Wi-Fi May Pose Risks at Democratic National Convention
BOSTON – Newbury Networks Inc., a provider of location-based management and security solutions for wireless networks, on July 22 unveiled data collected from a recent war drive in Boston showing extensive numbers of Wi-Fi devices – both open, unsecured wireless networks and 802.11 client cards – were in operation around Boston's FleetCenter, site of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) that begins July 26.
With an estimated 35,000 delegates, media, and elected officials planning to attend the four-day event, wireless network technology will play a key role in the distribution and exchange of information throughout the convention site. Given the proliferation of wireless access points and the number of anticipated wireless devices in the area, the DNC's official "no Wi- Fi" policy will be very difficult to enforce and manage inside the convention facility.
Here's what was discovered in a single three-hour "war driving" exercise throughout Boston, conducted during the week of July 12, using Newbury's WiFi Watchdog security solution:
A total of 3,683 unique Wi-Fi devices were detected. Approximately 60 percent were wireless access points and 40 percent were wireless network cards.
An average of one wireless network card every two minutes accidentally associated with Newbury's open access point (or "honey pot" network) throughout Boston and at the DNC site.
Sixty-five percent of the wireless networks detected had no encryption enabled, leaving them vulnerable to attacks and security breaches.
Four hundred fifty-seven unique wireless access points (the majority of which were unsecured) and wireless network cards were detected in the general area surrounding the Democratic National Convention site.
"The proliferation of open wireless network access poses a significant security challenge for the DNC – not just near the convention site but throughout the city," said Matthew Gray, founder and chief technology officer of Newbury Networks Inc. "With so much emphasis being placed on physical security at the convention, it will be important for organizers to also consider the implications of wireless security risks at this high profile global event."
Nearly 3,000 of the total Wi-Fi devices were discovered in Boston's Back Bay and other parts of the city where many of the 35,000 DNC attendees will be housed. The availability of Wi-Fi access at most hotels throughout the city increases the likelihood that conventioneers will access 802.11 networks from their laptops and carry those same laptops into the FleetCenter where there are no restrictions on such devices. Coupled with the fact that most Wi-Fi security breaches occur when the laptop's operating system automatically looks for available wireless networks when it's turned on, this potentially sets up a dangerous security scenario based on the level of open Wi-Fi networks in range of the FleetCenter.
"Newbury undertook this experiment to illustrate the security challenges that arise with the rapid adoption of WiFi technology. Four years ago, at the last set of national political conventions, WiFi was still in its 'early- adopter' stage," noted Michael Maggio, Newbury's president and chief executive officer. "Now the proliferation of Wi-Fi devices, with their huge productivity gains, demand that all organizations, enterprises, government and private organization understand the security challenges and the solutions available to make these networks secure as well as productive."
AT&T Wireless First to Deliver 3G UMTS in U.S.
SEATTLE – AT&T Wireless on July 20 began offering customers in Detroit, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle broadband mobile wireless services with its launch of the first commercially available true 3G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network in the United States. The company said it is also deploying UMTS technology in Dallas and San Diego, and expects to offer service in these markets before the end of this year.
AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service turns these markets into "metropolitan hotspots," offering customers continuous, high-speed wireless connections. Customers can now use a handset, PDA or laptop to receive streaming audio and video services; create and share video clips; experience richer and more visually compelling content, and connect to critical business information in most areas throughout these cities. The company also noted that it launched commercial service in these four cities in fulfillment of NTT DoCoMo's shareholder rights agreement.
"We're delivering on our promise to offer 3G wireless services in the U.S. and bring the benefits to American consumers and businesses," said AT&T Wireless Chairman and CEO John Zeglis. "In a few short years, we've increased wireless data speeds more than tenfold across the country. Today's announcement enables our customers to access information, video, and audio on their wireless devices faster than most people do from their wired computer at home."
"AT&T Wireless customers can now experience advanced wireless services similar to those offered to our customers in Japan," said Dr. Keiji Tachikawa, the former president and CEO of NTT DoCoMo, who now serves on the company's board of directors.
AT&T Wireless said the four-city UMTS (also known as W-CDMA) deployment is the next logical step for delivering 3G services on the world-standard GSM wireless technology platform. Currently, there are more than one billion GSM subscribers in more than 200 countries around the world.
The company said it now offers the fastest nationwide wireless data service with EDGE, and provides true 3G service in more U.S. markets than any other company. In addition, AT&T Wireless noted that its customers can use most of its GSM devices for voice services in more than 140 countries and data services in more than 60 countries.
The commercial launch of UMTS by AT&T Wireless, and the expanded spectrum position that will result from the pending merger of AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless, will enable the new combined company to offer customers a more expansive portfolio of wireless data solutions in North America. With the completion of the merger targeted before the end of the year, the new combined company will be better positioned to deploy UMTS nationally. Cingular recently disclosed plans for UMTS deployment, which it said will include trials in Atlanta this summer and could begin rolling out in 2005.
AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service provides customers with average wireless data speeds between 220 and 320 kilobits-per-second (kbps), with bursts up to 384kbps. In the future, the company noted that UMTS can easily and cost-effectively be upgraded to HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which is estimated to attain peak data rates up to 14.4 megabits-per- second (mbps).
