February 2008

In an effort to bring the event to a close, the Federal Communications Commission announced that starting today the 700 MHz auction will speed up to eight rounds of bidding per day, up from six. The news, coupled with the …

The Bush administration official responsible for implementing key spectrum, public-safety and digital TV transition initiatives is leaving her post, prompting concern from lawmakers.Meredith Baker, acting head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, oversees the Bush spectrum policy initiative, a …

Mobile virtual network operator Helio scored $171 million in revenue during 2007, way up from the $46 million in revenue the company reported in 2006.However, the company’s net loss also continues to widen: In 2006, Helio’s net loss was $192 …

Verizon Wireless’ $2.67 billion play for Rural Cellular Corp. has turned intensely political, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers urging the Federal Communications Commission to rule soon on a deal whose review has been lengthy and controversial due to the potential …

Priceline.com is the latest online travel firm to go mobile, launching a wireless Web site for on-the-go road warriors.The destination, www.priceline.mobi, is a stripped-down version of the company’s Internet destination, presenting a simple list of seven options including booking flights, …

Like it or not, Bluetooth marketing is gaining traction in the United States as an effective – if sometimes intrusive – way for advertisers to get their messages in front of mobile users. So depending on your view, Verizon Wireless …

Here are several things you need to know this week about mobile WiMAX: First, mobile WiMAX is seen by analysts as a larger but riskier global opportunity for vendors, compared to fixed/nomadic WiMAX, which offers a smaller, less-risky and immediate …

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 RCRWirelessNews.com to rant and rave about whatever rubs …

The Federal Communications Commission’s 700 MHz spectrum auction saw a flurry of activity – well, OK, a barely discernable increase – as it inched toward the $20 billion mark.Today’s first three rounds saw a total of 77 bids, with B-Block …

Sprint Nextel Corp.’s stock plummeted to new lows after the company reported a $29.5 billion loss in the fourth quarter due to a write down of the value of Nextel Communications Inc., which Sprint Corp. acquired in 2005. Sprint Nextel’s …

The U.S. International Trade Commission yesterday affirmed an initial ruling from December that Nokia Corp. does not infringe on three patents claimed by Qualcomm Inc.The case, brought by Qualcomm in June 2006, related to claims by the chipmaker that the …

ROK Entertainment Group Inc. said it has broken off negotiations to acquire fledgling mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Xero Mobile Inc.ROK, a U.K.-based mobile media firm, provides live and on-demand video to wireless users around the world. The company in …

Not to be overrun by the stampede of national carriers flocking to unlimited pricing plans for voice, Sprint Nextel Corp. introduced a “Simply Everything” plan that includes, well, simply everything. Beginning tomorrow, customers can get unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, …

Qwest Communications International Inc. could take its 824,000 wireless subscribers from Sprint Nextel Corp.’s network to CDMA rival Verizon Wireless next year when its current mobile virtual network operator agreement expires, according to media reports. Such a move would give …

MetroPCS Communications Inc. reported a net loss of $47 million while adding almost 299,00 customers during the fourth quarter of 2007. The company’s stock was down almost 7.5% in early trading with results falling short of analysts estimates, but has …

Nortel Networks Corp. reported a loss of $844 million during the fourth quarter of 2007 and said it would fire 2,100 employees and move another 1,000 positions to lower cost locations. The losses compounded an already tumultuous year for the …

A new report says that news taxes and fees are hitting wireless consumers especially hard.The study, conducted by economist Scott Mackey and commissioned by the cellular industry, found wireless consumers pay a combined 15.2% in federal, state and local taxes …

Just one year after tapping Yahoo Inc. to provide search for its mobile browsers, Opera Software is going back to Google Inc.The Norwegian developer said the Internet’s dominant player will be the default search engine for Opera Mobile and Opera …

Vendors trying to cash in on mobile content should start by giving the stuff away, according to a new white paper from Parks Associates and the think tank Entertainment Technology Center @ USC.The mobile video market is plagued with challenges …

Activity slowed from a trickle to a drip as the Federal Communications Commission’s 700 MHz spectrum auction crawled toward the finish line.Round 119 drew only 25 new bids – up from an auction-low 21 new bids in round 117 – …

The phrase “iPhone killer” sounds great but it doesn’t withstand scrutiny. Consider that in the 8 months since Apple Inc.’s splashdown in the mobile device market, device vendors have relentlessly chanted the mantra of “user experience” and “ease-of-use.” Sure, that …

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. —Accedian Networks: RHO Canada Ventures, Skypoint Capital and Solidarity Fund QFL invested $7.6 million …

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 downgraded its industry rating on the telecommunications services sector from overweight to market weight. In related action, …

Motricity is slashing roughly one-third of its workforce and considering moving its headquarters, according to a report from WRAL.com citing multiple sources. The Durham, N.C.-based mobile content company will eliminate roughly 200 jobs as it streamlines operations following the recent …

Shenandoah Telecommunications reported $3.7 million in net income for the fourth quarter, representing a 14.5% increase from the year-ago period. The wireless arm of the company, which operates as an affiliate of Sprint Nextel Corp., brought in $3.7 million in …