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This uniquely designed multi-carrier cell tower constructed in the Mesa del Sol area in Albuquerque, New Mexico, just south of the airport.

The architect for this site is Dekker/Perich/Sabatini.

This site isn’t quite complete, but it should raise the level of the discussion regarding turning cell sites into artistic visions.

The anchor tenant at the site is Verizon Wireless.  The site can handle up to seven carriers.

I have placed over 100 photos of this site in a dedicated gallery at CellularPCS.com/gallery/

While Verizon changed the body of its press release to make it clear that they don’t support handsfree driving, they still the same (and now contradictory) headline: “Verizon Wireless Reaffirms Support For Hands-Free Driving And Bans On Texting And E-Mailing While Driving.”

Here is the revised press release, with the additions highlighted in red.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Today, Verizon Wireless reiterated its support for handsfree use of wireless phones while driving and bans on texting and e-mailing while driving following the DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight state laws aimed at prohibiting motorists from talking and sending text messages while driving.

Verizon Wireless Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein made the following statement: “When it comes to using mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle, Verizon Wireless
has a long and proud record of leading the way toward common-sense public policies.

Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free use of wireless phones while driving laws. We support bans on texting and e-mailing while driving. And we have run an ad campaign urging people not to text while driving. “Therefore, we strongly oppose the efforts of the proposed DRIVE Coalition to confuse the issues and hinder the adoption of laws to protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians.”

Verizon Wireless broke from the rest of its competitors in the U.S. wireless industry by supporting state-wide hands-free use of wireless phones while driving laws as early as 2000. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

Now, I don’t believe that hand-free driving is a very good idea, and I suspect that most people don’t either, but when one of the largest international wireless and telecom firms makes a resounding statement of support like Verizon has, I guess you have to sit down and take a closer look at the core values you believe in.

Okay, I just did, and one of my core values is to hold on to the wheel while driving.

I urge you: Please, keep your hands on the wheel while you drive!

Here’s the exact text of Verizon’s press release, issued this very day. . .

Verizon Wireless Reaffirms Support For Hands-Free Driving And Bans On Texting And E-Mailing While Driving

07/08/2010

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Today, Verizon Wireless reiterated its support for hands-free driving and bans on texting and e-mailing while driving following the DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight state laws aimed at prohibiting motorists from talking and sending text messages while driving.

Verizon Wireless Vice President and General Counsel Steven E. Zipperstein made the following statement:

“When it comes to using mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle, Verizon Wireless has a long and proud record of leading the way toward common-sense public policies. Since 2000, our record has been clear: we support hands-free driving laws. We support bans on texting and e-mailing while driving. And we have run an ad campaign urging people not to text while driving.

“Therefore, we strongly oppose the efforts of the proposed DRIVE Coalition to confuse the issues and hinder the adoption of laws to protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians.”

Verizon Wireless broke from the rest of its competitors in the U.S. wireless industry by supporting state-wide hands-free driving laws as early as 2000. For more information on Verizon Wireless’ responsible driving practices, please visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

Perhaps Verizon’s PR department needs a new proof-reader. The one who reviewed this press release may be in danger of committing ‘hand-free editing.’

-Jonathan

PS: The link below will show you the actual press release.

VerizonWirelessHandsFree.20100708

Excellent T-Mobile Camo Site in Piedmont, California

The antennas are hidden behind the faux vents in the bell tower.  The equipment is inside the building.  If I had not had this site pointed out to me by the rightfully proud planners in the City of Piedmont, I never would have guessed it to be a PCS wireless site.

Good job, Piedmont!

Good job, T-Mobile!

Note: I’ve been one of Palos Verdes Estates experts in this case for years.  -jlk

Click on the gallery link at the top of the page, or on the large picture above to visit the gallery.

Moo.

Jonathan

Forrester Research has just released the first in a series of reports on “SmartPhones” concluding that so many mid-range phones now have smart features, it’s hard to define what a really smart phone is these days.

“All mobile handsets are becoming smarter and Internet-capable. Yesterday’s smart high-end phone is today’s midrange phone and tomorrow’s entry-level phone. The ‘smartphone’ category is no longer useful as all phones become smart.”

To redefine really smartphones in a smart-saturated handset marketplace, Forrester proposes a new trifecta to define future ‘real smarts’ in a cell phone handset:

1. Openness and extensibility; and

2. Consumption and creation; and

3. Utility and entertainment.

(No, I don’t know what those terms mean, either, but for US $749 you can purchase their report, released on May 15th, and find out.  By the way, at 23 pages, your per-page cost is only $32.57…a bargin if the page count doesn’t include the table of contents; about the author; about Forrester; about etc.)

I propose labeling this blog as being 14G, which gives me a few years before someone proposes 15G, to which I must say, “Gee!”

-Jonathan

In an article titled, “Danger of Cell Phone Use: While Walking Or Driving, Cell Phones Increase Traffic, Pedestrian Fatalities” published in Science Daily on March 8, 2009, several new studies about traffic deaths related to cell phone use are reviewed.

The “life-saving effect” occurred as the volume of phones grew into the early 1990s, and increasing numbers of cells were used to call 911 following accidents, leading to a drop in fatalities, explains Loeb. But this life-saving effect was canceled out once the numbers of phones reached a “critical mass” of  about 100 million and the “life-taking effect” – increased accidents and fatalities — outweighed the benefits of quick access to 911 services, according to [Rutgers University, Newark, Economics Professor Peter D. ] Loeb.

Here is a link to the AAA Foundation’s December 2008 report.

Sobering stuff!  It’s the ultimate early termination fee.

This type of pricing would be an interesting run on MetroPCS and Cricket, which offer all-you-can-eat fixed pricing, but with limited service areas (go outside and you pay hefty roaming fees on those two networks).

No, the T-Mobile program doesn’t offer data (you can get that for another $35/month), but if you’re a traveler and do nt use da ph 4 txting then it’s a good deal.

Jonathan