From the "Cell Phone Only File" comes a report that more and more colleges are yanking landlines out of dormitories. Why? Because nine of ten students have cell phones, making landlines superfluous.
According to reports, most colleges are considering saving the money they spend on landlines and investing it in other technologies. Case in point (free registration required): the University of Scranton spent about $200K annually on landlines, but is now directing those dollars into its campus cable TV network and other tech upgrades. And some schools are pushing cell phones along even faster. The University of Cincinnati is about to offer free "Bearcat Phones" to roughly 4,000 new students in cahoots with Cincinnati Bell.
Bottom line? Even though Arbitron now surveys college dorms that utilize private landlines, this trend toward "CPO" students reinforces the need to speed up their policy changes, and make sure these young listeners are included in ratings surveys. As Frederick Siff, UC VP & Chief Information Officer notes, "The landline probably will be obsolete in five years or so, and we want to be in the forefront of new technology."
Sounds like a plan.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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