2006

Flash Lite is finally here. Verizon Wireless last week became the first U.S. carrier to offer Adobe Systems Inc.’s wireless platform, introducing a stripped-down version of its popular Flash Player for computers. The technology, which will initially be supported by …

Crown Castle International Corp. said its net loss narrowed during the third quarter as revenues increased. During the company’s earnings conference call, Crown’s president and chief executive, John Kelly, called 2006 a “very good year.” He also confirmed that, by …

NEW YORK—Mobile content retailer Thumbplay Inc. added to its bank account with a new funding round and line of credit. The distributor of ringtones and other content hauled in $10 million in a third round of financing round led by …

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Network designer and operator NextPhase Wireless Inc. laid out plans to expand its pre-WiMAX network through acquisitions, providing outsourcing services to Internet service providers and introducing more value-added services to its customers. The operator said it is still on …

Several weeks ago I wrote a eulogy for fallen mobile virtual network operator Mobile ESPN. In it I cited the MVNO’s lofty aspirations for the wireless space, but noted that the company misjudged the market’s appetite for a sports-focused operator …

While the big dogs in the tower industry have national footprints, there are still places they don’t or can’t cover. And often, hard-to-cover areas mean hard-to-gain-access-to land. But a few companies are finding clever ways to zero in on what …

NEW YORK—Verizon Wireless continued its domination of the postpaid wireless market and outpaced larger rival Cingular Wireless L.L.C. in net customer additions during the third quarter. Verizon Wireless brought in 1.9 million net subscribers for the quarter, compared with Cingular’s …

LONDON-Smart phones will represent the fastest growing segment of the mobile handset market this year, according to Informa Telecoms & Media. The company said year-on-year volume of smart phones will increase more than 40 percent this year. By comparison, basic …

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.-U.S. consumers are increasingly focusing on devices when considering wireless services, according to a survey from J.D. Power and Associates. The market research firm found that 19 percent of customers cite the type or brand of cell phone …

A German driver last week followed his navigation system’s command to “Turn right now” and veered into a roadside bathroom 30 yards shy of his intended intersection. Consider it a metaphor for the wireless location-based services industry. In the wonderfully …

Comcast Corp. will unveil a new multi-screen platform that will allow content to be distributed via TV, online and through wireless devices. The new platform will initially provide Halloween-related content such as horror movies when it is launched on Tuesday, …

WASHINGTON-Top mobile-phone carriers, having bid the lion’s share of the $13.9 billion for advanced wireless services licenses auctioned by the Federal Communications Commission, now face the potentially time-consuming and costly process of negotiating to relocate commercial and government users off …

The development of firmware-over-the-air, or FOTA, lies at the intersection of several related trends in mobile devices and their management. The sector is growing and, already, several players claim market leadership. As handsets are packed with features, they are packed …

As carriers try to attract churners and new subscribers at the onset of the holiday season, they’re relying on the strength of their marketing messages and reputation to get shoppers thinking-and potentially onboard. Sprint Nextel Corp. is busy running a …

Motorola Inc. is moving and shaking with ambition and two news items this week point to a growth strategy that includes European markets for handsets and networks. In public statements, Greg Brown, president of Motorola’s network and enterprise division, said …

A California man is suing Motorola Inc., alleging the cellular phone maker knew its wireless Bluetooth headsets could cause “serious hearing loss” and failed to warn customer of the potential dangers. The suit, which seeks class-action status, was filed earlier …

Editor’s Note: Welcome our Monday feature, Analyst Angle. We’ve collected a group of the industry’s leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. In the coming weeks look for columns from Strategy Analytics’ Chris …

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. is making its fabless approach to its semiconductor business leaner and meaner by signing on with the chip fabrication alliance of IBM Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd., also known as the Common …

WASHINGTON-U.S. law enforcement and homeland security officials gave their blessing to Japan-based NTT DoCoMo Inc.’s proposed $72 million purchase of Guam Cellular & Paging Inc. and Guam Wireless Telephone Co. L.L.C., after the parties agreed to certain conditions. While it …

Online Editor Mike Dano has been trying out various mobile TV services for the better part of two years now. We thought we’d let him rant for hedgehogging this week since the rest of us haven’t spent two years assessing …

MEXICO CITY-Prepaid wireless provider TracFone Wireless Inc. reported soaring third-quarter revenues of $330 million, a 36-percent increase over its year-ago figure of $243 million. The Miami-based prepaid carrier’s subscriber base grew by 41.1 percent year-over-year, from 5.1 million to 7.2 …

WASHINGTON-Fresh revelations of terrestrial repeaters being improperly operated by a satellite radio company further fueled a mushrooming controversy at the Federal Communications Commission, one with potentially major implications for wireless broadband companies planning to invest millions of dollars in coming …

VANCOUVER—Wireless modem maker Sierra Wireless Inc. reported a profit for the third quarter. The company’s net income was $1.1 million, a reversal of a net loss of $3.1 million reported during the third quarter last year. The company’s net income …

MEXICO CITY—Prepaid wireless provider TracFone Wireless Inc. reported soaring third quarter revenues of $330 million, a 36 percent increase over its year-ago figure of $243 million. The Miami-based prepaid carrier’s subscriber base grew by 41.1 percent year-over-year, from 5.1 million …