Introduction to Midwest Wireless

Midwest Wireless was a wireless telephone company serving markets in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin before the company was purchased by Alltel in 2006. Headquarters were located in Mankato, Minnesota, and the company had approximately 400,000 customers. Now the wireless company provides internet access to its customers in rural Minnesota. Here is a link to read further information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwest_Wireless

This article gives some information on the background of Midwest Wireless in the first paragraph. It then talks about how Verisign has provided service to Midwest Wireless.

http://www.verisign.ch/static/039010.pdf

Competition in the Wireless Industry

Price war in the wireless industry:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703657604575004670249993004.html

FCC’s investigation on anticompetitive acts of wireless companies:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55G6X020090617

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704281204575003321521100514.html

Verizon and Alltel Merger

The following article provides information about the Verizon and Alltel merger. Comments and questions are welcome !

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2008/tc2008065_935659.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_technology

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SOCIETY POLICY FORUM

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SOCIETY POLICY FORUM otherwise known as TISP is the central clearinghouse for policy discussion in Minnesota and neighboring states on critical issues in telecommunications and information policy. Scott Bergs has been actively involved in this forum (see transcript link below).

How does this added aspect of adhering to government regulations affect business decisions?

Is it better to simply follow the rules developed by our government or is it beneficial to get involved and help form the policy?

http://www.hhh.umn.edu/projects/tisp/pdf/minutes/2004/oct20.pdf

FCC’s Spectrum Sale

Verizon was the highest bidder in last year’s highly publicized spectrum auction. What are they planning to do with the increased spectrum space. Here are 2 articles on the topic:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9897297-7.html

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMbsPSv2vatAVvbz_8n0xU3Mfvnw

Dealing with layoffs

When 150 people were let go in March 2007, they were
given 6 months notice that their jobs would end in September. How do you keep employees motivated during that time period?

http://www.jobbankusa.com/News/Jobs/midwest_wireless_to_cut_jobs.html

Verizon vs. AT&T

Verizon and AT&T are fighting a huge battle over who has a faster and better 3g connection. Here’s more info in the news:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-attsuit_04bus.ART.State.Edition1.3d4ebcb.html

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=27996

Verizon “Map for That Commercial”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCbYTrYD5y8

AT&T 3G Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJvUshkxH-w&NR=1

Comedy Company

Not only did Bergs start a comedy company in 2007, but
he does his own stand up act as well.

http://mankatofreepress.com/features/x519275790/Mankato-exec-rekindles-passion-for-comedy