BROWSING: Clarity

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-More than 1 million wireless Internet customers have signed up for Sprint PCS' Wireless Web offering since it was launched in September 1999, according to the company.Since its inception, Sprint said that its wireless Web service has expanded to provide Internet content...

Over the past several weeks, Sprint PCS has rolled out several additions to its Wireless Web service designed to target the consumer market, particularly teen users.In the last month, users of Sprint's Wireless Web service have seen new folders added to their launch screens...

PRAGUE, Czech Republic-Cesky Mobil, the Czech Republic's third mobile telephone operator, is seeking to differentiate itself from its competition by offering low start-up costs and emphasizing ease of use.The formula has paid quick dividends. In its first four operational months, it signed up more...

Lucent Technologies Inc.'s slow and steady slide from Wall Street darling to Wall Street doldrums accelerated last week when the company issued a profit warning that triggered several downgrades and sent its stock plummeting to a new 52-week low.The company said it expects earnings...

WASHINGTON-Rep. Phil Crane (R-Ill.) is expected shortly to introduce legislation to reduce the depreciation life of wireless network equipment, one of various tax code changes Congress is considering for the New Economy.A Crane spokesman said the bill, which would reclassify wireless telecom equipment and...

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Sprint PCS will begin selling its personal communications services phones, including the Samsung SCH-8500 and Motorola V2267, through more than 800 Target stores nationwide."By partnering with Target, we're extending the nationwide coverage, connectivity, clarity and value of Sprint PCS products and services...

Audible clarity is not a strong suit for most cellular phones. Whether caused by poor reception, inadequate volume levels on a handset or noisy natural surroundings, cell-phone conversations can turn into yelling matches worthy of daytime talk shows.Israeli-based Waves Ltd. thinks its recently introduced...

WASHINGTON-The mobile-phone industry, despite having shed many state and federal telecom regulations in recent years, is about to be swept into a bold new regulatory regime as wireless and Internet technologies converge.In this new digital landscape, the Federal Trade Commission will reign supreme.The FTC,...

NEW YORK-Despite all the cheerleading about the new economy as a global village, the best bets for investments in telecommunications, the Internet and electronic commerce reside in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland.Of the 30 countries that accounted for 85 percent...

WASHINGTON-The `consensus' reached by a government-industry panel on a third-generation mobile phone position that the Clinton administration can take to the World Radiocommunication Conference this spring underscores the complexities faced by the United States in trying to craft a strategy that advances international business...

BANGALORE, India-While the Indian cellular industry generally has been battling rough weather recently, one cellular operator in the country has adopted a strategy that seems to have paid off: focusing on quality rather than numbers. The carrier, BPL Mobile, may use that same strategy as...

NEW YORK-Landline replacement, the Holy Grail of wireless telephony, received a boost from an array of forces unleashed simultaneously into the communications environment.This is not a high-stakes game of winner takes all, however. Telecommunications providers are learning more about how best to exploit the...

FCC Chairman Bill Kennard had an excellent opportunity last Tuesday to set the record straight on the side deal his top legal officer cut with the Justice Department and Nextel Communications Inc. last month. But he let it get away.Why?The trio agreed to let...

BANGALORE, India-Foreign investors are reconsidering their investments in India, with press reports naming several European and U.S. companies lining up to back out of operations there.Swisscom, the Switzerland-based telecommunications operator, decided to pull out of its joint venture with Essar group of India several...

CoherentThe Coherent original equipment manufacturer division of Tellabs launched a complete design verification kit for its CEC-128 Integrated Echo Canceller multichip module. The kit consists of a CEC-128 plug-in module and a CD with full operating software, application notes and data book. The module...

President Clinton last week signed legislation giving wireless and other high-tech firms limited protection against lawsuits for year-2000 computer problems. The issue threatened to become a political liability for Vice President Gore, who needs continued high-tech backing in his bid for the presidency in...

WASHINGTON-In reaching an out-of-court antitrust settlement with Nextel Communications Inc. last week, the Department of Justice found itself defending a deal on grounds that its own antitrust lawyers shot down just months earlier.The proposed settlement would halt Nextel's purchase of Geotek Communications Inc. for...

VENICE, Fla.-Frank Gunther, who devised some of the first radio communications devices, died last Monday. He was 91.Gunther helped create shortwave, two-way and FM systems, often working with the military and police and fire departments. In 1932, he built what is believed to be...

SANTA ANA, Calif.-Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and SRS Labs Inc. entered into a licensing partnership that calls for Samsung to use SRS' VIP voice technology in its cellular and wireless handsets worldwide.SRS said VIP increases the clarity and intelligibility of the spoken voice, especially...

NEW YORK-In its fourth-quarter results released Jan. 27, Telephone and Data Systems Inc., Chicago, reported substantial increases in revenues and customers but a net loss per share of common stock.Revenues grew 28 percent to $495 million over the last quarter of 1997 "fueled by...

SAN DIEGO, Calif.-Qualcomm Inc. introduced a network optimization tool for field test engineers.The Retriever pilot scanner/test phone provides technicians with portable, wireless over-the-air testing of network and handset performance for Code Division Multiple Access digital cellular and personal communications services networks.Available in 800 MHz...

ERICSSONEricsson Inc. introduced a snap-on wireless modem that allows users to browse the Internet and send or receive faxes and e-mail without cable hookups or a phone line. The DI 27 eliminates the need to connect a personal computer modem card and telephone line...

WASHINGTON-Whether spectrum used by the private wireless industry will be included in future auction plans remains a murky matter as the Federal Communications Commission gets ready to debate a proposed rule making concerning auctions.The FCC is getting ready to implement the Balanced Budget Act...

Applied Cellular Technology Inc.'s board of directors approved a strategic plan aimed at growing its earnings per share by 20 percent that calls for the divestiture of non-core business units and the repurchase of 5 million shares of its common stock. Applied also intends...