Your View

Bottoms Up

In reference to your ad (Pinpoint) in the Feb. 15, 2001 issue and past publications, I feel that your ad is very inappropriate for this type of business. I, and my coworkers, are parents and we feel this ad is distasteful to the children.

We cannot justify the association with the toddlers and your company. We don't think you should exploit the use of children as your marketing advantage.
Michelle Owens
Illinois Valley Cellular
mowens@ivcel.com

Publisher Responds

I want to acknowledge your concern, but to also clarify a point. The advertisement was created by the advertiser, Pinpoint Networks. It is not a marketing piece for Wireless Review.

I sympathize with your perspective, although I do not agree with it. Regardless of whether I find the ad particularly effective for this market, I do not believe the advertiser's motives were inappropriate; however, we appreciate that you've shared your opinion.
Darren Sextro
darren_sextro@intertec.com

Looking Back

Re: Feb. 1, 2001 issue. Congratulations on two excellent articles on U.S. Cellular! It's great to see the continued growth and strong focus on customer service. It's almost a year since I left, and I haven't looked back you either lead, follow, or get out of the way.

After 17 years with U.S. Cellular, it was time to get out of the way. Three of the five businesses I started are still around Texas Instruments calculators, Pulsar watches and U.S. Cellular. I wish all the folks at U.S. Cellular continued success.
Don Nelson hdncjn@cardonvue.com

CSR Stitches

It's very rare that I am moved enough by an article to actually take the time to write a letter, but the Mystery Caller published in the Dec. 15, 2000, issue had me in stitches until my sides hurt!

Although the misinformation your caller received was creative and humorous (to me), it spotlights an unfortunate truth about the wireless industry in general. Simply stated, everyone is confused. Not just the poor consumers.

For example, it certainly can't help that we have carriers telling people that PCS is an alternative to cellular. How is a consumer to know that PCS represents a frequency range as defined by the FCC? (It's still cellular in the case of this particular advertiser.)

What we all need is a new dictionary called Wireless Acronyms for Dummies. I'll look forward to more laughs in the next rendition of your Mystery Caller series.

Keep up the good work.
Erik Shifflett
New England Area Product Manager
Nextel Communications
Erik.Shifflett@nextel.com

Digital Coups & Pet Peeves

While reading your Views (Dec. 15 Year-End Loose Ends), you mentioned wireless service in Kansas City. I am the network director responsible for the wireless network for Southwestern Bell Wireless (now Cingular) in Missouri and Kansas. Despite what The Kansas City Star has said, I believe our digital service is second to none. Our drive tests indicate we have the best digital network in Kansas City, and I would like to know if you have tried our service recently. Chances are we have a tower coming soon to an area near you.
Steve Dreon
Southwestern Bell Wireless
Steve.dreon@cingular.com

Re: Views, Dec. 15. I had exactly the same problem as you, I got an audible alert of messages waiting while at home and nothing while roaming.

The problem was that my phone (Nokia 6160) was registered as analog in the switch. As soon as customer service changed it to digital, I got a little icon appearing on my phone when I had voice mail, and better yet, it worked while roaming.
David Crowe
crowed@cnp-wireless.com

Send your feedback to rhonda_wickham@intertec.com.