discussions

Week 1 discussion
DQ1 Societal Changes as a Result of Wireless
Describe a major change in our society that was the direct
result of wireless. Was it a good change or a bad change? Why?
DQ2 Wireless Technology and Market Advantage
How can wireless technology provide an organization with a
competitive advantage in its market? Discuss the pros and cons of wireless and
wireline technologies. Give illustrative examples from the industry to support
your claims.

Week 2 discussion
DQ1 The Goals of the FCC
The lecture lists five goals of the FCC. Use critical
thinking to apply those goals to wireless. Describe how each one might apply to
today’s wireless market. Use examples to support your position.
DQ2 What is the Best Way to Allocate Spectrum?
On September 18, 2006, the FCC announced that Advanced
Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum auction, also known as Auction 66, closed with
total bids of $14 billion. Another way to allocate spectrum is via lottery.
Which way do you think is best for the wireless industry (auction or lottery)?
Why do you think that? Use examples.

Week 3 discussion
DQ1 Compare CDMA to GSM
The book lists eight benefits of CDMA (see pages 146-147).
Compare those benefits to GSM. Do you think those benefits give CDMA an
advantage over GSM? Why or why not?

DQ2 Impacts of Mobile Devices on Cellular Carriers
The advent of smart phones (like Androids and iPhones) and
tablets (like the iPad) are changing the way cellular carriers are doing
business. What impacts do you see that these smart devices are having on
cellular companies? How does this relate to GSM and CDMA technologies?

Week 4 discussion
DQ1 Wireless Data Revolution
The book says we are in a wireless data revolution and
wireless data did pass voice in usage in 2010. However, voice still accounts
for a sizeable portion of cellular usage. Do you see the relative usage of
voice decreasing further? Do you think voice has a future in the mobile space
at all? What evidence do you have for your position?

DQ2 Will WAP Last?
WAP uses a microbrowser, a WAP Gateway, and a WAP Server to
get Internet information unto the small screen of a mobile phone. Do you think
this is a good idea, and will it last a long time? Or do you think this was
just an interim solution to get to the Internet and that once data speeds and
capability evolve, we will no longer need WAP? Support your opinion with
evidence.

Week 5 discussion
DQ1 Is Bluetooth a Good Solution?
As the book says on page 249, Bluetooth is a
“low-power, low-cost radio interface between mobile phones and their
accessories.” Do you think Bluetooth is a good solution for connecting
phones and their accessories? Do you think there will be a better solution soon?
Or is Bluetooth here to stay?
DQ2 RFID and Supply Chain Management
RFID is an important technology in supply chain management.
What is supply chain management and how does RFID help in this area? Please
support your opinions with strong evidence.

Week 6 discussion
DQ1 What Happened to the Local Wireless?
The book talks a lot about the Wireless Local Loop (WLL) and
Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS), but if you scan the news today,
you don’t read much about these services. Why do you think that is? What do you
think is taking their place?

DQ2 GPS Location Services
Explain the GPS technology, and describe a GPS-based
application. Which other location-based wireless systems do you know? How do
they differentiate from GPS?

Week 7 discussion
DQ1 4G Technology Competition
In the United States, there is a great deal of competition
between LTE (Verizon), WiMax (Sprint), and HSPA+ (AT&T) for 4G dollars. Is
this competition in the best interest of the general public? Europe does not
seem to have this competition among technologies. Is that a better way? Should
the government just pick a standard and mandate it? Or should we let the
marketplace decide?

DQ2 Is Data the Future?
Many wireless carriers are spending a lot of money on
promoting wireless data. Do you think that is a good idea? Is data more or less
profitable for wireless carriers than voice?