Wireless 1999

If information is what you're after, New Orleans is the place to be Feb. 7-10. CTIA will host Wireless 1999 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, featuring more than 700 exhibitors. In addition, the conference will provide more than 20 informational sessions geared to your business and operation needs. This year's conference features keynote speakers such as former President George Bush and a variety of panel sessions covering cellular, PCS, Internet, fixed wireless, satellite and advanced messaging. This guide will help you plan your time at this year's event.

MONDAY, FEB. 8 OPENING SESSION 8:15 - 10:15 A.M.

Changing the World of Wireless Voice Service Part I: The Principal Phone

In both urban and rural markets, consumers are cutting the cord and going wireless. John Stanton, Western Wireless CEO, discusses WLL in rural areas.

Part II: Borderless Wireless

Whether orbiting overhead or roaming, the wireless world is increasingly without borders. Is satellite service a complement to terrestrial wireless or the Death Star? Edward Staiano, Iridium vice chairman & CEO, will address these issues.

Part III: The FCC Chairman Speaks

Hear from FCC Chairman William Kennard about the agency's future plans for wireless.

PANEL SESSIONS 11 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.What Worked & What Didn't

A look at the offensive and defensive strategies new wireless licensees and incumbents are following as they compete for market share.

Third Generation & Wireless IP: It's Coming, but What Is It?

A gathering of 3G proponents paint their vision for the wireless broadband future.

It's Wireless, but It's Different, Part One: The Future of Fixed-Service Providers

The leading fixed-wireless providers discuss what it takes to build the fixed-wireless future.

Putting Them Up Is the Easy Part: What Now?

Mobile satellite leaders discuss the challenges of initiating and operating services.

E-mail on the Go

E-mail everywhere -- is this the key driver for a new industry? Two-way communications and portable technology are on the rise. Discover the possibilities for new growth and new customers.

Customer Service: The Route to Loyalty, Retention & Profit

The session reveals the linkage between customer service and corporate valuation. Also, tips on how a company recovers from service problems.

2:30 - 4 P.M.The Good, the Bad, the Known & the Not So Known About Prepaid

Prepaid is driving new additions both domestically and abroad. What is the experience over time? What issues does prepaid service raise? What has been the experience of other segments of telecommunications?

Wireless Voice Over the Internet

Voice over the Internet is about to change wireline telephony. Hear what challenges and opportunities it brings to wireless carriers.

Success Beyond the Unit

Vertical markets and niche applications for messaging are becoming profitable options. Come hear about the multimillion-dollar industries you never knew existed.

International Issues

Panelists discuss funding American investments overseas, international security and roaming, and the Asia-Pacific wireless market. In addition, Italian and Latin American operators give their market perspectives.

TUESDAY, FEB. 9 GENERAL SESSION 8:15 - 10:15 A.M.Visions of the Wireless Future

What will the wireless world look like in 2000 and beyond? Panelists John Roth, Nortel Networks vice chairman & CEO; Nicholas Myers, Symbian CEO; Christopher Galvin, Motorola president & CEO; and John Major, wirelessknowledge president & CEO, will discuss topics such as staying apace in a rapidly changing marketplace. Find out how the Internet will affect the wireless industry and what you can expect in the coming year.

PANEL SESSIONS 11 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.Pick of the Litter: Examples From Around the World of Innovative Revenue Opportunities

>From Finland's Coke Phone to Japan's Love Getty, panelists explore >innovative approaches to building minutes of use.

Is Data Finally Here?

The Wireless Data Forum answers what seems to be the age-old question.

Financing Growth

Asia gets a cold, and wireless financing calls in sick. A visit with leading CFOs on how they keep the growth of financing flowing.

It's Wireless, but It's Different, Part Two: CLEC Challenges

Leading fixed-wireless providers identify the challenges they face and their plans to prevail.

Next Generation Messaging: It's Here

The messaging industry is more than 35 years old. What is it doing to maintain growth and market share? Learn from our panel of experts how this industry is reinventing itself, what new applications are available and what's just ahead.

Public Policy Affecting Your Bottom Line

The FCC has fostered a competitive wireless market by licensing multiple wireless carriers in each market, yet FCC regulations appear not to reflect the competitive wireless marketplace. Do FCC regulations benefit or harm your company's bottom line?

2:30 - 4 P.M.Show Me the Money: Wireless Values

Wall Street experts look at the valuation of the wireless industry.

Special Challenges of the Smaller Operator

In a world increasingly characterized by big wireless carriers, what are the unique challenges of entrepreneurs operating smaller networks?

Strategies for the New Market Entrant

New licensees look at overcoming the challenges of being the new kid on the block.

Calling Party Pays, or Does It?

The debate goes back and forth about whether CPP will mean for U.S. carriers and consumers what it has abroad. Proponents of both sides square off.

The Browser in Your Hand

Internet access is moving off the desktop and into your pocket. See these devices and learn how they will affect wireless minutes of use.

Controlling Churn: Lessons From Other Industries

Churn is not unique to the wireless business. Learn how other businesses have held on to their customers.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10 CLOSING SESSION 9 - 10 A.M.A Conversation With George Bush

Continuing the tradition of providing attendees with the nation's top leaders, CTIA has invited the Honorable George Bush, 41st president of the United States, as the special guest for the final session.

WIRELESS DATA UNIVERSITY 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.Andrew Seybold and Alan Reiter present a day-long symposium on wireless data communications on wireless/Internet. Attendees choose from three morning tracks: The Basics of Wireless Data Communications, Marketing Wireless Data Solutions or Wireless Internet and Smart Platforms. The afternoon is a combined session. All of the day's sessions are revised and updated to offer the most current information on products, trends and applications relating to wireless data communications and the Internet.

Y2K 1 - 5 P.M.The clock is ticking. The year 2000 is approaching quickly. Are you prepared? The year 2000 dilemma is not an IT problem, it is a management nightmare. During this session, speakers will discuss the status of various telcos' Y2K compliance, including supply chain and consumer issues surrounding telecom networks.

MARKET OPERATIONS FORUM: SOLUTIONS FOR NETWORKING OUR COMMUNITIES NOON - 5:30 P.M.The Small Operators Caucus of CTIA will host this forum focusing on the specific challenges small North American operators are facing. Several wireless leaders will offer educational sessions on key financial benchmarks, best market practices and revenue-management techniques.