Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

MEXICO CITY-Prepaid wireless provider TracFone Wireless Inc. reported soaring third-quarter revenues of $330 million, a 36-percent increase over its year-ago figure of $243 million. The Miami-based prepaid carrier’s subscriber base grew by 41.1 percent year-over-year, from 5.1 million to 7.2 …

Crown Castle International Corp. said its net loss narrowed during the third quarter as revenues increased. During the company’s earnings conference call, Crown’s president and chief executive, John Kelly, called 2006 a “very good year.” He also confirmed that, by …

WASHINGTON-Consumer groups and wireless carriers last week said AT&T Inc.’s proposed conditions to its $79 billion purchase of BellSouth Corp. are inadequate, creating uncertainty over whether the Federal Communications Commission can pull off a planned Nov. 3 vote on the …

Two national wireless carriers launched redesigned Web pages last week, as operators increasingly try to drive traffic and sales to the low-cost Internet channel. Cingular Wireless L.L.C. introduced a streamlined new Web site, trimming out some of the previous page’s …

The fourth quarter-a seasonally hot quarter for handset sales-is well underway. Time for the crystal ball and a word from a couple of gazers. The outlook remains positive for fourth-quarter shipment volumes, based largely on historical trends and the remarkable …

LONDON-Consumers worldwide have been slow to purchase 3G phones and slower to avail themselves of the technological edge that 3G makes possible, market analyst firm TNS said in a new report. Americans, despite a reputation as slow to adopt advanced …

In Hollywood’s movie industry, as in New York’s publishing industry, the cutting question is, “Yes, but what have you done lately?” Add the semiconductor industry to that list. When Texas Instruments Inc. reported that its third-quarter revenue rose 13 percent …

As carriers try to attract churners and new subscribers at the onset of the holiday season, they’re relying on the strength of their marketing messages and reputation to get shoppers thinking-and potentially onboard. Sprint Nextel Corp. is busy running a …

Sprint Nextel Corp. is revving up its network with the promised first launch of CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Revision A technology, lighting up San Diego with coverage that the carrier promises will deliver “significantly faster” upload speeds and faster download speeds …

Two wireless service providers last week began offering their customers handsets that can move between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, moves that mark the first serious attempt at commercially available converged wireless services in the United States. Such services are seen …

HUNT VALLEY, Md.-Tessco Technologies Inc. reported second-quarter net income of $1.9 million, up from year-ago profits of $1.7 million. However, revenues for the quarter fell 14 percent to $118.7 million from last year’s $137.6 million. Tessco provides the wireless industry …

Despite mixed third quarter financial results, analysts remain bullish on the long-term outlook of Alcatel Inc.’s pending acquisition of Lucent Technologies Inc. Bill Lesieur, director at Technology Business Research, opined that the mixed results shed light on the potential synergies …

American Tower Corp. confirmed last week that it will restate financial results from 2005 through the first quarter of this year due to discrepancies in “measurement dates” of certain stock-option grants. American Tower said an internal committee is still reviewing …

LONDON-Smart phones will represent the fastest growing segment of the mobile handset market this year, according to Informa Telecoms & Media. The company said year-on-year volume of smart phones will increase more than 40 percent this year. By comparison, basic …

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plans to re-examine one patent at issue in the ongoing war between Qualcomm and Broadcom Corp. The two companies are engaged in heated battles surrounding antitrust and patent-infringement claims. According …

WASHINGTON-Facing an iDEN capacity constraint as it reconfigures its 800 MHz systems, Sprint Nextel Corp. asked the Federal Communications Commission for authorization to move its iDEN operations in 13 markets along the Eastern Seaboard to the 900 MHz band. Sprint …

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.-U.S. consumers are increasingly focusing on devices when considering wireless services, according to a survey from J.D. Power and Associates. The market research firm found that 19 percent of customers cite the type or brand of cell phone …

Flash Lite is finally here. Verizon Wireless last week became the first U.S. carrier to offer Adobe Systems Inc.’s wireless platform, introducing a stripped-down version of its popular Flash Player for computers. The technology, which will initially be supported by …

WASHINGTON-The Bush administration is moving aggressively to integrate radio-frequency identification technology into homeland security, defense and immigration policies, a posture expected to catalyze private-sector investment while inviting increased security and privacy concerns as the emerging wireless application gains traction. The …

Wireless carriers smitten with sexy 3G services should stop searching for the killer app and start focusing on the bottom line, according to a recent report from Strand Consult. The Danish market research firm last week issued a “wakeup call” …

Seattle-based software developer Airbiquity recently cemented its relationship with Continental Automotive Systems’ telematics unit, which develops and markets embedded telematics and hands-free communications systems using Bluetooth technology. The heart of Airbiquity’s offerings is its in-band modem technology that transmits telematics …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission and the wireless industry cautioned the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals not to overturn results of the advanced wireless services auction if the three-judge panel finds the agency mishandled a rulemaking intended to prevent large …

WASHINGTON-The Great American Cowboy has become the star in the marketing/advocacy game between CTIA and rural wireline carriers. The Coalition to Keep America Connected, the universal-service reform lobbying group formed by rural local exchange carriers, released a video last week …

With the need for using 850 MHz spectrum for its TDMA network decreases, Cingular Wireless L.L.C. has been carving out blocks of the spectrum to use for the launch of its UMTS/HSDPA mobile broadband network. The 850 MHz spectrum, prized …

Cingular Wireless L.L.C. is reaping the benefits of its acquisition of the former AT&T Wireless Services Inc., company officials said-even as the company prepares for the merger of its two parent companies and a return to the AT&T Wireless brand. …