2007

About 84% of the U.S. population will own and use a mobile phone by the end of the year, according to a new study by research company SNL Kagan. Additionally, the number of cellphone users is projected to surge past …

LG Electronics Co. Ltd. is on the hunt for an ad agency to handle its global corporate brand campaign. Among those invited to participate in the account review are the North American incumbent, WPP Group’s Y&R, Publicis Groupe’s Publicis and …

American mobile users are still using cellphones primarily for calls, falling behind other countries in adopting them as multimedia devices, a new study by Universal McCann reports.The study, conducted in June, covered 10,000 Internet-connected mobile-phone users in 21 countries. It …

The smartphone market in North American is in flux, with Research In Motion Ltd. rapidly gaining ground by successfully crossing over into the consumer market from its traditional enterprise role. RIM has grabbed market share while competitors struggle with products …

Nuance Communications Inc. said it will provide speech-recognition technology for an ad-sponsored directory assistance service provided by Jingle Networks Inc.Jingle, which powers the 1-800-FREE-411 offering, said it will integrate Nuance’s technology to enable users to search for local business listings …

Despite the tumultuous nature of the business, it appears the mobile virtual network operator market hasn’t lost the interest of private equity and venture capitalists. Movida Communications Inc. announced that it received $40 million in financing from a group of …

Customer satisfaction in the prepaid sector has increased considerably since last year, driven by new pricing options and services, according to the latest survey by J.D. Power and Associates. Overall satisfaction got a boost of 10 points on the company’s …

A Sprint Nextel Corp. executive offered a glimpse into a few of the carrier’s current customer-service projects during a visit to Sprint Nextel’s newly created online user forum, www.buzzaboutwireless.com. Sprint Nextel’s Jerry Adriano, VP of its Customer Experience operations, said …

Hello! And welcome to our Thursday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty stuff that goes on in this industry, so this column is a chance for us at RCRNews.com to rant and rave about whatever rubs …

The phrase, “strange bedfellows,” when applied to the business of making money, may as well be retired.Nokia Corp. may see Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile as a challenge to its stake in the Symbian operating system, but that doesn’t mean the …

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed a state ruling awarding an AT&T Inc. equipment installer total disability and medical benefits as a result of health problems tied to exposure to radio frequency radiation levels deemed to be slightly above those set …

Two senior Alcatel-Lucent executives have announced that they will be leaving the company. Frank D’Amelio, chief administrative officer, and Mike Quigley, president of the company’s science, technology and strategy, are both on their way out.“During the past year, both Mike …

Digital Dispatch Systems Inc. has agreed to purchase all shares of Mobisoft Oy for $7.7 million in a deal subject to a definitive agreement and regulatory approvals in Finland and Canada. The transaction, which calls for nearly $4.1 million in …

Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna said he wants legislation to prohibit the marketing of mobile phone telephone numbers without consumer consent, responding to privacy concerns raised by the new cellphone directory business launched by Bellevue-based information commerce firm Intelius …

Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. has partnered with Intercasting to offer its customers direct access from select handsets to a range of social-networking sites. The service is initially available on three handsets, with more to come. The sites include general blog …

Looking to recoup its fortunes, in part, with a high-tier smartphone, Motorola Inc. launched its updated Q-the Q Music 9m-at Verizon Wireless. For Verizon Wireless, the launch updates its single smartphone offering from Motorola. The Q Music 9m will sell …

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. has tapped Mobile Complete to power a remote testing service of Java applications on mobile phones.The handset maker launched a “Virtual Lab” that allows application developers to test their wares online across Sony Ericsson handsets …

The following list includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.Carrier –McAdams Wright Ragen initiated coverage on Clearwire Corp. with a buy rating and a $28 price target.–Lehman Bros. lowered its …

The following list includes venture capital and other investments into wireless companies announced during the past week. The value of the investment is included when available.–Juma: Vision Opportunity Master Fund Ltd. invested $5 million in Juma Technology Corp.’s initial funding …

Gemalto unveiled a collaboration with NXP Semiconductors to develop SIM products for existing payment and public transportation systems.The companies hope to define standards for SIM-based Near Field Communications products and ensure interoperability with MIFARE, a contactless smartcard technology for mass …

Verizon Wireless is teaming with MTV Networks and RealNetworks Inc. to take on Apple Inc.’s iTunes service.MTV is shuttering its Urge music download service and will integrate components of the offering with RealNetworks’ Rhapsody, an online music subscription service. Verizon …

CBS Mobile is pushing ahead full steam this month, announcing another deal with Verizon Wireless to put full-length episodes of its late-night programming on the carrier’s Vcast Video service.The “Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Late Late Show with …

Alltel Corp. is launching a service that provides a variety of location-based information, including the locations of gas stations, restaurants and hotels as well as local events, traffic conditions and weather forecasts. The LBS application, dubbed WHERE, provides maps, directions …

Medio Systems Inc. announced it acquired rival mobile ad firm Suhari L.L.C. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.“Medio has a track record of successfully partnering with mobile operators to deliver the most intuitive mobile search experience to consumers while …

Infineon Technologies AG will purchase LSI Corp.’s mobile products unit for $450 million in cash, the companies announced.LSI merged with Agere Systems in April and cut the deal with Infineon to focus on growth in its storage systems and networking …