Editor’s Note: The RCR Wireless News Time Machine is a way to take advantage of our extensive history in covering the wireless space to fire up the DeLorean and take a trip back in time to re-visit some of the more interesting headlines from this week in history. Enjoy the ride!
700 MHz sale postponed
The Federal Communications Commission last week delayed the auction of commercial licenses in the 700 MHz band, while proceeding with plans to auction licenses for guard-band managers and proposing service rules for public-safety uses on the same band. The FCC originally intended to hold two auctions for the commercial spectrum at about the same time, but last week’s split means guard-band managers likely will be decided first. … Read More
Carrier marketing centers on wireless data world
The realm of wireless data is uncharted territory for most consumers, but carriers also are feeling their way through the darkness, searching for the best way to market data and Internet services to an audience with little or no knowledge of wireless outside voice. Everyone-from the manufacturer to the end user-started with a clean slate when wireless data applications came about several years ago. With no precedent to follow, Sprint PCS finally took the leap in September and became the first major carrier to launch a campaign to introduce the wireless Web to the general public. Other carriers soon followed, each trying to emphasize the added benefits-and revenues-wireless data applications could foster. … Read More
Study finds hands-free kits dramatically reduce SAR
The issue of mobile-phone radiation and its possible link to cancer became even more garbled last week as the Australian Consumers Association released a study in its Choice magazine, claiming hands-free kits dramatically reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation exposure to the brain. These findings wholly contradict the results of a study conducted by researchers for the British consumer magazine Which?. That study found wired ear pieces create three times as much radio-frequency radiation as the phone itself and that phone shields did little to block mobile-phone emissions. … Read More
Internet firms team to redefine industry
The end is near. That is the prophecy heralded by the principals of Phone.com Inc. and Software.com Inc., which last week said they will merge in what is the largest announced wireless Internet transaction to date. “Together, we are going to be an incredible force,” said John MacFarlane, chief executive officer of Software.com. “There are very few opportunities in life to create a company that in one instance forever changes the rules of the game, and this is one of those rare occasions.” … Read More
Strategists expect tech bubble to burst soon in stealth bear market
Technology stocks have had an extended run of public preference, but they are poised to step back in 2001 as investors seek better returns elsewhere, according to some Wall Street investment strategists. Ralph J. Acampora, director of technical analysis for Prudential Securities Inc., called today’s environment “a stealth bear market.” By that, he means investors are beginning to rotate their portfolios out of currently favored business sectors into others. A true bear market, by contrast, means investors are moving their money out of equities altogether. … Read More
NTIA proposes ultra-wideband/GPS testing plan
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said it is preparing a draft testing plan to examine the interference potential between ultra-wideband technologies and the global positioning system. “My goal is to let science decide this, not politics,” said Greg Rohde, NTIA administrator and assistant commerce secretary for communications and information. … Read More
VoiceStream maintains merger confidence as stocks drop
VoiceStream Wireless Corp. last week reiterated its confidence in its merger with German operator Deutsche Telekom as both companies’ stock values dropped since the merger announcement. By press time, the deal was valued at about $45.3 billion, or $171 per VoiceStream share, compared with $50.7 billion, or $195 per share, when the companies first announced the deal. … Read More
E-mail is main driver of wireless Internet access
If 7,000 responses from last month’s survey by Solomon-Wolff Associates are an accurate barometer of wider trends, then electronic mail is the primary use consumers want for wireless Internet access. “Are you disappointed?” Susan “Joey” Wolff, partner, asked her audience at the conclusion of her presentation at last week’s Telecom Business Conference and Expo here. … Read More
Palm aims to gain market momentum
Palm Inc. introduced four new personal digital assistants as part of its fall line of products. They include the Palm m100, the Palm VIIx and two versions of the Palm Vx. The newest device is the m100, Palm’s latest entry-level product, priced at $150. It features custom casings with a variety of colors, as well as a note-pad application for freehand notes, maps or drawings. … Read More
PCIA launches global initiative to address Internet
The Personal Communications Industry Association made another move designed to evolve the association into one that serves the global mobile Internet market. PCIA last week announced the PCIA Global Initiative, a new PCIA division designed to provide consumer and market data for the mobile Internet and m-commerce markets. … Read More
