Brief Summary of CTIA 2008 Keynotes - Kevin J. Martin’s Keynote
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Kevin J. Martin is the FCC Chairman. Let’s get right on topic discussing his keynote. First, he pointed out that it is difficult to predict how the communication landscape will look in the next 5, 10, or 15 years. However, it is clear that mobility will take a strong place in it and it’s going to be one of its defining factors.
The wireless industry is in dynamic growth. The expectation of consumers are exponentially increasing; they expect better handsets, faster speeds, and a wider range of applications. Sooner or later, but hopefully sooner, true broadband wireless will become a valid alternative to cable and DSL connections. There is lots going on in the industry and Kevin Martin is pleased to see growing investments.
(Photo Courtesy of CTIA Wireless 2008)
The FCC estimates that today around 95% of the people in the U.S. can choose from at least three wireless operators, while around 90% can choose from four, all of them competing to offer services. As of May 2007, approximately 82% of the U.S. population lived in an area where wireless coverage was possible from at least one operator.
Kevin Martin continues explaining the important role of the FCC in the industry. They have recently expanded the amount of spectrum, auctioning the 700MHz band. It was the largest auction in the history of the FCC and raised a record of $19.592 billion in total bids. Most importantly, the FCC has adopted “open platform” requirements in this band. This leads to carriers also realizing the importance of open platforms.
T-Mobile and Sprint got involved in the Open Handset Alliance, AT&T has embraced delivering “more open” devices and applications, and Verizon Wireless committed to open its entire network to the free choice of customers, including devices and apps. But Kevin Martin also mentions that the work isn’t done with the 700MHz band. There’s much more left to do considering public safety.
“During a crisis, public safety officials need to be able to communicate with one another. We are all aware of problems caused by the lack of interoperability for public safety during recent crises – like 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
In conclusion, let me say that, at the Commission, our job is to provide ample spectrum for a range of wireless services and a regulatory framework that allows you – the entrepreneurs, engineers, and network operators of the world to provide lower prices, better and more innovative services, and more choice to wireless consumers.
At the same time, we also must ensure that our regulations continue to protect consumers in this new, more mobile world. Indeed, in some ways the wireless industry is a victim of its own success. Because with increased success often comes increased expectations.” ~ Kevin J. Martin
As a closure, he has brought up the benefits of E911: the automatic localization of calls. Over the years, there has been a six fold increase considering the source of emergency calls—gradually, more and more people are calling in from their cell phones. This requires top-notch systems to localize the source of these calls as quickly and as accurately as possible.
All in all, he’s confident that the wireless industry will rise to the occasion, and is looking forward to working toward finding solutions to critical public safety issues.
Next: Robbie Bach’s Keynote >>
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