January 1999

BOULDER, Colo.-SignalSoft Corp. introduced the local.info Content Alliance, its content provider program designed to enable delivery of geo-coded information and Internet content to wireless subscribers. Local.info brings subscribers personalized, localized …

The union of AirTouch Communications Inc. and Vodafone plc could be a pinnacle event in the third-generation technology debate, industry experts say. The new company’s economic decisions could weigh heavily …

DUBLIN, Ohio-SmarTalk TeleServices Inc. announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of its assets to AT&T Corp. for up to $192.5 million in cash, subject to …

Research In Motion Ltd. introduced a wireless e-mail solution, called BlackBerry, designed to allow Microsoft Exchange users mobile access to their desktop e-mail. BlackBerry is an end-to-end solution that combines …

OSLO, Norway-The Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communications Odd Einar Dorum and the Swedish Minister of Industry Bjorn Rosengren have signed a letter of intent to merge Norway’s Telenor and …

WASHINGTON-The Clinton administration, invoking powerful references to the World Trade Organization, competition and convergence, last week said the European Commission’s response to U.S. concerns about potential trade barriers to third-generation …

Chief Executive Officer: Chris Gent Chairman: Sam Ginn Deal value: $97 per share Combined current market capitalization: $100 billion Equity split: about 50-50 Terms: AirTouch shareholders receive firve new ordinary …

WirelessKnowledge L.L.C., a joint venture between Microsoft Corp. and Qualcomm Inc., introduced Revolv, its first service offering since forming in November. The service will allow users remote access to e-mail, …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission again this year is hoping Congress will pass legislation so it does not have to fight to get back wireless licenses from bankrupt companies. Legislation to …

On Monday, it’s Vodafone-AirTouch. Wednesday, it’s SBC-Comcast. Friday must mean BellSouth. (Actually, it’s Thursday as I write this so if anything has happened to BellSouth, I should be on Wall …

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Strategis Group projected the number of people who use cellular service will increase from 285 million today, to 700 million by 2003, leaving the world’s mobile satellite service …

In a rapidly consolidating wireless industry, the list of available cellular carriers last week got shorter by two. After entertaining bids from at least two suitors, including Bell Atlantic Corp., …

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.-Microwave Power Devices Inc. announced that it mutually agreed with Amplidyne Inc. not to proceed with Microwave Power’s proposed acquisition of Amplidyne.

Companies already are feeling the pinch from Brazil’s falling currency, which, at RCR press time, had lost about 20 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar since Brazil’s central …

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J.-Berliner Communications Inc. and Tectonic Engineering Consultants P.C. announced they have formed a strategic alliance to offer clients a complete design/build approach for telecommunications network implementation programs. The …

NEW YORK-Olivetti S.P.A. and Mannesmann AG announced they increased to $80 per share the cash tender offer made by Kensington Acquisition Sub Inc. for all the outstanding shares of common …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission is not likely to authorize the scanning/jamming devices that recently were approved in Japan. “We would not authorize knowingly any transmitter that interfered with another service,” …

The Australian Communications Authority has decided to require pre-selection for calls originating on a fixed network and terminating on a mobile network. The ACA, which is responsible for regulating telecommunications …

NEW YORK-L.M. Ericsson announced several endeavors that will provide handsets with increasing degrees of global utility. The Swedish-based manufacturer said it is forming a “groundbreaking initiative” with four companies to …

BELLEVUE, Wash.-VoiceStream Wireless announced it is seeking collocation candidates on its personal communications services sites in the Denver trading area; Salt Lake City market (including Boise, Idaho); El Paso, Texas-Albuquerque, …

WASHINGTON-The wireless industry, increasingly beset with new local, state and federal taxes, is hoping to capitalize on the GOP-led Congress’ plans to parlay unexpectedly massive federal surpluses into a big …

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.-Incumbent cellular carriers are providing formidable competition to personal communications services carriers, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ Personal Communications Services Report, which is an offshoot of the …

DULLES, Va.-Orbcomm North Caribbean Ltd., which was formed by Systems Solutions Ltd. and Voice Technologies Ltd., plans to offer satellite communications services to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Cayman …

Sprint Corp.’s PCS Group added about 830,000 subscribers during the fourth quarter, positioning itself to top the industry in customers additions for the second consecutive quarter. Though most carriers are …

MELVILLE, N.Y.-Northeast Digital Networks Inc. announced it signed a letter of intent with All Points Telecom Inc., which plans to purchase 80 percent of Northeast Digital’s common stock, on a …