 million worldwide. The U.S. has 23% of all CDMA subscribers yet has 59% of EV-DO subscribers in the world.    

And while we have the most 3G subscribers in the world, we are also leading in the evolution to 4G. Verizon Wireless has announced that they'll be launching Long Term Evolution (LTE) in up to 30 markets by 2010 while Clearwire/Sprint's WiMax service is available now in 4 cities and another 10 cities by September 2009. AT&T has also announced their HSPA network upgrades here. 

I hope this clarifies and finally puts to rest the urban legend about the wireless technology speeds in the U.S. versus the rest of the world.

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.