November 1998

NEW YORK-The wireless telecommunications business may account for a minority of Bell Atlantic Corp.’s revenues, but its entrepreneurial example has influenced profoundly the incumbent carrier’s entire strategy, according to Ivan …

DULUTH, Ga.-Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. announced it is expanding its operation to offer a broader range of services to its customers and to increase employee opportunities. Effective in January, all …

WASHINGTON-The association representing wireless resellers last week submitted a detailed report to the Federal Communications Commission to support their claims wireless carriers can implement wireless number portability by the current …

L.M. Ericsson disclosed its corporate vision for the future last week, a large part of which involved a new strategy for enterprise customers that focuses on converging communication networks with …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Cisco Systems Inc. completed its acquisition of Summa Four Inc. The companies this summer agreed to the acquisition. Summa Four’s open standards-based programmable switches will enable Cisco to …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission tomorrow will argue its rules for universal-service financing are legal, while its opponent, Celpage Inc., a paging company from Puerto Rico, contends contributions to the Universal …

Moody’s Investors Service Inc. said it assigned a B2 rating to Orbital Sciences Corp.’s $100 million of 5-percent subordinated notes, due 2002. The company said the ratings reflect risks inherent …

NEW YORK-MCI WorldCom, Jackson, Miss., announced Nov. 20 it has formed the MCI WorldCom Fund, a venture-capital fund to invest in companies “that can create demand for and increase the …

Telecom companies from around the world are dashing to the Asia Pacific region as they begin to find willing sellers that need cash to expand their telecommunications services. “It’s definitely …

SEATTLE-Tegic Communications announced Nov. 24 that Finland-based Benefon has licensed its T9 text input product. “T9 enables users to enter text as they would on a desktop keyboard, using just …

NEW YORK-A recent poll of 53 corporate chief executives found more than half predicting they will take part in a substantial acquisition within two years, yet only 30 percent actively …

“Consumers of third-generation wireless technology will be better served by marketplace competition than by a single government-mandated standard, according to a new economic white paper released today by the North …

WASHINGTON-The telecommunications industry may have an easier time convincing Congress the grandfather date in the digital wiretap act should be changed now that Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) has been elected …

The Brazilian government still plans to license three wireline and one long-distance telephone service license by Jan. 15, despite the resignation of Communications Minister Luis Carlos Mendonca de Barros over …

AT&T Wireless Services Inc. is testing a new pricing plan in Texas aimed at the consumer considering a second phone line in the home. The trial offer in Plano allows …

TORONTO-Clearnet Inc., Toronto, announced it has entered into an underwriting agreement with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce for $350 million in senior secured credit facilities. Proceeds from the transaction, …

ATLANTA-BellSouth Mobility DCS said it is offering a two-in-one service that allows customers to answer their wireless calls using either their personal communications services handset or their home or business …

The Internet landscape was altered dra-matically last week when America Online Inc. announced it will acquire Netscape Communications Corp. in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $4.2 billion. At the same …

ADC Telecommunications Inc. completed its acquisition of Teledata Communications Ltd. for $15.75 per share, or about $200 million in cash. Omnipoint Communications Inc. launched commercial roaming with NPI Wireless of …

With the Nov. 1 commercial activation of Iridium L.L.C.’s satellite-based global mobile phone network, the mobile satellite services industry proved it is technologically possible to extend cellular communications to virtually …

TORONTO-Rogers Cantel Inc. announced Amdocs Ltd. will implement a new converged customer-care and billing system. The solution is based on Ensemble, Amdocs’ convergent customer-care and billing product and is customized …

ATLANTA-BellSouth Corp. announced plans to repurchase up to $3 billion worth of its common shares in 1999. The company’s board of directors also increased its quarterly dividend by 2 cents …

Robinson-Humphrey Co. L.L.C.’s third-quarter survey of U.S. mobile phone pricing indicates pricing overall has increased as carriers move from offering local calling plans to introducing one-rate plans that eliminate roaming …

WASHINGTON-While consumer advocates and wireless lobbyists tie up the Federal Communications Commission in heated debate over 911 strongest-signal and text-telephone compatibility issues, Rome is burning. Phase I wireless enhanced 911 …

WASHINGTON-Any good will House Speaker-designate Bob Livingston (R-La.) hopes to bring to the 106th Congress could evaporate quickly if a deal is not struck with House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt …