Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

After 12 official drafts, the IEEE finally approved the 684-page proposal from the 802.16 Task Group, designating the mobile WiMAX standard as 802.16e-2005. The WiMAX Forum is set to begin trials and certification testing in early 2006, with certified products …

SAN FRANCISCO-Akira Technologies launched its Publisher 2.0 Web-based publishing and content management tool, which the company said allows users to create interactive content for mobile devices. Akira noted the product allows customers to deliver industry-standard digital content, including video, audio, …

WASHINGTON-The 2 GHz spectrum band is becoming ground zero as the Federal Communications Commission attempts to promote third-generation wireless phone, broadband and mobile satellite services without trampling spectrum rights of incumbents in the band or undermining the very wireless policy …

SAN DIEGO-Chipmakers Qualcomm Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. both raised revenue forecasts based on improving sales, news that could translate into an improved market for the worldwide mobile-phone industry. First up, Qualcomm raised its revenue expectations and earnings per share …

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Nextel Corp. launched a new subsidiary that the carrier said will focus on offering voice and data offerings to large businesses and government customers. Sprint Nextel reported that Sprint Enterprise Mobility Inc. will provide consulting services and …

WASHINGTON-The wireless industry has had explosive growth as a result of the policies championed by former FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein at Abernathy’s final commission meeting last Friday. “The explosion of wireless devices is partly due …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules to change the way the agency determines the universal-service support paid to larger carriers serving rural customers, including wireless carriers that serve customers who live in a large incumbent’s territory. This is the third …

WASHINGTON-The wireless industry could get an answer from an appeals court on whether the Federal Communications Commission can regulate tower sitings with an eye toward historic preservation and environmental protection, but the answer could slow down an already turtle’s-pace process. …

NEW YORK-Investment banking firm CIBC World Markets raised its 2006 handset sales forecast to almost 1 billion phones, supporting claims that the worldwide mobile-phone market continues to exceed expectations. CIBC raised its 2006 sales expectations from 892 million handsets to …

Japanese industrial firm Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., which makes phones under the Panasonic brand name, announced a sweeping reorganization that will see the company shut down its GSM and GPRS phone-making business-as well as its Symbian OS efforts-to refocus …

PARIS-Alcatel Corp. and KT Corp. announced that they plan to work as a team to accelerate the adoption of mobile WiMAX, beginning with the establishment of an interoperability testing center in Seoul. Alcatel said it plans to provide the radio …

LONDON-United Kingdom-based mobile virtual network operator Virgin Mobile Group plc reported plans to extend its brand into South Africa through a 50/50 venture with South African GSM network operator Cell C. The Virgin Mobile-branded enterprise will operate as an independent …

SHENZEN, China-Wireless handset designer Cellon International said it raised an undisclosed amount in a Series D round of financing. TVG Capital Partners led the round, joining existing Cellon investors Intel Communication Fund, Softbank China, SuneVision Ventures, UTStarcom and Elcoteq Network …

WASHINGTON-The Iraqi National Communication and Media Commission is seeking applications for national and provincial licenses for local telecom services based on wireless local loop technologies, creating a major opportunity for U.S.-based CDMA technology in a region dominated by GSM-based mobile …

Wireless carriers struck out once again in Consumer Reports’ annual survey of cellular phones and service. Cingular Wireless L.L.C.’s acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services Inc. came in for particularly harsh criticism, since many former AWS customers reported low satisfaction after …

Alamosa Holdings Inc. subsidiary Southwest PCS said it sold 10 megahertz of spectrum covering portions of Oklahoma and Texas to Panhandle Telecommunications Systems Inc. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Panhandle will use the spectrum to build out …

Dwango Wireless is hoping a change in name helps bring about a change in fortune. After losing $15 million so far this year, the content provider is rebranding this week as Dijji Corp. The move was necessitated by the company’s …

Alltel Corp. said it plans to turn off service for former Public Service Cellular Wireless customers on Dec. 28, as part of transitioning the PSC network from TDMA/GSM to CDMA technology. Alltel is also moving ahead with a similar network …

LOS ANGELES-CBS is finally wading into wireless, inking a deal to bring TV shows to Verizon Wireless subscribers. Verizon Wireless’ Vcast users can access clips from the station’s hit “CSI” shows as well as “The Amazing Race,” “The King of …

A handful of public-safety organizations, led by the Association of Public-safety Communications Officials, sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging the government agency to deny Sprint Nextel Corp.’s attempts to alter the start date of its 800 MHz …

LONDON-Vodafone Group plc said it plans to launch eight new mobile TV channels including wireless versions of HBO, MTV and Twentieth Century Fox Television. The new video content will be packaged with the operator’s existing Mobile TV offering in a …

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.-VeriSign Inc. said its Jamster subsidiary is working with Melodeo Inc. to develop a digital music platform that will support full-track music downloads. Verisign noted that Jamster was reviewing Melodeo’s MobilDRM digital rights management product, which has been …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless plans to enter the location-based services market next week with a GPS-based subscription offering. The carrier is expected to launch VZ Navigator, a $10-a-month downloadable application that includes mapping, audible turn-by-turn navigation and information on more than …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-L.M. Ericsson said it has conducted a live trial of interactive mobile TV services with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corp. Ericsson explained that the trial demonstrated how consumers could use their phone to vote, chat and communicate with a TV …

Wireless distributor and fulfillment services provider Brightpoint Inc. is going directly to consumers with branded retail stores. The company said it plans to sell mobile phones and services from Sprint Nextel Corp., Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. and Vonage Holdings Inc. …