@jbtaylor on tech

I'm a spokesman for Sprint. This personal site is where I share news stories and my views about our company, our phones and other devices. I also write a bit about tech policy, the wireless industry and life in Washington, D.C.

To ensure that Sprint's lawyers continue to support employees' use of social media, please read the disclaimers on my "About this Posterous" page.

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What I like about Hill & Knowlton's Tech in 5

via youtube.com

The tech PR team at Hill & Knowlton's Washington, D.C. has a good idea that I just stumbled upon: a series of interviews with the writers that cover technology in D.C. Here's one with Rob Pegoraro at the Washington Post.

What I like about Hill & Knowlton's idea is it gives viewers a better idea where writers are coming from. I haven't checked with Rob or the other journalists who've sat down with Hill & Knowlton, but I imagine they were happy to do so. Reporters I work with are eager to connect with readers, listeners and viewers through social media. What Rob does better than most is actually engage with readers. (He's much more than "click here for the link to my column.")

My only request for Hill & Knowlton is that they should leverage their team of colleagues around the country to interview other journalists from places besides Washington.

And Rob, don't know if you'll find this or not, but as much as I want to agree with you about the Nationals, I am more realistic. (We'll see what next season holds though -- perhaps you're right.)

For what it's worth, Hill & Knowlton does not do any work for Sprint Nextel. (But I do work with Rob when he has questions about Sprint's products.)

Universal Outlets on Wireless Phones? You Bet!

Our colleagues at CTIA's trade show in San Diego have been busy. Among their news releases issued this afternoon was this gem. We think it's a worth a look and shouldn't get lost in the shuffle of a very busy trade show.

The release has a lot of jargon -- we love jargon in this business -- but basically it's an announcement that the industry is moving toward a standardized outlet or jack for earphones and microphones that you use with your wireless phone or PDA.

In our view, it's a first step, but there is clearly more to do. In reaction to CTIA's news, we issued the following statement to media from Fared Adib, vice president, device planning and operations at Sprint.

As the first wireless carrier to establish environmental design specifications for handset makers, Sprint endorses CTIA’s call for standardized audio and charging outlets on wireless devices. It will be consumers that will benefit from this effort as they will be able to more easily use their phones with existing accessories in their homes, offices and vehicles.

To learn more about Sprint’s commitment to running our business in a more sustainable way, you may want to check out:

  • This recent social media news release 
  • Our sustainability site on Sprint.com, and 
  • This video of Sprint CEO Dan Hesse sharing his reaction to Sprint being named number 15 on Newsweek Magazine's list of the 500 Greenest Companies in the U.S. As aside, our friends at Verizon were ranked 101 and AT&T, 126, respectively.

 And lastly, if you're on Twitter, you may want to follow @SprintGreenNews.

 

Sprint's Reaction to FCC Chairman Genachowski's Remarks at CTIA

This morning in San Diego, Julius Genachowski, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission addressed attendees at the International CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment Show. His remarks are important and worth a close reading. 

In reaction, Vonya B. McCann, our senior vice president of government affairs, said the following:

Sprint Nextel shares with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski the view that American business and consumers benefit from the deployment of 4G mobile broadband networks. At Sprint, we are proud to be the first and only nationwide wireless carrier to offer 4G in the United States. For Sprint customers, 4G isn’t the future, 4G is here now. Sprint 4G is available in 16 markets today and we expect to offer Sprint 4G service to over 120 million people in 80 markets by the end of 2010.

Sprint is particularly pleased that the Chairman recognizes that the wireless industry depends upon affordable, high capacity middle mile lines. Sprint has long held in proceedings before the FCC that the market for these special access lines is broken and must be fixed. We look forward to working with the FCC to resolve this issue as we believe leaving this matter unresolved is harmful to the country’s broadband economy.

Lastly, Sprint is pleased that the Chairman recognized that there are real and relevant differences between operating wired and wireless networks. Sprint wants customers to be able to access the applications and the Internet sites they want, when they want.  We look forward to working with Chairman Genachowski and the FCC as they create policies that meet the expectations of consumers, continue innovation in device development, and preserve the ability of carriers to manage networks in a reasonable and responsible manner.