1998

Frustrated by the lack of cooperation in Europe over convergence of third-generation technology, some U.S. cdmaOne operators have vowed to push ahead aggressively with cdma2000 technology. “Negotiations have gone on …

NEW YORK-Wristwatch maker Swatch introduced Swatch the Beep Box-a FLEX-enabled numeric pager shaped in a circle. Customers can buy the round pager, which features a trackball activation system, from Swatch’s …

WAYNE, Pa.-Comcast Cellular Communications Inc. announced new national and regional service plans that provide service for one low rate, without roaming or toll charges. Rates for the new Digital PCS …

LOS ANGELES-As expected, AirTouch Cellular signed a letter of intent with Nortel Networks to purchase network switches, base stations and controllers. RCR reported last week AirTouch was close to awarding …

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-The market for power semiconductors, integrated circuits and modules is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 19 percent, to reach $2.8 billion by the end …

WASHINGTON-In the post-telecom-act era, the cellular telephone industry continues to face intertwined challenges of policy and perception. On the one hand, the Federal Communications Commission wants to foster the local …

CARY, N.C.-SpectraSite Communications Inc. acquired GlobalComm Inc., a wireless carrier collocation company. Since 1995, GlobalComm has completed more than 600 collocation agreements in the Southeast, said SpectraSite. “Collocation is a …

President Bill Clinton signed into law late last month the federal Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998, which authorizes prison terms of up to three years and fines …

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.-ANI Site Development announced it signed a new agreement to manage all of Renda Broadcasting Corp.’s broadcast towers. ANI manages more than 200 communications sites in the Southeast. …

One can only imagine the potential import of the victory of Jesse “The Body” Ventura, the ex-professional wrestler and Reform Party candidate who won the Minnesota gubernatorial election last Tuesday. …

Italy Telecom Italia Mobile announced it will begin a market trial of Unwired Planet Inc.’s UP.Link Server and software planet for wireless Internet access to mobile phones. Equipped with Unwired …

NEW YORK-Hellenic Tele-communications Organization S.A., a multiservice carrier headquartered in Athens, went public Nov. 2 with a 43.8 million-share stock sale that raised $1.1 billion. Salomon Smith Barney and Credit …

Although I have spent my entire career dealing with technology subjects, I probably will never be mistaken for someone with technology savvy. I can’t record a TV program on the …

Analysts say the launch of Iridium L.L.C.’s mobile satellite service has positioned Globalstar L.L.P. to be a low-cost provider when it offers service around 2000. After losing 12 satellites in …

VIENNA, Va.-Teligent announced it has continued the rollout of its Digital SmartWave technology to the San Francisco Bay Area, after the initial launch in 10 markets last week. The company …

Qualcomm Inc. and Microsoft Corp. plan to announce this week they are creating a new wireless communications company to focus on the integration of wireless data, information technology and computers. …

InterFigital reports net loss; revenues increase KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.-InterDigital Communications Corp. reported a third-quarter net loss of $6.1 million, or 13 cents per share, compared with a net loss …

Paging Network Inc. announced it signed an agreement with SmartRoute Systems to offer SmartRoute’s real-time personalized traffic information system to paging subscribers. PageNet said it initially will roll out the …

HELSINKI, Finland-Nokia Corp. said it will supply a Global System for Mobile communications network to Philippines’ wireless carrier Smart Communications Inc. According to the companies’ contract, Nokia will be the …

NEW YORK-“There is no question that, with no bank or bond market to finance your start-up, you need either to be crazy or have a well thought out plan,” said …

Cellular carriers have made significant progress in their efforts to upgrade their 800 MHz analog networks to digital technology. Consumers’ appetite for digital features is demonstrated by the success of …

CHICAGO-Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. lowered the senior debt rating of Sprint Corp. from A to BBB+. Sprint’s commercial paper rating also has been lowered from D-1 to D-2. …

SANTA CLARA, Calif.-iReady Corp. said Seiko Instruments Inc. licensed its Internet Tuner technology to enable a line of next-generation liquid crystal displays in consumer electronics devices that can cheaply link …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Synacom Technology Inc. said it successfully tested its CloneSafe wireless cloning fraud system as part of Lucent Technologies Inc.’s Cooperative Innovations program. The CloneSafe system facilitates authentication by …

NEW YORK-Frequency Electronics Inc., Mitchell Field, N.Y., hopes to lead the way in mass production of competitively priced wireless signal synchronization components using rubidium as a substitute for quartz. “We …