retail

Hello! And welcome to our Thursday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty stuff that goes on in this industry, so this column is a chance for us at RCRWirelessNews.com to rant and rave about whatever rubs …

Canadians gasping for air after finding out that Apple Inc.’s iPhone may not be crossing its borders can take a breather. The new 3G iPhone will be released in Canada this Friday and the accompanying rate plans will be lower …

With an influx of new spectrum, new networks coming online and new services to run over those networks, one might say that venture capitalists are backing both the tortoise and the hare to win in wireless. The interest in the …

Handset vendors’ second-quarter earnings are expected to be ho-hum, based on a global lull in new product launches during the quarter. As usual, however, analysts will carefully parse the language used by leading vendors – most prominently, Nokia Corp. – …

Sprint Nextel Corp. is facing a class-action lawsuit that alleges the No. 3 mobile-phone carrier violated federal and state labor laws for failing to pay wages to employees at retail stores and to compensate them for overtime work.“Defendants could easily …

Sprint Nextel Corp. has launched an expensive, frontal assault on rivals in a bid for a hit handset that will resuscitate its fortunes. While it remains early in the game – the Instinct handset has been on the market for …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly Reality Check column. We’ve gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile industry to give their insights into the marketplace. “How can I help you, and where would you like to go?” …

Virgin Mobile USA’s purchase of fellow MVNO Helio L.L.C. allows Virgin to evolve beyond its low-ARPU customers to higher-paying subscribers, as well as gain a sophisticated handset portfolio, improve its debt levels and cut a better deal with network operator …

A couple years ago, starting your very own mobile virtual network operations company was a sizzling hot idea and everybody was trying to cash in. But now, two years and a slue of MVNO closings later, the idea has fizzled. …

While cellphone sales may be on the decline in the United States, retailers may be able to bridge the gap with accessory sales, according to a new report from consumer market research firm NPD Group.The firm said mobile handset purchases …

Brightpoint Inc. said today it would distribute handsets for Verizon Wireless’ indirect channel of authorized agents and national retailers. Bob Laikin, chairman and CEO of Brightpoint, declined to discuss the value of the deal, citing a confidentiality agreement with Verizon. …

Based on preliminary analysis of the 3G iPhone, Apple’s new handset may be its most profitable product, garnering better than 50% margins, according to analysts.Though the grand shift from hardware profits to service-and-application profits has yet to materialize for the …

Kajeet Inc. last week slashed a “sizable” chunk of its sales force as it shifts from a brick-and-mortar retail strategy to an online model.“We did restructure and let go a reasonable number of people,” CEO Daniel Neal confirmed, declining to …

Research In Motion Ltd. reports fiscal first-quarter earnings on June 25 and, driven by sales of its Curve at Verizon Wireless, two analysts said the company’s results likely would be at the high end of current guidance.“Our view is based …

Denny Marie Post has joined T-Mobile USA Inc. as chief marketing officer. She was previously senior VP of global food and beverage at Starbucks. “Denny has deep and varied experience as a marketing leader in some of the most competitive …

Editor’s Note: In this monthly feature, RCR Wireless News talks to retail managers across the country to get a first-hand view of what’s hot in wireless. Wireless Toyz, which originally started as an outlet for paging back in 1995, today …

APPLE INC. IS THE NAME and, now, sheer volume is the game.Before the “wow” factor for his much-hyped handset fades or is eclipsed by competitors, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has abandoned his initial business model for plunging into wireless and …

Panasonic announced its Link to Cell KX-TH1211 accessory is now available at retail outlets.The product connects a Bluetooth-enabled cellular phone to home-based cordless handsets and allows users to initiate and receive mobile calls from a cordless handset. The company said …

Leap Wireless International Inc. is set to turn on its Cricket service tomorrow in St. Louis, Mo. Leap said the service will be available at nine St. Louis area retail stores and at more than 80 authorized dealers. The value-driven …

The woes besetting Motorola Inc.’s consumer handset division have been the stuff of headlines for the past year. The company has said it remains committed to creating two independently traded businesses that would send the handset division off on its …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Analyst Angle. We’ve collected a group of the industry’s leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. In the coming weeks look for columns from Current Analysis’ …

WHILE THE CARRIER’S COMPETITORS WORRY over a potentially greatly expanded customer base and network footprint, Verizon Wireless’ handset suppliers likely are cheering news that the carrier plans to acquire Alltel Communications L.L.C.“The strongest (handset) players at Verizon Wireless areprobably the …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Yay or Nay. Every week we’ll review a new wireless application or service from the user’s point of view, with the goal of highlighting what works and what doesn’t. If you wish to …

The Razr cut both ways. In the past two years, as its Razr-driven joyride skidded into a ditch, Motorola Inc.’s massive advantage in its home market has dwindled to a narrow gap. The relentless hunger and proliferating portfolios of Samsung …

The Supreme Court let stand lower court rulings that held federal arbitration law does not pre-empt class-action litigation against T-Mobile USA Inc., an action that divided the wireless industry and now paves the way for three federal lawsuits to move …