ST. PAUL, Minn.-The American Association of Paging Carriers said it added more than 100 members during its first year of operation, and it hopes to add an additional 100 next year.
“In the first year of its existence, AAPC proved the vitality of the paging industry and confirmed our position that paging still holds an important place in the communications industry,” said AAPC President Ted McNaught, chief executive officer of Northeast Paging.
The group said it has also worked with the Federal Communications Commission to fight increased fees and costs, interference to paging systems and restricted interconnection rights. Moir & Hardman, a Washington, D.C., law firm specializing in communications issues, represents AAPC.
Further, the group said it also revived the Life Page program, which alerts potential recipients of organ transplants for families in need.
AAPC and rival paging association Allied are looking to fill the gap left by the Personal Communications Industry Association, which stopped representing paging companies several years ago. AAPC and Allied were in negotiations to merge last year, but talks broke down.
In other paging news, regional paging carrier Aquis Communications Group Inc. announced a new customer leasing program through GE Vendor Financial Services. Aquis said the deal will allow subscribers to quickly and easily acquire new equipment while conserving capital.