Attempting to write up a nice brief update on the communications industry seems comparable to trying to sum up the history of the world in 500 words. It just can\u2019t be done, it is much too broad.

However, I have made an attempt. Chatting with industry represen- tatives and learning about what it means to be in the \u201ccommunications\u201d market has brought forth a certain amount of fruit and helped me understand both where the work comes from for these companies, and what it is exactly that they do.

\u201cWhat my organization does is design, sell, install, and maintain what I like to call \u2018telephony\u2019,\u201d said Mark Mckersie, President and Owner of First Telecommunications, \u201cWe don\u2019t do any- thing in the consumer side, we are strictly business to business. We look to improve business efficiency and their bottom-line.\u201d

\u201cAs you can imagine, the wireless industry is very fast paced and the com- petitive environment can change very quickly,\u201d said Kate Miller, the Director of Enhanced Wireless Solutions at Roe- Comm inc., \u201cRoe-Comm has always focused on the Business and Public Sector

Markets first and depending on what the market is bearing, Roe-Comm has also been very successful in the retail and con- sumer markets.\u201d

First Telecommunications, which has been in business since 1981, has focused a large portion of its time on helping busi- nesses cut back on travel costs by intro- ducing new technology.

\u201cThere is technology out there today that is becoming more and more accepted, with gas prices right now people travel less,\u201d said Mckersie. He then went on to pose America\u2019s airlines as an example of people traveling less because the airlines are losing money and having to drive up costs. He went on to explain that busi- nesses still have a need to travel and he informed me that audio and web conferenc- ing is the technology he was speaking of.

Mckersie stated that he sells hardware and software that allows an audio confer- ence with any amount of individuals. This also allows for businessmen to log onto the web and share desktop information with each other in order to do such things as present PowerPoint presentations to one another. These tools help businesses cut back on travel by collaborating over lap- tops. The two most typically used services

\u201cI sell Mitel, they are my audio exclu- sive business partner,\u201d said Mckersie, \u201cThey offer Mitel net solutions, when you utilize their service, they have a \u201cgreen initiative,\u201d which allows you to see the regular cost of airfare or driving. It gauges how many dollars you save by using the online conferencing. Mitel is very much into the green initiative, and it does make a difference.\u201d

Amy Grundman, with At&t Michigan, touched on new improved third generation mobile broadband wireless network and phones that operate off of the technology when asked about new product lines. Grundman explained that the new iPhone boasts several new enhancements.

\u201c3G broadband wireless connectivity, which gives customers a home broad- band-like speed experience when surfing the Internet, sharing files and using media-rich Web applications,\u201d listed Grundman in an email message, \u201cBusiness-class capabilities, including e- mail, viewed on a large, touch-screen device and designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes. (and) The ability for developers, including AT&T, to create customized consumer and business appli- cations using the Apple software develop- er's kit.\u201d

When asked what recent develop- ments faced Roe Comm, Miller also spoke of new product lines.

to a 90% cellular voice saturation rate by the end of the year is to help streamline effi- ciencies for businesses and to enhance communication for consumers,\u201d said Miller, \u201cTo remain competitive, we must be ever- adapting and responsive to the market and the demand of our customers. Some of our newest most successful product lines are mobile broadband aircards, Digital Two- Way Radio Systems, and EVERYTHING Bluetooth. Some of the recent demand for business are wireless work order and fleet management and the ability to access cor- porate information from a wireless device.\u201d

Miller went on to explain more in depth about some of the developments Roe Comm has installed to increase the efficiency of their clients, such as arming them with Blackberries.

\u201cWith the economy not in an optimal state, we are seeing people doing a lot more price shopping and businesses are questioning every expense. We are able to leverage this as most of our solutions

are able to help businesses either cut expenses or increase revenue. In many cases, we can see a very short time frame for a positive ROI. An example is a deployment of Blackberries to a Fleet of Service Technicians,\u201d said Miller, \u201cFrom this handset, they are able to receive work orders, inquire on inventory, submit orders, close out work orders, check email, schedule appointments, and keep track of their to do list\u2026.not to mention use it to place phone calls. Consumers are relying more on their wireless devices to get what they want from where they are.\u201d

Grundman said that At&t has faced some market developments as well, and she went on to explain what they had done to stay competitive.

\u201cMaximizing productivity and increas- ing connectivity is at the top of the list for our customers. And wireless technology and devices are indispensable for those who need to stay connected whenever, wherever and however they want,\u201d said Grundman, \u201cTo make this a reality, AT&T has invested to expand and improve our wireless network in order to position us for future growth and to provide the most advanced services for our customers. For example, we\u2019ve taken steps to expand our wireless network coverage across Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. AT&T

Dobson Communications Corporation, a provider of rural and suburban wireless communica- tions services under the Cellular One brand. The combination of the two companies allows AT&T to deliver broader, more dependable wireless coverage to customers regardless of their location.\u201d

Mckersie predicts that the trend of the market will continue down the internet communications rout in the foreseeable future.

\u201cYou\u2019ll see more and more of audio and web conferencing for sure with the money it costs for travel,\u201d said Mckersie. Internet protocol being used to send voice communications is only getting started.

However Grundman was more inclined to focus on the wireless angle when considering the immediate future of the market.

\u201cExpanding and enhancing our wire- less network is and will continue to be a top priority for the company nationwide,\u201d said Grundman, \u201cBetween 2005 and the end of 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in wireless network improvements and upgrades.\u201d

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