Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt, the Director of the National Center for Health Marketing at the CDC, sat down with us for our March WOW's Insider Interview to talk about novel case studies of wireless technology enhancing public health initiatives around the world. Dr. Bernhardt also shares  his perspective on the enormous value wireless technology can provide by providing access to information and creating a personal channel of communication between health care providers and patients. Come check out what else Dr. Berhnardt has to say as well as what else we have to offer in our March installment of CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless webcast.

Act One: Steve Largent sat down with CEOs from T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and Sprint.  Their discussion revolved around a key word in today’s wireless industry: openness.  They were clear: openness is here today.  Each said that their company is promoting and committed to open devices and applications while at the same ensuring a positive user experience. 
With regards to network interoperability:  the laws of physics can be bent but not broken.  A GSM network cannot interface with a CDMA device. But that’s today.

As companies move towards their 4th generation networks, and deploy common standards, network interoperability becomes possible. 

Act Two: Marco Boerries, Exectutive VP of Yahoo’s Connected Life Division then came on and debuted Yahoo’s oneConnect application on the Apple iphone.  This app allows users to centralize their contacts and communications from multiple mediums and social  networks, and makes it mobile.  Next, Boerries debuted Yahoo’s “Blueprint” mobile platform. This is a single, open, cross-platform framework for mobile content and websites. It’s designed to streamline the mobile content and website development cycle, while at the same time enabling robust and diverse features. 

Act Three: Steve returned to the stage to discuss the wireless industry’s evolution and history with mobile luminaries John Stanton and Crag McCaw.  Their discussion was a reflection on and comparison of wireless’s early days and today.  They discussed the characteristics of early cellular users, and how those subscribers compare with today’s mobile broadband users.  They also looked forward, each offering their view of an untethered, wholly connected mobile future.  It was an excellent talk from two industry titans. 

Today from the keynote stage Steve Largent announced the latest CTIA survey findings – watch two video clips of him sharing his thoughts on the growth in wireless data and use:

Texting is Still Terrific!

Wireless Data is a Key Driver

This morning I had the privilege of participating in an Internet Safety Briefing at the National Press Club here in D.C.  Hosted by our friends at the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Crime Prevention Council, the purpose of this event was to talk about the new threat of cyberbullying that so many kids in America face today. 

Most of you parents out there can attest to the fact that cell phones are becoming a must-have accessory for children, tweens, and teens.  According to the Yankee Group, 72% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 have wireless devices.  While cell phones can be an incredible safety tool to help save lives and stop crime, unfortunately some people, such as cyberbullies, choose to use the technology in a negative way.  With Internet on-the-go and in the palm of their hand, cyberbullies are now using cell phones as another weapon to embarrass and unnerve other kids. 

As a father of four and grandfather of two, the issue of child safety hits very close to home.  I deeply understand the desire every parent has to protect their sons and daughters from threats like cyberbullying.  As more and more of America’s youth are using wireless devices, I’m pleased that the wireless industry has stepped up to the plate to provide parents with the tools they need to encourage responsible and safe use of cell phones. 

One of these tools is the “Get Wise About Wireless” program, which was created by The Wireless Foundation in partnership with ConnectSafely.org and the Weekly Reader Corporation to help educate and equip students and their families with informative tips and tools on how they can help their students stay safe and defeat digital bullies. 

Each year, “Get Wise About Wireless” program materials, including a student mini-magazine, teacher’s guide, and parent take-home pamphlet, are distributed to thousands of schools across the country as a free public service.  More information about this program and complimentary electronic copies of the curriculum are available on our website.  

I think as parents it's our responsibility to become educated on what reasonable steps we can take to keep our children safe. Wireless technology is a wonderful tool for all of us, and it can be even more useful and valuable for our young people as new opportunities become available. But, we have to make the environment as safe as possible, and I'm proud the industry is meeting that important obligation.

There is an email being distributed by CREDO Mobile that pertains to the transmission of text messages on wireless networks. Specifically, it cites a recent incident in which an organization's request for a common short code was initially denied by a carrier, and then permitted once the carrier realized its policy was outdated and quickly reversed itself. Without getting into all of the particulars of the email, I think it's important to point out that it's perpetuating a premise that simply does not exist. Carriers do not block text messages. Period. If any organization wants to communicate with its members, or anyone else for that matter, it is free to send as many text messages as it would like. It is also possible for mobile subscribers to use their wireless devices to access organizations' websites, where they may receive information on making contact with the organization, such as via email or toll-free phone numbers. Carriers have an outstanding track record of blocking unwanted, illegal, or objectionable content---- pornography and spam are examples of that. Inaccurate and misleading emails such as the one CREDO is distributing attempt to confuse the issue for many, and they don't reflect the situation as it exists today. The incident on which it is based was an error that was swiftly corrected in less than 24 hours. On a side, but hardly unimportant, note, think about how long it might take government regulation or intervention in a disputed case such as this one. Instead, the carrier admitted an error, and in an extremely short period of time, corrected itself. To the larger issue, it is worth repeating in plain and simple terms: No carrier is blocking text messages. Any charges to that effect are just flat-out wrong.