1998

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 …

NEW YORK-U.S. telecom giants GTE Corp. and Bell Atlantic Corp. on 28 July announced a US$50-plus billion stock-for-stock pooling of interests that would create the nation’s largest cellular carrier. The …

The quest for international partnerships continued in the summer as AT&T Corp. announced a US$10 billion joint-venture plan with British Telecommunications plc to more strongly position itself in the global …

OXFORD, United Kingdom-Unseemly and ongoing disputes over intellectual property rights seem to have hijacked the current debate about third-generation (3G) cellular. Posturing by radio manufacturers continues to dominate the news …

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Federal Communications Commission plans to re-auction returned C-block PCS (Personal Communications Services) licenses 23 March, 1999. The FCC will use the same eligibility rules used for the original …

In what is no doubt the single-largest transaction in the history of the U.S. paging industry, Arch Communications Group Inc. and MobileMedia Corp. confirmed they have completed a definitive merger …

TOKYO-In reaction to the Japanese government’s announcement it will limit to three in each district the number of carriers providing IMT-2000 services, cellular carriers here have started playing musical chairs, …

WASHINGTON-A Federal Communications Commission proposal to privatize the equipment-authorization process has been panned by parties directly impacted by the suggestion. The FCC released a notice of proposed rule making this …

If the promise of enhanced wireless services was a hot-fudge sundae with lots of toppings, about the only thing wireless customers have been served so far is vanilla ice cream …

VIENNA, Va.-Omnipoint Communications Inc. awarded TeleworX a five-year, $4 million lease for wireless network design and optimization tools-including Max, Xcalibur and PlotworX-for use in all Omnipoint’s U.S. markets. Max is …

The head of Philips Consumer Communications quit last week amidst the company’s announcement it doesn’t expect to break even this year. PCC President and Chief Executive Officer Mike McTighe resigned …

SAN DIEGO-SecurFone America Inc. completed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic alliance and distribution agreement with Microwave Designs International Inc., a privately held wireless engineering company, and its affiliate …

L.M. Ericsson head Sven-Christer Nilsson told the Japanese press late last week his company will continue negotiations with Qualcomm Inc. and said it is ready to reach some form of …

While satellite news of late primarily has focused on voice and data services, broadband satellite communications services are expected to play an increasingly important role in the next 10 years, …

CLAREMONT, Calif.-WolfeTech Corp. and SatCon Communications Europa Ltd. formed a strategic alliance to deliver WolfeTech’s PocketGenie software to the European cellular market and to offer SatCon’s European information services to …

Mounting financial and political unrest in Russia last week escalated into a full-blown ruble disaster, drawing the country into the throes of a currency crisis that sent stock markets worldwide …

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 …

WASHINGTON-Nextel Communications Inc. reportedly has begun negotiations with the incumbent licensees in the 800 MHz band to move them off the network in order for Nextel build out its own …

A Japanese newspaper reported that AirTouch Communications Inc., Japan Telecom Co. and Nissan Motor Co. plan to form a joint venture next month to bid for one of three third-generation …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission is planning to add 82 airports to the airport-frequencies protected list. This list will allow the airports primary access to frequencies specially allocated for airports in …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission said it accepted 38 applications to participate in the upcoming auction of licenses in the 220 MHz band. The auction is scheduled to begin Sept. 15, …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-U.S. semiconductor companies maintained their share of the Japanese chip market during the first quarter of 1998 despite the economic slowdown there, said the Semiconductor Industry Association. The …

PAOLI, Pa.-Orga Card Systems Inc. was chosen by Iowa Wireless Services L.P. to be the exclusive provider of Global System for Mobile communications smart cards for its personal communications services …

Bell Atlantic Mobile is expected to announce next month rate plans competitive with AT&T Wireless Services Inc.’s Digital One Rate plan-a move that could trigger price wars for valuable high-end …

ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADC Telecommunications Inc. released its Soneplex management access point for Simple Network Management Protocol that allows carriers to convert the 1970s vintage TBOS signaling protocol to SNMP. Soneplex …