Dear Editor:
You recently published a letter from James Valentine that misstates a newly adopted CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) certification standard for portable phone handsets. In his letter, Mr. Valentine writes that CTIA is requiring ports for external hearing aid devices. That is not the case.
Effective in July of 1997, the certification program will require a port that can be used for external audio access devices. This is a requirement that is designed to extend the usefulness of all wireless phones. While it will be helpful to many hearing aid wearers, the external audio port has a much broader purpose. Perhaps its most important benefit will be to expand the use of “hands-free wireless phones” in automobiles. This is an important safety issue and CTIA already has begun discussions with auto manufacturers exploring standardized implementation of this technology.
It should also be noted that such external audio access ports are already standard features on many handsets-primarily for use with hands-free car phone kits. We hope you will be able to share this clarification with your readers.
Tim Ayers Vice President
for Communications
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association
Name games
Dear Editor:
I am sure that you have already heard a lot of commentary regarding Sprint’s new name and logo.
Inasmuch as the entertainment industry and now the wireless industry have adopted symbols as names, and since the degree symbol on the new Sprint logo somewhat resembles an earring … Maybe the press can refer to them as: “The cellular company formerly known as Sprint.”
Frank McNeill
Correction
The letter to the editor titled, “Deaf want access to wireless phones,” in the Feb. 5 issue of RCR incorrectly stated the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association’s certification requirement for personal communications services handsets.
The sentence should have stated “[CTIA’s] certification requirement is reflective of several things. One, it does remove the issue of hearing aid interference with an add-on device. Two, it does guarantee hands-free hearing access for both hearing disabled people and hearing people.”
RCR Publications welcomes letters to the editor responding to articles and commentary presented in the newspaper or stating opinions on other topics relevant to the wireless industry.
Letters must be signed by the author. RCR reserves the right to edit letters for style and space. Letters can be mailed to the company at 777 E. Speer Blvd., Denver, CO 80203, sent by fax to (303) 733-9941, or sent by e-mail to rcr@usa.net.
