1998

WASHINGTON-Seeking to end a century-old “luxury” tax on telephony, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) along with House colleagues Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.) and Billy Tauzin (R-La.) introduced bills aimed at repealing the …

NEW YORK-A fire storm has erupted among corporations and legislators over Internal Revenue Service proposals released last month aimed at curtailing overseas transactions the agency believes are designed primarily to …

The annual growth rate of worldwide subscribers using Time Division Multiple Access technology is expected to increase more than 100 percent this year, according to figures released last week by …

NEW YORK-Transcrypt International Inc., a Lincoln, Neb., manufacturer of wireless information security and land mobile radio products, has been sued by shareholders in a class action lawsuit filed March 31. …

Two wireless enhanced 911 services vendors last week announced their systems were live in time for the Federal Communications Commission’s Phase I deadline, which calls for carriers to be able …

BOSTON-In terms of dollars and labor, wireless number portability will cost wireless carriers more than any other single issue, according to the Yankee Group in its recently released report, Wireless …

While the world continues to debate the mechanics of third-generation technology, many industry watchers wonder what business case, if any, this new technology will have for carriers. The International Telecommunications …

MINNEAPOLIS-ADC Telecommunications Inc. opened a $26 million, 284,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Shakopee, Minn., near its Minneapolis headquarters. ADC’s Broadband Connectivity Group is housed in the new facility. The BCG …

PHOENIX-AG Communication Systems introduced Incoming Call Screening, an application that enables wireless service providers to offer enhanced call-management services to their subscribers, said the company. INgage ICS is a wireless …

The Federal Communications Commission approved a request from American Mobile Satellite Corp. to modify its satellite license so it can temporarily consolidate its space segment facilities with TMI Communications and …

NIXA, Mo.-Applied Cellular Technology Inc. acquired Salt Lake City-based Winward Electric Service Inc., which provides services in the fiber-optic interface and data cabling areas. “The company has impressive profit margins …

CHICAGO-American Mobile Satellite Corp. announced it completed its $100 million acquisition of Ardis last week, creating what it called the first fully-deployed, integrated terrestrial/satellite network for two-way wireless data services. …

IRVINE, Calif.-AirTouch Southern California said it expanded its “all-Southern California home calling area,” called California Connection, to its digital customers in San Diego. AirTouch customers can talk on their wireless …

NEW YORK-Paging Network do Brasil S.A., Sao Paulo, reported earning $3.3 million in net revenues during 1997, its first year of commercial operation. Net losses for the year totaled $25.4 …

NEW YORK-In late March, the logjam finally broke on the long-stalled liberalization of the Brazilian telecommunications market through the introduction of second wireless carriers. One forecast predicted the number of …

HANNOVER, Germany-Groupe Sagem licensed Unwired Planet Inc.’s UP.Browser to provide Internet access for its wireless handsets. Sagem is a French group of high-technology companies employing about 14,000 people. Sagem’s Mobile …

WASHINGTON-Iridium LLC launched a Delta II rocket carrying five more Iridium satellites into orbit March 30, bringing its total number of operational satellites to 56. The launch of the satellites …

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.-InterDigital Technology Corp. will keep its patent on the Time Division Multiple Access wireless radio communications system used in Germany, said the company, after an appeal before …

WASHINGTON-Federal Communications Commission Chairman Bill Kennard responded March 30 to a congressional letter questioning the commission on its recent C-block personal communications services financial-restructuring reconsideration order and on its pending …

To the Editor: I felt compelled to write after your recently published guest article by Reed Hundt (RCR, Feb. 23). Mr. Hundt, now unencumbered from tempering his personal beliefs and …

To the editor: In response to Kristen Beckman’s story “Pilots break no cell phone use” in RCR, March 16, 1998: I wonder if the fears of reduced revenue for cellular …

MURRAY HILL, N.J.-Lucent Technologies Inc. introduced wireless intelligent network software applications designed to lower costs and increase revenues for network service providers, as well as provide a solution for meeting …

FORT LEE, N.J.-Beginning this month, MobileMedia Corp., dba MobileComm, no longer is charging a 50-cent fee to deliver an e-mail message to a subscriber’s pager. E-mail messages will count against …

April 7-8 IGI Consulting. Holiday Inn, Washington, D.C. (800) 323-1088 or (617) 232-3111. Asian Consumer Electronics Show April 9-11 Kenfair International Ltd. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong. …

The March 16 article on Justice Department probes involving lobbyist Peter Knight should have stated that $230,000 was contributed by Portals Developer Franklin Haney to the Democratic Party and $300,000 …