WASHINGTON-As the nation prepares for a sea change that will come when a new president is elected, the wireless industry’s main trade association experienced some major changes recently and prepared for an upcoming campaign on one of its thorniest issues-driver distraction.
From `industry’ to `Internet’
The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association board has voted to change its name to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.
“We have always maintained a `big-tent’ philosophy, growing first from an exclusively cellular association to include personal communications services carriers, then we expanded to include supplier members. Now, we have changed our name to reflect the newest and most exciting developments in the industry,” said CTIA President Thomas E. Wheeler.
The name change must be put before the entire membership, but the question will be accompanied by a recommendation from the board that it be approved, said Wheeler.
Wheeler announced the name change at a press briefing on Oct. 23. The change was voted on during last week’s Wireless I.T. show when the board also agreed to absorb the Wireless Data Forum. The name change was not announced until the press briefing last week.
WDF evolved three years ago from a development group for cellular digital packet data supporters to a technology-neutral forum designed to spread the word about wireless data. It has always been housed with CTIA and under a management contract, CTIA employees ran the organization.
“There was a dotted-line relationship previously and now the line has become solid,” said Wheeler in an interview with RCR Wireless News.
WDF members will now become full-fledged members of CTIA. For a period of time, WDF members will have their dues grandfathered at the current amount but eventually those dues will evolve to the CTIA scale, said Wheeler.
CTIA on responsible driving
In January, the association will lead a drive-time campaign meant to combat the negative perception about people using mobile phones while driving.
CTIA has long urged mobile-phone users to “make safety their most important call,” but this campaign will be “more in your face,” Wheeler said, noting that the campaign will “discuss what responsible drivers do and how responsible drivers act.”
As a drive-time campaign, mobile-phone users will hear the CTIA campaign on the radio at the time when they would be in a position to talk and drive.
The campaign is part of a strategy that was developed by the CTIA board at the recently concluded Wireless I.T. show.
As part of the strategy, CTIA is urging the industry “when appropriate” to support state initiatives for responsible driving even if those initiatives include strict fines and penalties “for irresponsible activities in a car which may include improper use of a phone,” Wheeler said.
The start of the responsible driving campaign will coincide with the beginning of tests to be conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Using a $50 million simulator, NHTSA will test the reactions and other activities of people using both handsfree and handheld mobile phones in adverse conditions.
Additionally, NHTSA will begin conducting natural use tests where cameras mounted inside cars record the activities of persons with cell phones. Since this is meant to monitor natural situations, no parameters will be set for how much the person should use the phone while driving-and some may never use it-or the conditions in which the phone is used while driving.
CTIA loses key player to one of its members
Brian F. Fontes, CTIA senior vice president for policy and administration, will leave in mid-November to lead the Washington office of Cingular Wireless.
“We are elated to have someone with Brian Fontes’ industry experience joining the Cingular team. As the wireless business grows, so does the importance of regulatory issues affecting Cingular and the whole industry. As the legislative and federal government point man for Cingular Wireless, Brian will be counted upon to address the issues of our customers, employees and stakeholders with integrity and passion,” said Stephen Carter, Cingular president and chief executive officer.
Cingular is the result of the marriage of the wireless properties of SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. Neither entity previously had a Washington office solely devoted to wireless. Cingular will take over the offices of the former AirTouch Communications Inc. which has been morphed into Verizon Wireless.
“Cingular has the distinction of being a new company while also starting its life as the second largest carrier in the United States. Cingular’s combination of youthful vigor and experience will make the new position both exciting and rewarding,” said Fontes.
