Three Upcoming Cell Phone Technologies

May 28, 2009 By 1 Comment

CES 2009 is long gone but the technologies on display there still have a ways to go before they end up in your pocket. Many companies opt for upgrades and new procurement in the summer, so while tech reporters look into the future in January, office managers are more likely to have new technology in mind now. What’s coming up? How will it influence your telecom expense management? Let’s look at three upcoming technologies from that point of view.

Built in Projectors: Cell phone projectors have actually been on the market for a while. Until recently they’ve belonged to phones that were either a little on the chunky side or were primarily destined for Asian markets. LG demonstrated the technology this year, and it’s expected to roll out for broad consumer use by next year. Would this type of phone work in a corporate cell phone plan? Maybe. It may look like a toy for long car trips, but it has definite applications as a go-anywhere tool for presentations. The only drawback is that it will be a definite battery hog.

Netbook/Phone Convergence: Smartphones have eclipsed PDAs as the go-to mobile data tool and as time passes, they’re starting to embrace their role as computers, rather than just phones with extras. The iPhone and BlackBerry drove this paradigm shift, but mobile computing is also being served by netbooks. It seems inevitable that a hybrid device will soon become your standard companion for email, Web access and business data. Sony’s rolling out a new line of VAIO netbooks (netbooks are mini-notebook computers designed primarily for web surfing and basic office functions) with GSM capability. Will consumers opt for netbooks with phone features, or phones with netbook features? With movement in both directions it seems clear that a device with full featured cell phone and netbook capabilities will be offered by major carriers in a year or so.

If your company has mobile computing and cellular needs, this is going to be a major game changer when it comes to cellular expense management planning – and of course, every carrier will need robust wireless networks that can handle the bandwidth. Given the issues that have already come up with the iPhone’s heavy bandwidth use, this may be the one sticking point.

Wireless Charging: While the other technologies we’ve talked about will mature by next year, wireless charging looks like it will hit the mainstream now with the Palm Pre. One of this smartphone’s core accessories is a wireless power dock called the Touchstone. Just place the Pre on it and it will automatically begin charging. CES also featured demonstrations of the Powermat, which charges any device with a special adapter whenever you place it on the surface. Close range wireless power has actually been around for a century, but 100 years ago the average person wasn’t carrying a power hungry phone and media player around and the charging equipment wouldn’t have fit on a typical office desk.

Unlike the other two technologies in this article, wireless charging probably won’t have a direct impact on business, though it will probably provide some hidden savings by removing the nuisance of wires. In an office environment, this one is probably an executive perk – but given its elegance, it would be a welcome one.

Filed Under: Cellular Expense Management Tagged With: ,

Three Pieces of Good News for Cell Phone Users

May 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Telecommunications is a fast-paced field, where major developments can pass under the radar because they’re hard to find past all the noise of new cell phone models, smartphone apps and corporate telecom acquisitions. Here are three pieces of news that translate directly into more savings and convenience for customers – things that factor into both regular consumer budgets and formal telecom expense management.

FCC Tightens Landline Cellular and VoIP Porting Rules

On May 15, 2009 the FCC ruled that service providers have to port US customers on mobile, VoIP and some landline services within one day instead of the four currently mandated. This new requirement will come into effect by next May. The new rules exempt a few small carriers but if you have a large carrier, in 2010 you should be able to switch carriers in a single business day. In related news, the FCC has also decided to crack down VoIP providers who unexpectedly drop or modify services be requiring notification.

Solar Powered Phones Coming

Manufacturers Sharp and Japan’s KDDI have started a joint venture with the goal of releasing a phone that provides one minute of talk for every ten minutes of charge time or two hours of standby time. It’s a modest goal but an excellent start that matches similar announcements by Samsung and LG. Although currently marketed as “sport” or “green” phones, they’re sure to increase in demand for two reasons. First, green-energy advocates have made us aware that chargers consume power even when they aren’t hooked up to phones. Second, people lose chargers so often that in many organizations this becomes an unnoticed but persistent expense. Lose the need for a charger, and lose the cost.

The iPhone Ups the Ante on Smartphone Development

The Palm Pre (in the link above) is one example of an upcoming smartphone that wouldn’t exist without the iPhone. So even if you never own one, iPhones are making your phones better through bigger screens, better screen resolution and revolutions in interfaces, applications and use of 3G networks. It’s been a bumpy ride, of course, with one notable example being AT&T’s ban of the Slingplayer streaming application from its 3G network. In spite of these setbacks, we should look forward to iPhone-driven competition spawning better, more cost-effective phones than ever before.

