Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

The advent of ancillary terrestrial component, or ATC, will revolutionize the mobile satellite services industry in the long run, according to a new report from Northern Sky Research, a market research firm that focuses on the mobile satellite sector. The …

WASHINGTON-Network neutrality has emerged as a key sticking point in the debate regarding a scaled-backed communications draft bill-tentatively dubbed the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006-released by the House Commerce Committee late last month. Network neutrality generally refers …

WASHINGTON-Cutting wireless out of the universal-service system seems to be gaining traction as legislation introduced in the House of Representatives that would make it much more difficult for mobile-phone carriers to qualify for universal-service support. Further, the chairman of the …

Alltel Corp. is on track to complete its wireline spinoff by mid-year, and the company plans to extend CDMA2000 1x EV-DO services to about 60 percent of its potential customers, Chief Financial Officer Sharilyn Gasaway told analysts at the Bank …

Amp’d Mobile Inc. is ramping up its reach, with new distribution plans and content aimed at furthering its ambition of “liberating the digital tribe,” in the words of Doug Dobie, the mobile virtual network operator’s chief marketing officer. Amp’d launched …

LAS VEGAS-Wireless issues played second fiddle to convergence and net neutrality at last week’s United States Telecom Association’s first TelecomNext conference in Las Vegas, though a handful of executives touched on expanding wireless services during keynote addresses. Despite lacking the …

BELLEVUE, Wash.-T-Mobile USA Inc. has upped the ante in a pricing duel with Cingular Wireless L.L.C. by adding a $40 service plan with 1,500 anytime minutes. The Get More 1500 plan was available during the holiday season and has been …

WASHINGTON-The telecom industry gathered last week in Las Vegas for a convention sponsored by the United States Telecommunications Association. Next week, many of the same people will visit Sin City again to attend CTIA’s annual gathering. Against the backdrop of …

MONTEREY, Calif.-AirPlay Networks Inc. announced plans to launch a series of mobile games based on live TV broadcasts. The San Francisco startup said it will allow subscribers to predict plays during sporting events, compete against contestants in game shows, and …

CAMBRIDGE, England-Mini-base station developer Ip.access Ltd. picked up $8.5 million in funds to develop in-building third-generation access points for homes and small businesses. Scottish Equity Partners led the round, joined by Intel Capital and Rothschild Gestion. The company said it …

PALO ALTO, Calif.-ScanR Inc. launched a service enabling mobile-phone users to take pictures of whiteboards and documents, e-mail them to the company for processing, then direct the results to an e-mail address or fax number in PDF format. With the …

WASHINGTON-Cellular companies and disability advocates appear to have reached a compromise over proposed changes to a revised standard for mobile-phone hearing-aid compatibility, resolving a dispute that escalated in recent weeks and threatened the prospect of carriers and manufacturers meeting the …

Do Europeans like chocolate as much as South Koreans? What about Americans? If we’re talking food, the question is crazy. But because we’re talking about LG Electronics Co. Ltd.’s new Chocolate mobile phone, which has done well since its release …

CHICAGO-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. is using PCTel Inc.’s Roaming Client software as part of the carrier’s BroadbandConnect service, according to PCTel. Cingular launched its BroadbandConnect UMTS/HSDPA network late last year in 16 markets. PCTel said it is providing a custom version …

WASHINGTON-Cellular companies and disability advocates are at odds over industryproposed changes to a revised standard for mobile-phone hearing-aid compatibility, a dispute that has escalated in recent weeks and whose resolution could help determine whether carriers and manufacturers meet the next …

Motricity Corp. is building on its relationship with Alltel Corp., inking a deal to deliver content and wireless Internet service to the operator’s subscribers regardless of device. The agreement, which will be announced this week, expands on Motricity’s pact to …

Sling Media Inc. launched a software package allowing wireless subscribers to view TV broadcasts on Windows Mobile devices. The developer announced a beta version of the much-awaited offering, which sends video from a cable box through an Ethernet cable to …

Money continued to pour into the mobile marketing space last week as VeriSign Inc. inked an agreement to shell out $250 million in cash for wireless messaging and content services provider m-Qube Inc. M-Qube powers mobile storefronts and marketing campaigns …

WASHINGTON-Despite concern about the potential for collusion at the upcoming advanced wireless services auction and the need to head off any problems by limiting bidder information, federal officials admit they have pursued only a handful of cases where suspected abuse …

SAN MATEO, Calif.-Mobile game publisher Kayak Interactive has rebranded as Blaze after consolidating with European subsidiary Synergenix Interactive. The move follows the integration of Chasma Interactive Publishing, which Kayak acquired last April. Blaze has offices in London and Stockholm, Sweden, …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-PayPal quietly launched a service allowing users to make purchases or send money to other users from a mobile phone. The world’s largest supplier of online payment services is testing the offering, which allows users to send a …

SAN FRANCISCO-Content providers will need to deliver compelling programming for mobile video to grow beyond the young, male demographic it currently attracts, two new reports indicate. Mobile TV is already drawing a key demographic for advertisers, according to Telephia. Wireless …

RESTON, Va.-Sprint Nextel Corp. announced it is teaming with the Associated Press to allow reporters to file 60-second video clips from the 215 cities and 466 airports where the carrier offers high-speed wireless access. The service uses SNAPfeed, a “store …

WASHINGTON-The ground shifted under the telecommunications regulatory landscape March 19 when the Federal Communications Commission did nothing-or at least nothing official. By not acting, the FCC granted a forbearance request from Verizon Communications Inc. that its high-capacity broadband network not …

AURORA, Ill.-The city of Aurora, Ill., a suburb about 40 miles west of Chicago, awarded two contracts this month as it prepares to launch a citywide Wi-Fi network that is scheduled to offer free public Internet access as well as …