2003

Wireless data carrier Motient Corp. warned in Security and Exchange filings that it will soon lose its largest customer, UPS. Motient said it plans to counteract the loss by further lowering its network costs, beefing up its resale agreements with …

With around three weeks before the scheduled implementation of wireless local number portability, AT&T Wireless Services Inc. introduced its 90-Day Best Deal Promise program, allowing customers who sign up after Nov. 2 to change calling plans within 90 days of …

WASHINGTON-Michael Gallagher, President Bush’s nominee to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, told Senate lawmakers today 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. …

CUPERTINO, Calif.-Portal Software Inc. announced U.S. Cellular has implemented its product-based billing platform for U.S. Cellular’s wireless data services. “Portal’s billing solution will enable us to leverage investments in 1xRTT network technology and charge for the full value of easyedge, …

WASHINGTON-California Public Utilities Commissioner member Geoffrey Brown today said he and Commissioner Carl Wood are close to an agreement on a bill of rights for telecom consumers, and he opposes an alternative plan that would exclude mobile-phone carriers. “We’re getting …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Verizon Wireless said it will expand its machine-to-machine services through a new deal with Aeris.net. Under the agreement, Verizon will offer Aeris.net’s MicroBurst technology across its digital CDMA network. “Verizon Wireless is pleased to expand our MicroBurst agreement …

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-New research shows that wireless carriers that launch their own branded portals and handsets enjoy much better data sales than carriers that simply offer access to the wireless Internet. “Carriers recognize that they need to deploy these services …

WASHINGTON-A program created in last year’s Farm Bill to allow loans for technology-neutral broadband deployment is at risk of not being funded during this year’s appropriations cycle, proponents of the program warned Oct. 24. “The Senate needs to strike the …

NICE, France-Nokia made numerous announcements at its annual customer Mobile Internet Conference in Nice, France, and at its “Destination Nokia 100% Pure Mobility” event in Brisbane, Australia, The company shared its vision of a mobile services mass market to a …

Becky Welke had a problem. As general manager of the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire, Wis., Welke wanted to offer her guests high-speed access to the Internet, but the installation and service costs made her think twice. However, …

With less than a month to go before the scheduled Nov. 24 implementation of wireless local number portability, few carriers have engaged in the cut-throat rate plan battles many expected and instead have taken more subtle approaches to retaining or …

Rutberg & Co. said its outlook is positive on rich media and believes 2003 will be “Year 0” for 2.5G wireless data. During the second quarter, eight rich-media companies received $83 million in funding, well up from the $15 million …

WASHINGTON-California Public Utilities Commissioner Susan Kennedy does not appear to have the votes for an alternative bill of rights for telecom consumers that would exempt mobile-phone carriers, but the rewrite is bound to score points with the new, pro-business Schwarzenegger …

LOS ANGELES-Cell phones are the most widely used mobile communications devices among U.S. fleet operators, according to a new survey from C.J. Driscoll & Associates. According to the survey of 400 fleet operators, 66 percent use cell phones, while 52 …

How about a movie about a powerful House committee chairman with a $155,000 salary who buys a million-dollar piece of prime hunting property in Texas with guidance from a seasoned wireless lobbyist, all amid riveting rumors and dumbfounding denials about …

With hundreds of wireless operators spread throughout the country, T-Mobile USA Inc.’s position as the sixth-largest carrier would seem to be one of the more enviable. The carrier has posted stronger customer growth in the past year than most of …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Orange France launched a new intuitive directory service that will allow subscribers to search for information in a non-structured format. Orange teamed with technology company Dejima Inc. to offer the text messaging service, which allows users to search …

LOS ANGELES-Following on promises to release additional information on their plan, Microsoft Corp. and Vodafone Group plc offered further insight into their Web services plan. Specifically, the companies released their Web services white paper at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference. …

The Federal Communications Commission is trying diligently to come up with its own plan for solving the interference problem at 800 MHz in a way to satisfy public-safety users, private-wireless companies, Nextel Communications Inc. and other mobile-phone carriers and be …

WASHINGTON-A Bush administration-sponsored ad campaign aimed at teens will kick off early next year stressing the dangers of distracted driving, an approach more targeted than the one embraced by the cell-phone industry. Unlike industry’s outreach efforts, which stress driver safety …

WASHINGTON-Verizon Wireless last month said that if the Federal Communications Commission agrees to the Consensus Plan to solve the public-safety interference problem in the 800 MHz band, Nextel Communications Inc. will receive a $6.5 billion windfall. “As detailed in the …

OTTAWA-In tune with its “Business Without Borders” vision, Nortel Networks Ltd. said it plans to trial its public wireless local area networks architecture with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and British Telecom plc. Nortel said it will reduce the costs …

HOUSTON-Crown Castle International Corp. reported a slight year-over-year increase in total revenues during the third quarter from $227.4 million last year to $235.6 million in total revenues during the third quarter of 2003. The increase included a dramatic drop in …

ATLANTA-As part of its Be Sensible program, Cingular Wireless L.L.C. released a consumer survey showing regional differences in what is considered proper and courteous use of cellular phones in public areas. The telephone survey, which was conducted by V&L Research …

LAS VEGAS-From a crowded show floor at this week’s Tower Summit & Trade Show, Shorecliff Communications L.L.C. presented its annual Excellence in Business Awards. Sprint Sites USA was awarded the most creative site concealment design for a site resembling a …