Blog | News & Information on Wireless Services & Telecommunications
Posted: 07/16/08 by Chris Parandian
New ways to communicate with our friends and family via wireless is exploding. This mobile social convergence is also affecting our lawmakers as they also look to participate in ways that they never imagined! As we know, mobile provides an opportunity for lawmakers to connect with consitutents via video or with other social networking tools (twitter, facebook, qik, utterz).
Representative John "Congressman Qik" Culberson (Texas) is in a league of his own and we highlighted his efforts to show Americans what he does in Washington. Unfortunately, those efforts were not appreciated by one of his colleagues (who is focused on videos). Accordingly, a debate is taking place on Capitol Hill on how lawmakers can use these new tools and what kind of Congressional oversight should accompany the use of those tools.
On that note, Ms. Pelosi seems headed in the right direction. She represents a tech-savy district and utilizes different social communications herself. At a time when Congressional approval is at an all-time low, these tools give lawmakers a real-time way to communicate with folks and provide an open window into Congress. Fighting this mobile-social revolution is not the answer and I am optimistic that Ms. Pelosi will modernize the rules governing "franking" which is at the heart of the debate.
Updating the rules so lawmakers can communicate with new media as they do with traditional old media is a good thing and we applaud Mr. Culberson for starting the conversation. As an active mobile user, Mr. Culberson cares about these wireless technologies and our ability to communicate with them in real-time - a true compassionate conservative!
Posted: 06/27/08 by Chris Parandian
Congressman John Culberson has joined the mobile revolution and is currently utilizing his wireless device to stream video to his constituents. On a related new media note, the Congressman from Texas is also blogging. These are huge developments in the district of communications.
At a time when Congressional approval is at historic lows, looking for new ways to connect and communicate with Americans is the right thing to do. With the Congressman mobile broadcasting, he is allowing constituents to see and experience a typical day in the Capitol. Congressman Culberson is also showing his colleagues that devices today can do more than just make calls and send text messages. I applaud the Congressman's efforts!
As the famous coach John Wooden stated, "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." On that note, I hope other lawmakers join Congressman Culberson and the mobile revolution.
Check out his mobile videos here...
Posted: 06/26/08 by Chris Parandian
In the tech community, Robert Scoble is a titan. Accordingly, there was a great deal of buzz online about his trip to DC this week.
Scoble who many credit as successfully changing public perception about Microsoft (remember "Evil Empire") is currently Managing Director for Fast Company.tv. Mr. Scoble is also known as "Scobleizer" online and his blog (by the same name) is a favorite destination for many techies.
In any case, Scoble decided to follow the advice of Andrew Feinberg (tech blogger) who opined a few months ago that many policymakers in DC were disconnected from the tech community and that a more concerted effort to enlighten the folks who make the laws needed to occur. Accordingly, Scoble arrived this week where he had a few meetings on Capitol Hill and it culminated with a party last night which I attended (with about 200 other people).
I met Scoble nearly two years ago at a VON conference and I am glad that Scobleizer took the time to come to DC. His enthusiasm for "bright shiny objects" is second to none. Accordingly, it is extremely important for those who are passionate about tech (not politics) to discuss what is on the horizon and how future decisions in the regulatory arena can affect our future. This is a cause I have been committed to since starting mobile diner and joining mobile future's efforts in February.
Consumers depend on their wireless devices and the rules being made will impact everyone. This isn't the 80's when you had to work on Wall Street to own one (channel Michael Douglas). Today everyone can participate and we hope you'll stay tuned to our efforts.
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Posted: 05/05/08 by Chris Parandian
Spring brings not only a change of season but also some very exciting news in the telecommunications industry. Brian Fontes, a wireless industry veteran, will be leaving at&t to take the reigns at NENA (National Emergency Number Association). Brian will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
Brian's passion for wireless and consumers is second to none. Accordingly, it was not a surprise to see him take a position where he can contribute to public safety and the 911 community. Brian's deep experience in telecommunications policy will be incredibly valuable to NENA as it navigates the legislative and regulatory landscapes of a digital age.
We wish Brian all the best and look forward to working with him in his new capacity at NENA.
Posted: 04/22/08 by Chris Parandian
I am attending the WCA conference in Washington DC this week. The WCA's theme this year is "capitalizing on the 4G Eco-system" and former Governor Mark Warner (VA) gave a keynote speech yesterday. As wireless networks go from delivering just voice to high-speed broadband to consumers it was fitting that Governor Warner could provide some insight on this evolution.
Briefly, Governor Warner was one of the original wireless pioneers (co-founded the company that became Nextel) and understands the business as well. He is currently running for the United States Senate in Virginia and hopes for the opportunity to help spur broadband efforts across the country.
As Governor of Virginia, Mr. Warner is familiar with the challenges of connecting folks in rural areas. During his speech he discussed the success of paving the way for "700 miles" of next generation broadband lines that connected "600,000" Virginians. Uniting folks across the party lines was key to making this happen and he hopes to bring "transformative" change to the Senate.
With regard to wireless, the Governor believes that facilitating the application process for RUS funds for small wireless providers and getting more spectrum available for providers is critical to our mobile future.
Stay tuned for additional updates from the conference....
Chris Parandian is reporting from the WCAconference, keeping us informed about what policymakers are sayingabout issues we care about. We’re not endorsing, just sharing theircomments.
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Tags: Legislation, Mobile Broadband, News, Smartphone, Social Networking, Wireless Broadband