December 1997

PHOENIX-TekNow Inc., which markets advanced wireless messaging systems to replace existing paging terminal equipment, announced Metrocall Inc. bought its platform of integrated messaging solutions. The platform includes TekNow’s PhenX TK4000 Paging Terminal and its PhenX Network Paging Gateway TNPP message …

PHILADELPHIA-Grupo Iusacell, Bell Atlantic Corp.’s communications venture in Mexico, plans to launch Mexico’s first Code Division Multiple Access network as part of a $200 million upgrade beginning in Mexico City early next year, said the company. Lucent Technologies Inc. will …

WASHINGTON-Russian authorities were expected to drop espionage charges against Qualcomm Inc.’s Richard Bliss over the weekend and free the 29-year-old field technician to return to the United States. Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Diane Feinstein, according to press aides, spoke …

OAKLAND, Calif.-Telamon, which makes notification, interactive response and data communications products, announced that its flagship TelAlert product has been integrated with two-way pagers and touch-tone phones. The TelAlert product automates the process of notifying support personnel of problems on their …

Teledesic Corp. announced Craig McCaw will return to his former post as chief executive officer of the company, where he will share the position with Steve Hooper, a longtime associate of McCaw and chairman of Nextlink Communications. Steve Twyver, who …

GoAmerica Communications Corp., a wireless Internet and intranet service provider, hopes to enter the consumer market in the next couple of years and is preparing by beginning to build network partnerships with Global System for Mobile communications and Code Division …

The state of wireless technology and devices is in good shape today, and should continue to stay healthy well into the future, as long as carriers understand the changing dynamics of wireless users, according to a study presented by the …

DETROIT-AT&T Wireless Services Inc. launched its Time Division Multiple Access personal communications services network in Detroit, using infrastructure equipment supplied and installed by Lucent Technologies Inc. The new system has advanced services including caller ID, paging, e-mail, and voice mail …

Sprint Corp. reportedly is intensifying its search for a European partner to construct a possible merger or partnership scheme that could give the long-distance carrier enough cash to buy out its cable partners in the personal communications services business. Analysts …

RICHARDSON, Texas-Siemens Wireless Terminals began delivery of its first digital handset, the g1050, which features a high-resolution graphic display, noise-canceling microphone and voice memo for recording brief messages. The Global System for Mobile communications-based phone initially will be available through …

Geoworks announced a significant evolution to its GEOS operating system that will allow handset manufacturers to quickly produce a range of low-end to high-end smart phones. Consumer electronics giant Mitsubishi has licensed the upgraded system, the GEOS-SC, to manufacture and …

A new company led by former AT&T Wireless Services Inc. executive Michael Buhrmann has developed a client-server operating platform designed to let wireless carriers segment their customer base by offering lower-cost specialized services. “The new entrants that have come to …

ESPOO, Finland-Nokia Corp. announced it will acquire Ipsilon Networking Inc., a company that develops open Internet Protocol routing platforms, in a $120 million transaction. Nokia has held a minority interest in Ipsilon since June. “Wireless and data communications are clearly …

Bell Atlantic Corp. announced it sold its 33-percent ownership stake in the Italian telephone carrier Infostrada to its partner in that venture, Olivetti spa, which already holds the remaining 67 percent. Bell Atlantic unloaded its Infostrada share for $43 million …

SK Telecom announced it has filed a registration statement with Korea’s Minister of Finance and Economy, completing a $100 million offering of nearly 19 million American Depository Receipts. The ADR shares were priced at $5.24 each. The Seoul, South Korea-based …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-L.M. Ericsson and Synacom signed a letter of intent to distribute cloning fraud prevention systems for digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service networks that provide authentication capability. Synacom’s secure A-key management system is based on protecting the integrity of …

IRVING, Texas-Nokia Corp. introduced its first Code Division Multiple Access-based 1900 MHz digital phone for the Americas. Nokia’s research and development center in San Diego developed the Nokia 2170, which is scheduled to be available in commercial volumes during the …

DE PERE, Wis.-Cellcom announced it has activated two new towers in the Green Bay, Wis., area. One is located on the west side near Austin Straubel Airport, and the other is located on the east side near the University of …

WASHINGTON-The House Commerce Committee said a law partner of Peter Knight, lobbyist for Portals developer Franklin Haney and former Clinton-Gore campaign manager, told the panel the $1 million Haney paid to Knight in April 1996 was a one-time performance fee. …

NEW YORK-A year after enactment of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995-designed to prevent frivolous shareholder lawsuits-the caliber of the federal cases brought is improving, but the overall numbers of suits aren’t dropping because of a shift to …

SAN DIEGO-Nigerian Starcomms Ltd., a privately licensed wireless local loop operator, has agreed to provide service to the Lagos area of Nigeria using a $40 million cdmaOne system supplied by Qualcomm Inc., announced Qualcomm. Deployment of the 1900 MHz Code …

WASHINGTON-Federal Communications Commission Chairman Bill Kennard, under fire from Capitol Hill, last week defended a compromise with the Clinton administration to protect U.S. spy satellite frequencies by shifting around spectrum and awarding free spectrum licenses to wireless startups headed by …

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. says it introduced the industry’s smallest Code Division Multiple Access base transceiver stations for cellular and personal communications services networks. The QCell 519e and 508e BTSs are 26 inches long, 15 inches wide and eight inches high; …

WATERTOWN, Conn.-MTX Paging Products L.L.C. announced it has selected Mobile Telecommunication Technologies Inc.’s SkyTel subsidiary as the exclusive service provider for its new Beepwear pager watch. MTX is a joint venture of Motorola Inc. and Timex. The agreement will allow …

WESTBOROUGH, Mass.-Arch Communications Group Inc. announced it signed a definitive agreement to sell its site management business to Arlington, Va.-based Telecom Towers L.L.C. for $40 million. Under the agreement, Arch will sell 148 communications towers and tower management contracts which …