Text Messaging

NEW YORK—Upoc Networks announced it is providing mobile chat and community functions to Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. customers. The service allows customers to access thousands of existing messaging groups or create their own personal messaging groups. The service is available …

SEATTLE—Two prominent mobile messaging firms announced leadership changes. First up, Mobliss tapped a longtime console-gaming executive in an effort to create space on the wireless gaming playground. The company said Jim Merrick, a former Nintendo Co. Ltd. executive, will take …

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.-Text-savvy Southerners may help explain why all five “American Idol” winners hail from south of the Mason Dixon line, according to figures from The NPD Group. Cingular Wireless L.L.C., which sponsors Fox TV’s hit reality show, is based …

For more than a few mobile startups, MySpace has become MyObsession. The most popular of a throng of new Web sites featuring user-generated content, MySpace.com has an estimated 55 million users and reportedly accounts for 12 percent of online advertising. …

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Text-savvy Southerners may help explain why all five “American Idol” winners hail from south of the Mason Dixon line, according to figures from The NPD Group. Cingular Wireless L.L.C., which sponsors Fox TV’s hit reality show, is based …

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 …

CHICAGO-CBS Radio is partnering with Vibes Media to reach listeners on their wireless handsets in 18 U.S. markets. The broadcaster said 25 of its radio stations will use Vibes’ iRadio service, which allows users to participate in promotions, polls and …

NEW YORK-Advertisers will have to devote a line item in their budget toward mobile marketing by 2007, an expense that could reach into the millions of dollars for some companies. How the mobile advertising market will develop is anyone’s guess, …

CHICAGO—CBS Radio is partnering with Vibes Media to reach listeners on their wireless handsets in 18 U.S. markets. The broadcaster said 25 of its radio stations will use Vibes’ iRadio service, which allows users to participate in promotions, polls and …

Regional operator Revol Wireless has introduced a new suite of data applications to its users that includes ringtones, games, 411 directory assistance and Web browsing. Privately held Revol offers service in five Ohio cities and Indianapolis with no contract for …

Wireless industry trade association CTIA is hoping to spur direct-to-consumer revenues by expanding the industry’s short-code program. The industry group, along with short-code administrator NeuStar Inc., announced open registration for six-digit short codes. Wireless subscribers can access content or services …

IRVINE, Calif.-Boost Mobile L.L.C., a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel Corp., said its prepaid wireless phones and service will be available at Fred Meyer stores. The company’s products are already available at Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy locations. Boost said it …

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio—Regional operator Revol Wireless has introduced a new suite of data applications to its users that includes ringtones, games, 411 directory assistance and Web browsing. Privately held Revol offers service in five Ohio cities and Indianapolis, Ind. with no …

WASHINGTON—Wireless industry trade association CTIA is hoping to spur direct-to-consumer revenues by expanding the industry’s short code program. The industry group, along with short-code administrator NeuStar Inc., announced open registration for six-digit short codes, which allow mobile users to access …

IRVINE, Calif.—Boost Mobile L.L.C., a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel Corp., said its prepaid wireless phones and service will be available at Fred Meyer stores. The company’s products are currently available at Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy locations. Boost said it …

All eyes will be on Germany next week as teams from 32 nations open play in the FIFA World Cup, a four-week, 64-game tournament to determine the planet’s best soccer club. And the wireless industry is hoping many of those …

During the past several years, the four national U.S. carriers have whittled away the number of price plans they offer to consumers, dropped low-end plans and largely come into lock-step with each other on service plan price points. On the …

Verizon Wireless beat out the rest of the industry in serving business customers, landing at the top of J.D. Power and Associates’ second annual survey of business wireless satisfaction. Verizon Wireless had an index ranking of 711 on a 1,000-point …

WAKEFIELD, N.H.-Prepaid reseller Freedom Phone Services introduced a new prepaid phone plan that starts at $10 per month. Customers must pay ahead of time and essentially have a month-to-month arrangement; they have a month to use their allotted minutes and …

WAKEFIELD, N.H.—Prepaid reseller Freedom Phone Services introduced a new prepaid phone plan that starts at $10 per month. Customers must pay ahead of time and essentially have a month-to-month arrangement; they have a month to use their allotted minutes and …

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.—Verizon Wireless beat out the rest of the industry in serving business customers, landing at the top of J.D. Power and Associates’ second annual survey of business wireless satisfaction. Verizon Wireless had an index ranking of 711 on …

OTTAWA—Two-thirds of Canadian households either own a wireless phone or have access to one, according to a new study from Decima Research commissioned by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association. The province of Alberta boasts the highest household wireless penetration rate …

BOSTON—Telecommunications company MobileSphere Ltd. announced the launch of its MobileU offering designed to provide college and university students with a communications package that encompasses calls from dormitories, international long-distance calls via cell phone, prepaid services and domestic and international text …

TUCSON, Ariz.—Cell Wireless Corp. and Bond Wireless said they signed a letter of intent calling for the two companies to merge. Bond Wireless provides mobile messaging solutions, including international text messaging connectivity, mobile messaging applications, integrated products and consultancy services …

It’s safe to say U.S. wireless subscribers have caught up with much of the rest of the world in terms of data consumption. But it appears American carriers still have their work cut out for them when it comes to …