Filed Under: Cellular Expense Management, Cost Reduction, Telecom Audit, Telecom Expense Management Tagged With: , ,

Ontario Drivers Now Require Headsets for Car Phone Use – Mobile Fleets Need Headset Procurement

May 19, 2009 By 1 Comment

On April 22nd, 2009 Ontario’s Bill 118 passed into law. The bill requires drivers to use cell phones using hands free methods such as Bluetooth headsets. If you try to use your phone in one hand while driving you can face a $500 fine. If you cause an accident in the process, using your phone will be considered to be evidence against you in careless driving prosecutions.

The law doesn’t just apply to cell phones, but using any handheld device with a display screen in any context but hands free use. This includes iPods and many GPS devices. You can still use these if they’re in hands free mode, but even holding them without actively using them can get you in trouble.

Bill 118 follows a trend in several jurisdictions to crack down on distracting mobile device use. This may improve road safety but for many businesses, the whole point of a cellular phone fleet is to enable use on the road. As a result, companies that need this capability must upgrade to hands free tools like headsets, and cell phone plans that permit easy hands free use.

This is a definite cellular expense management issue. Your price per headset and modified plans could add a substantial amount to your costs unless you use a telecom expense management provider with expertise in both cell phone plans and cellular hardware procurement. Fortunately for us at GILL Technologies, we have always maintained a strong emphasis on both plans and hardware, so we’re able to outfit our clients’ employees with a complete hands free solution at reduced costs. Telecom cost audits aren’t just about plans – they’re about the total cost to use your handsets.

Even if you don’t live in Ontario you should consider upgrading your mobile fleet to hands free use. More and more jurisdictions in the US, Canada and beyond are passing similar laws, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that in the near future, laws like this will be the rule almost everywhere. Besides, these laws get passed for a reason: Hands free use on the road really is safer, and we encourage everyone to consider the option.

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GILL Technologies Ready to Help Businesses Conform to New Ontario Cellular Laws

May 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Telecom Consultants Ready after Bill 118 Makes Hands-Free Cell Phone Use Mandatory in Automobiles

Peterborough, ON, Canada: GILL Technologies (http://www.gill-technologies.com) announced that it has prepared the hardware and telecom expense management expertise to help businesses with mobile phone fleets conform to the Ontario Government’s Bill 118. The law makes it punishable by fine to hand operate cell phones and other electronic devices with screens while operating a motor vehicle. Hands free use is permitted however, which puts many businesses in the position of having to acquire headsets and voice activated functionality for employees who routinely communicate by cell phone while driving.

The Peterborough, Ontario and Tampa, Florida based telecommunications consulting company was prepared for the bill’s passage on April 22, 2009 before then, had already performed a preliminary analysis of how companies that needed to conform to the law would be affected. GILL Technologies predicts an upsurge in demand for Bluetooth headsets and rich voice activated features delivered through a combination of hardware and cellular services. Canada’s transition to 3G smartphones requires that voice activated features not only encompass traditional telephony, but the ability to browse email. The company has also made arrangements with select suppliers to provide Bluetooth headsets at a considerable cost savings.

“Corporate cellular customers outside of Ontario should understand that the growing trend to ban handheld use while driving is likely to affect them as well,” said GILL Technologies president George Gill. “We not only urge people with mobile fleets in Ontario to upgrade to hands free use, but advise that companies everywhere that expect communications on the road do the same. It’s not only forward looking, but safer – that’s why the law came into effect in the first place.”

Interested parties can request a free initial cost analysis from GILL Technologies by visiting http://www.gill-technologies.com, emailing info@gill-technologies.com or calling 877-507-6988 toll-free. GILL Technologies accepts clients from across Canada and the United States.

About GILL Technologies


Established in 2000, GILL Technologies provides a “Total Communication Solution” for businesses of all sizes. Clients range from small businesses simply looking to save on their communications costs to large enterprises that want comprehensive solutions. Over 3000 clients across North America bear witness to the effectiveness of GILL Technologies’ products and services.Find out more about GILL Technologies’ communications services through its no-risk, money saving Cost Auditing service at http://www.gill-technologies.com/CostAudit.php

Filed Under: Cellular Expense Management, Cost Reduction, Telecom Audit, Telecom Expense Management Tagged With: , , ,