Alamosa Holdings Inc. subsidiary Southwest PCS said it sold 10 megahertz of spectrum covering portions of Oklahoma and Texas to Panhandle Telecommunications Systems Inc. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Panhandle will use the spectrum to build out a CDMA2000 1x network and provide roaming services to Alamosa, which is in the process of being acquired by Sprint Nextel Corp. Panhandle and Sprint Nextel have agreed to reciprocal roaming rates as well. Guymon, Okla.-based Panhandle provides wireless service to approximately 5,500 customers in the Oklahoma panhandle. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Amp’d Mobile Inc. is moving closer to the launch of its mobile virtual network operator service, saying it’s planning a soft launch of services on Dec. 15. The soft launch plans include allowing consumers who have signed up for service through the company’s Web site to begin customizing their handsets, which are to be shipped before the end of the year. Amp’d Mobile has said its service will target the increasingly attractive youth market with a heavy dose of wireless multimedia applications using Verizon Wireless’ CDMA2000 1x EV-DO network. Amp’d Mobile also said it plans to offer a downloadable music service that mimics Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes service in charging customers 99 cents per song. Amp’d added that its pricing model was not set in stone and that it would follow any changes made by Apple.
Verizon Wireless bolstered its holiday fare with two new gadgets: an EV-DO version of Motorola Inc.’s popular Razr device and an LG Electronics Co. Ltd. device designed specifically for children. Verizon Wireless is selling LG’s new Migo phone on its Web site for $100 with a service agreement. The device features two stubby antennas, a speakerphone and a limited keypad. The phone does not support voicemail, Web browsing or text messages. The phone is intended for children, and allows parents to specify which numbers the phone can call. Motorola’s CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Razr features support for Verizon Wireless’ Vcast video service. The phone sells for $200 with a service agreement.
