Columbia goes wireless

By Bryan Richardson

Published Feb. 5, 2008

New technology is continually being developed and helping change the way people use their phones and the Internet.

As this new technology becomes more prevalent in society, the technology of old is slowly becoming obsolete for some people.

Starting this school year, MU stopped automatically providing telephone lines in dorm rooms due to the use of cellular phones.

"Due to the rising number of students with cellular phones, telephone lines are no longer automatically installed in residence rooms," an explanation on the MU Information Technology Web site stated.

Brian Laoruangroch, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Green Mobile and former Missouri Students Association president, said he has no landline at his house and it is a similar situation for many students.

"It is pretty common for a lot of students nowadays because we are a part of the cell phone generation," Laorungroch said. "Roughly 80 percent of Americans have cell phones. The other 20 percent are usually 15 or younger or 80 and older."

Laorauangroch's business, Green Mobile, promotes living "green" by accepting used cell phone donations.

Laoruangroch said eventually the technology of old — such as landlines provided by phone companies such as CenturyTel — would be phased out almost completely.

"I think as our generation gets older, the generation after us will follow the same trends, landlines will become obsolete and eventually phased out," Laoruangroch said. "The only time they may still be used is at businesses, where a location phone may be needed."

Another form of technology that could prove unneeded in the future is cable Internet and DSL in favor of wireless Internet.

Wireless Internet is going to play a big part in people's future, said Tim Worstell, vice president of sales and development for iZones. IZones is a privately held wireless Internet service provider for residences, businesses, apartments and hotels and resorts.

"Everyone will be using wireless Internet at some point in the future," Worstell said. "There will be no DSL or cable. In 15 years, everyone will be using wireless Internet for everything they do."

Uprise Bakery employee Meghan Gilliss said they have had wireless Internet service for about two years.

"We got it when our office was shared with the True/False Film Festival," Gilliss said. "It was their initiative to get it, and we have kept it since."

Gilliss said Uprise doesn't have many students hanging out for a long time with their laptops because they don't have enough power outlets, but she said it would improve with their upcoming move to Hitt Street and Broadway.

"When we move, we will still have wireless Internet but have more outlets," Gilliss said. "More people will be hanging out on their computers."

The wireless Internet in the city used by some places like Uprise Bakery is provided by iZones.

Worstell said wireless Internet is being used more frequently.

"More people are using wireless than ever before," Worstell said. "If it's not wireless Internet, it's cell phones and wireless Internet on cell phones. Wireless is the way of the future."

Laoruangroch said his Blackberry Curve has everything he needs during a typical day all in one device.

"My cell phone makes sense for me," Laoruangroch said. "It's my e-mail, text messaging, my phone, my Internet, my watch, my mp3 player, my camera and my calendar. It makes sense to have one thing, instead of multiple gadgets."