CTIA clarifies role in standardization
Dear Editor:
As initiator of the CTIA Ad-Hoc Group on Phone-to-Vehicle Interfaces (VIF), I was disturbed to read in your Sept. 22 edition that CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) was presenting a specific commercial implementation to TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) for standardization. CTIA does not create technical standards of this nature, but, representing the users of wireless systems, produces requirements for the creation of standards that are then fulfilled by recognized standards bodies such as TIA.
This new set of VIF requirements from CTIA is actually based on a similar submission made in 1996, which resulted in no action by TIA due to concern that the connection right on the phone might need to be standardized (a commercial impossibility). Thus the initial assumption made in 1997 CTIA work was that the “standard” connector could be separated from the phone. This assumption was confirmed by the group before any submissions for the placement of functionality were made and were not influenced by any commercial realizations of this type of interface.
Motorola Inc., Ericsson Inc. and Nokia Corp. provided much of the input regarding the specifications included in the standards requirements.
Later in the production of the requirements we added further features in the 1996 version, and, indeed, some of these were contributed by CellPort Labs based on their experience in the automotive environment. The requirements were further refined through the participation of many companies representing carriers, phone manufacturers, automotive companies, accessory manufacturers and automotive original equipment manufacturer suppliers.
However, nowhere in the request from CTIA to TIA is there any endorsement of a particular realization of the interface.
You may be interested to note that the scope of this work may well be expanded to allow for the use of VIF with other external equipment such as TTYs used by people with hearing disabilities.
TIA work on the VIF standard will commence this month, and, like all such work, will be driven by relevant technical contributions from any source: a very open process. We look for support from the whole industry to produce an appropriate solution in an expedient time scale.
Arthur L. Prest
Vice President for Science
and Technology
CTIA
Resellers defend MobileMedia Corp.
Dear Editor:
The letter from Clarence Wooley of Wooley’s Beeper World (Reseller Seeks Help, Sept. 15, 1997) regarding the difficulties he claims he has had with MobileMedia was surprising. As a reseller ourselves, we have had a large account with MobileMedia for over two-and-a-half years and have had nothing but good experiences with the company. From reliable paging service to helpful customer service when we need it, we have always been pleased with our decision to choose MobileMedia as our service provider.
Kerry E. Spradley
President
Voice Power Telecommunications
Dear Editor:
After reading the letter from Clarence Wooley of Wooley’s Beeper World in your September 15th issue in which he complained of poor service from MobileMedia, I felt compelled to write in support of MobileMedia. I have dealt with them on a local and national level for six years as a reseller of their paging services. Taking into account the overall support, service and integrity of all the paging carriers I’ve done business with, I’ve found MobileMedia to be responsible, cooperative and responsive to the needs of our customers, and also helpful in promoting our mutual business with a long-term view. In fact, I’ve experienced difficulties with other major carriers-not only in service and coverage, but also with their business ethics-but have never had a problem with MobileMedia.
It is my understanding that a few resellers did not pay MobileMedia for a long time. Some subsequently had their airtime service terminated. These people are usually the ones who have the audacity to complain about lack of service. I’m certain that MobileMedia is not the only carrier that has experienced these kinds of complaints, when resellers who have been selling lifetime service to consumers start to default. If this continues, the carriers will have serious problems to deal with and also at that time all the bona fide resellers will have something very serious to be concerned with, as well.
Danny Lee
Chief Financial Officer
Future Paging & Cellular