AT&T Wireless said its customers can access the new wireless broadband service using either the Motorola A845 or Nokia 6651 handsets. In addition to providing access to high-speed wireless data connections and enhanced content through AT&T Wireless' mMode in the four markets announced, the company said the handsets can be used to make voice calls or access wireless data connections at speeds equivalent to standard wired dial up service when customers travel outside the four initial markets. The company said it is also offering a UMTS modem developed jointly by Lucent and Novatel in addition to the handsets.
DEMOmobile 2004 Slated for September
SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. – DEMOmobile 2004, a conference focusing on emerging technologies and new products in the wireless realm, will take place Sept. 8-10 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.DEMOmobile, named "2002 Best Conference" by Conferenza, is held each fall and features approximately 40 new mobile technologies.
DEMOmobile 2004 divulged a central theme of the conference this week, along with an early look at its roster of speakers, gearing up for the September debut of more than 40 products and services that will transform the mobile and wireless landscape. The technology showcase will debut companies from across the wireless spectrum, including those at the forefront of service-oriented computing, a movement toward simplified accessibility and management of mobile devices. Additionally, top executives from across the tech spectrum will participate in panels and one-on-one conversations.
"As we all become increasingly mobile, it is imperative that our devices evolve with us and be easy to understand, use, and repair," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of the conference. "Technology has become so complex that it takes squadrons of administrators to ensure that a company's vast e-mail system doesn't collapse. And even more frustrating is that we have now accepted a myth as fact: Computers are smart and people are stupid. It's time to change this misconception, and some of the products I'm vetting for DEMOmobile aim to do just that."
In addition to the platform of new products, DEMOmobile will host a slate of speakers and panelists steeped in the mobile industry, sharing their experiences and insight on where mobile and wireless will take us next. Trip Hawkins, founder and CEO of Digital Chocolate and a pioneer in computer gaming, will sit down with Shipley for an onstage discussion of the evolution of mobile gaming, as well as a sneak peek at some of the titles coming down the pike. Select panels will explore the ins and outs of global broadband connectivity, the function and form of next-generation devices, and mobility according to Microsoft. Confirmed speakers include: Rajeev Chand, senior equity analyst for Rutberg & Co.; Paul Reddick, vice president of consumer services for Sprint; Claude Mitchel, director of enterprise marketing for Verizon Wireless; Joe Sims, vice president of WLANs for T-Mobile; Alex Slawsby, senior analyst for mobile devices with IDC; Phil Holden, director of global business and product management for MSN Mobile, and Peter Hortensius, vice president of products and offerings for IBM Personal Systems Group.
"DEMOmobile may be known for its new product demonstrations, but the seasoned insight of our speakers and panelists provides much-needed context to that whiz-bang device in your hand," Shipley said. "We select our speakers like we pick our products: Only the most relevant and innovative minds make the cut. This year's roster will shed light on successful enterprise wireless implementations, as well as what they look for in partnerships and what they have brewing for the future."
DEMOmobile 2004 sponsors are Aruba Wireless Networks, Blackberry, Porter Novelli, and Qualcomm. Partner companies include The Association for Women in Technology, Backbone Magazine, The Catchpole Corporation, The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, IBD Network, The Kerton Group, Mobile Enterprise Magazine, PR Newswire, The San Diego Telecom Council, Software & Information Industry Association, Tech Coast Angels, and Wireless Week.
Premium SMS Self-Service Web Portal Launched
LONDON – On July 20, Mobileway, a mobile messaging, marketing, and entertainment firm, and ZIM, a mobile consumer and enterprise application developer for the global two-way SMS (Short Message Service) channel, launched a premium SMS self-service web portal. The low-cost Internet service coupled with an easy to use "point-and-click" interface expands opportunities for mobile content, services, and applications, the companies said.
The Web-based service eliminates hefty set-up charges and does not require users to do any complex programming. This reduces the barriers to entry for many businesses and simplifies the process for those already using premium SMS. The premium SMS service provides connectivity to some 50 million mobile subscribers and is accessible through independent Websites operated by Mobileway and ZIM.
The premium SMS service is now available in the U.K., and the same point-and-click model will be launched in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain in the near future, the companies said.
The service addresses three main issues for businesses wanting to take advantage of premium SMS to generate revenue: price, ease of use and flexibility.
This premium SMS portal eliminates the upfront investment typically required for programming or set-up fees. Users simply access the service online and purchase the package that best meets their needs. A real-time revenue tracker allows users to easily track revenue and payments. One-month renewable contracts and no large upfront costs make the service very cost-effective, opening the potential of premium SMS to small and medium-sized users.
The self-service model makes launching a premium SMS service easy and convenient. With point-and-click online account creation and package purchase, users can be up and running within minutes. The online revenue tracking, detailed payment reports, and easy to access customer support tools virtually eliminate the risk associated with traditional premium SMS services.
