retail

BETHESDA, Md.—Broadband wireless carrier MobilePro Corp. announced plans to acquire Clearwave Communications L.L.C., a competitive local exchange carrier that provides service in southern Illinois. The companies did not release terms of the agreement. The deal, which has not yet been …

Ah, the second quarter-no big holidays and the momentum from fourth quarter sales is but a distant memory. Still, it hasn’t been an idle three months for the wireless industry: several carriers have revamped sections of their pricing plans, and …

WASHINGTON-A bill outlawing deceptive tactics by data brokers to acquire and sell cell phone records may soon get a vote on the House floor, after mysteriously being pulled from a scheduled vote in early May. The possible breakthrough follows a …

BOSTON-Motorola Inc., Jabra and Plantronics Inc. continue to lead the Bluetooth headset market with a combined 57 percent share of total global sales last year, according to research from Strategy Analytics. Motorola alone controls 28 percent of the market, making …

The market for mobile phones’ onboard memory is undergoing transformation and commoditization, threatening incumbent companies and opening opportunities for small, nimble companies with a competitive differentiator to their product, according to Yankee Group analyst John Jackson. Carriers and handset vendors …

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa—Local telecommunications provider Long Lines L.L.C. will launch wireless service later this summer to customers in northeast Nebraska, southeast South Dakota and western Iowa. The company in December acquired two small wireless providers, Great Lakes of Iowa Inc. …

BOSTON—Motorola Inc., Jabra and Plantronics Inc. continue to lead the Bluetooth headset market with a combined 57 percent share of total global sales last year, according to research from Strategy Analytics. Motorola alone controls 28 percent of the market, making …

SAN DIEGO—Leap Wireless International Inc.’s selected Via One Technologies Inc. as a new distributor for its Jump Mobile prepaid wireless service. Via One will distribute Jump Mobile services through its Prepay Point retail merchant network. Leap also offers service through …

FORT WORTH, Texas—Teletouch Communications Inc. said it signed an exclusive three-year master distributor agreement covering North America with ROK Entertainment US Inc. The agreement gives Teletouch exclusive rights to distribute ROK’s ROK Player, related intellectual property, products and licensed content …

WASHINGTON—Eleven data-broker executives invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, refusing to answer questions of the House Commerce oversight and investigations subcommittee about deceptive practices for acquiring and selling mobile phone records and other customer information to banks, major corporations, …

BASKING RIDGE, N.J.—Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm USA Inc. announced availability of LG’s VX8300 phone, which supports Verizon Wireless’ V Cast music service. The handset, which builds on LG’s VX 8100 model, features a slimmer form factor, OLED external …

SINGAPORE—Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. took its turn at CommunicAsia 2006 with an announcement that it plans to produce three slim phones in a new product line the company dubbed the “Ultra Edition,” destined for Southeast Asian markets and, possibly, elsewhere. …

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. continues to make strides on the mobile retail front, expanding its agreement with Verizon Wireless to include postpaid plans and high-end multimedia phones. The chain, which not long ago stocked only prepaid offerings, will offer two Vcast …

With a flurry of launches last week, the wireless industry appears to have re-discovered-and is falling head over heels in love with-The Family. Both Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA Inc. announced new family-focused services on the day that Disney Mobile …

Disney Mobile may be causing a spate of copy-catting of its family-oriented services, but the mobile virtual network operator is far from bucking industry trends when it comes to its newly unveiled calling plans and packages. In general, the MVNO’s …

ST. LOUIS—Battery vendor Energizer Inc. announced a new product the company said will allow cell phone users to charge their phones with two of the company’s e2 Lithium AA batteries. The company’s new Energi To Go portable cell phone charger …

CHICAGO—Motorola Inc. appears to have succeeded in beating rival Nokia Corp. in a race to open a company-branded store in Motorola’s own backyard. Motorola opened a pop-up retail location it is calling Destination Q on Chicago’s trendy North Michigan Avenue …

BANGALORE, India—Indian IT services provider Wipro Technologies snapped up Saraware Oy, a Finnish telecom design and engineering services firm, for about $31.7 million. The acquisition not only gives Wipro access to Saraware’s expertise in radio networks and secure mobile platforms, …

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Nextel Corp. will sell Mobile ESPN L.L.C. service in hundreds of its retail stores, a move that adds weight to the sports-focused MVNO’s distribution network. Sprint Nextel originally committed to provide Mobile ESPN space in at least …

Zingy is hoping to find some stability in the direct-to-consumer market. The New York-based mobile content provider launched an Internet storefront targeting 13- to 21-year-olds with both a la carte and subscription pricing models for ringtones, images, games and applications. …

NEW YORK-Zingy is hoping to find some stability in the direct-to-consumer market. The New York-based mobile content provider launched an Internet storefront targeting 13- to 21-year-olds with both a la carte and subscription pricing models for ringtones, images, games and …

The following list details this week’s infrastructure awards for the cellular, Wi-Fi and WiMAX industries. The contracts are broken down by transmission technology, country and vendor. The value of the contract is included when available. Click here for additional infrastructure …

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.—Sprint Nextel Corp. will sell Mobile ESPN L.L.C. service in hundreds of its retail stores, a move that adds weight to the sports-focused MVNO’s distribution network. According to the two companies, Sprint Nextel had originally committed to provide …

ATLANTA-Boost Mobile L.L.C. users can exchange cash electronically for prepaid calling minutes at various locations, due to a recent arrangement with CheckFreePay. Boost is a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel Corp. CheckFreePay is a business unit of CheckFree Corp. and offers …

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa—Prepaid wireless provider Airlink Mobile is partnering with Brightstar Corp. for logistics and distribution support. Brightstar said it will provide Airlink with services including product procurement, inventory and warehouse management and handset and package customization. Airlink operates on …