Steve Largent and CTIA

Quick update: my last post was about Siri on the iPhone 4S, and I’ve since then purchased the new iPhone. Siri is amazing from a user experience perspective, and I’m excited about developments regarding Siri’s current lack of an API.

This new development for mobile devices made me curious to find out who has a hand in regulating mobile devices, which lead me to CTIA-The Wireless Association. Their website describes CTIA as “an international nonprofit membership organization that has represented the wireless communications industry since 1984. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products.” CTIA is also involved in the Engadget in which he sheds light on his vision of the industry. I learned that Steve Largent plays a major role in lobbying for mobile carriers, which makes him a key figure in the long-term direction of the industry. He mentioned that even the President has given him direct support for his company’s initiatives.

Another interesting point mentioned is taxation of wireless users. There is an average state tax of 15.3 percent on wireless bills, and some states pay as high as 23 percent. I wasn’t even aware of how high the tax could be, and I’m glad to find out CTIA is doing everything in its power to find a more reasonable solution. If they are successful, I think that could potentially mean more mobile users, which would benefit my company directly in that many viewers of Discover Wisconsin are from more rural areas of Wisconsin. If wireless could be cheaper, I think it could potentially translate into more views to DiscoverWisconsin.com through mobile devices, which would make it more likely those same users would get the Discover Wisconsin mobile app.

CTIA is also working to change the tax on digital goods and services. Popular downloading services such as iTunes charge a tax for downloads, which would be another deterrent stopping people from engaging in the wireless user experience.

The U.S. Army is working with CTIA on an Army Marketplace Application Store. Only the Department of Defense can access the store’s content, and the apps will be geared at assisting troops complete their missions. App developers and soldiers will also have open communication, as a soldier can post what is needed in an app, and then a developer can get to work on it. I see a lot of potential for this amount of personalization in app development, with a possible new market emerging related to apps developed for specific individuals in the civilian market.