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.

May 23rd marks the “Silver Anniversary” for CTIA-The Wireless Association®. From the “car” phone to the smartphone, there’s no doubt that the wireless industry has seen a remarkable transformation in the last 25 years. 

With fewer than 20 member companies, CTIA was originally called the “Cellular Communications Industry Association” and was officially incorporated on May 23, 1984. 

The wireless landscape in the U.S. was very different 25 years ago. Here’s a brief snapshot of what wireless looked like in May 1984:

• Less than 50,000 wireless subscribers in America.
• Wireless service was only available in six U.S. cities.
• Consumers paid more than $2,000 for a cellular device.
• First portable cell phone models, or “brick” phones, weighed nearly two pounds and had only around 30 minutes of talk time.

Fast forward to today and CTIA-The Wireless Association® has more than 300 member companies. These companies represent 87% of the total U.S. population – or 270 million + wireless subscribers – making it one of the fastest growing and competitive industries in history. In addition, consumers in today’s marketplace can:

• Purchase a handset for less than $100.
• Choose from more than 630 wireless devices.
• Pay an average of only $50 per month for service. 

From 1984 to the 3G broadband world of 2009, wireless has evolved from simple voice communications to a new era of data transmission and democratization of communications that has transformed the way we work, play and live.
 
The wireless industry continues to meet the increasing consumer demand for advanced wireless services, as indicated by record-breaking subscribers and an impressive array of usage and wireless statistics. 

Cheers to the last 25 years of impressive growth and innovation in the world of wireless! We are looking forward to many more. 

Verizon Communications Chairman & CEO Ivan Seidenberg discusses his company’s plans to offer high-speed wireless service to consumers and businesses, and shares his thoughts on the constantly-evolving communications landscape. Come check out what else Mr. Seidenberg has to say as well as what else we have to offer in our May installment of CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless webcast.

In conjunction with Harris Interactive®, we conducted a survey with 700 small, medium and large American businesses on how the wireless industry impacts their businesses.

45% of the business decision makers said that wireless applications were an important or absolutely essential to being competitive.  When we asked how much they thought wireless application deployment would increase productivity or cost reduction, the companies said they expected a 15% improvement in their bottom-line. 

I know I don't have to tell you that a 15% improvement in a company's bottom-line is astounding, but when it's coupled with today's economic situation...well, it's impressive. 

When you combine our Semi-Annual Survey with this one, it’s clear that the wireless industry has greatly changed (and improved) the way we work, play and live.

If you would like to learn more take a listen to a podcast we did with Harris Interactive Vice-President Joe Porus.

  Wireless & Enterprise Survey

On the issue of Intelligent Transportation from the wireless prospective, Dominique Bonte joins us from ABI Research, an analyst firm. Dominique is the Practice Director of Telematics and Navigation. Take a listen for ABI Research’s prospective on this important topic

Cell phone jamming is not only illegal, but is also a blunt, potentially ineffective instrument when not utilized by the federal government in rare instances. Learn more, in our March installment of WOW's Policy Point, on how wireless jamming technology is being illegally tested in some correctional institutions, and what legal solutions can be used to stop inmates from obtaining and using cell phones behind bars. Also see what else we have to offer in our March installment of CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless webcast.

Sharp Electonics’ use of wireless applications to streamline their field operations and reporting has revolutionized how they and their clients perform.  By eliminating paperwork and creating instantaneous results, Sharp has gained a competitive edge using wireless technology. Come check out what else we have to offer in our March installment of CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless webcast.

In March's installment of WOW, we interview Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt, the Director of the National Center for Health Marketing at the CDC. He chats with us about some novel case studies of wireless technology enhancing public health initiatives around the world. To see what Dr. Bernhard has to say and 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 check out CTIA's Wonder of Wireless webcast!