ROW International News Briefs

FCC says PTT is subject to CALEA requirementsThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled on August 4 that push-to-talk mobile phone service is subject to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) requirements. In that light, the FCC initiated a Notice for Proposed Rulemaking to further define the appropriate legal and policy framework for CALEA. Tentatively, however, the FCC has determined that CALEA applies to facilities-based providers of any type of broadband Internet access service, and to managed or mediated Voice over IP services. The U.S. wireless industry lobby, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association says its members are committed to working with the FCC to meet law enforcement’s needs. CTIA supports FCC on unwanted mobile emailThe Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) has lent its support to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recently adopted rules regarding consumer protection from unwanted mobile emails. Congress recently passed the CAN-SPAM Act to protect against unwanted mobile service commercial messages. Steve Largent, president and CEO of the CTIA said in a news release: "Implementation of the CAN-SPAM Act will provide consumers additional protections from unwanted emails sent to mobile wireless devices," adding that the CTIA is pleased commercial mobile radio service providers will have flexibility in implementing the Act. S&P says rebound in enterprise networking underwayStandard & Poor’s Equity Research group says there is a rebound in expenditures on enterprise networking and telecommunications equipment underway. The survey, Industry Survey on Communications Equipment, says the convergence of communications infrastructure into a series of linked networks presents long-term opportunities for equipment vendors. As telecom and cable companies begin to compete in each others’ markets, they will need to upgrade their infrastructure. This will lead to a more competitive environment and create new demand for companies that can help customers build and manage multi-purpose, indicates S&P’s equity research. "Spending on communications equipment should continue to improve as we anticipate telecom services providers will spend US$30 billion in 2004, even with last year but a reversal of steep spending declines in previous years. Adding to that, positive key economic indicators, such as higher employee payroll growth, point to an improving technology spending environment among enterprise customers," says Ari Bensinger, S&P’s communications equipment analyst and author of the report. The survey also explains the impact of industry trends on major companies such as Adtran, Cisco, Ericsson and Nokia. This report is part of the company’s industry survey series. Nearly half of teens on family plan: Yankee GroupThe Yankee Group reports that nearly 45% of teens who own their own cell phones are on family plans. This is one key finding in the market research firm’s 2004 Mobile User Teen Survey, released earlier this month. In contrast, a much lower 22% of teens are on pre-paid/hybrid plans. "Family plans have clearly facilitated teen cell phone use, with nearly half of all teens saying that they own their cell phones, up significantly from one-third of teens from our 2003 survey. The impact of family plans on the teen segment is even more compelling than the impact of alternative plans such as pre-paid/hybrid plans, which are similarly targeted at the youth market," says Linda Barrabee, Yankee Group wireless/mobile senior analyst. Motorola teams with MeshNetwork for public safetyMotorola Inc. has inked an agreement with MeshNetworks to distribute the MeshNetworks Enabled Architecture (MEA) product line. Additionally, Motorola is adding the ad hoc networking functionality to its product offerings. "The MEA solution’s self-forming, self-healing mobile broadband networking and precision position-location solutions will be offered as part of Motorola’s advanced wireless broadband data portfolio for enterprise, utility and public safety," reads an August 9 news release. MeshNetwork has deployed its products into the worldwide public safety markets, the intelligent transportation system services sector and into municipal government applications.

ROW International News Briefs

News | August 24, 2004

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