Mobile News – RCR Wireless News

BELLEVUE, Wash.-The GSM subscriber base in the Western Hemisphere reached 136.3 million during the first quarter, more than double the 65.9 million GSM subscribers reported during the first quarter of last year, according to 3G Americas. During the quarter, GSM …

DALLAS-Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is using Texas Instruments’ OMAP multimedia processor chip in its mobile TV phones. Samsung is currently selling phones in South Korea that work on the Digital Multimedia Broadcasting mobile TV technology. “Samsung is committed to digital …

Users in the youth and young adult segment showed strong interest in using wireless entertainment and multimedia services, according to a new market research report by The Management Network Group Inc. The online study polled 1,000 people between the ages …

While the wireless industry concerns itself with new phone features and functions, Tom Tarnowski is more worried about what those phones look and feel like. “We also need some innovation in the area of aesthetics,” he said. “I think the …

Electronics manufacturers and distributors say wireless carriers are beginning to cautiously embrace third-party signal amplifiers they once kept at arm’s length. Inconsistent service has long plagued the cell-phone industry, as consumers often expect fixed-line quality on wireless handsets. Sporadic coverage …

Carrier consolidation among the wireless industry’s top players has had a similar effect on smaller operators, which are being forced to cooperate more closely to provide advanced services that larger operators have taken for granted. While voice services remain the …

DES MOINES, Iowa-Qwest Communications International Inc. expanded its nationwide wireless service to residential and small-business customers in Keokuk and Mason City, Iowa. Rate plans for the service begin at $40 per month for 500 weekday calling minutes and include free …

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Nextel Communications Inc. said it has enhanced more than 4,200 miles of network coverage in parts of North Carolina. The network expansion includes Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Boone, Asheville, Greenville, Southern Pines, New Bern, Washington, Rockingham, Sanford and Eden. Nextel …

WOODBRIDGE, N.J.-Mobitex network operator Velocita Wireless L.P. said it has enhanced its nationwide network with the deployment of wireless base stations in Auburn, N.Y. The company said the new base stations will augment its current coverage in the area and …

The wireless industry often has found itself at odds with advocacy groups for the hearing-impaired community as industry has worked to incorporate technology into its phones to allow deaf and hard-of-hearing customers to make use of wireless products. Now wireless …

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. offered industry an early look at its MediaFLO mobile TV technology in conjunction with its BREW developer’s conference here. The demonstration showed MediaFLO can transmit streaming video, but also revealed the technology isn’t as polished as rival …

If this keeps up, the wireless e-mail market may not be untapped for long. The flurry of activity in the wireless e-mail space looks to continue as carriers and software developers expand their offerings to attract users from all walks …

WASHINGTON-Sometime this month, the Supreme Court will determine the future of broadband. “The next important piece of the broadband puzzle will be revealed when the Supreme Court rules in Brand X,” said Thomas Navin, chief of the FCC’s Wireline Competition …

SAN DIEGO-Mobile virtual network operator Amp’d Mobile Inc., which is set to launch a youth-oriented service using Verizon Wireless’ CDMA2000 1x EV-DO network later this year, selected M7 Networks to create and manage its Games Connect game community using M7’s …

SAN DIEGO-Kyocera Wireless Corp. unveiled the Kyocera Dorado KX13 handset at Qualcomm’s BREW 2005 conference. The manufacturer said the device is a slim bar-style phone with a large color screen and a front-facing speakerphone that is well suited for games …

Researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland are working on new technology that will allow mobile users to interact with their mobile device with a nod of their head or a wave of their hand. Using the technology, a …

SAN FRANCISCO-ESPN has tapped Visage Mobile to support ESPN Mobile, the company’s mobile virtual network operator service scheduled to launch early next year. Visage and Convergys Corp. formed an exclusive partnership in 2003 to integrate technologies from both companies to …

SAN FRANCISCO-Trilibis Mobile, which provides mobile software solutions for online communities and content providers, said it raised $1 million in its series A private placement round. The funds will be used for further product development, general sales and marketing programs. …

WASHINGTON-The White House policy of banning Democratic donors from U.S. telecom delegations appears at odds with a new government report that stresses the importance of having industry experts on the American negotiating team, but dodges the overriding controversy of injecting …

WASHINGTON-U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake stopped cold the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions’ legal efforts to shut down IFAST Ltd., the Maryland-based firm that assigns codes enabling foreigners to operate their cell phones in this country. ATIS, an industry standards …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-A new multimedia messaging service interoperability agreement will allow Verizon Wireless and Leap Wireless International Inc. subscribers to exchange photos and video clips, the carriers said. The service is powered by wireless messaging company Mobile 365, which supports the …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless launched a new in-flight calling option for customers that allows for 10-cent per-minute calling when they sign up for the Airfone Service under the Verizon Wireless $10 monthly subscription plan. Verizon Wireless customers not wanting to sign …

CARSON CITY, Nev.-Visitors to Las Vegas and other Nevada casinos could gamble with wireless devices under legislation being proposed by Nevada lawmakers. A bill is being considered that will allow gamblers to electronically place bets from public areas on casino …

Verizon Wireless is bolstering its phone lineup with high-end devices from PalmOne Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Meanwhile, T-Mobile USA Inc. appears to be fleshing out its EDGE offerings with the release of its second EDGE-capable phone, the Motorola …

Last week’s unexpected exit of PalmSource Inc.’s chief executive officer was counterbalanced by the company’s new deals with PalmOne Inc., valued around $187 million. However, PalmSource’s future is still unclear at best, and some industry analysts believe its long-term viability …