Mobile Diner® where wireless and washington meet….

George Washington University’s Institute for Policy, Democracy & the Internet hosted a discussion about the “Future of Broadband Wireless” last night. Rick Whitt (Washington Telecom and Media Counsel, Google) was the keynote speaker but it was more of an open forum for questions regarding Google’s vision of wireless.  I enjoyed the conversation and look forward to future forums at GW (IPID will be hosting more technology discussions).

Rick began the conversation with his thoughts about 700 MHz and why Google has an interest in the spectrum. He did not say whether or not they will bid.  However, it is very clear Google has a wireless gameplan.  Link Hoewing (Assistant VP for Internet & Technology, Verizon) was in the audience and he was able to add to the conversation.  Accordingly, he offered his perspectives on having a “managed” network at Verizon Wireless as opposed to the open wireless network that Google envisions.

With regard to future spectrum allocations, the FCC recently released an NPRM seeking comment on the different technological approaches for the AWS III spectrum (2155-2175 MHz).  Chairman Martin also would like to have service rules released for this block in 9 months.  I asked Rick about his thoughts on the AWS III band.  He mentioned that Google is evaluating the band and thinking about the best approach for the spectrum (licensed model or unlicensed model).

Google wants the mobile internet to start with a “g.”  In some instances, it already does.  Google will be a key player propelling wireless broadband in America.  They key question is how do they do it…

What do YOU think?

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photo credit – 09traveler

For DC Diners, have you ever said those words? 

The twisted pair in the district of communications is policy and politics.  Unfortunately, this twisted pair causes interference in DC.  It is the reason why a bill that was passed in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee – that includes language to allow carriers into the Metro – has not gotten to the House floor.

Supposedly, there is language in the larger House bill – the Metro reauthorization – that some labor unions oppose.  Presumably, on the Senate side, there is not going to be a great deal of love from some Republican lawmakers to authorize money to WMATA.  In any case, things are starting to get complex.

This is not a new issue.  However, it is frustrating to see something that is good for consumers and essential in these times of heightend security stuck on the track.  Hopefully, it won’t take a national tragedy – as was the case in the Minnesota bridge incident to get dollars for infrastructure – to get all carriers into the Metro to provide service.

Congrats to New York for getting it done!

Disclosure – I have a Verizon Wireless phone that works in the Metro and an at&t Blackberry Curve that does not work.

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  I was in Ann Arbor this past weekend for the Michigan game.  After watching the Wolverines dismantle the Irish, we grabbed dinner downtown.  As I pondered the impact of the Wolverines victory – whether they are getting better or Notre Dame’s just really bad – my friend tells me that USC is losing to Nebraska.  I figured he was just checking scores.  However, he gives me his Treo and I’m suddenly watching a live feed of the USC game!

My buddy was using his Sprint Treo and watching mobile TV via his Slingbox.  Slingbox is a service which allows you to watch your “home” programming on a device of your choice (computer, mobile phone).  On this note, I know this is a dilemma for carriers that are trying to promote their own offerings. 

The key question – do they allow this service to grow and have it potentially cannabilize their own service?  My answer is yes.  Streaming Slingbox is not cannabilizing this opportunity –  it is growing a market that does not exist. 

As many folks know, wireless carriers are hoping that Mobile TV is going to generate revenues in the near future. However, at this point in the game, it is really hard to tell if consumers are even interested in such a product. In fact, I have not heard any buzz about mobile TV at all.  That doesn’t mean there is no chance of success.  Consumers weren’t clamoring for text messaging a few years ago but that has turned out to be a quite profitable and growing revenue source.

There is potential for the product but carriers have some current limitations.  For instance:

Lots of folks don’t have handsets that are capable of viewing tv broadcasts.

Only a few select cities are offering the service. 

Only a small percentage of new handsets are equipped with video capability.

Those challenges will be addressed sooner rather than later.  However, in the interim, let consumers enjoy and promote this service.  Both carriers and consumers will reap the benefits.

