2003

BOCA RATON, Fla.-Airspan Networks Inc., provider of broadband fixed wireless DSL networks, announced it plans to acquire Nortel Networks’ fixed wireless access business for $12.9 million by the end of the year. Airspan will acquire all existing assets associated with …

SAN DIEGO-L.M. Ericsson said it has conducted a series of data calls in its CDMA2000 1x EV-DV lab, using its base station controller, packet core network, mobile switching center and components from the radio base station’s Connectivity Packet Platform. The …

WASHINGTON-The House of Representatives last week passed the E911 Implementation Act of 2003 by voice vote. “While most state governments tax cell-phone users for upgrades and implementation of enhanced 911 services, that money often has been diverted for other uses. …

WASHINGTON-Michael Gallagher, President Bush’s nominee to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, told Senate lawmakers that engineering and trust among agencies are key to forging spectrum policies that balance economic and homeland security objectives in the post-9/11 world. Senate …

Despite claims by wireless carriers that they will be prepared for wireless local number portability by the Nov. 24 deadline, an industry analyst’s report released last week called into question carriers’ readiness for the WLNP mandate and suggested enterprise customers …

Just what are Craig McCaw and Nextel Communications Inc. up to, separately or together? Is there a grand plan waiting to be hatched or just some heady hedges that may-or may not-lead to something big? There’s enough of a history …

Because operators prefer to manage capacity rather than allow it to dictate their businesses, the nation’s expanding subscriber base continues to pose problems. The traditional answer has been to build more equipment, which also creates not only space inconveniences but …

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom-Mobile gaming will be gangbusters in Western Europe, according to a new study, increasing from $228 million last year to nearly $3.4 billion in 2008. The total gaming market will account for 19 percent of the total market …

WASHINGTON-The Senate late Thursday approved a spending bill rider that partially restores funding to a rural broadband loan program. The agriculture appropriations amendment, co-sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-S.D.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), increases by $6 million the amount of …

PLEASANTON, Calif.-FunMail Inc. announced a major new offering for the U.S. market that will allow mobile users to download daily newspaper comic strips, including Dilbert, Beetle Bailey, Dick Tracy, Herb and Jamal, and Rose Is Rose. FunMail said the service …

KIRKLAND, Wash.-Wireless multiplayer gaming continues to capture the imagination of the industry, with Mforma Group Inc. announcing the latest effort. The company introduced its new multiplayer IHRA Drag Racing game, which is based on the popular PlayStation console game by …

OSLO, Norway-U.K. phone manufacturer Sendo said it will use Opera Software’s mobile-phone browser in its Sendo X smart phone. Opera, which has less market share than other mobile browser suppliers, said its small-screen rendering technology reformats the Web to Sendo …

KPN Mobile and Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. reached an agreement on their disputed U.K. third-generation operator business. KPN Mobile will sell its 15-percent stake in Hutchison 3G U.K. Ltd. to Hutchison Whampoa for $150.4 million. An initial $100.2 million payment will …

RESTON, Va.-Broadband services provider XO Communications Inc. announced disappointing third-quarter 2003 results this week. Revenue was down 7.3 percent from last year’s third quarter to $279.4 million. In addition, revenue from the first nine months of 2003 decreased by 11.6 …

As first reported by RCR Wireless News Oct. 14, LG Electronics formally announced today its first GSM phones for the U.S. market, devices it will sell through Cingular Wireless. “Cingular offers the widest variety of innovative and stylish phones that …

DURHAM, N.C.-Kiwi PCS launched its fixed-rate $35 per month for unlimited local calling wireless service in Durham, N.C. The company, which is owned by ComScape Telecommunications Inc., currently offers service in Wilmington, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, N.C., with plans …

Nextel Communications Inc. won a number of wireless licenses, spectrum and tower leases for $51 million in an auction of certain assets of bankrupt wireless broadband service provider Nucentrix Broadband Networks Inc. The assets include licenses for 128 megahertz of …

TOKYO-NTT DoCoMo Inc. has expanded its European i-mode reach to Greece with a partnership agreement with mobile operator Cosmote. DoCoMo is licensing Cosmote to launch i-mode services, the Japanese operator’s highly successful mobile Internet service in Greece. Cosmote will offer …

LONDON-Anite Telecom said it has introduced a new platform that runs on Agilent Technologies’ hardware for protocol testing and network simulation for GSM, GPRS and EGPRS. The beneficiaries include wireless equipment manufacturers, network operators and test laboratories, according to Anite. …

RALEIGH, N.C.-Carolina West said it has upgraded its networks with a CDMA overlay using the equipment and services of Paragon Networks. According to the carrier, Paragon will provide “an end-to-end solution for optimizing the backhaul of their AMPS and TDMA …

NEW YORK-Verizon Communications Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ivan Seidenberg will replace current Verizon board of directors chairman Charles Lee, who is set to retire his position Dec. 31. Verizon noted Lee was originally scheduled to serve as chairman of the …

LUBBOCK, Texas-Sprint PCS affiliate Alamosa Holdings Inc. has again extended the expiration date of its offer to acquire its public debt from the end of business Nov.6 to Nov.7. The latest extension is the fourth Alamosa has offered since the …

The cord linking Motorola Inc. and Chairman Christopher Galvin will remain for another two years as the vendor will retain his services as a consultant on a princely $1.4 million salary plus bonus, according to a filing with the Securities …

BOCA RATON, Fla.-Airspan Networks Inc., provider of broadband fixed wireless DSL networks, announced it plans to acquire Nortel Networks’ fixed wireless access business for $12.9 million by the end of the year. Airspan will acquire all existing assets associated with …

BEIJING-UTStarcom and Panasonic Mobile Communications Inc. said they have entered into a joint venture to design, develop and manufacture third-generation equipment, focusing on Internet Protocol core networking solutions.The JV, which is known as Universal Communications Technology Hangzhou, will seek to …