2003

Two-way messaging devices may have a niche in emergency services communications. U.S. emergency service organizations need an effective way to guarantee that their wireless devices and their users receive the emergency messages that are intended for them, according to research …

The advent of packet-data networks and all the resulting applications-from picture messaging to push-to-talk services-creates a host of new issues that network operators and other wireless players must confront. And one important although potentially overlooked issue has absolutely nothing to …

Driver distraction has become an increasing debate among lawmakers, with Congress likely to consider legislation soon that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving-nationwide. Such legislation would put a damper on the futuristic plans of the automotive …

SAN FRANCISCO-MarketWatch.com Inc. announced it purchased news and information provider Pinnacor Inc. for about $103 million. Pinnacor, formerly known as ScreamingMedia, offers a range of wireless news and information updates and counts Tribune Media Services, Virgin Mobile and Verizon Wireless …

In the early days of wireless, users could expect their phones to store, perhaps, 100 names and phone numbers. Today, users in some cases can expect their phones to hold an entire half-hour TV show, complete with audio and video. …

BOULDER, Colo.-SandCherry Inc. recently committed to refining its focus by working with partners to offer complete mobility solutions to its enterprise and service provider customers, an announcement that was followed by a flurry of partnership deals and product releases that …

Pictures of a possible Motorola Inc. smart phone using Microsoft Corp.’s operating system surfaced on an enthusiast Web site, further stoking industry rumors that Motorola has sided with the software giant. The photos, posted on smart-phone enthusiast Web site www.modaco.com, …

Tokyo-HI Corp. will license its Mascot Capsule Engine Micro 3D Edition software to Motorola Inc.’s Personal Communications Sector for use on select Motorola handsets. The software solution allows consumers to access applications using third-dimensional graphics on mobile phones and other …

PARIS-French supplier Alcatel Corp. said Thailand’s TA Orange signed a $100 million contract with Alcatel for a network enhancement. Alcatel will supply base stations and related equipment to increase coverage and capacity in Bangkok and the provinces by January. The …

WASHINGTON-Nextel Communications Inc. was awarded the fixed-wireless assets of bankrupt WorldCom Inc. by Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez. Nextel will pay $144 million for the licenses. BellSouth Corp., which originally entered an agreement to buy the licenses for $65 million, will …

WASHINGTON-Legislation has been introduced with the goal of speeding the transition to digital television, which in turn should make spectrum in the attractive 700 MHz band available more quickly. “Our legislation breaks the logjam between the three industries and is …

OLATHE, Kansas-Garmin International Inc. announced its iQue 3600 GPS-equipped personal digital assistant began shipping this week to electronics retailers and Garmin dealers in the United States. “We are thrilled with the early response to our iQue 3600, and we’re excited …

KABUL, Afghanistan-Afghanistan will this weekend have mobile competition when the country’s second GSM network launches July 27, according to a Reuters report. Last month, Aga Khan Development Network, which is part of the consortium that owns the second mobile license …

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-Openwave Systems Inc. had a fiscal fourth-quarter net loss of $25.7 million, or 14 cents per share, compared with the previous quarter when it had a net loss of $23.2 million, or 13 cents per share. The company’s …

LONDON-M-Spatial mapping technology will be used for Vodafone U.K.’s new MapWay service, which offers maps and walking directions on mobile phones. MapWay is now available in the travel section of the Vodafone Live! menu. The service lets users specify the …

Driver distraction has become an increasing debate among lawmakers, with Congress likely to consider legislation soon that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving-nationwide. Such legislation would put a damper on the futuristic plans of the automotive …

PARIS-France Telecom R&D announced details on an experimental service that lets vacationers create multimedia travel albums by using their cell phones to transfer content instantly while on vacation. The service, called Memoire de Voyage, allows users to add their own …

SEATTLE-Qpass Inc. announced it has joined the Mobile Payment Forum, a global organization that promotes the development of a framework for the deployment of mobile payments. “Qpass is looking forward to sharing our expertise from the North American market with …

AUSTIN, Texas-Wireless Valley Communications Inc. released the latest version of its LANFielder personal digital assistant handheld wireless network measurement system. LANFielder PDA Version 8.0 features expanded spectrum measurement and WLAN performance features and an enhanced interface that includes Wireless Valley’s …

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. said it has filed a lawsuit against Texas Instruments Inc. for what it described as a breach of the patent portfolio agreement both companies signed in 2000. The patent portfolios provide “rights to each company to supply …

Nortel Networks Ltd. suffered a second-quarter net loss of $14 million, or 0 cents a share, indicating the company was unable to sustain the profits it recorded in the previous quarter. The firm enjoyed a profit of $54 million, or …

SCHAUMBURG, Ill-For the first time since 1959 when it built its first chip plant, Motorola Inc. has lost its place among the elite chip makers, dropping out of the top 10, according to an IC Insights report on the space. …

REDMOND, Wash.-AT&T Wireless Services Inc. said it plans to repurchase all outstanding 11.625-percent TeleCorp Wireless senior subordinated discount notes due April 15, 2009, and 12.75-percent Tritel PCS senior subordinated discount notes due May 15, 2009, for cash between July 25 …

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill.-Motorola Inc. has teamed with Avis Rent A Car System Inc. to make the Avis Assist phone-based navigation system available in up to 50 cities in the United States and Canada. Through the program, which is based on Motorola’s …

LONDON-The gap is widening between the number of Wi-Fi end-user devices and the number of commercial Wi-Fi hot spots, but the devices should catch up within the next two years, according to two new studies from Juniper Research. “The imbalance …