Will YOU tune in?

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Larry Page and Sergey Brin clearly have gone “where no man has gone before.” 

In this instance, they’ve landed prime parking for their monster ride (Boeing 767-200) at NASA’s Moffett Field near company headquarters in Mountain View.

Great quote from NY Times article by NASA employee – “It was an opportunity for us to defray some of the fixed costs we have to maintain the airfield as well as to have flights of opportunity for our science missions.”  I guess FedEx and UPS had nothing to offer since they were turned away in the late 90’s.

Party on gentlemen!

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Lots of ideas and recipes cooking in the diner… 

With Congress back legislating (mobile bill) and the FCC starting an open meeting over 10 hours after it was supposed to convene (meeting was listed at 9:30am yesterday), things are returning to normal in the district of communications.  In any case, here are a few rants from the kitchen:

FCC Open Meeting – Does Chairman Martin have a problem getting votes or does he just want to have open meetings in the dark?  Hopefully, this is not becoming a habit…

Back to the Future – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) stated “the rules governing our wireless industry are the relic of the 1980’s when cell phones were a luxury item that fit in a briefcase instead of a pocket.”  Her bill would take us back to the 80’s when only a few folks were able to enjoy wireless technology.  Once again, we need to move forward and have policies that are a catalyst for deployment and unleash wireless broadband – not legislation that provides more ambiguity and sets the table for a patchwork of different state laws.

Bundling -  President Bush has a lobbying bill that awaits his signature and the Clinton campaign has an 850K bundler.  The bill that the President may or may not sign would have no bearing on the 850K bundler but would prohibit a registered advocate (me) from buying a sandwich or coffee for a staffer interested in telecommunications policy.  Although the bill does not prohibit me from writing a $1000 check and eating with his/her boss!? 

Twitter – Robert Scoble opined in Fast Company that Twitter is the Next Email.  It is a great column.  In this instance, I hope it does not become the next email because I’m drowing in fundraising emails and other spam.  However, I do share Scobleizer’s view that there is a great deal of benefit to this service for companies.  Accordingly, figuring out how to leverage Twitter will reap huge benefits.

Sorry for the noise pollution.  Look forward to YOUR thoughts?

Promotion – If you like what you are reading, please subscribe (or by email on bottom right of menu) – its free!

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 As many diners know, I was up in Philly this weekend for Podcamp.  It was my first “Podcamp” and I really enjoyed the “unconference” which was held at Drexel University.  Huge kudos go to Whitney Hoffman, Christopher Penn and many others who made it happened. 

In any case, it was great seeing VON friends Steve Garfield and Grace Piper.  Jonny Goldstein (DC Media Makers) was also in town and it was good hanging a bit with him.  It was also nice meeting Jim McCusker (CTO, redlasso) and hearing about his company.  CC Chapman and Mark Blevis did a great forum on podcasting – something Ashley and I want to incorporate more at mobilediner.com. 

With regard to internet tv, Kathryn Jones is producing the first live episodic internet tv show called “35″ beginning on September 19.  It was nice hearing about that initiative and hearing from Josh Cohen (Tilzy.tv) about what internet shows are hot.  Tilzy.tv is an internet channel guide and tracks the increasing number of shows on the internet.  As many folks know, I believe that web 3.0 is the mobile internet and many shows on the internet will be great in the mobile space (for instance, Rocketboom). 

Mobile Diner was happy to cosponsor the activities this weekend and we look forward to future Podcamps.  “Podcampers” are innovators and have great ideas.  It was a pleasure talking wireless with everyone and hope to see them in the diner!

Photo – Chris Parandian, Grace Piper (in the iPhone) and Steve Garfield.  Photo via my Blackberry Curve…

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For many diners my age, folks may think I’m referring to a Steven Seagal movie from the 90’s with this title.  Unfortunately, I’m referring to the wireless industry and the appetite to regulate from some policymakers on Capitol Hill.

