2003

DENVER-Qwest Communications International Inc. is expected to launch VoIP consumer telephone service next week in select Minnesota markets allowing customers to move their current voice traffic from traditional telecommunications lines to less-expensive, high-speed Internet lines. Qwest has reportedly signed up …

The law firm of Goodkind Labaton Rudoff & Sucharow L.L.P. said it has been retained to file a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on behalf of persons who purchased publicly traded …

Adding to recent optimism surrounding the uptake of CDMA technology-based products, Texas Instruments and STMicroelectronics announced they have created an open solution that supports the CDMA2000 1X standard for wireless communications. The companies aim to grab market share from Qualcomm …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Mobile computing company Mobility Electronics Inc. announced it purchased the hardware components of InVision Software’s handheld computing business for 70,000 shares of common stock. The company also said it will gain two InVision executives through the move. Mobility Electronics …

NEW YORK-Verizon Communications Inc. announced a quarterly dividend of 39 cents per outstanding share, unchanged from the previous quarter, payable Feb. 2, 2004, to shareowners of record at the close of business Jan. 9. The company has approximately 2.7 million …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Citizens of the City of Cerritos, Calif., will ring in the new year in a Wi-Fi city, according to a recent announcement from Pronto Networks and Aiirnet Wireless, which plan to build and deploy a Wi-Fi hot zone …

DALLAS-Nextel Communications has renewed its business process outsourcing (BPO) contract with ACS, allowing the company to continue to handle Nextel’s customer care operations. The five-year renewal contract is valued at $290 million. ACS, which has provided customer care services for …

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-Although the automotive Bluetooth market has largely stalled due to a lack of Bluetooth-capable handsets, new research shows the market is poised for significant growth. Research firm Allied Business Intelligence predicted that close to one-third of all new …

NEW YORK-Carrier churn rates will likely increase during at least the next 12 months as subscriber contracts expire and users switch providers as a result of the implementation of wireless local number portability, according to a new report from Standard …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-L.M. Ericsson said it will upgrade Malaysian operator Maxis Communications’ second-generation network with a third-generation deployment, including GSM/GPRS/EDGE/W-CDMA technology. The contract will include both 2G and 3G core and radio access equipment, although Ericsson declined to provide the value …

OKLAHOMA CITY-Dobson Communications Corp. said it commenced an offer to exchange up to $650 million principal amount of its 8.875-percent senior notes due 2013 that were issued Sept. 26 in a private placement for a like principal amount of its …

Providing an upbeat glimpse of what the year-end will bring, Qualcomm Inc. has amended its financial guidance for the first fiscal quarter ending Dec. 28, 2003. Qualcomm now expects revenues for the quarter, excluding the Qualcomm Strategic Initiative (QSI) segment, …

DENVER-Able Planet Inc., HighSpeed Communications Inc. and Mitel Networks have teamed to install Able Planet’s micro-technology, which allows people with hearing losses to access wireless and wired telephone technology, into Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) …

MURRAY HILL, N.J.-Lucent Technologies Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patricia Russo received a $3.24 million bonus for fiscal-year 2003, ended Sept. 30, according to recent filing the with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Russo was paid a base salary …

U.S. Cellular Corp. reported the sale of $444 million of 6.7-percent senior notes due 2033 priced at a discount to yield approximately 6.83 percent. The carrier added that it plans to file a prospectus supplement with the Securities and Exchange …

In a candid release, Motorola Inc. blamed a shortage of camera components for its inability to meet sales demands. “The Motorola V300 and V500 began shipping earlier in the quarter and are available today, and the V600 will ship imminently,” …

WASHINGTON-Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduced legislation identical to a House bill that would prohibit the listing of mobile-phone numbers in a national wireless directory without prior consent of existing subscribers. New wireless subscribers would be treated …

HOUSTON-Crown Castle International Corp. said it plans to offer $200 million of senior notes due 2013 through a private transaction. The company expects to use the proceeds to tender its outstanding 9-percent senior notes and to pay down other debt.

PLANTATION, Fla.-A trio of iDEN-based technology carriers announced plans to offer Motorola Inc.’s i305 ruggedized handset, which reportedly meets military specifications for shock, vibration, blowing rain, salt fog resistance and can withstand temperatures ranging from minus 14 to 248 degrees …

WASHINGTON-Wireless carriers that receive universal service support should submit to auditing to ensure that the subsidies they receive are being used to upgrade and improve networks in rural America, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein told reporters following his speech Thursday at …

WOODBURY, N.Y.-Network infrastructure and technology provider Comverse Technology Inc. reported sales of $194 million and a net loss of $3.4 million for its third quarter. The company’s stock was down slightly to $17.61 after the news. The company’s sales were …

The Mobile Marketing Association trade group announced its new code of conduct for wireless advertising campaigns, a move that comes shortly after the launch of universal short codes and on the heels of a bill in Washington designed to outlaw …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-BelAir Networks said it has secured $15 million in financing, bringing total investments in the company to $22 million. BelAir plans to use the funding to bring the recently introduced BelAir200 cellular local area network platform into high-volume …

MUNICH, Germany-Pakistan Telecom Mobile, which offers mobile service under the Ufone brand, contracted Siemens to expand its network under a $26 million deal. Siemens will set up a new GSM network for Ufone in 29 cities. Siemens said it is …

MINNEAPOLIS-Network infrastructure company ADC Telecommunications Inc. reported its fourth-quarter results of $193 million in net sales and net earnings of $9.3 million. The company predicted it will earn between $170 and $180 million in its next quarter. The news helped …