Mobile Phones

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment from the mobile phone and mobile satellite service industry on whether additional spectrum is needed in the United States for third-generation mobile phone services. The Notice of Inquiry comes at the same …

DUBLIN, Ireland-The number of new phone manufacturers and the introduction of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) handset design packages have lead to a proliferation of new handsets. However, there already have been casualties, and it seems inevitable that other …

Across most of the world’s regions, carriers and analysts are claiming prepaid cellular a resounding success. Along with calling party pays, it is considered one of the leading contributors to current subscriber growth. Some carriers now are getting more than …

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.-Rockwell Semiconductor Systems last week introduced its first chipset using Code Division Multiple Access technology. The chipset is an integrated radio-frequency subsystem for CDMA that also supports Advanced Mobile Phone Service analog cellular phones. The chipset can be …

WASHINGTON-The third-generation wireless debate took a dramatic turn last week as a key Clinton administration official questioned whether the United States should follow Europe’s lead in allocating massive 3G spectrum, and an industry schism erupted that could have Motorola Inc. …

In Chicago, where the mobile phone penetration rate is one of the highest among the nation’s most populous markets, cellular carriers Ameritech Cellular Services Inc. and SBC Wireless have made aggressive moves to match offers coming primarily from their PCS …

DALLAS-Bosch Telecom Group Inc. said its Bosch World 718 mobile phone is available throughout North America from Quintex Communications Corp. The phone provides seamless access to worldwide Global System for Mobile communications networks, said the company. Quintex, a subsidiary of …

Global Mobility Systems Inc., a provider of software for enhanced services, has created a professional services group to help mobile phone operators with their business and marketing needs. The company, led by former AT&T Wireless Services Inc. executive Michael Buhrmann, …

Airadigm Communications Inc. signed a contract to sell its entire tower inventory to SpectraSite Communications Inc., said the companies. The purchase price was not disclosed. The contract also includes a provision calling for SpectraSite to build about 125 additional towers …

The CDMA Development Group formed an interest group within the CDG that will focus on Latin America. The CDG said the interest group builds on the success of similar organizations within the CDG. Other interest groups focus on the Asia …

WASHINGTON-In perhaps the strongest signal to date of congressional concern about U.S. global competitiveness in the future third-generation mobile phone market, Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) pressed the Clinton administration to outline the steps it is taking to ensure American technology …

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.-Ericsson Inc. last week introduced a snap-on wireless modem that allows users to browse the Internet and send or receive faxes and e-mail without cable hookups or a phone line. The DI 27 eliminates the need to …

PALO ALTO, Calif.-Corsair Communications Inc. said it is developing a network-based wireless location system called PhoneTrack using elements of time difference of arrival and angle of arrival technologies. The system initially is being designed to locate wireless emergency calls from …

The industry’s first cellular phone manufacturer has become another casualty of the highly competitive handset business. Oki Telecom Inc. has ceased manufacturing, sales and marketing all mobile phones in the United States. Suwanee, Ga.-based Oki was a pioneer in the …

Though the International Telecommunication Union is months away from reaching a consensus on third-generation standards, European and Japanese governments are revealing plans to auction third-generation spectrum next year. The race is on to deploy 3G services. Some key European countries …

ATLANTA-BellSouth Mobility DCS is offering two new wireless products for international business travelers-Bosch’s World 718 Mobile Phone and DCS Fax Mailbox service. Bosch’s world phone operates on both 900 MHz and 1900 MHz Global System for Mobile communications frequency bands, …

NEW YORK-Sirf Technology Inc., a Santa Clara, Calif., company established in 1995, announced agreements last week with Ericsson Inc., Hitachi America Ltd. and Nokia Corp. designed to propel the use of global positioning system technology in wireless devices, including cellular …

Qualcomm Inc. said it has clarified its stance with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute on intellectual property rights it claims to own for W-CDMA technology. In January, ETSI chose W-CDMA technology, based on a Global System for Mobile communications platform, …

Belgacom S.A. and Tele Danmark announced they have expanded their BruCop B.V. joint venture to build a Global System for Mobile communications network at 1800 MHz in the Netherlands. The company paid $300 million for six licenses totaling 16.6 megahertz. …

GREENSBORO, N.C.-Vanguard Cellular Systems Inc. signed a multiyear strategic partnership with Metrocall Inc. for paging service development and distribution and closed its purchase of another paging carrier. Vanguard plans to buy and install paging transmitters on Metrocall networks in areas …

The battle among South Korea’s five mobile phone carriers has become so intense that the Ministry of Information and Communication has prodded the carriers to voluntarily address problems brought on by the unrestrained competition. The fervent competition began last October …

In this Clintonian Age of Relativity, there is always-for everyone here-a way out: denial. Having an extramarital affair with a girl your twenty-something daughter’s age. Deny it. Soliciting campaign contributions from a Buddhist temple or from the White House. Deny …

JERSEY CITY, N.J.-As the International Telecommunication Union wound up its meeting in South Korea July 24 to consider 15 third-generation wireless proposals, Telecom Analysis Systems convened a media briefing to evaluate the need for this technology. “2G is barely rolled …

WASHINGTON-The Clinton administration, encouraged but apparently not swayed by assurances in Brussels that Europe will be open to multiple third-generation wireless standards, is growing increasingly worried that American mobile phone technology will be locked out of the 15-nation European Union …

Mobile phone sales during the second quarter gave Nokia Corp. a boost when it released its second-quarter earnings July 24, while its Swedish rival L.M. Ericsson suffered a plunge in its stock prices and several ratings downgrades on news its …