Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

TOKYO-NTT DoCoMo Inc.’s journey to fourth-generation technologies earned a boost as the carrier achieved a 1 gigabits per second data rate in downlink high-speed packet transmission. DoCoMo used OFDM radio access and multiple-in-multiple-out techniques. “NTT DoCoMo is currently conducting indoor …

LONDON-The GSM Association announced plans to upgrade a database used by GSM operators that can identify stolen mobile phones. The database ensures that stolen phones cannot be resold. The association said it updated its own centralized, global database as well …

Third-generation wireless carrier Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. said it has nearly 6 million subscribers to its 3G services around the world. The 5.9 million subscriber figure is up 81 percent from Hutchison’s 3.2 million subscribers as of Aug. 19. These figures …

The anticipated merger between Sprint PCS and Nextel Communications Inc. offers an olive branch in one area and a turf battle in another. The turf battle arises from what the combined company will do with its massive MMDS 2.5 GHz …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission left the few remaining independent wireless carriers twisting in the wind last week when it said that mobile-phone and long-distance carriers could not get access to unbundled network elements. “If you allow long-distance or mobile carriers …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it had received 49 applications to participate in the Jan. 26 auction of licenses returned by bankrupt NextWave Telecom Inc. and other PCS licenses. More than half-27-of the applications were deemed incomplete. These applicants …

With carriers focusing on network efficiency, tower companies are not expected to yield any immediate benefits from the anticipated merger between Sprint PCS and Nextel Communications Inc., according to analysts. In a few years, however, SpectraSite Inc. may reap some …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Industry witnessed the release of three unique, advanced handsets from the likes of Verizon Wireless, NTT DoCoMo Inc. and startup Mobiado, a division of Bonac Innovation Corp., which released a $1,200 GSM camera phone built from aircraft aluminum. First …

LONDON-Shazam Entertainment announced a partnership with The Link that calls for Shazam’s mobile music recognition service to be made available at 300 of The Link’s High Street stores in the United Kingdom. The partnership marks the launch of Shazam’s first …

SAN DIEGO-Leap Wireless International Inc. added 9 Squared Inc.’s RealTone JukeBox music downloads to its BREW-based Cricket Clicks offering. The carrier said the application allows customers to download real music ringtones to their handsets. The downloads are available in three …

BELLEVUE, Wash.-Wireless Internet company InfoSpace Inc. continued its acquisition spree with the purchase of German wireless gaming company Elkware GmbH for $26 million in cash. Infospace said Elkware managed $1 million in revenues in its previous quarter. “We are excited …

WASHINGTON-Telecom manufacturers asked President Bush for more help-including freeing up additional spectrum-in revitalizing an industry sector that lags behind other segments of the recovering U.S. economy. “While some signs of life have appeared, the bottom line is that the telecommunications …

LITTLETON, Colo.-Wireless carriers posted 54.8 days of inventory valued at $1.7 billion during the third quarter of this year, which was a week more than reported during the second quarter of this year and the most held during a quarter …

SEATTLE-Let the music play, says the deal between software music company Melodeo and Warner Music Group. Both companies came together to ink a global agreement that will allow consumers to download to their mobile phones entire tracks from WMG’s music …

SEOUL, South Korea-Indian wireless carrier Airtel has reached 1 million subscribers for its ringback tone service just five months after its July service launch, said WiderThan, which provides the service. Airtel, which is the brand name for the service owned …

Qualcomm Inc. made a strategic investment in wireless application company Digital Orchid. The companies did not disclose the amount of the investment. Digital Orchid sells applications working on Qualcomm’s BREW application download service. The company said its revenue has grown …

KINGSWOOD, United Kingdom-ROK Entertainment Group launched its ROK Player technology in the United Kingdom through a deal with Sony/BMG Music Publishing. The technology allows users to view video content including films, TV shows and music videos on their mobile handsets …

CARLSBAD, Calif.-Pulse-Link Inc. said it achieved ultra-wideband date rates of 667 megabits per second of throughput after forward correction. The company said that speed is the highest ever transmitted and received for UWB and will enable wireless solutions for Digital …

WASHINGTON-Mobile-phone industry lawyers asked a court here to dismiss six brain-cancer suits, arguing the plaintiffs’ complaints are pre-empted by federal law. “The federal government set a single, uniform, consensus standard for RF [radio-frequency] emissions from wireless after a careful and …

WASHINGTON-Wireless industry officials and engineers expect to meet in San Diego this week to continue work on a mobile-phone battery standard, an effort that comes in response to reports of injuries from exploding handsets likely caused by faulty batteries. CTIA …

Nextel Communications Inc. launched nationwide wireless priority service capabilities, providing authorized users with priority cellular service during times of emergency. The service moves authorized users, which typically include federal, state and local decision makers; law enforcement and public-safety officials; and …

IRVING, Texas-Since it was unable to score a distribution deal with Cingular Wireless and other GSM carriers, NEC America Inc. plans to sell its new GSM/EDGE clamshell-style 232E mobile phone through its Web site. NEC made a splash last year …

WASHINGTON-Former Rep. Wes Watkins (R-Okla.) agreed to a $2 million settlement in connection with a fatal car crash in which driver cell-phone use is alleged, but the ex-lawmaker faces possible jail time over a district attorney’s charge of negligent homicide. …

Following the recent sale of its remaining spectrum licenses to Verizon Wireless for $3 billion, NextWave Telecom Inc. filed its third joint plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court overseeing the company’s ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The filing provided …

Sprint PCS’ largest affiliate Alamosa Holdings Inc. made good on previous comments that it was interested in acquiring a fellow affiliate by signing a deal last week to purchase AirGate PCS Inc. for $630 million. The deal, which is expected …