Mobile Phones

NEW YORK-Andersen Consulting released its Mobile Micropayments prototype, illustrating how consumers can purchase items using an Internet billing solution from a wireless phone without incurring charges on their phone bills or using the cellular network. The prototype service would allow …

Amrel Systems Amrel Systems Inc. released a more powerful version of its Rocky II+ ruggedized mobile notebook computer, certified under MIL-STD 810E, MIL-STD 461C and IP54, offering an Intel Pentium III processor at speeds up to 650 MHz. Amrel said …

WASHINGTON-A Motorola Inc. technician who was a mobile-phone trouble shooter for 10 years plans shortly to sue Motorola Inc. and possibly others for allegedly causing his brain cancer. The man went on disability last fall after being diagnosed with a …

NEW YORK-A multifaceted revolution is under way that will soon provide a tremendous boost to the battery life and processing capacity of wireless devices. The first phase of the handheld revolution will begin with extended battery life. “Keep an eye …

NEW YORK-In tandem with the anticipated debut of Wireless Application Protocol services by American carriers in fall and winter, Nokia Mobile Phones Inc., Irving, Texas, plans to begin shipping its 7100 series WAP-enabled handsets. Domestic operators already are testing the …

INDIANAPOLIS-Interactive Intelligence Inc. introduced a wireless interaction client application for Palm devices allowing them to access corporate communications systems and other functions. The Wireless Interaction Client allows users to search corporate directories, view status information, make outbound calls, perform conference …

WASHINGTON-The Justice Department will require SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. to divest wireless licenses in 16 markets throughout three states as an antitrust condition for a joint venture that will create the second-largest mobile phone company in the nation. …

WASHINGTON-A Clinton administration aide last week denied that industry or political pressure has played a part in delaying the issuance of a White House report advocating mobile phones and other wireless technologies for alerting citizens of emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes …

HELSINKI, Finland-Nokia Corp. introduced a new mobile phone with a special chat function that allows users to share instant text messages with others, be it mobile phone or desktop users. The 3310’s chat feature is based on SMS technology, allowing …

WASHINGTON-The world’s top mobile-phone manufacturers have agreed to include radiation data with new phones, a move that comes as suspicion has increased about whether wireless devices cause brain cancer. The vendors-Finland’s Nokia Corp., Sweden’s L.M. Ericsson and U.S.-based Motorola Inc.-said …

MADRID, Spain-The Telefonica Group, comprised of the company’s many telecom holdings, reported increased revenue for the first half of 2000, led by large gains in the group’s wireless businesses. As a whole, The Telefonica Group posted operating revenue of $11.8 …

Wireless Internet technology Integra Micro Systems Indian software company Integra Micro Systems introduced a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser for the PalmOS platform, allowing Palm devices to access Wireless Markup Language (WML) content. The Jataayu Browser is fully WAP compliant, …

NEW DELHI, India-The Southeast Asian region is set to enter a new era of wireless data within the next two years. Many operators in the region have already introduced wireless data services, including Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) launches, in preparation …

BUCHAREST, Romania-As European wireless penetration rates increase, operators are looking to new services, including short message service (SMS) and fax and data transmissions, to increase profit margins. Another application, mobile positioning, is gaining importance across Europe. According to U.K. telecom …

After a month-long review, the Chinese government said in June that PHS will continue to be allowed in China’s county-level cities and counties. However, new PHS deployments will not be allowed in large and medium-sized cities. Hong Lu, president and …

HONG KONG-Hong Kong may become the Asian leader in mobile e-commerce, as network operators rush to embrace next-generation smart cards, said Claus Hansen, GSM marketing director at smart card vendor Schlumberger. “Wireless Internet and mobile e-commerce will boom in Hong …

DENVER, United States-One of the world’s most savvy and chic brand names is coming to the U.S. mobile-phone market next year. Virtual network operator (VNO) Virgin Mobile USA said it plans to ink an agreement with a carrier here and …

Australia Telecom New Zealand said it intends to make a takeover offer for the approximately 18 percent of shares in Australian operator AAPT that it does not already own for A$444 million (US$258 million). The company said it will offer …

U.K. wireless handset manufacturer Sendo announced a global strategic partnership with Virgin Mobile. Virgin Mobile will be the first operator to offer Sendo’s phones to consumers later this year. Virgin Mobile initially plans to introduce two Sendo phones, which will …

NEW YORK-In November and December, Sonera zed U.S. Inc. “will dip its big toe into the waters of mobile commerce to see if they’re warm,” and it plans user trials by next spring, said J. Paul Hughes, vice president of …

One of the world’s most savvy and chic brand names is coming to the U.S. mobile-phone market next year. Virtual network operator Virgin Mobile USA said it plans to ink an agreement with a carrier in the United States and …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission said it will vigorously enforce wireless radiation safety rules that go into effect later this week. “We are serious about this and will be checking,” said Robert Cleveland, the FCC’s expert on radio-frequency exposure rules. Cleveland …

WASHINGTON-While the Communications Workers of America succeeded in winning concessions that make it easier to organize wireless workers at Verizon Communications-the nation’s largest mobile phone and local telephone company-the prospect for widespread wireless unionization is challenged by a confluence of …

HELSINKI, Finland-Nokia Corp. reported a partnership with Scandinavian Airlines Systems to sell Nokia’s 8210 and 8850 wireless phones on all SAS international flights through the airline’s Flightshop service. “As SAS Flightshop is moving away from a traditional in-flight assortment, we …

WASHINGTON-Verizon Wireless has been dragged into litigation that has percolated up to the Supreme Court, which has been asked by a group of Vermont citizens to rule whether local zoning is pre-empted by federal law when telecommunications facilities cause interference …