Content & Mobile Marketing

OXFORD, United Kingdom-In an unexpected decision, Orange has named U.S. citizen Solomon Trujillo as its chief executive. Finance Director Simon Duffy announced his resignation following the chief executive appointment, which …

BEIJING-China mobile handset users sent close to 6 billion short message service (SMS) messages and more than 1 million multimedia message service (MMS) messages during the week-long Chinese New Year …

TOKYO-NEC Corp. will release its new e525 GPRS/WAP mobile handset at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, next week. The phone features a fold-form design, built-in antenna and integrated …

CASCAIS, Portugal-Alcatel Portugal and mobile data company Mobilitec announced a partnership. The companies will offer a joint solution combining Mobilitec’s content delivery platform and Alcatel’s equipment for mobile operators’ content …

LONDON-U.K. newcomer Hutchison 3G has released additional pricing details for its third-generation service, dubbed “3,” which it says will formally launch on March 3, with “pre-orders” beginning online Feb. 22. …

CANNES, France-Emblaze Systems, which develops customized services and technologies for wireless carriers, will join Micorsoft, Nortel, LG and others to demonstrate third-generation (3G) technologies for mobile carriers at this year’s …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless said its subscribers will be able to vote on the NBA’s Most Valuable Player using the carrier’s text messaging services during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on …

REDMOND, Wash.-Microsoft Corp. signed deals with Vodafone and Bell Mobility to offer its range of wireless content services, further moves by the company to expand its MSN services into the …

MIAMI-Nextones.com signed a distribution agreement with Wireless Entertainment Services Finland Ltd. to bring Playboy Playmates graphics to cell phones in the United States. Nextones.com said the initial portfolio will include …

OSLO, Norway-Norway’s leading operator and former telephone monopolist Telenor has suffered a series of regulatory rulings that will bite into the company’s profit margins. The latest blow is a Norwegian …

DUBLIN, Ireland-A schism is developing in the marketing world as mobile marketers insist on going it alone on measures to minimize spam over wireless networks. The Direct Marketing Association has …

OXFORD, United Kingdom-Seemingly learning little from what drove short message service (SMS) into being such an unexpected revenue earner-network interconnection-U.K. cell-phone operators are only now focusing on the fact that …

OXFORD, United Kingdom-While publicly denying they have any plans to offer soft porn via their next-generation networks, deals are being signed that will see an increasing level of adult services …

SEOUL, South Korea-SK Telecom, Korea’s largest mobile carrier, said Thursday it has signed an agreement with China Unicom to establish a wireless Internet joint venture in China, marking what it …

REDMOND, Wash.-AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and Fox Broadcasting reported a deal enabling AT&T Wireless customers to text vote and give “thumb up” for contestants on Fox’s American Idol television show. …

TOKYO-Japanese content developer Bandai said it launched Charappal, its first content service for the European mobile market. The service will be available as an official i-mode content service offered by …

LAS VEGAS-Known as the two-headed monster of the personal computing industry by the nickname Wintel, the heads of Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp. made special mention of the importance wireless …

LAS VEGAS-Pocket PC Films, which distributes multimedia content for handheld devices, announced Brian Shuster, chairman, president and chief executive officer of United Internet Technologies, will serve as chairman of its …

TOKYO-Mitsui & Company plans to expand its mobile content distribution business in Europe and Asia through a partnership with a Tokyo-based venture business. Mitsui, a leading trading firm in Japan, …

IRVINE, Calif.-Linksys and Zandiant Technologies have joined to develop wireless networking appliances that allow vehicles to connect with home, office and hotspot networks, like wireless automotive MP3 players. “We want …

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands-Philips Electronics said it will supply its Platform4 multimedia encoding technology to Italy’s Mediaset for audio and video services for mobile operator 3’s third-generation launch in Italy. The …

HONG KONG-For debt-choked Western operators, third-generation (3G) profits have proven to be a mirage, and if the technology can be made viable, it will likely happen first in Asia. At …

SEATTLE-Billing and content management company Qpass Inc. scored $10.7 million in funding to kick off the new year, with Westbury Partners, Hook Partners, Oak Investment and others participating. “Over the …

WASHINGTON-It would be nice to say this policy or that technology will shape the direction of the wireless industry in 2003. But neither industry nor official Washington has that luxury. …

The exit of Sir Christopher Gent from the chief executive post at Vodafone marks a milestone for the company and the industry. Unlike many of his counterparts, Gent is stepping …