July 22, 2009 by kb3ljm.

Oregon drivers soon will have to hang up their cellphones and texting devices under a new law that will ban the use of hand-held communications devices while driving, but mobile ham radio operations will not be affected. Oregon House Bill 2377 prohibits driving while talking or texting on a hand-held cell phone. Once in force, drivers who violate the law could be fined up to $90. Like a similar law in California, the Oregon measure permits adult drivers the option of using a cellphone with a hands free system. Also like California the Oregon law will forbid anyone to receive or transmit a text message while in motion. It also forbids drivers under the age of 18 from using any form of cellphone or texting device from a car in motion. Oregon radio amateurs were aware of the measure early on and began a political drive to insure an exemption for mobile ham radio operations. In the version of the measure passed by both houses of the Oregon legislature their work was rewarded.In addition to hams, also exempt are those operating a motor vehicle while acting in the scope of employment as a public safety officer and people operating a motor vehicle while providing public safety services or emergency services as a volunteer. Also exempt are those using 11 meter Citizens Radio or UHF Family Radio Service two-way radio gear. A spokeswoman for Governor Ted Kulongoski said he will sign House Bill 2377 into law. The effective date will be January 1st, 2010. [AR Newsline]

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September 21, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Alaska Airlines said Tuesday it will be the first U.S. carrier to test a satellite-based in-flight wireless Internet service next year and may equip its entire fleet.

There have been several moves across the industry to offer passengers Internet access while they’re traveling.
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Posted in Wireless, Travel, USA Today | No Comments »

September 12, 2007 by kb3ljm.

At the annual FSA Suppliers Expo and Conference, IBM (NYSE:IBM - News) today announced the introduction
of a new semiconductor technology designed for mobile handset and wireless technology markets. This new offering will enable chipset providers for mobile devices to further reduce the complexity of their components — representing a significant savings in manufacturing costs for the next generation of mobile phones, laptops and other portable communication devices.
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August 7, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Even before in-flight broadband connectivity catches on widely, some airlines are allowing passengers a limited form of instant messaging. Intraflight messaging allows instant text communication between passengers on the same flight. When Virgin America, the USA’s newest airline, takes flight on Wednesday, one of its key features will be intraflight messaging.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-08-06-instant-messaging_N.htm

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August 1, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Federal regulators Tuesday approved rules for an upcoming airwave auction that are aimed at giving consumers new choices in cellphones and other devices by breaking the grip of the big wireless carriers. The Federal Communications Commission’s rules also make room for a nationwide network that would fix public-safety agencies’ inability to communicate with each other in a crisis, a critical problem in disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The rules, approved by a 4-1 vote, set the stage for the January auction of airwaves that will be vacated by TV stations when they start to broadcast in digital only in February 2009. They’re some of the most desirable airwaves ever sold, because they allow signals to travel farther and more easily penetrate buildings.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-07-31-fcc-airwaves_N.htm

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July 31, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Federal regulators Tuesday are scheduled to pass new rules aimed at breaking open the tightly controlled wireless market, potentially making it easier for consumers to use any handset and software they choose with certain services. But some analysts are skeptical that the Federal Communications Commission’s rules for an upcoming airwaves auction will loosen the grip of big wireless carriers that may be intent on steering consumers to their own cellphones and services. FCC commissioners were negotiating late Monday on ways to prevent that from happening. “Open-access” requirements are expected to be imposed on about a third of the airwaves sold in January’s auction. That means the winner of that spectrum would have to offer a service that lets subscribers use any handset and download any software they wish.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-07-30-fcc-auction_N.htm

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July 26, 2007 by kb3ljm.

It turns out Apple’s (AAPL) much-ballyhooed iPhone wasn’t as big a seller as projected. AT&T (T), the exclusive service provider for Apple’s first cellphone, said Tuesday that it activated 146,000 iPhones after the first two days of sales, which fell on the final days of the second quarter. That is way below analysts’ estimates, which had ranged from 500,000 to 1 million.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2007-07-24-apple-iphone_N.htm

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July 10, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Coming soon could be a wireless broadband world in which consumers get to pick any smartphone or other device and load any software on it — not have to take what the wireless carrier wants to sell. That’s the goal of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, who will propose sweeping new rules for wireless airwaves the government is auctioning early next year. The 700 MHz spectrum, being vacated by TV stations as they go digital, is coveted for its ability to penetrate walls and other obstacles. Under Martin’s proposal, to be circulated in the agency as early as Tuesday, mobile services in these airwaves would have to allow consumer choice.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-07-09-wireless-telecom_N.htm

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