Setting priorities

A new year is a perfect time to set priorities-and clean off the pile of papers oozing beyond the allotted boundaries on one’s desk. (OK-my desk.) One of my first priorities this year is to study the trends that likely will affect the wireless industry in 2006, and figure out which overarching issues should take precedence. Alas, I must forego my desk-cleaning chores for another day.

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce listed comprehensive spectrum policy as one of the items it believes should be a priority for lawmakers this year. Hear, hear! In its 2006 State of American Business, the organization vowed to press policy makers to “develop a comprehensive, unified national spectrum management strategy to reduce the artificial scarcity of spectrum and to increase the flexibility in allocating spectrum.”

   

  The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has been quietly pushing ahead on spectrum issues, but there’s nothing like the president’s stamp of approval to really get things moving.

• Finding the sweet spot for data pricing appears to be a priority for wireless carriers this year. Various models are being tested on a variety of services, and each has its own merits. Recent announcements from Alltel Corp. and Motorola Inc. seem to favor monthly subscription fees, while Verizon is pushing a per-item billing scenario. Alltel partnered with mobile content provider Motricity to launch a new version of its Axcess Web wireless Internet service for $6 a month. The service offers easy access to ringtones, wallpaper and Internet browsing. Meanwhile, Motorola is pursuing its music plans with iRadio subscriptions for $7 a month. Verizon last week came out with its music download service, which prices songs for $1 or $2, depending on the network.

   

• PC manufacturers have also decided to make wireless a priority in 2006. This is huge news for the industry. Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and Verizon Wireless announced substantial deals last week to embed UMTS/EDGE and EV-DO technologies into select laptops. Sierra Wireless Inc. also has a card for Sprint Nextel Corp.’s CDMA network that is for sale to laptop makers. Like ubiquitous Wi-Fi, this is a great way for wireless carriers to embed themselves into the enterprise space.