Mobile Phones

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., the largest of Turkey’s two Global System for Mobile communications operators, is planning a $200 million debt issue to finance continued expansion of its network and future introduction of wireless data and Internet access services. By …

Competition in the wireless personal digital assistant space will be heating up soon, as Casio Computer Co. Ltd. and Siemens’ Communication Devices division have announced a strategic alliance to jointly develop a new line of palmtop personal computers with wireless …

NEW YORK-Sweden’s L.M. Ericsson has majored on the infrastructure side of provisioning to wireless carriers within the United States while playing a comparatively minor role as a wireline network supplier. However, that soon could change if company executives succeed in …

WASHINGTON-A federal judge last week approved a new antitrust settlement between the Justice Department and Nextel Communications Inc., allowing Nextel to acquire more 900 MHz dispatch radio licenses in 14 major markets while largely scotching-for now-its deal to buy bankrupt …

NEW YORK-Newtel AB, formed by the merger of Sweden’s Telia AB and Norway’s Telenor AS, announced Dec. 7 it will not sweeten its hostile cash bid of $1.59 billion to take over Esat Telecom Group plc, Ireland’s second-largest telecommunications carrier. …

In a move seen as strengthening their respective weaknesses in the wireless industry, L.M. Ericsson and Microsoft Corp. said they plan to create a joint venture designed to develop and market end-to-end solutions for wireless Internet services. In addition, Microsoft …

WASHINGTON-While industry this holiday season pushes family plans and makes pocket phones attractive to the younger crowd, questions linger in the scientific community about whether children are more vulnerable to possible health risks from phones than adults. “No, it (possible …

A U.S. bankruptcy court has given ICO Global Communications final approval for $500 million in financing from an investor group led by Craig McCaw and Indian media magnate Subhash Chandra, who had challenged McCaw with a competing financing bid. Under …

WARSAW, Poland-KGHM Polska Miedz, Poland’s copper and silver concern, and Polski Koncern Naftowy, the country’s oil group, raised their stakes in the country’s mobile phone firm Polkomtel, according to a Reuters report. Both firms exercised their first refusal rights, as …

After telling a friend in California about buying a computer for my kids and signing up for Internet access, I got this e-mail from him: “What a wonderful world your kids are inheriting.” The e-mail included a NASA Web address …

NEW YORK-Judging by their investments during the third quarter, venture capitalists can’t seem to get enough of technology companies, including those involved in the wireless communications sector. “Investments in [the wireless/telecom] sector for the first three quarters of 1999 approached …

GENEVA-STMicroelectronics said it entered into an agreement with L.M. Ericsson to develop a range of devices based on the Bluetooth core architecture. The companies also are working together to approach the market with optimized Bluetooth solutions, said STMicroelectronics. The first …

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-Siemens AG and Phone.com Inc. announced that Spain’s Airtel Movil selected Siemens to provide a commercial Wireless Application Protocol platform for wireless Internet-based services. Airtel, the second-largest wireless operator in Spain, plans to begin providing wireless Internet services …

LONDON-BT Cellnet, Britain’s second-largest mobile phone operator, teamed with Freeserve, the United Kingdom’s largest Internet service provider, to develop information services for wireless Internet access. The two companies signed a strategic agreement to collaborate on developing sports, entertainment and financial …

NEW YORK-NTT Mobile Communications Network Inc., Japan’s largest mobile carrier, said Dec. 2 it plans to buy a 19-percent interest in Hutchison Telephone Co. Ltd., Hong Kong’s biggest wireless provider, for $410 million. Under terms of the agreement, reached with …

WASHINGTON-A new study by University of Washington researcher Henry Lai suggests rats exposed to cell phone microwave frequencies suffered long-term memory loss. “Studies before this one have focused more on short-term memory. In this study, the long-term memory of microwave-exposed …

VIENNA, Austria-The first mobile data transfer trials over General Packet Radio Service in Austria have been completed by Motorola Inc.’s Network Solutions Sector and Mobilkom, Austria’s largest mobile communications network operator, Motorola said. “The introduction of GPRS will allow mobile …

LUXEMBOURG-Millicom International Cellular S.A. released an Internet-based payment system for shopping online using Global System for Mobile communications telephones. GiSMo is a secure payment alternative to using a credit, debit or charge card, the company said. GiSMo shoppers purchase items …

DALLAS-Rent Express Communications launched its frequent traveler program for North Americans who travel overseas regularly and need a mobile phone while abroad. The program costs $50 for one year of access to Global System for Mobile communications international service. Benefits …

With its back to the wall and down to its last gasp, NextWave Telecom Inc. and friends brought in the big guns. Bay Harbor Management, a New-York investment firm and a large creditor/shareholder in NextWave, signed up high-powered lobbyists at …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-L.M. Ericsson and Visa International signed an agreement last week to develop secure wireless e-commerce solutions. The partnership is designed to develop mobile e-commerce and drive open standards for payment transactions over wireless networks. The companies plan to cooperate …

TORONTO-Rent Express Communications, a provider of short-term wireless solutions for international travelers, said it signed a subscriber identification module roaming agreement with BT Cellnet. Under terms of the agreement, Rent Express will provide mobile phone services to North Americans visiting …

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-Phone.com Inc. announced last Tuesday the public offering of 6.6 million shares of common stock at $135 per share in conjunction with a two-for-one stock split. As a result of the announcement, the price of the company’s shares …

Just as it took an unabashed California chick to do what no GOP or Democratic pol could do-outfox Bill Clinton-Naomi Wolf now has done what no pundit could ever do: explain what makes official Washington tick. It all boils down …

LAS VEGAS-L.M. Ericsson announced its first consumer product incorporating Bluetooth technology at Comdex/Fall ’99. The cellular phone headset connects to a mobile phone by a radio link instead of a cable. The product will be commercially available in mid-2000, said …