Several hundred wireless executives, dignitaries and their guests gathered at the Wireless History Foundation’s 2023 Wireless Hall of Fame induction ceremony held in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. This year’s inductees are:
Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO of CTIA, is a former FCC Commissioner and former Acting Assistant Secretary for NTIA. As an industry advocate and a policymaker, Baker has played a role in nearly every major spectrum and wireless infrastructure decision of the past 25 years. In her acceptance speech, Baker remarked, “More than half of the spectrum our networks use today has been procured in the last 9 years since I joined this incredible CTIA team. With it, we have been able to lead the world in wireless.”
Alex Gellman is Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Vertical Bridge, the largest private owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure in the U.S. He was one of the first in our industry to recognize the value of cooperative infrastructure resources. Gellman was formerly with Horizon Cellular, SpectraSite, Block B Cellular Corp., and Global Towers Partners.
Rob Mechaley, formerly with McCaw Cellular Communications, co-Founder of Clearwire, and Chief Scientist with AT&T Wireless, is founder of RadioFrame Networks. He holds over 60 patents in the communications, technology, and healthcare sectors. Mechaley led the team that designed and implemented the North American Cellular Network, or NACN, which enabled intercarrier operability throughout the U.S. and Canada. He was also responsible for proving and implementing Cellular Digital Packet Data as the first data capability on the analog networks.
Ed Whitacre is former CEO of Southwestern Bell Corp. and the former Chairman of General Motors. He is credited with driving the U.S. cellular industry to become a true national network and also for serving as one of the longest running wireless carrier CEOs. Whitacre led Southwestern Bell to join BellSouth in creating Cingular Wireless in 2000, and then in 2004, led Cingular to acquire AT&T Wireless, creating the largest national wireless carrier at the time.
A common trait among these four individuals is that they all expressed humility and gratitude on being inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame. Moreover, they all acknowledged colleagues, mentors, and bosses for helping and guiding them in their endeavors while crediting a team effort to reach the level of accomplishments they achieved.
“Wireless technology continues to change the world and our everyday lives. These individuals have made significant contributions to the technology, infrastructure, legislation, or commercial activities that built the industry’s foundation,” said WHF Executive Director Jenifer Snyder.
The Wireless History Foundation also highlighted that in 2023 the industry is celebrating two key milestones: 40 years since the first cellular system was launched in Chicago on October 13, 1983, and 50 years ago, the first handheld cellular phone call was made on April 3. 1973, by Dr. Martin Cooper, cellular pioneer and 2000 HoF inductee, who attended this year’s gala.
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