September 2003

WASHINGTON-A House panel could hold a hearing later this month on a $2.25 billion federal program that subsidizes wireline and wireless Internet connections to schools and libraries, continuing an ongoing congressional probe that some officials predict will unearth massive fraud …

In addition to an expected jump in customer churn, analysts predict a huge financial burden tied to the implementation of wireless local number portability that eventually could ignite carrier consolidation rumors that have been simmering since the government relaxed spectrum …

LAGOS, Nigeria-Motorola Inc. said it has launched its first GSM circuit core solution as part of its $50 million end-to-end system the company is deploying for M-Tel, an operator in Nigeria. “By working with M-Tel to strengthen its network and …

SINGAPORE-Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. said it will begin a free month-long third-generation service trial beginning end-December for about 100 customers. Full commercial service will begin during 2004. The trial customers, who will be selected from those who register via a SingTel …

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa-Independent telecommunications provider McLeodUSA Inc. signed a multi-year wholesale agreement with AT&T Wireless Services Inc. allowing McLeodUSA to provide wireless voice services as part of its bundled Preferred Advantage product portfolio. McLeodUSA said it will market its Preferred …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless signed a $1 billion multi-year agreement with Nortel Networks Ltd. to expand and upgrade the carrier’s nationwide CDMA network. The agreement calls for Nortel to provide expansion and upgraded CDMA2000 1x radio base stations, switching, Nortel’s Passport …

TOKYO-NTT DoCoMo Inc. said that its FOMA network would cover 99 percent of the population in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region of Japan, which includes Tokyo, beginning Sept. 6, and its network would cover 96 percent of the Japanese population by the …

During the past five years, Viastar Technologies has grown from a two-man, home-based operation into a business that accounts for 130 employees in three facilities. Philadelphia-based Viastar Technologies repairs and refurbishes wireless devices and components, a business that can assist …

PARIS-France Telecom said it will buy the remaining 13.7-percent stake in mobile subsidiary Orange that it does not already own for $7.7 billion. The move will allow France Telecom to gain access to all of the cash generated by Orange. …

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-Wireless carrier Alltel Corp. announced a wide-ranging deal with Walt Disney Internet Group to bolster its wireless content offerings, including its BREW application download service. Through the new deal, Alltel said it will offer sports scores from ESPN.com, …

WASHINGTON-The Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel) and the Association for Communications Enterprises (ASCENT) announced they will merge, pending a vote of approval by their respective memberships in the coming weeks. The combined organization will continue under the CompTel/ASCENT Alliance label. “The …

DALLAS-Southwest Airlines joined several other major air carriers in relaxing its mobile-phone usage rules. The carrier said customers with cell phones onboard may begin using them while taxiing to the airport gate, after the flight attendant gives permission to do …

While many industry observers applauded Verizon Wireless’ introduction of its Push to Talk service as a way for the carrier to attract high-end business customers interested in a walkie-talkie services, some were disappointed with certain latency issues in Verizon Wireless’ …

Out of the ashes of failed Wi-Fi startup Mobility Networks rises a new effort, Azaire Networks Inc., a company with much of the same technology and staffing but with a slightly different-and wider-business focus. “We’re not just focused on wireless …

MOSCOW-Nortel Networks Ltd. said it has won a contract to provide the wireless network of BaykalWestcom with GSM and GPRS equipment and services across portions of Siberia. “The network upgrades will position BaykalWestom to introduce text messaging, Internet access, e-mail …

The school bell has rung. The still of summer is about to be shaken. Thank goodness. The wireless industry has held its collective breath waiting for a business uptick for months (years) now, and several prospects for just that are …

PALO ALTO, Calif.-Danger Inc. said it will include Sun Microsystems Inc.’s Java 2 Micro Edition application download technology in its Hiptop wireless device platform, which forms the basis for T-Mobile USA Inc.’s Sidekick wireless phone. The move is notable as …

NEW YORK-Stock market guru Warren Buffett has purchased approximately $320 million of Nextel Communications Inc.’s bonds and preferred stock since last year through his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. holding company, according to an insurance filing. The acquisitions reportedly include $155.6 million …

HONG KONG-Hong Kong’s telecom regulator the Office of the Telecommunications Authority said it would waive the submission of performance bonds due in October from the four third-generation services licensees. The bonds are in respect of the sixth and seventh license …

Wireless Internet software provider Openwave Systems Inc. announced it could further its acquisition push with a new offering of $100 million in convertible subordinated notes due 2008. The company said it has no definite acquisition or investment plans. Openwave said …

WASHINGTON-Wireless carriers that still oppose wireless local number portability are trying another last-ditch effort to stop the mandate. The Senate Appropriations Committee last Thursday sent to the Senate floor a bill that directs the Federal Communications Commission to release the …

WASHINGTON-The California Public Utilities Commission, facing heavy pressure from mobile-phone carriers with generous funding support from their national trade association, last week sent fresh signals that it may postpone a scheduled Sept. 18 vote on a proposed telecom consumer bill …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-In its continued defiance of its numerous skeptics, a Hutchison Whampoa subsidiary took on another European third-generation license. The Norwegian government awarded a third-generation license to Hi3G Access Norway AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison’s Swedish 3G subsidiary …

DENVER-A Denver District Court has certified a class-action lawsuit against AT&T Wireless Services Inc., claiming the carrier’s delayed billing for roaming calls violated its contracts with certain Digital One Rate customers. The lawsuit, which was filed in the District Court …

LONDON-A U.K. supplier plans to offer push-to-talk services in the United Kingdom through an alliance with Wizcom Ltd., which owns retail outlet chain Phones4U. In October, Fastmobile’s Fastchat service will be available through Phones4U stores in the United Kingdom. The …