Wal-Mart expanded its network agreement with Verizon to include postpaid plans and high-end devices, while Sprint lost NAD challenge of Cingular ads … 10 years ago this week
Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Wal-Mart moves into postpaid space with Verizon Wireless
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. continues to make strides on the mobile retail front, expanding its agreement with Verizon Wireless to include postpaid plans and high-end multimedia phones. The chain, which not long ago stocked only prepaid offerings, will offer two Vcast music phones as well as the multimedia Motorola Inc. Razr V3m at its 1,950 stores nationwide. The agreement, which is scheduled to be unveiled this week, builds on a partnership that saw Wal-Mart take on Verizon Wireless’ prepaid INpulse offering earlier this year. … Read More
Cingular scores victory in advertising battle with Sprint Nextel
In an ongoing advertising battle between Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and Sprint Nextel Corp., Cingular seems to have won the latest round-but did not emerge completely unscathed. Sprint Nextel had challenged a slew of Cingular’s advertising claims about the largest carrier’s network and push-to-talk service, and the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau has been reviewing the claims. The NAD investigates advertising challenges as part of a self-regulation program for the advertising industry. … Read More
Nokia, Siemens team up for infrastructure battle
As the idea of a combined Alcatel Inc. and Lucent Technologies Inc. settles in, Nokia Corp. and Siemens AG skated into the wireless infrastructure marketplace with plans to combine Nokia’s Networks Business Group with Siemens’ fixed and mobile networks operations. The 50-50 joint venture is to be called Nokia Siemens Networks. By the end of last week the dust had already settled on the idea of Nokia Siemens Networks, and the only buzz to be heard centered on the fate of the un-consolidated, namely Nortel Networks Ltd. and Motorola Inc. … Read More
Qualcomm, Intel trade barbs over 802.20 suspension
While it’s widely understood that developing technology standards is never an easy road to travel, the recent schism between Intel Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. over the IEEE’s 802.20 Working Group’s activities sets a new standard for companies looking to out-maneuver their competitors and shape the evolution of certain technologies. In a letter dated June 15, Steve Mills, IEEE Standards Board Chair, stated that as of June 8, the standards board, “directed that all activities of the 802.20 Working Group be temporarily suspended.” Mills cited two reasons for the suspension. Several appeals filed with the working group have made work in the group “highly contentious,” and an investigation has shown a lack of transparency, possible “dominance” and other irregularities. … Read More
’Free’ key to driving wireless Web traffic
Companies looking to monetize surfers on the wireless Web should consider giving stuff away. That was the consensus of the three speakers featured last week in RCR Wireless News’ first webinar, “Wireless portals: Who owns the mobile Web user?” While content providers and carriers are rushing to cash in on mobile data, the industry should look to the computer-focused Internet to find blueprints for business models in wireless. … Read More
Revenues remain in steady orbit for mobile satellite industry
The satellite industry as a whole is rebounding, driven by new technologies and applications in the mobile satellite services space, plus consumer applications such as high definition television and satellite radio, according to the Satellite Industry Association, which recently reported revenue figures for 2005. The global, commercial satellite industry generated $88.8 billion in revenues in 2005, a 7.4-percent increase over 2004. The satellite services slice of the pie, which includes mobile satellite services, has shown steady growth over the past five years-$52 billion in 2005, up 13 percent over 2004-while ground equipment, including satellite phones, has remained steady. The dead weight includes the satellite manufacturing and launch industry, which have shrunk. … Read More
Declining ASPs make emerging markets a gamble
The good news is that about 80 percent of the world’s population is covered by wireless networks, and only about one-quarter of those actually subscribe to a wireless service, which means emerging markets offer opportunities for handset vendors to grow market share and, possibly, profits. The not-so-good news is that profits on entry-level handsets are slim and profitability depends on massive volumes-favoring those with economies of scale and in-country manufacturing facilities-that only two major brands can muster. This is the world according to Daniel Longfield, a wireless analyst with Frost & Sullivan, which recently issued its first Global Mobile Handheld Device Market study. … Read More
Katrina panel urges changes to prevent future communications disasters
The independent panel reviewing the communications disaster sparked by Hurricane Katrina told the Federal Communications Commission it should encourage various changes to help prevent similar communications problems in the future. However, the panel stopped short of giving specific, detailed requirements that could be turned into rules and therefore enforceable if not followed. In a report filed with the FCC last week, the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks made 18 recommendations in four categories, but none of the recommendations outlines specific rules that the FCC should make. Instead, the agency is told to encourage various changes. … Read More
Senators worry AT&T-BellSouth deal will hinder WiMAX market
AT&T Inc. Chairman Edward Whitacre told the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee he would not oppose conditions on special-access lines as part of any regulatory approval of AT&T’s proposed $67 billion purchase of BellSouth Corp., a merger expected to be eventually approved by the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission despite criticism by national wireless carriers, consumers and lawmakers. Whitacre told the Senate panel he would agree to restrictions on special access lines—dedicated lines used by wireless carriers to transmit calls from base stations to mobile switching centers—after initially remarking that robust competition negates the need for any merger conditions. … Read More
Disney Mobile differentiates on extras
Disney Mobile may be causing a spate of copy-catting of its family-oriented services, but the mobile virtual network operator is far from bucking industry trends when it comes to its newly unveiled calling plans and packages. In general, the MVNO’s offerings are in line with or significantly more expensive than similar plans from the national carriers, but its parental control features offer families a unique combination of services that no other operator has today-although all four have launched some type of family-focused service since Disney Mobile detailed its plans at CTIA Wireless 2006. … Read More
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