The flexible, monthly packages let customers choose the best premium SMS package to meet their immediate needs and, with no long-term contracts, users can adjust or upgrade their portal services easily for each campaign. The self-service portal also allows customers to monitor and adjust campaigns on the fly for customized, flexible SMS campaigns. Examples of premium SMS services users can run through the portal include notifications and subscriptions, interactive services, mobile promotions, and competitions.
Mobile Dating Gaining Speed
MIAMI and SHANGHAI – Single people seeking romance are beginning to see more alternatives for hooking up in the U.S. and China. This week two mobile dating services announced developments in the field in those countries.
Webdate, "a community of men and women committed to fun and adventure in dating and in life," announced July 22 that it has launched a mobile dating service on U.S. Cellular, Western Wireless, and Cellular One, enabling mobile access to dating profiles, chat, and real-time messaging through members' wireless phones. Webdate Mobile is available through U.S. Cellular's easyedge program and the Hello2Fun wireless data service on the Western Wireless and Cellular One networks. Webdate said it expects to make its application available to other carriers and other countries later this year.
U.S. Cellular Corporation, the nation's eighth largest wireless service carrier, provides wireless service to more than 4.7 million customers in 149 markets throughout 26 states. Western Wireless Corporation, owner of the Cellular One brand, is a provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.2 million customers in the western United States.
Webdate said it adds more than 6,500 new members daily. With more than 1.25 million members and one of the highest female-to-male ratios, Nielsen NetRating recently ranked Webdate in the Top 10 for social networking.
Meanwhile, Chinese mobile users who are looking for love now have access to a WAP-based mobile dating service that features avatars for community members. Developed jointly by Linktone Ltd. and Vasunas Pte Ltd., "Love Genie" allows mobile users to choose and customize avatars or characters as their identities, such as wealthy tycoons or top models, in a virtual community. With a chat room function, the service is accessible through all WAP-enabled mobile phones and is offered on a monthly subscription basis.
Johnny Lau, co-founder and CEO of Vasunas, said, ''Incorporating avatars in a dating service enhances the entertaining experience and encourages active interaction among users. We are confident that mobile users will find this service exciting and engaging.''
Wireless Search Attracting Innovation
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and DAYTON, Ohio – Two search engine companies this week announced plans to make finding and retrieving information easier for mobile surfers. Ohio-based LexisNexis, a provider of legal, news, and business information services, and SearchGuy.com, a California-based provider of multi-category search and advertising services, revealed the progress of their programs to date.
SearchGuy.com tested its new mobile search technology, SearchGuy Mobile. The new product will allow users to browse the Internet from any Palm Pilot or Blackberry device, as well as via Internet-enabled mobile phones. The beta tests were coordinated on several mobile carriers in the United States and abroad. Result times exceeded expectations and the overall response for the technology has been positive, according to Leonard Ratchinsky, the company's CEO.
"The key to the SearchGuy Mobile is that after users find what they are searching for, our proprietary technology converts the site to a simplified format that is compatible with the user's handheld device," Ratchinsky said. "We see this as continuing with our vision of on-the-go ubiquitous search technology in various applications."
LexisNexis unveiled the second phase of its wireless delivery option for the BlackBerry® platform, developed by Research In Motion (RIM). Business professionals now can proactively search, refine and edit results sets from more than 14,000 information sources in the LexisNexis online service via BlackBerry. The simplified search makes it easy to view and search comprehensive full-text news, business, legal, public records, and regulatory and legislative information sources while on the go.
The new development follows on the heels of the April 27th release announcing that BlackBerry users can receive current news on predefined topics of interest delivered via LexisNexis Publisher.
"LexisNexis is taking a significant step forward, which will open up new opportunities for business professionals who are looking for quicker and more convenient ways to access critical and industry-specific information while in transit," said David Worlock, chairman of EPS, a research and consultancy firm for the information industry. "With the widespread use of mobile devices, this has become a space in which we shall all have to play."
Job Applications Via SMS
SYDNEY – Hudson, a global provider of recruitment and human resource consulting services, on July 22 announced a pilot service using SMS as a new channel for job applicants to register for jobs in which they are interested, receive online application packs, and be automatically connected to recruitment consultants. The Hudson SMS service is provided by wireless enterprise provider Start Corporation.
After seeing a job advertisement in the newspaper, prospective applicants will be able to SMS-in a job-specific code. The SMS service then automatically will send the job profile and online application pack directly to the candidate's e-mail address, so that when he or she logs on to the e-mail account next, the list of all requested jobs will be there.
In addition, applicants have the option of requesting a callback by a recruitment consultant via SMS. The callback requests are routed to the relevant Hudson consultant's e-mail in real-time.
This SMS service puts the full range of job inquiry and application functions at the fingertips of job applicants, whether at home reading the paper, at a coffee shop, news agent, etc.
Hudson also is using the same SMS platform to conduct real-time recruitment of contractors using a two-way submission-and-response mechanism. This is an example of how SMS is integrated with the Internet to deliver useful applications.
"By combining the instant nature of SMS and the flexibility of e-mail and the Web, we can help our customers deliver innovative services that take advantage of the bests of both media," said Michael Mak, CEO of StartCorp.
