The times, they are a-changin'

Jun 1, 2000 12:00 PM, Ramona Isbell, executive editor

"Change is inevitable." - Anonymous. It's such a practical phase. It perfectly sums up the plight of the mobile radio world, as players position themselves against new competitors and rethink their marketing strategies.

Actually, as phrases go, it comes in handy in several instances. Try it the next time you are discussing the future with a colleague or playing the role of palm reader at your children's school carnival. It works in any conversation.

"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still." - Franklin D. Roosevelt. Unfortunately, the use of the word "change" seems to bring unexplained fear to those it will affect. Suggest to the mom-and-pop shops that their future lies in change, and you might be offered the door. Tell your sales team that you may be upgrading the product line to head-off competition from the cellular folks, and you may hear mutinous objections.

"The more things change, the more they remain the same." - Anonymous. You can take comfort in the fact that although some things change on the surface, they are still the same, dear source of consternation that you've come to expect. Take the FCC for example. Now, there's an entity you can depend on. Sure, this industry paragon has gone through some major changes, evolving into the new and improved "electronic FCC " that centers around the Universal Licensing System (ULS). Despite these massive changes, the FCC is still the same lovable rules enforcement and technical standards officiating body that it's always been.

"To change and to change for the better are two different things." - German proverb. The FCC is now focused on promoting healthy competition and raising consumer consciousness, which is an admirable goal. However, it is also determined to drag the industry kicking and screaming into the new century filled with Internet access and e-commerce. Let's just hope this ritual is done judiciously and seamlessly-with few casualties. Those who don't come along willingly and submit their paperwork on-line will simply be left behind. At this year's IWCE, Roger Noel, chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's licensing and technical analysis branch, said that those who didn't register with this on-line service wouldn't be doing business with the FCC anymore.

"Change is inevitable, except from vending machines." - Anonymous. Change is inevitable, even here within our editorial offices. It is with mixed emotions that I say "aloha" to this wonderful, competent staff and the complex wireless telecom industry that I've covered for five years as a trade journalist. As I move to Intertec's corporate communications department, I'll be watching the changes that continue to push this industry to its fullest potential.