SAN FRANCISCO-Akira Technologies launched its Publisher 2.0 Web-based publishing and content management tool, which the company said allows users to create interactive content for mobile devices. Akira noted the product allows customers to deliver industry-standard digital content, including video, audio, images, text, vector graphics...
WASHINGTON-The 2 GHz spectrum band is becoming ground zero as the Federal Communications Commission attempts to promote third-generation wireless phone, broadband and mobile satellite services without trampling spectrum rights of incumbents in the band or undermining the very wireless policy objectives it seeks to...
SAN DIEGO-Chipmakers Qualcomm Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. both raised revenue forecasts based on improving sales, news that could translate into an improved market for the worldwide mobile-phone industry. First up, Qualcomm raised its revenue expectations and earnings per share forecasts for its first...
TAIPEI, Taiwan-Motorola Inc. announced the launch of its commercial UMTS system across the island of Taiwan, saying it deployed a third-generation network and handsets within 9 months of signing a contract with service operator VIBO Telecom. "The launch of island-wide UMTS service affirms VIBO...
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Nextel Corp. launched a new subsidiary that the carrier said will focus on offering voice and data offerings to large businesses and government customers. Sprint Nextel reported that Sprint Enterprise Mobility Inc. will provide consulting services and develop solutions for large...
MORRISVILLE, N.C.-Israeli-based iDEN network operator MiRS Communications Ltd., selected Tekelec's core convergence switching solution as part of its transition to Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem architecture. Tekelec said the solution provides next-generation capabilities, including fixed-mobile convergence and hosted Session Initiation Protocol services.MiRS also purchased the...
With apologies to the deceased Rodney Dangerfield, the wireless industry can't get any respect.Whether it's state agencies attempting to micro-manage the industry or countless health-related lawsuits or studies attempting to link cell service to a myriad of maladies, you would think the wireless industry...
WASHINGTON-The wireless industry has had explosive growth as a result of the policies championed by former FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein at Abernathy's final commission meeting last Friday. "The explosion of wireless devices is partly due to your good work,"...
For the past few years, the strategy for U.S. carriers looking to retain customers was simple: offer subscribers a slick new handset at no charge. But in today's transitory market-where profit margins from voice services continue to thin as data revenues just begin to...
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules to change the way the agency determines the universal-service support paid to larger carriers serving rural customers, including wireless carriers that serve customers who live in a large incumbent's territory. This is the third time the commission has...
Promises fulfilled was the message from Cingular Wireless L.L.C. as the industry's largest operator announced the launch of its UMTS/HSDPA network-dubbed BroadbandConnect-in 16 U.S. markets. The carrier has been touting plans to launch the high-speed wireless data network in between 15 and 20 markets...
WASHINGTON-The wireless industry could get an answer from an appeals court on whether the Federal Communications Commission can regulate tower sitings with an eye toward historic preservation and environmental protection, but the answer could slow down an already turtle's-pace process. Comments from the bench...
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission late last week granted idle 2 GHz mobile satellite service spectrum to ICO Satellite Services and TMI Communications and Co., a stinging defeat with potential competitive implications for the mobile-phone industry. As part of its decision, the FCC agreed to...
NEW YORK-Investment banking firm CIBC World Markets raised its 2006 handset sales forecast to almost 1 billion phones, supporting claims that the worldwide mobile-phone market continues to exceed expectations. CIBC raised its 2006 sales expectations from 892 million handsets to 920 million. It also...
Japanese industrial firm Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., which makes phones under the Panasonic brand name, announced a sweeping reorganization that will see the company shut down its GSM and GPRS phone-making business-as well as its Symbian OS efforts-to refocus exclusively on building 3G...
PARIS-Alcatel Corp. and KT Corp. announced that they plan to work as a team to accelerate the adoption of mobile WiMAX, beginning with the establishment of an interoperability testing center in Seoul. Alcatel said it plans to provide the radio access and core network...
LONDON-United Kingdom-based mobile virtual network operator Virgin Mobile Group plc reported plans to extend its brand into South Africa through a 50/50 venture with South African GSM network operator Cell C. The Virgin Mobile-branded enterprise will operate as an independent service operator on the...
SHENZEN, China-Wireless handset designer Cellon International said it raised an undisclosed amount in a Series D round of financing. TVG Capital Partners led the round, joining existing Cellon investors Intel Communication Fund, Softbank China, SuneVision Ventures, UTStarcom and Elcoteq Network Corp.Cellon provides design and...
WASHINGTON-The Iraqi National Communication and Media Commission is seeking applications for national and provincial licenses for local telecom services based on wireless local loop technologies, creating a major opportunity for U.S.-based CDMA technology in a region dominated by GSM-based mobile phone systems. The application...
Wireless carriers struck out once again in Consumer Reports' annual survey of cellular phones and service. Cingular Wireless L.L.C.'s acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services Inc. came in for particularly harsh criticism, since many former AWS customers reported low satisfaction after the merger. Overall, customer...
Alamosa Holdings Inc. subsidiary Southwest PCS said it sold 10 megahertz of spectrum covering portions of Oklahoma and Texas to Panhandle Telecommunications Systems Inc. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Panhandle will use the spectrum to build out a CDMA2000 1x network...
Dwango Wireless is hoping a change in name helps bring about a change in fortune. After losing $15 million so far this year, the content provider is rebranding this week as Dijji Corp. The move was necessitated by the company's separation agreement with Japanese...
Last week, wireless technology again made it into public remarks by the president. It had nothing to do with U.S. spectrum management reform, though its context may partly explain the White House's apparent apathy toward the spectrum initiative. The injection of cell phones into...
Alltel Corp. said it plans to turn off service for former Public Service Cellular Wireless customers on Dec. 28, as part of transitioning the PSC network from TDMA/GSM to CDMA technology. Alltel is also moving ahead with a similar network shut-off for former AT&T...
