2001

WILMINGTON, Delaware, United States—IDT, the former suitor of Teligent, made a bid for Winstar Communications, offering about US$40 million for the local multipoint distribution services (LMDS) carrier, which was moments away from liquidation. Lawyers for Winstar were planning to ask …

A new organization is being created to represent the views of American GSM and TDMA wireless carriers as they convert to third-generation wireless technologies such as GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA. The new, as-yet-unnamed organization hopes to launch early next year. …

DUBLIN, Ireland—Ireland has announced details of its third-generation (3G) licensing process following a year-long delay. Four 20-year licenses will be awarded through a “beauty content” method. An “A” license with high coverage requirements and possibly more spectrum will cost e50.7 …

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Personal launched its GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) 1900 MHz service, provided by Ericsson, in parts of Buenos Aires, becoming the first operator to install a GSM network in Argentina. Users of the new service can roam automatically …

HELSINKI, Finland—Nokia has completed a location-based technology trial test, which it claims was successful. Nokia and Finnish mobile carrier Radiolinja used Nokia’s enhanced observed time difference (EOTD) positioning technology in Radiolinja’s GSM network, demonstrating positioning accuracy between 50 meters and …

OXFORD, United Kingdom—With an estimated global market share of less than 2 percent, down from 6 percent last year, Philips’ cell-phone business looks set for termination. The company, which is also said to have low cell-phone brand awareness, recorded disappointing …

WASHINGTON—Amidst much political rancor, legislative wrangling and finger pointing, Congress adjourned on Thursday without passing an economic stimulus package that could have helped wireless carriers invest in their networks and operations. At various points throughout the fall, wireless carriers were …

ROSH HAAYIN, Israel—Israel’s Ministry of Communications has awarded third-generation (3G) spectrum to the country’s three incumbent mobile operators and second-generation (2G) spectrum in the 1800 MHz band to Partner Communications Co. and Cellcom. Israel is the first country in the …

MOSCOW—Ericsson is actively operating on the former Soviet communications market and its recent successes include supplies of GSM equipment to a leading Russian and a Kazakh carrier. Ericsson signed a contract with the second-biggest Russian carrier Vimpelcom (BeeLine) for the …

CHICAGO, United States—U.S. Cellular said it intends to deploy CDMA 1x technology in all its markets beginning early next year. The carrier currently uses CDMA in approximately one-third of its markets and TDMA in the remaining two-thirds. “After reviewing all …

TORONTO—Com Dev International Ltd. said it plans to sell parts of its wireless division to Mitec Telecom Inc. for about $14.6 million. The exact cash and shares splits will be finalized upon closing, expected to occur around January 31.

PARIS—Alcatel will supply a GSM network to Tanzanian Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) under a e25 million (US$22.4 million) contract. The first phase of the network is already installed in the capital Dar es-Salaam, and TTCL began commercial service in November. …

PARIS—France has set 16 May as its deadline for candidates to submit bids for two remaining third-generation (3G) licenses. Winners will be announced by the end of September. This year’s attempted sale of four 3G licenses ended with only two …

NEW DELHI, India—Seven leading cellular service providers—covering about 80 percent of India’s 5 million cellular subscribers—have slashed mobile-to-mobile long-distance telephony rates to one-half the current rates beginning 26 January, 2002. The move was in response to deep discounts offered by …

OXFORD, United Kingdom—Having struck a deal to use mm02’s second-generation (2G) network to support its Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) deployment in the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong-back Hutchison 3G (H3G) has revealed further details of its third-generation (3G) plans …

MENLO PARK, California, United States—interWAVE Communications signed a distribution agreement with Global Telephone & Telecommunications, a Belgium satellite and last-mile integrator, to deploy GSM cellular networks with satellite backhaul throughout Africa. “Working together, we will be able to provide mobile …

TORONTO—Canada’s Redknee said that Ireland’s mobile-phone operator Digifone selected its location services application for its mobile customers.

SHANGHAI—China Unicom Group announced it will launch China’s first nationwide CDMA mobile phone network on December 31. A statement in a China newspaper said the network will operate in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

WICHITA, Kansas, United States—IFR Systems announced it was chosen to provide test equipment for the United Kingdom’s US$2.4 billion BOWMAN tactical communications program. The program will provide secure voice and data communications that will serve as the major enabling technology …

PARIS—Alcatel said it signed a US$12 million contract with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to deliver local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) equipment. The first phase of the contract includes deploying several LMDS base stations and associated equipment to connect an existing …

ROME—Telecom Italia has agreed to sell its 26.89-percent stake in Spanish telecom operator Auna for US$1.8 billion. The other Auna shareholders will each take part of the holding. Banco Santander Central Hispano will buy half the stake, and Endesa and …

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.-Disposable-phone maker Hop-On announced another customer, evidence that its prepaid, easy-to-use and fully recyclable mobile phone product may be catching on. Wakefern Food Corp., the merchandising and distribution arm of cooperative ShopRite Supermarkets, purchased 50,000 mobile phones for …

KIRKLAND, Wash.—Nextel Partners announced the results of its “Nextel Cans For A Cause” nationwide food-drive program that took place this holiday season. Their efforts resulted in nearly 17,000 pounds of canned food, exceeding the company’s goals and the expectations of …

LOS ANGELES—Purchasers of Brightpoint Inc. common stock have filed a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging false and misleading statements were made regarding the financial condition of the company. Law firm Weiss & Yourman will represent the plaintiffs—purchasers of …

PRAGUE, Czech Republic—Eurotel and RadioMobil were officially awarded third-generation (3G) licenses in the Czech Republic for just more than 3.5 billion crowns (US$97 million). Three licenses were on offer, but only two companies bid for the licenses. The third incumbent …