The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association in July released a consensus white paper on wireless number portability stressing the wireless industry should be treated differently than the wireline industry. Current requirements state wireless carriers must implement portability by next summer, but the industry says it isn’t technically possible to implement it that quickly.
Oki Telecom Inc. announced in August it has ceased manufacturing, sales and marketing all mobile phones in the United States.
Internet networking company Cisco Systems Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Summa Four Inc., a provider of programmable switches.
Solectron Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. formed a manufacturing partnership to compete in the North American wireless market. Under the agreement, Mitsubishi will transfer to Solectron the wireless telephone manufacturing assets of Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics America Inc.’s Cellular Mobile Telephone division. In addition, Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. will establish a new U.S. design center.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced an agreement between representatives of local governments and the wireless industry that should help speed up the process of siting wireless facilities, which has been a major issue in the States for about two years. Carriers building out wireless networks have been encountering many local governments that have placed moratoria on cell sites.
Nextel Communications Inc., along with other equity investors, announced an agreement with Nextel Partners Inc. to build and operate an integrated digital wireless communications network using frequencies licensed to Nextel. Nextel said the program would allow Nextel to focus its domestic effort on larger markets and to accelerate, through Nextel Partners, buildout of mid- and small-sized markets. Nextel Partners will be financed and operated separately from Nextel, according to Nextel. Nextel Partners plans to provide service in markets encompassing a population of about 39 million people.