In this instance, is legislation in the works by Senators Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Rockefeller (D- West Virginia) to regulate rates, terms and conditions of wireless carriers.  This is not the right direction we want to take to propel wireless broadband networks in America.

With regard to advocacy, we have advocated a “do no harm” approach to Congress for many years.  This approach served both consumer and corporate interests while the industry was in its adolescence.  Minimal regulation has resulted in strong competition among the carriers and has forced them to continue to evolve to meet consumer demand.  However, as industry has become the primary economic driver for the telecom business and wireless phones have become the key device for consumers, that approach has fallen on deaf ears, and we are now beginning to see the consequences.

There are many exciting things occuring in the wireless industry.  We have a 700 MHz auction on the horizon.  We have T-mobile introducing a hybrid wireless service.  The hottest phone on the market was developed by Apple and a Gphone is coming. 

Complexity and uncertainty are the enemies of investment.  Accordingly, the potential direction of the draft (outline) bill crafted by Ms. Klobochar and Mr. Rockefeller adds both of those ingredients.  It will lead us down the wrong road.  In fact, it has the potential to bulkanize popular one rate plans and be the end of all you can eat broadband.

The wireless industry is not perfect and we are working hard to get it right.  I agree with Senator Klobuchar that the rules governing the wireless industry – “are a relic of the 1980’s when cell phones were a luxury item.”  However, we don’t want policies that will take us back to those days – where only a few enjoy the power of wireless.  We need to update the laws to unleash wireless not shackle it.  We need to move forward NOT backward!

Carriers must meet the evolving needs of consumers today or consumers will walk.  As I have mentioned, consumers’ priorities have shifted away from access (service provider) to the edges (applications and devices).  More spectrum to enable carriers to offer more multimedia and data options is good policy.  Gadgets that can utilize Wi-Fi and 3G so consumers can enjoy those services will continue to prosper. 

Government and regulation are not always the answers to challenges an industry faces.  In the wireless business, competition has worked and it will continue to work.  As I mentioned, more innovation in wireless is ahead and the future is bright. 

What do YOU think? 

Disclosure – The full bill has not been released – only an outline.  We represent CTIA-the Wireless Association in supporting efforts to unleash wireless broadband in America.

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Chris is heading up to podcamp philly this weekend.  Since mobilediner is sponsoring the event, he was interviewed by Steve Lubetkin earlier this week about what we do here at the diner.  Check it out!

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We went lite in August here at the diner, but here are some of our sticky posts from the month for your dining pleasure:

- a true assault on reason…

- Rocking the net neutrality debate

- Chris Guestblogs on the Buzz Bin

- bring on the Gphone

As always, if you like what you see, feel free to subscribe.

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Now that Labor Day has passed and summer is officially winding down, students across the country are heading off to college to start a new year.  Last week, one unlucky college freshman at UC Boulder had an unfortunate start to his college career- he was stabbed in the neck by a campus employee.  Thankfully, he survived, and the entire campus was put on alert after the incident.  It must have been difficult for a school to handle such an emergency with so many other start-of-the-year things going on, but fortunately, the school had already implemented an emergency text system, making alerts much more effective. 

Many schools across the country have been adopting such systems, such as George Mason, Vanderbilt, and Purdue (who is researching an array of communications options, including facebook).  It is good to see so many schools adopting this technology and not relying on antiquated and ineffective emergency communications strategies such as emails and land-line phone calls.  I wrote back in the spring about the benefits of emergency text systems after what happened at Virginia Tech.  Students are mobile, and reaching them wirelessly should be an essential part of any emergency communications system.  Hopefully, more schools and even companies and other organizations will see the value in using these systems to enhance emergency communications.

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On Friday evening, Podcamp Philadelphia begins and will go until Sunday (Sept 9) afternoon.  The venue for the unconference is Drexel University and its free.

If you are interested in social media, community development or blogging – you should come to the city of brotherly love.  Mobile Diner is a proud sponsor and I will have a few new t-shirts in hand! 

Please say hello if you are attending Podcamp Philly…

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