March 2001

DUBLIN, Ireland-Having paid handsomely for their licenses at a time when wireless auctions were the flavor of the month around Europe, wireless local loop (WLL) operators face an uncertain future. Capital has dried up as the financial markets review their …

SEOUL, South Korea-As South Korea postponed plans to select a third and final third-generation (3G) mobile service operator, the government’s enthusiasm for a viable bidder is greater than ever. But potential bidders seem unimpressed, putting the 3G license itself into …

TOKYO-Targeting one of the most advanced mobile markets in the world, foreign and local venture capitalists are pouring money into Japanese mobile companies. H&Q Asia Pacific, one of the oldest and largest venture capital firms focused on the Pacific Rim, …

2001 Latin American Conference (at CTIA) 19 March Las Vegas, United States Alacel Tel: (+1) 305 468 7911 Fax: (+1) 305 468 7922 www.alacel.com CTIA Wireless 2001 20-22 March Las Vegas, United States Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association Tel: (+1) …

NEW DELHI, India-The Indian government has opened the floodgates to wireless technology by allowing fixed-line service providers (FSPs) to offer wireless local loop (WLL) and satellite-enabled telephony services. The duopoly regime in basic services also ended, and most major cellular …

GENEVA-Despite a subdued initial public offering (IPO) that saw the company reap a modest US$9 per share-near the bottom end of an already hastily reduced US$8.7 to US$10 range-the future is looking good for Orange, the former U.K. operator that …

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina-Early in 2001, several countries in South America have changed their tariff schemes with the objective of reducing the existing gap between the cost of fixed calls and cellular tariffs. In general, cellular calls cost more than landline …

BUCHAREST, Romania-Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are a new and hopeful concept in the European communications market. The region’s mobile market is growing, with strong potential for new operators. The largest problem faced by European operators hoping to break into …

UTICA, New York, United States-Nearly two years since cessation of hostilities on 10 June, 1999, numerous roadblocks still stand in the way of any attempt to restore and expand telecommunications network services in post-war Kosovo. In a province roughly the …

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados-Barbados has identified wireless and the Internet as the first segments of its telecommunications market to be opened to competition. A three-phase timetable announced by the government anticipates full liberalization by 2002. Minister of International Business Reginald Farley, who …

MELBOURNE, Australia-Cable & Wireless Optus established a subsidiary, Agility Networks, responsible for rolling out Australia’s first tail-end broadband wireless network using local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) technology. The new company’s role was confirmed late last year after Optus paid US$19.7 …

Mobile computing company Psion shook the European wireless market-and sent its stocks rocketing to a new 27-month low-with news that it is dropping out of the running in the smart-phone industry and cutting its work force. The company now plans …

TOKYO-Matsushita Communications Industrial, the leading cellular vendor in Japan, is putting the final touches on its new third-generation (3G) mobile terminals for NTT DoCoMo. NTT DoCoMo, Japan’s leading mobile carrier, is scheduled to launch its 3G services by the end …

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina-A year after the launch of mobile Internet services in South America, almost all the cellular telephony operators are offering Internet services, although exclusively in the major cities of the region and without generating profits. Entel PCS of …

WASHINGTON-The Bush administration has proposed to delay key spectrum auctions and to phase out past Internet programs, as components of the president’s US$1.96 trillion budget that signals the White House’s desire to improve spectrum management and its intention to end …

Mobile phones are an effective comfort blanket for many people. The knowledge that help and support is just a phone call away no matter where you are is incredibly reassuring. Help and support is not limited to the owner of …

The fact that the telecom sector, including the mobile industry, is shivering in the cold right now after months of basking in the sun of favor from the financial community is certainly not breaking news. It seems no category-broadband wireless, …

Alcatel Egypt. With MobiNil for an extension of its GSM network. Value: US$37.1 million France. With Cegetel for the supply of a UMTS network. Value: Undisclosed Ericsson Canada. With Rogers AT&T Wireless for a 3G network, including a complete GSM/GPRS …