I’ve got connections
The dynamics of the telecommunications industry, as viewed through expert eyes, include a review of the greater convergence of both wired and wireless flexibility to meet the demands of the marketplace. This convergence is meeting acceptance as — beep … as — beep … just a minute.
I’ve got a call on hold about the paging auction …
New phone system.
Now, let’s see, hit the green flashing bar.
Pick up receiver and …
Hello! Hello!
Press red flashing button, and there we have it.
Darn! Cut ’em off!
As I was saying — er — writing, the convergence of wireless and wired communications began with basic interconnection efforts via the early attempts to provide mobile phone service in what was then a crude simplex configuration. From these early experiments in the …
Secretary just handed me an urgent fax.
The pages aren’t in order.
The stupid machine reduced one page.
Typeface is about the size of an ant’s butt.
I can’t read this!
Call them and get them to resend.
You tried, and all you got was voice mail?!
OK, where was I? Oh, yes — the early experiments in connectivity and convergence created a groundswell of demand that enjoyed its first zenith with the advent of cellular radio. Then, with the introduction of true digital technology, the face of the industry changed again, bringing with it — you’ve got mail.
So what? I’m trying to write here!
But it might be important, like some client with the FCC enforcement guys toting off his shop.
OK. Open email
“IMPORTANT OFFER FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS.”
G-a-a-h!!!!
If you were here, I’d tell you what a first-class @#%&$#% you are!
Let’s try this again.
… bringing with it the hope of a fully interconnected and interactive mobile data/video solution. Convergence on wire, via fiber, would be matched by convergence in wireless via broadband, high-speed data streams that the industry has dubbed third generation, or 3G. This promise …
AOL instant message.
Darn thing just pops up on the screen.
John: Robert, will you be available for a phone call later?
Robert: John, what time?
John: What’s convenient?
Robert: How long?
John: Just a minute or two to discuss CALEA.
Robert: How about three?
John: Three’s no good.
Robert: When?
John: Four.
Robert: Four’s good.
John: Thanks.
Robert: You’re welcome.
John: Signing off.
Robert: Signing off.
Hit intcom key on phone and tell secretary to schedule a four o’clock call with John. She tells me that the phone company is coming to check the router on the network and that the phone system will likely be out of service while they try to figure out the DSL problem. I tell her to call John and tell him to either reschedule or to call the number for her cellphone (I don’t own one). She tells me that her cellphone was carried off by the dog, and she couldn’t find it this morning. Sigh.
New column
Dear readers: As I sit here among the electronic waves that wash up from my computer screen, dash through the air and buzz through the wiring in my office, I consider both the promise and curse of telecommunications and “being connected.” Having been immersed in this industry for a second decade, I must remind myself that proximity to progress does not equal immunity from aggravation. It would not surprise me to find that the CEO of SBC works only with quill and parchment, with the added assistance of an agreeable carrier pigeon.
If you want to discuss this further, write me, call me, email me, instant-message me, fax me, check out my Web page, leave a message in my voice mail, post a note in my chat room, UPS me, FedEx me, page me, get me on a cell, call the home, conference me in, cc me, forward it to me, route me through, connect me to, dial me up, bookmark me, pencil me in, send me an attachment, reconfig docs to me … or just drop by for a beer.
Hint: The guy with the beer will be considered “priority communications.” Some things never change. Thank God.
Schwaninger, MRT’s regulatory consultant, is the principal in the law firm of Schwaninger & Associates, Washington, which is counsel to Small Business in Telecommunications. Schwaninger is also a member of the Radio Club of America. We’d tell you his email address, but we think we had better wait a month.
