Greetings from the Coalition for a Connected West! Thank you for visiting our website and joining our e-mail distribution list. This is the Coalition’s first e-newsletter. I hope you find the content helpful and informative.
I am very excited about the work CCW is undertaking – educating consumers, policy makers and business leaders about communications and technology-related issues in the Western Region of the U.S. Change is constant and rapid in both areas and it’s important that the policies our elected officials are considering are designed to enhance competition and innovation so that consumers continue to benefit from new products and services and competitive prices.
I am interested in hearing from you. If there are communications and technology issues you’re concerned about, or you have a story to share, let us know. You can drop me an e-mail at info@connectedwest.org. Enjoy!
Katie Hutchinson
Executive Director
Coalition for a Connected West
State Updates
Arizona
A bill pending at the Arizona State Legislature, Senate Bill 1010, could drive-up prices and diminish choice in cell phones. The bill is labeled a “cell phone user’s bill of rights,” but a closer look reveals over-regulation at its worst and will end up harming consumers rather than helping them in the long run.
CCW isn’t the only organization opposed to this bill. Other groups opposed include the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Consumer Electronics Association, the Goldwater Institute, Women Impacting Public Policy, the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers, the American Legislative Exchange Council, Americans for Tax Reform, Motorola, TechNet, Freedom Works, and the Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute.
CCW is proud to support another Arizona bill, Senate Bill 1034, which would allow members of the military and their spouses to terminate wireless service contracts without penalty if the military member is called to active duty. Though most wireless companies already do this, CCW supports giving members of the military a break on their wireless contracts if they’re called to active duty.
And in Utah …House Bill 139, the Wireless Internet Access Act, sounds promising but is wrought with challenges. The bill requires labeling wireless products and requires a person maintaining a public wireless network to attempt to restrict access to minors. The bill calls for fines ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 if a person does not restrict access to a public wireless network and a minor accesses material harmful to minors through that network.
This means that anyone who has a wireless LAN or cell phone equipped with wireless technology is subject to these fines if a minor access “harmful material.” It may sound good in theory, but will be a tricky one to enforce. There are plenty of safeguards available to block unwanted content on the Internet and the simplest solution of all is for adults to keep tabs on what sites kids are visiting.
In Wyoming, there are two bills pending that prohibit using wireless devices while driving, House Bill 0070 and House Bill 0094. It’s common sense to know that you’re distracted if you’re driving and talking on the phone at the same time. Studies show that drivers that talk on the phone behind the wheel respond slower to brake lights and take longer to speed up again, disturbing the overall flow of traffic. However, singling out cell phones as the only way a driver can be distracted doesn’t make a ton of sense since drivers can just as easily be distracted by turning the radio station, inserting a CD, eating or putting on makeup. Distracted driving bills that include a broader scope of what constitutes being distracted make more sense and are better overall public policy.
WiMax. What is it?
WiMax, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is the latest — and the most promising — of the wireless broadband technologies. WiMax is essentially radio technology that promises to deliver two-way Internet access at speeds of up to 75 megabits per second at significantly longer range than WiFi. Supporters of this new technology claim that WiMax can transmit data up to 30 miles between broadcast towers and can cover areas more than a mile in radius with Internet access that is faster than current DSL and cable broadband capabilities.
WiMax is seen as a means of connecting rural and remote areas with broadband service by eliminating the need technically and economically difficult task of burying wire for DSL or cable connections. As a result, it could significantly reduce the cost of bringing broadband Internet access to remote areas and potentially open the market to new broadband competition, leading to lower prices and faster speeds for consumers.
Consumer Tip
Open Networks
Did you know that you can take your phone with you from one service provider to another? Most major wireless carriers have opened their networks to all cell phones regardless of where you purchased it. That means more flexibility and choice for you, the consumer! Before you make the switch, be sure to check that your phone is compatible with the carrier’s network.
Kudos!
Kudos to OASIS for joining with AT&T to hold a seminar to give seniors tips on how to use a cell phone. Oasis is a national non-profit organization designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors. The event was held at a Salvation Army in Phoenix, Arizona. Seniors were taught how to pick out ring tones, send text messages, program speed dials and had questions about billing issues answered. Great program — we know it was helpful to seniors in Arizona!
Domestic Violence Charity
Not sure what to do with your old cell phone, cell phone battery or accessories? Verizon Wireless collects these items in any condition and from any service provider at their Communications Stores across the country, refurbishes them and sells them for reuse. Proceeds from the sales are used to provide cell phones and cash grants to shelters and non-profit organizations focused on domestic violence prevention and awareness. The program is called Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine phone recycling program. If your phone can’t be refurbished, Verizon will dispose of it in an environmentally safe way. This is a great way to put your old cell phones and accessories to good use. Hats off to Verizon Wireless for their HopeLine phone recycling program.
Tell a friend about CCW!
Like what CCW has to say? Tell a friend about us, and ask them to visit us online at http://www.connectedwest.org.
