2007

Device vendors seem to be getting the hang of names, though it’s hard to let go of those pesky numeric tags. Enter the Blast from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., aka the SGH-t729.Everyone loves to have a “blast,” right? The phone …

Vodafone Group plc said it had no plans to sell its stake in its U.S. joint venture Verizon Wireless.In an effort to end speculation about its U.S. business, the British operator said it had declined to exercise its rights to …

Leap Wireless International Inc. failed to meet analysts’ estimates for customer additions in the last quarter and its stock suffered dramatically because of it, plummeting more than 20% following yesterday’s report.The carrier reported almost 127,000 customer additions to its Cricket-branded …

Sprint Nextel Corp. continued to show signs of turning around its customer growth challenges, saying it added 400,000 subscribers during the second quarter. While the results pale in comparison to its larger competitors AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, both of …

TerreStar Networks Inc. defended its request to the Federal Communications Commission to delay its mobile satellite launch, claiming that the 10-month postponement “is in the public interest.”The Reston, Va.-based firm in late May asked the FCC for permission to extend …

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.–Berggi: Avanzit invested $1 million in mobile messaging services company Berggi as part of a …

The following list includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.Carrier–R.W. Baird raised its EPS estimate on Alltel to $2.84 from $2.80 after the company reported solid second-quarter results. Lehman Brothers …

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 …

The president passed and Qualcomm Inc. is heading to court. A 60-day window closed yesterday for a presidential veto of the U.S. International Trade Commission’s June 7 ban on the importation of new 3G handsets containing Qualcomm Inc.’s chips. Now, …

U.S. Cellular Corp. reported $971.6 million in total revenues for the second quarter, a nearly 15% increase compared with the $846.1 million the carrier posted during the same quarter last year. Net income nearly tripled from $50 million last year, …

Fresh off the heels of a major deal with Sprint-Nextel Corp. to collaborate on the construction and operation a nationwide mobile WiMAX network, Clearwire Corp. reported a $70.2 million loss in the second quarter, due primarily to its continued investment …

Alvarion Ltd. and Hitachi Communication Technologies Ltd. have partnered to develop a mobile WiMAX network in Japan using spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band. Israel-based Alvarion said it will develop base stations and the mobile management technology needed to seamlessly …

Verizon Wireless promoted Anthony Melone to senior vice president and CTO. The former VP of the carrier’s network operations will now head the team that supports the technology, architecture, planning, design and operation of Verizon Wireless’ nationwide network. Melone will …

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–Indonesia: PT Indosat awarded a contract …

Alltel Corp. added to its video portfolio with a two-tiered service that offers access to more than 200 on-demand video clips from network television shows.The operator introduced a $4-a-month application that includes content from NBC News, NBC Entertainment, FOXsports.com, Discovery …

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 …

In case you hadn’t heard, Google is going mobile. The Wall Street Journal last week trumpeted the Internet giant’s efforts to build handsets in a page-one story that quickly echoed throughout the blogosphere and the trade press. London’s Telegraph stoked …

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. …

Media companies and mainstream brands are moving delicately to use text messages as a way to snuggle up next to mobile users without incurring their wrath. And they’re hoping to pick up the tab.SMS marketing campaigns have a long-and decidedly …

Newly formed Civitas Wireless Solutions L.L.C. acquired Ricochet Networks Inc.’s wireless network and operations for the greater Denver metropolitan area. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. It was also announced that Ricochet has ceased operations of its San Diego …

People magazine has tapped LimeLife Inc. to deliver its content to mobile users.The periodical launched People Mobile, a downloadable application that delivers breaking celebrity news, photo galleries, a puzzle game and a style blog. The application is available on carrier …

Working Assets launched its latest cause-oriented mobile virtual network operator, teaming with the left-leaning People For the American Way to launch Democracy Wireless.The MVNO provides service through Sprint Nextel Corp.’s network and is marketed as an alternative to “other cellphone …

Publisher Digital Chocolate Inc. unveiled its latest mobile game offerings, introducing a series of titles that stress community themes and connected play.The San Mateo, Calif.-based developer launched the first five games available in the DChoc Caf

Regional telecommunications provider Ntelos Holding Corp.’s reported a deal with Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade the company’s wireless network with CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Revision A equipment. The deal is valued at $88.2 million and includes Ntelos’ network in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, …

Nokia Corp. said it will embed anti-piracy software from Microsoft Corp. on its Series 60 and Series 40 handsets. The world’s largest mobile-phone manufacturer said it will include Microsoft’s DRM solution, dubbed PlayReady, on both Symbian-enabled devices and feature phones …