Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

Motorola Inc. plans to unveil its long-awaited iTunes-capable mobile phone Sept. 7, said an analyst familiar with the company’s plans. The device will sell through Cingular Wireless L.L.C. Roger Entner, vice president of wireless telecom with research and consulting firm …

SAN DIEGO-The Associated Carrier Group scored its first handset, an advanced camera/music phone from Kyocera Wireless Corp. The group of independent, rural carriers formed early this year for just such a purpose-making sure that smaller carriers get access to cool …

PARIS-DiBcom snared $30 million in its fourth round of financing, the French chipmaker said Monday. Partech International led the round, which DiBcom said was the largest venture-backed financing for a French information technology company this year. Intel Capital, 3i, WI …

NEWARK, N.J.-Fixed-wireless vendor IDT Spectrum Inc. plans to raise up to $57.5 million in an initial public offering. The company said it will use the funds to build a fixed-wireless network in various U.S. markets, including New York, Los Angeles, …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless added to its music offerings, announcing exclusive deals with pop star Shakira and rhythm and blues artist John Legend. The carrier launched two ringtone versions of Shakira’s hit “La Tortura” as well as a ring-back tone and …

WASHINGTON-The Communications Workers of America said progress is being made unionizing Cingular Wireless L.L.C. ‘s workers in the South, particularly former AT&T Wireless Services Inc. employees. Larry Cohen, chosen to succeed long-time CWA President Morton Bahr at the union’s annual …

Music-rights company Broadcast Music Inc. said it has acquired music-recognition technology from U.K. software developer Shazam Entertainment Ltd. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. BMI, which collects royalties for musicians and publishers, formed Landmark Digital Services, a subsidiary …

TAMPA, Fla.-Wireless retailer FTS Wireless Inc. reported a deal with regional wireless operator MetroPCS Inc. to sell MetroPCS’ unlimited calling service in the Tampa, Fla., area. FTS said it has secured approval for certain FTS Wireless locations to begin selling …

Sprint Nextel Corp. continued to throw money at its affiliate problems, announcing plans to acquire a pair of network partners-IWO Holdings Inc. and Gulf Coast Wireless L.P.-for more than $700 million. The deals will add more than 330,000 direct customers …

WASHINGTON-Two of the four national mobile-phone operators will not meet the first major deadline this month for rolling out hearing-aid-compatible handsets to the public. T-Mobile USA Inc. on Aug. 26 asked the Federal Communications Commission for an additional 60 days …

WASHINGTON-As the calendar nears Sept. 11, various issues at the intersection of law enforcement and the telecom industry are heating up. Foremost is the Federal Communications Commission’s decision that Voice over Internet Protocol providers are subject to the digital wiretap …

MENLO PARK, Calif.-Financial executives say their cell phones are even more indispensable than laptop computers, according to a survey from Robert Half Management Resources. The staffing division of Robert Half International found that 44 percent of U.S. chief financial officers …

OTTOWA-The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association has launched Focus on Driving, an interactive Web site to raise awareness of the risks associated with driver distraction. The Web site, http://www.focusondriving.ca, features an interactive quiz and offers visitors an opportunity to learn about …

SITTINGBOURNE, United Kingdom-English regional carrier Telabria launched a pre-WiMAX network that covers 850 square miles-including 675,000 households and 60,000 businesses-in southeast England. The carrier said the network offers speeds greater than landline offerings at a lower price. “Skylink’s ability to …

HELSINKI, Finland-Nokia Corp.’s board of directors added two new members to its executive board, appointing Kai Oistamo to lead the Mobile Phones business group and Robert Andersson to head customer and market operations. Oistamo has been with Nokia since 1991 …

ATLANTA-Cingular Wireless L.L.C., T-Mobile USA Inc. and device vendor i-mate were among those introducing new phones to the market last week. Cingular Wireless said it will sell two new clamshell-style, low-end phones from LG Electronics Co. Ltd. The LG C2000 …

SAN DIEGO-Remec Inc.’s shareholders approved the dissolution of the company, scheduling the company’s asset sale for Friday. Remec’s shareholders approved the sale of selected assets and liabilities of the company’s Wireless Systems Business to Powerwave Technologies Inc. pursuant to an …

WASHINGTON-Verizon Wireless sued two telemarketers for violating the prohibition against making sales calls to mobile phones using autodialers. Using evidence initially gained because Verizon Wireless employees received recorded messages selling time-shares, Verizon Wireless determined that the two companies made hundreds …

LUXEMBOURG-Skype Technologies S.A. inked its first deal with a wireless carrier, announcing a contract with Germany’s E-Plus to provide its Voice over Internet Protocol service over the mobile operator’s network. Beginning in October, Skype software will be bundled with E-Plus’ …

SAN DIEGO-Network provider Wireless Facilities Inc. has won a $10 million network services contract to provide second- and third-generation network optimization for a major wireless carrier in Europe. The company said the contract is an extension of services they are …

Verizon Wireless continues to build on its domination in the wireless data space, adding a handful of new markets to its rapidly growing coverage area while at the same time cutting prices. The carrier now offers its CDMA2000 1x EV-DO-based …

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Motorola Inc. announced cash tender offers for up to $1 billion of certain of its outstanding debt. The company said the offer included all the $200 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 6.5-percent notes due in 2008 and …

LONDON-In a new report, the Global mobile Suppliers Association confirmed that commercial GSM/EDGE network launches have tripled since last year to reach 96 EDGE-enabled networks in 60 countries. The breakdown is 38 commercial networks in 26 countries in Europe, 17 …

WASHINGTON-A federal judge in New York last week threw out lawsuits alleging the nation’s top mobile-phone companies violated antitrust laws by improperly tying the sale of handsets to the purchase of wireless service, keeping intact a widespread marketing practice that …

FORT MYERS, Fla.-Kentucky-based regional carrier Bluegrass Cellular Inc. has tapped InterOp Technologies Inc. to provide ring-back services, the companies said. InterOp, which powers mobile data services for Tier 2 and 3 operators, will deliver its library of ring backs, including …