2007

M2Z Networks Inc. said it will take the Federal Communications Commission to court to force the agency to consider its request for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum.The Silicon Valley-based outfit applied for the spectrum more than a year ago, vowing …

Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. added to its handset vendor list by announcing plans to add LG Electronics Co.’s “Aloha” handset to its lineup later this month. The handset, which is set to retail for $35 , marks the first deal …

Network operators increasingly will partner with small handset vendors to offer low-margin, ultra-low-cost handsets, particularly in emerging markets where new subscriber growth remains strong, according to ABI Research. Nokia Corp. and Motorola Inc. currently dominate the sub-$50 handset space, in …

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 …

Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. continued to expand its handset portfolio with the “Fin” from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a thin clamshell priced at $175, based on a current discount. According to Helio, the Fin is the thinnest folding …

Wireless and telecom reseller TelePlus World Corp. reported weaker second quarter results, which the company said were due to switching back-office providers and the backlash from acquiring mobile virtual network operator Liberty Wireless. TelePlus, which operates in the U.S. and …

A trio of independent wireless operators have partnered with Interop Technologies to deploy a range of wireless features such as short message service, multimedia messaging, wireless application protocol and over-the-air device management services.Rural Independent Network Alliance, which serves wireless operators …

Shares of mobile search and content company UpSnap rose slightly after the company said it plans to merge with Mobile Greetings Inc.Mobile Greetings creates and publishes greeting cards, animated clips and other applications for content partners such as Disney, Sony, …

Major League Baseball unveiled a widget that gives BlackBerry owners one-click access to its wireless Web site.The application can be downloaded free by visiting MLB.com, and is available free aside from carrier data charges. MLB Advanced Media LP, the interactive …

NextWave Wireless Inc. lost more than $59.5 million during the second quarter, primarily due to an increase in operating expenses related to the expansion of its research and development teams and related support organizations, it reported in financial results.The loss, …

Social networking sites MySpace and Facebook are using valuable deck space to extend their offerings to mobile users, according to new figures from M:Metrics.MySpace, which has deals with AT&T Mobility, Helio L.L.C. and Sprint Nextel Corp., attracted about 3.7 million …

Travel planning and roadside assistance organization AAA unveiled a downloadable application that offers drivers access to turn-by-turn directions and AAA services via mobile phone. Jeff Green, managing director of location-based technology for AAA, said that about 50% of the 29 …

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.–KickApps: SoftBank Capital led an $11 million Series B funding round into KickApps Corp., a …

The following list includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.Carrier –Credit Suisse First Boston lowered its price target on Leap Wireless International to $90 from $95 after the carrier offered …

Hip-hop celebrity DJ Envy is teaming with Cellfish Media to offer a weekly mix tape for mobile users.The New York-based host of the Hot 97 radio show and Sirius Satellite Radio’s Hip-Hop Nation, DJ Envy will compile collections of seven …

Former Sprint Nextel Corp. VP Paul Reddick will serve on the advisory board of mobile software developer iSkoot.A startup based in Cambridge, Mass., iSkoot offers software that enables VoIP services for some smartphones and Java devices. Reddick served 10 years …

Nokia Corp. advised that its branded BL-5C battery, found in more than 50 handsets, is subject to overheating and popping out of the handset during recharging. The company has offered to replace the offending batteries upon request.The Finnish vendor said, …

InterDigital Inc. announced that it expects to pull in between $53.5 million and $54.5 million in revenues during the third quarter of 2007, which would fall at least $1 million short of analysts’ forecasts. The news prompted the company’s shares …

The following list details this week’s infrastructure awards for the cellular, Wi-Fi and WiMAX industries. The contracts are broken down by transmission technology, country and vendor. The value of the contract is included when available.Cellular–China: Motorola Inc. said it won …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Yay or Nay, a feature for RCR Wireless News’ new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week we’ll review a new wireless application or service from the user’s point of view, with the goal …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to On the Margins, a feature for RCR Wireless News’ new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week, the RCR Wireless News staff considers events in the wider business world and how they could affect …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Reality Check, a feature for RCR Wireless News’ new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. We’ve gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile content industry to give their insights into the marketplace. …

The best thing about the U.S. wireless market is that it is full of choice. And while all of those choices make the market complicated, it also spurs development and advances the industry. U.S. consumers have access to more than …

Gannett Co. Inc. stepped up its mobile efforts, launching more than 100 mobile Internet sites from its local newspaper and broadcast franchises.The sites, which are free aside from carrier data charges, are updated by local Gannett “information centers” that deliver …

Digital Chocolate Inc. expanded its global footprint, adding development studios in India and Spain.The San Mateo, Calif.-based publisher picked up Small Device Mobile Technologies of Bangalore, India, which specializes in porting games across networks and devices. Microjocs Mobile from Barcelona, …