1996

WASHINGTON-If allowed to merge, British Telecommunications plc and MCI Communications Corp. promised to jump start local competition, keep interconnection prices low and promote the use of wireless technology for both fixed and mobile global service, according to its application for …

NEW YORK-Moody’s Investors Services Inc. upgraded the rating on Cellular Communications Inc.’s convertible subordinated notes due 1999 to Baa2 from Baa3 when AirTouch Communications Inc., CCI’s parent company, guaranteed the notes. AirTouch Communications merged with CCI earlier this year. AirTouch …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-More than 3.5 million people sign up for digital wireless services each month, according to a study conducted by L.M. Ericsson. The company estimated 126 million people were wireless subscribers at the end of the third quarter 1996. Around …

Picture this. Down at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., the space shuttle Columbia sits on the launch pad. The astronauts have run tests for months in preparation for the big day. Now they are strapped into their …

WASHINGTON-Viking Dispatch Services Inc., whose 42 applications to build cooperative, non-profit private radio networks were rejected by the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau June 7, continues to fight for a review of the decision based on facts it has …

GARDENA, Calif.-Teletrac’s location information solution was chosen to be used in the City of Gardena, Calif., Police Department’s public safety vehicles. “Because of a national increase in officers being targets of attack in the line of duty, the City of …

WASHINGTON-Neither federal regulators nor lawmakers are likely to approve sweeping pre-emption of local-state taxation of wireless licenses, according to sources, but policymakers could strike down discriminatory levies on a case-by-case basis or make technical changes in the law to accomplish …

MURRAY HILL, N.J.-Lucent Technologies Inc. said a “soft-handoff” feature deployed in its Code Division Multiple Access infrastructure enables mobile phones to simultaneously maintain a wireless connection to service areas served by different mobile switching centers. “This achievement proves that there’s …

Less than a year since licenses were awarded, PCS is live in Canada. Microcell Telecommunications Inc. turned on its personal communications services network in Montreal and is offering service at low rates. The Montreal-based company is targeting the mass market …

DALLAS-PrimeCo Personal Communications L.P. introduced its text messaging service and PrimeCo Lite Messaging software. The service allows subscribers to receive on their PrimeCo phone short text messages sent by a personal computer. “The text messaging service offers an additional option …

SEATTLE-Toll Free Cellular has announced plans for national expansion of its #800 free cellular calling services. The national expansion is propelled by an infusion of capital, provided primarily by limited partnerships affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co., and supported by …

WASHINGTON-Despite it being the Number One wish on bidders’ holiday lists, there probably is little chance that the D-, E- and F-block personal communications services auction will conclude before the end of the year, unless the Federal Communications Commission kicks …

BEACHWOOD, Ohio-NextWave Telecom Inc. agreed to purchase $50 million in wireless personal communications services products and services from The Allen Group Inc. The products will be used in NextWave’s national Code Division Multiple Access-based PCS network. According to the long-term …

Omnipoint Communications Inc. has been granted access to the New York Power Authority’s structures and rights-of-way. Under the agreement, approved by the board of trustees of the New York Power Authority, Omnipoint will have access to the structures and rights-of-way …

GREENVILLE, S.C.- Conxus Communications announced it opened its PCS demonstration system for review and technical trials. In the last several weeks, the transmission quality of Conxus InFLEXion-based system has exceeded the company’s expectations, said the company. The Greenville, S.C., test …

Some letters sent to Santa somehow found their way to RCR’s Denver office. I took a peak before sending them on to the big bearded guy up north … Dear Santa, I have been a good boy all year. I …

LOS ANGELES-AirTouch Cellular has turned on its complete Code Division Multiple Access network in Los Angeles, having overcome software problems in the Motorola Inc.-supplied system. The company launched a small portion of the system in May, then only covering 3,500 …

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.-To conserve cash for operations, MobileMedia Corp. did not make its interest payment last month by the 30-day grace period on 9.38 percent senior subordinated notes due November 2007. Subsequently, Moody’s Investor Service Inc. lowered ratings on MobileMedia’s …

LONDON-Frost & Sullivan has predicted the network operators sector of the European radio paging market will grow at a higher rate than the hardware sector. Revenues for the radio pager hardware market were $1.47 billion last year, while network operator …

LITTLE CHUTE, Wis.-ClearSystems Inc. will provide its customer care and billing platform, Innoverse, to Airadigm Communications, a personal communications services license winner. Innoverse was designed using client/server object-oriented technology, the company said. Ned Earle Sr., president of ClearSystems, said Innoverse …

WASHINGTON-National Telecom PCS Inc. is continuing its battle against DCR PCS Inc., the winner of 43 C-block personal communications services licenses, by filing an application for full review by the Federal Communications Commission Nov. 27. The company asked the FCC …

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.-Aviation officials and electronics experts are debating whether portable electronic devices, including cellular phones and pagers, should be banned during airline flights, according to an investigation conducted by Computerworld newspaper. “The needs of power laptop users and the desire …

The latest radio acquisition by Harris Corp. puts the company in the position to compete for a multimillion dollar government contract upgrading airport radio systems. Harris is buying the Digital Radio Technology Inc. unit of California Microwave Inc. The Digital …

220 MHz operator US MobilComm Inc. said the conversion to digital technology by Nextel Communications Inc. is offering MobilComm a tremendous opportunity to capture customers. US MobilComm recently rolled out 220 MHz specialized mobile radio service over 50 channels in …

Clinton II and greener pastures are generating more exits, some through the infamous revolving door. Bob McNamara, chief of the FCC’s Private Wireless Division, is leaving the agency after 21 years to join Nextel Communications Inc. in McLean, Va. FCC …