Alaskans cut the telephone cord: wireless, once the way of youth, has caught on in the business world.

• Author: Colby, Kent L.
• Position: TECHNOLOGY

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A majority of Alaskans are figuratively "corded" to their wireless phones--can't let it go, connected via an invisible umbilical cord that keeps one ear to the phone and thumbs in continuous text mode. That virtual cord is severing the landline telephone at home, mirroring a growing national trend afoot in the home and at the office.

SURVEY FINDS THAT CONSUMERS ARE DITCHING LANDLINES

The Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics publishes a report, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) that helps the public understand communication and demographic trends.

Startling results from a recent NHIS find that almost one of every six Americans have traded in their home hard-line phone for a wireless device that accompanies them wherever they go. More than one of every eight of us received most of our phone calls via wireless telephones, even if we had a phone at home. It's a surprising statistic given the nation's historic penchant for the home telephone--a longtime staple of American life.

Part of this change could be attributed to the behind-the-ball response of traditional carriers in providing the same features standard with wireless--standard caller ID, voicemail without additional charge and unlimited, long-distance packages. These are features that, while often available via the traditional carrier, are usually an extra cost. In contrast, most of these features come standard nowadays in the wireless arena. It will be interesting to monitor if, seeing their net customer decrease, the standard telephone carrier will rise to the occasion.

Seeing the opportunity to capture a rebound audience, cable television operators are aggressively jumping into the fold, pursuing the potential new revenue and customer base. Many cable operators now offer telephone service--either packaged with their traditional products, or even sold alone. This new telephone service offers many of the same sought-after attributes as part of their basic package. For example, a customer can even have their voicemail e-mailed to them.

Companies such as ACS offer almost-free Internet phone service with their go-Vocal package, even branded as long-distance "reinvented." The package features "virtually unlimited" long-distance minutes throughout the U.S. (including Alaska), along with Canada. Its "unlimited anytime minutes" are available for as low as $29.95 per month...