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 Tekelec...
COLUMBUS, Ohio-National reseller IMO reported plans to offer Verizon Wireless phones and service.IMO-short for "independent mobile"-was founded last year as an alternative to both carrier-branded stores and big-box retailers. The company resells products and services for Sprint Nextel Corp., T-Mobile USA Inc. and several...
SEATTLE, Wash.-In a move that proves cellular phone service is truly going to the dogs, Cimbix Corp. said it has completed a licensing agreement that allows it to proceed with worldwide distribution plans for cellular phones for pets. Cimbix said it plans to offer...
COLUMBUS, Ga.-Alltel Corp. said it plans to turn off service to an unspecified number of former Public Service Cellular customers who are still on legacy TDMA and GSM networks. The carrier plans to shut off the service by Dec. 28 as part of an...
After 12 official drafts, the IEEE has approved the 684-page proposal from the 802.16 Task Group, designating the mobile WiMAX standard as 802.16e-2005. The WiMAX Forum is set to begin trials and certification testing in early 2006, with certified products hitting the market later...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless plans to finally enter the location-based services market next week with a GPS-based subscription offering. The carrier is expected to launch VZ Navigator, a $10-a-month downloadable application that includes mapping, audible turn-by-turn navigation and information on more than 14 million restaurants,...
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 customers...
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...
LONDON-The board of Virgin Mobile Holdings plc has rejected a $1.4 billion takeover offer from U.K. cable operator NTL Inc. "The Board has concluded that the potential offer materially undervalues Virgin Mobile," the company said in a statement.Virgin Mobile Holdings currently operates Virgin Mobile...
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Nextel Corp. said it will install Qualcomm Inc.'s uiOne technology in its new phones. The carrier also unveiled its first phone running the technology, Sanyo Corp.'s CDMA2000 1x EV-DO-capable MM-7500, which Sprint Nextel will sell for $380. Based on Qualcomm's BREW...
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...
HARRISBURG, Pa.-The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a measure that would repeal the state's 5 percent gross receipts tax, a move that would lower the tax wireless subscribers pay in that state."Pennsylvania wireless consumers currently pay nearly 20 percent of their monthly bill in...
SAN MATEO, Calif.-London-based publisher I-play tomorrow will announce the North American launch of a mobile game based on the show "The Weakest Link."The single-player title pits players against the clock in a trivia game featuring topics including entertainment, geography, history, nature and science. The...
LONDON-Vodafone Group plc named banking group HSBC Holdings plc Chairman John Bond as its new chairman.Bond, who announced his resignation from HSBC last week, will succeed Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Ian MacLaurin, who spent nine years with the company and twice served as chairman.MacLaurin,...
WALTHAM, Mass.-Orthogon Systems said it has deployed its OS-Gemini and OS-Spectra Ethernet point-to-point bridges at Aurora Public Schools in Colorado. Orthogon said the equipment is designed to increase bandwidth and establish a next generation network to handle future applications such as Voice over Internet...
WASHINGTON-A handful of public-safety organizations, led by the Association of Public-safety Communications Officials, sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging the government agency to deny Sprint Nextel Corp.'s attempts to alter the start date of its 800 MHz rebanding efforts. In a...
NEW YORK-Alamosa Holdings Inc. subsidiary Southwest PCS said it sold 10 MHz 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...
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. The licenses are expected to offer a major opportunity for U.S.-based CDMA technology in a region dominated by GSM...
DALLAS-The Alberta Special Areas Board picked Nortel Networks Ltd. to build a fixed WiMAX network in Canada, bringing high-speed wireless broadband access to rural areas of Alberta, Nortel said.Nortel explained that the network would be built according to the IEEE 802.16d-2004 standard for fixed...
SAN DIEGO-Amp'd Mobile Inc. is moving closer to the launch of its mobile virtual network operator service, saying it's planning a soft launch of services on Dec. 15. The soft launch plans include allowing consumers that have signed up for service through the company's...
AMSTERDAM-Europe's Gemplus International S.A. and Axalto N.V., the world's two largest smart card vendors, announced plans to merge in an all-stock transaction. If approved, the combined company would have 2005 revenues of $2.1 billion and would be called Gemalto."This transaction is an important development...
GULFPORT, Miss.-BellSouth Corp. denied that it withdrew an offer to donate a building to house the displaced New Orleans Police Department. At the same time, the carrier also announced an expansion of its Wireless Broadband Service to Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans, Gulfport, Miss. and...
BETHESDA, Md.-NeoReach Wireless announced it will outsource part of its network buildout functions to Pronto Networks. NeoReach will use Pronto's UniFi Managed Services, which Pronto hosts. Essentially, Pronto's operations team runs a network's back-office functions, which allows carriers to focus on the mechanics of...
PLAINFIELD, Ind.-Wireless distributor Brightpoint Inc. is going directly to consumers with branded retail stores. The company will sell mobile phones and services from Sprint Nextel Corp., Virgin Mobile USA L.L.P. and Vonage Holdings Corp. through outlets under the brand Fono Wireless. Brightpoint, which opened...
