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!
AT&T Wireless declares its independence
While the event was not celebrated with fireworks across the country, AT&T Wireless finally was able to celebrate its independence last week as it began its first trading day as an independent company. And, while most people were not expecting AT&T Wireless’ stock to go through the roof, there was some hope a strong showing would signal a possible recovery for the wireless industry. But, instead of fireworks, Wall Street greeted the news coolly, knocking AT&T Wireless’ stock down roughly 3 percent on its first day of freedom … Read more
PDA market goes bust
The market for personal digital assistants, once thought to be a gold mine for anyone and everyone looking to make a profit, is now swimming in such bitter competition and crowding that one of the industry’s leaders is bowing out-Psion plc, Europe’s largest PDA company. The company said it will cut 250 jobs and take a $40 million restructuring charge, which accounts for write-offs and inventory expenses, as part of the retreat. Psion’s move comes as no real surprise. The company has been slowly withdrawing from the PDA market since the beginning of this year, and has been suffering along with other major PDA players, including Palm Inc. and Handspring Inc. … Read more
Yep, seriously busted
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.-No. 2 personal digital assistant maker Handspring Inc. reported fourth quarter earnings in line with company expectations but severely impacted by the slow economy, inventory problems and pricing wars. Handspring also announced it would cut 9 percent of its work force-about 40 positions-and the company recorded a quarterly net loss almost triple the amount of a year ago. Handspring showed a net loss of $67.2 million for the quarter, ended June 30, compared with $19.5 million in the same quarter last year. The company’s pro forma net loss was $32.4 million, which excludes $26.8 million in excess and obsolete inventory charges … Read more
Paging doesn’t look too hot, either
It’s quiet out there in the paging and messaging industry. Perhaps too quiet. WebLink Wireless Inc., Arch Wireless Inc. and Metrocall Inc. are the three largest independent paging and messaging companies in the country, and it seems their fates are intricately entwined. They are all facing subscriber losses in the hundreds of thousands and are weighted down by massive debt and interest payments. And since no outside investor or company has shown any interest in financing or acquiring one of these players, it seems that the three are on their own. Moreover, for the past several months all three have been quietly laboring away, working to maintain their own financial health, while the nationwide paging and messaging industry seems to be slowly sliding into bankruptcy … Read more
Stick ’em up, Euro carriers!
BRUSSELS, Belgium-The European Commission made surprise raids on nine mobile operators in the United Kingdom and Germany last week to investigate alleged price fixing, according to international press reports. The commission was reportedly looking for evidence of collective fixing of consumer retail prices and serious competition concerns.
Officials from the EC and Office of Fair Trading arrived at the headquarters of One 2 One, Orange, BT Cellnet and Vodafone in the United Kingdom and sifted through documents for the investigation. European operators have been criticized for the high and inconsistent roaming charges they assess for subscribers roaming to other European and international countries … Read more
Carriers go all-you-can-talk — locally, at least
Many people have claimed the success of the Internet really took off once service providers implemented one-rate plans for unlimited usage. The plans allowed computer users to surf all they wanted without having to worry about a surprise bill at the end of the month. A few wireless operators have taken the same approach to wireless service, introducing service plans allowing customers to call all they want for one price. Sure, the calling plans only include local calls in the rate plans, but for many people, local calls make up a majority of their wireless airtime. The industry standard for these types of services has been Leap Wireless International Inc., which has launched its Cricket service in 22 markets across the country. But a few traditional wireless operators have pushed forward with their offerings, in spite of concern about how they might affect overall operations … Read more
Look, Ma — no hands!
Cellport Systems and Ford Motor Co. have teamed to offer the Cellport 3000 with Voice Command hands-free docking station and adapter in select 2002-model Ford vehicles late this summer, Cellport said. The Cellport 3000 with Voice Command was created to allow mobile-phone users to use their phones, hands free, while driving. The platform stores the names and numbers found in the user’s phone book, and dials those numbers via speech recognition technology. The Cellport/Ford partnership coincidentally comes just weeks after New York became the first state to pass a law banning the use of cellular phones while driving. Such legislation is putting pressure on car manufacturers, wireless carriers and equipment providers alike, to provide safe options for their customers … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
