Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

CHICAGO-Lucent Technologies Inc. said it will deploy Voice over Internet Protocol technology from its Accelerate Next-Generation Communications Solutions to upgrade rural wireless operator Midwest Wireless’ network. Lucent noted the VoIP solution includes its compact switch and will work in conjunction …

CHICAGO-Dobson Cellular Systems Inc. said it has tapped VeriSign Inc. to provide content and messaging interoperability services for the carrier’s 1.6 million subscribers. VeriSign will offer its library of more than 50,000 ringtones, images, games and community services under the …

OVERLAND PARK, Calif.-The wireless e-mail space remains hot as Sprint PCS teamed with Internet giant Yahoo! Inc. and software developer Seven to offer service to mass-market mobile users. Dubbed Yahoo! Mail for Mobile, the service is available through a downloadable …

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Corp. named Daniel Hesse chief executive officer of its Local Telecommunications Division, which the company said it plans to spin off following its pending acquisition of Nextel Communications Inc. Hesse served as president and CEO of AT&T …

TORONTO-Just three months into his tenure, Nortel Networks Corp.’s president and chief operating officer quit the company due to clashes with the company’s chief executive, Bill Owens. “Gary (Daichendt) has made a major contribution to Nortel during his time here …

WASHINGTON-Efforts to fill the seat on the Federal Communications Commission left vacant by the departure of former FCC Chairman Michael Powell were stymied late Thursday when Christine Kurth, deputy chief of staff for the Senate Commerce Committee, withdrew her name …

WASHINGTON-A bill sponsored by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) banning municipal telecommunications, including Wi-Fi, has brought to the national stage a fierce battle already playing out in the states, pitting wireline and cable carriers against cities, consumer advocates and the high-tech …

SAN ANTONIO-Qualcomm Inc. acquired 10 patents covering a wireless broadcasting technology that allows operators to send bursts of content to select groups of subscribers. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Qualcomm scored the patents through an acquisition of the …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission today largely upheld a 2003 decision requiring cellular carriers to make hearing aid compatible phones available to individuals with hearing loss. However, federal regulators did agree to an 11th -hour compromise between the wireless industry and …

WASHINGTON-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), former chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and frequent critic of the TV broadcast lobby, plans to introduce a bill Tuesday that would end the transition to digital TV at Jan. 1, 2009. McCain’s move likely …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission last week approved rules implementing relocation fund legislation approved by Congress last December, a move that paves the way to auction third-generation wireless licenses in June 2006. The guidelines require the Department of Defense and other …

Integrated telecom services provider CT Communications Inc. said it agreed to sell its rights to certain wireless broadband spectrum assets to Clearwire Corp. affiliate Fixed Wireless Holdings L.L.C. The spectrum assets include Broadband Radio Service spectrum and Educational Broadband Service …

PARIS-France Telecom signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement with Portuguese telecom company Sonaecom that will see FT sell its stake in Portuguese wireless operator Optimus. France Telecom is selling its 43.33-percent minority interest in Novis, which provides fixed telephony services, …

ESPOO, Finland-Nokia Corp. announced it will team with chipmaker Intel Corp. to promote mobile WiMAX technology. The companies said they would work with the IEEE standards group to complete the 802.16e standard, and would develop mobile WiMAX devices and base …

PLAINFIELD, Ind.-Brightpoint Inc. will act as an authorized distributor of products and services from Skype Technologies S.A., the companies announced. Brightpoint said it initially plans to focus on promoting offerings from the Voice over Internet Protocol provider to its independent …

COSTA MESA, Calif.-More than 16.4 million new users signed up to CDMA networks during the first quarter, according to the CDMA Development Group. The total number of CDMA subscribers stands at 256.6 million, said CDG. Perry LaForge, executive director of …

WASHINGTON-The government’s review of the proposed $35 billion merger between Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. could be complicated by Sprint wireless affiliate US Unwired Inc. The affiliate made a surprise call for federal regulators either to reject the deal …

WASHINGTON-Two new studies sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that cell phones are a major source of driver distraction and driver use of hands-free devices actually could be worse than talking on handheld phones while behind the …

SYDNEY, Australia-Australian telecom carrier Telstra Corp. said it appointed Solomon (Sol) Trujillo chief executive officer and as an executive director of the company beginning July 1. He will replace Dr. Ziggy Switkowski, who will step down July 1. Trujillo was …

PORTLAND, Ore.-Enhanced directory-assistance provider Metro One Telecommunications Inc. said Alltel Corp. plans to stop using Metro One’s EDA service by the end of August, which would be approximately six weeks prior to the expiration of the current contract. Metro One …

U.S. wireless carriers spent almost $40 billion on network gear last year. Although carriers put some of that money toward upgrading networks to the newest and greatest technology, most of it went to network capacity and coverage. Carriers know that …

Despite increasing competition and spectrum concerns, T-Mobile USA Inc. said it expects to continue posting around 1 million net customer additions per quarter through the rest of 2005, and with the help of upcoming spectrum auctions to begin rolling out …

BOSTON-The domestic prepaid market is set for explosive growth during the next five years as the industry continues to refine offerings based on so-called hybrid plans and increasingly popular mobile virtual network operators, according to a study from research and …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-L.M. Ericsson said it sold all its shares in Anoto Group AB to Norden Technology AS for an undisclosed amount. Ericsson previously owned 17.9 percent of Anoto Group AB, which licenses a digital pen and paper technology allowing partners …

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Software developer and publisher Handmark said its Java-based Express News Maps and More application is available on select Sprint PCS Vision handsets. The application is based on Handmark’s Pocket Express service that was originally designed for smart phones. …