2003

WASHINGTON-Universal service is a hot topic in Washington this week with two House panels hearing testimony, a think-tank seminar and an ad campaign launched Tuesday by TracFone Wireless. “The Federal Communications Commission’s proposed change would impact every landline and cell …

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.-TelASIC Communications said it has rolled out what it calls the world’s first cost-effective wideband radio chipset known as baseFlex to support all major standards, including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, IS-95, CDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA2000 and North American TDMA. “The …

VANCOUVER, British Columbia-Wireless enterprise company Infowave Software announced it acquired all of the intellectual property assets of Sproqit Technologies Inc., which offered a mobile application platform for users to access wireless e-mail and other information. Under the terms of the …

ALAMEDA, Calif.-UTStarcom Inc. said it expects its third-quarter handset sales to leap above 4.5 million units, representing approximately 50 percent of revenues. The company describes the estimate as its highest revenue to date for handset shipments. “UTStarcom has maintained strong …

LONDON-European carrier Vodafone announced a deal with video game company Eidos for the exclusive rights to the Tomb Raider game across 22 countries, a deal that further shows the growing market for exclusive wireless content and downloadable wireless games. Under …

WALL, N.J.-Centennial Communications Corp. said it is withdrawing its previously announced public offering of common stock due to the offer’s inability to garner the company’s “valuation requirements.” Centennial had originally hoped the offering, which was to include 30 million shares …

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.-One-third of wireless application developers in the People’s Republic of China are now deploying wireless applications, according to results from Evans Data Corp.’s Fall Chinese Wireless Development Survey, which polled 600 wireless developers in China. Meanwhile, 37 percent …

WASHINGTON-The House telecommunications subcommittee Tuesday passed the E911 Implementation Act of 2003 changing the rural provisions and making it possible for public-safety answering points to go forward with Phase II wireless enhanced 911 implementation even if a state has used …

INGAPORE-Wireless streaming video company RealNetworks Inc. announced two Asian carriers purchased the company’s Helix server and technology, a move to offer streaming video services to wireless users. MobileOne Ltd. (M1) of Singapore and PT Indosat Multimedia Mobile (IM3) of Indonesia …

LEAWOOD, Kan.-Electronic transaction company Euronet Worldwide Inc. announced it purchased the assets of Austin International Marketing and Investments Inc., which sells prepaid wireless services via point-of-sale terminals throughout the United States. Euronet said it purchased the assets on an “earn-out” …

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-IBM has chosen to integrate SupportSoft Inc.’s Mobile Device Management Suite with its Device Management Solutions to offer wireless service providers an enhanced customer service solution. With the integrated IBM-SupportSoft solution, wireless service providers can provide automated customer …

ATLANTA-XcelleNet Inc. has launched its XcelleNet Security Framework initiative to minimize security risks mobile sales and field service workers often face. Through the initiative, XcelleNet is offering standalone security products, as well as establishing partnerships with security vendors to create …

WASHINGTON-A top official of the Federal Communications Commission Tuesday signaled a change of heart on how the FCC will deal with public-safety interference in the 800 MHz band. “The benefits of the rebanding bottom line happen to be separating these …

NIEUWEGEIN, Netherlands-German wireline carrier International Telecom Network Operation Services (ITENOS), a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, said it will offer fixed-line multimedia messaging services through a new deal with LogicaCMG. The service will allow ITENOS customers, such as application service providers …

WASHINGTON-Commerce Department Deputy Secretary Samuel Bodman in June was urged by government investigators to take administrative action against then-Bush telecom advisor Nancy Victory for ethics violations connected with a 2001 party thrown for her by wireless lobbyists in advance of …

YONKERS, New York-The Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports magazine and which has been a staunch critic of the wireless industry, has launched a Web site, EscapeCellHell.org, to increase consumer power and improve wireless services, the group said. “By fighting …

NEW YORK-Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. has raised its wireless tower sector rating to “market overweight,” reflecting its confidence in the industry’s ability to continue financial deleveraging. The analyst firm specifically raised its rating on Crown Castle International Inc. to …

WASHINGTON-The merger of the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel) and the Association for Communications Enterprises (Ascent) was approved Sept. 22 by the membership of both organizations. “In addition to having many members in common, CompTel and Ascent have long shared similar …

Due to increasing demand for wireless service, Verizon Communications Inc. said it expects its wireless division to add more than 4.5 million customers this year, ahead of the approximately 4 million customers the company had forecast earlier this year. The …

SAN FRANCISCO-U.S. supplier Telespree Communications said it received a contract with Romanian CDMA 450 MHz operator Zapp to deploy Telespree’s automated activation and acquisition solution. Zapp will deploy the technology for first-time activation of new wireless devices, as well as …

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-Wireless networking equipment provider Proxim Corp. has chosen Wavelink as network management partner for its ORiNOCO line of wireless local area network solutions for the enterprise. Through the partnership, Wavelink’s Mobile Manager wireless LAN management software will be used …

WASHINGTON-The Nov. 24 date is firm for wireless local number portability, and the intent is for wireless-to-wireless porting to go forth on that day, said the chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. “The date is firm,” said John Muleta …

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Motorola Inc. said it is offering sensors that interoperate with the ZigBee protocol in environments as diverse as a factory floor to a game console in the family room. “Wireless sensor networks should obtain real-time data on systems or …

DALLAS-Texas Instruments Inc. said it has filed a lawsuit asking the court to order Qualcomm Inc. to abide by the terms of a cross-licensing agreement between both companies. The lawsuit filed at the Delaware Chancery Court also wants an injunction …

The mobile commerce industry saw several new announcements and partnerships in conjunction with the Mobile Commerce World Europe 2003 event in London, but the most notable event included a teaming of perhaps the biggest names in the wireless and commerce …