New technology at a lower price -- the free market is working
Apple announces a new, faster iPhone substantially less expensive than the previous version.
Apple unveils faster 3G iPhone
Wireline Use in Decline
More and more of us are switching to wireless service everyday, further evidence that the wireless market is functioning pretty well and meeting the needs of consumers.
30% of us shun wireline service
It's No Time to Regulate Wireless Telephony
Below is a link to a note worthy piece written by John Mayo, a Professor of Economics, Business and Public Policy in Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Mr. Mayo’s piece is about the thriving nature of the wireless industry and why over-regulating it would be a huge mistake. Mr. Mayo uses some astounding statistics about the growth in the number of wireless customers and the corresponding decline in cost per minute used to illustrate how the market is doing a great job of regulating this industry without government intervention. He also mentions how providers are adapting to customer demands for portability to further make his point. This piece only goes to further demonstrate that government needs to be very cautious about regulating highly competitive technology industries. I encourage you to take a look.
Wireless Over-Regulation
Another word of caution on over-regulation in a recent study performed in Washington.
Customer satisfaction of wireless services is at an all time high – 93% of Americans are satisfied* and revenue per minute of wireless service is lower than nearly every developed countyr in the world. Only Hong Kong can claim a lower rate**. We have more choices in our wireless devices, features, calling plans and we pay less than nearly every country in the world. A lightly-regulated wireless market has successfully delivered innovative technology and flexible contract terms. The Washington Policy Center (www.washingtonpolicy.org) recently studied the issue and came to the same conclusions; we have linked to their study below. Overregulation of this critical industry will only serve to damage wireless consumers and we intend to oppose any measure that goes too far. *Source: mywireless.org **Source:CTIA FCC Filing January 2008
Wireless Explosion
Wireless technology has been on a steady rise for nearly two decades, but in the last few years we have seen a historic explosion in not only the availability and reliability of wireless technology, but in amazing advances in new technologies that operate wirelessly. For example, according to the 2006 CTIA Wireless Industry Survey, cellular use has increased from 325,000 subscriber in 1985 to over 230,000,000 today. Business and personal users alike benefit from the convergence and innovation of features in wireless devices. We can do everything from sending email or text messages to downloading and watching movies or TV shows to uploading personal video clips, storing and listening to music files, browsing for sports scores on high-speed connections and talking on the phone. These advances come with major policy implications. We want policy makers to stay clear of policies that impact innovation and allow the wireless world to continue to develop.
Make sure to sign up for our regular issue updates and we’ll let you know when As opportunities arise for you to get involved to help us ensure that government does not over step its bounds.
Some stories worth noting that clearly demonstrate the wireless market is working to improve products and services for consumers without government regulation
The Seattle PI — Study: Cell phone now most vital device
The Wall Street Journal — For Big Talkers, Wireless Firms Offer Flat Rates
WIRELESS BROADBAND
Below is a chart from the Cellular Telecom and Internet Association; it clearly shows how wireless communication is outpacing other forms of communication. In one year, December 05 to December 06, wireless broadband connections grew by 60%, while all other forms fell.
Wifi Just A Dream
Even cities as supposedly tech-savvy as Seattle haven’t yet found a way to support citywide WIFI networks. Read the article.
Web access in-flight
This Christian Science Monitor article published in the Seattle Times describes the pursuit of web access while in-flight. According to the article, Virgin Atlantic’s handsets already have a “www” button. Airlines racing to provide Wi-Fi in the sky
