January 1999

WASHINGTON-A wireless industry appeal of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules on local number portability, which become effective on March 31, 2000, has been postponed until at least May. Portability refers …

WEST POINT, Ga.-In its continuing effort to shift the main focus of its operations from cellular to personal communications services, Powertel Inc. announced it signed an agreement to sell its …

WASHINGTON-New House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) is expected to impact process more than policy in the 106th Congress, but his past support for Ameritech Corp.’s long-distance entry and strong campaign …

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Motorola’s commercial, government and industrial solutions sector announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Security Agency to develop a Type 1 encryption certified digital portable …

BOSTON-Fidelity Investments announced its InstantBroker wireless stock alert and e-trading service will use BellSouth Wireless Data L.P.’s network for data transmission. As part of the agreement, Fidelity has exclusive use …

Despite massive consolidation among players in the tower industry, many small tower owners said they are not interested in selling their sites, according to a survey conducted by Fryer’s Information …

WASHINGTON-Rothschild Inc. this week will learn whether bulk bidders can top the $54 million fetched from bidders for Geotek Communications Inc.’s 900 MHz specialized mobile radio licenses in a bankruptcy …

NEW YORK-Millicom International Cellular S.A. announced it sold its interests in Bharti Cellular Ltd., Bite GSM UAB and Comliet UAB. The company sold its 13-percent interest in Bharti Cellular Ltd. …

LOS ALAMOS, N.M.-Manhattan Scientifics Inc. said Robert G. Hockaday, a chief fuel-cell scientist with the company, successfully made a cellular phone call using a phone powered by an alcohol-fueled pre-prototype …

NEW YORK-Cellcom Israel Ltd., which has about 1 million customers, reportedly is planning to go public with a stock sale in the United States. Shares of many Israel-based companies closed …

STOCKHOLM-Ericsson announced through its Italian subsidiary, Ericsson Spa, it reached an agreement with Sieti/Itel to sell 80 percent of Sielte Spa’s outstanding shares. Sielte constructs telecommunications networks throughout Italy. The …

ATLANTA-Cellemetry L.L.C. said it extended its wireless data capabilities to rural areas in Louisiana, Texas and Virginia. Cellemetry signed agreements with three cellular carriers, including MobileTel Inc., a wireline carrier …

GREENSBORO, N.C.-RF Micro Devices Inc. announced it filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed public offering of 1.75 million shares of common stock …

WASHINGTON-Wireless policies initiated by William Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, during his first year finally will be put in place by the end of the century, predicts the …

Happy New Year from the Nation’s Capital. Only 361 days until the new millennium, at which time we will get to see if the millennium bug-also known as Y2K-really is …

LAKE CHARLES, La.-US Unwired, a wireless communications provider in Louisiana and east Texas, announced it is expanding coverage to include all of Southwest Louisiana and will begin offering Sprint Spectrum …

Convergys Corp. announced it established a revolving credit facility for $600 million. The funds are to be used for general corporate purposes, financing acquisitions and to repay inter-company debt to …

BETHESDA, Md.-Comsat Corp. announced it reached an agreement with ICO Global Communications Ltd., settling a standing dispute between the companies. Comsat originally was contracted to build and operate ICO’s satellite …

WASHINGTON-As Congress returns this week to begin the 106th Congress, members of the House Commerce Committee were given a preview of coming attractions in December by their chairman, Rep. Thomas …

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-General Magic Inc. announced customers will be able to subscribe to the Portico virtual assistant service from an e-commerce page on its Web site beginning Jan. 5. The service …

of the Associated Press WASHINGTON(AP)-United States technology deals with China, including some with military significance, harmed national security, a House committee concluded unanimously. “These transfers are not limited to missile …

Unified messaging is becoming a buzzword in the wireless industry, as the prospect of managing several communications options from one chosen device becomes more popular. Unified messaging allows users to …

SAN FRANCISCO-CellStar Corp. reported it selected Circle International to provide a worldwide logistics network for CellStar’s Global Satellite Services group, which distributes global personal communications products. Under the contract, CellStar …

Canada Cell-Loc Inc. announced it expects to receive funding from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program to assist in continued research and development of a Code …

Following a declaratory ruling issued by the Federal Communications Commission, California Gov. Pete Wilson issued an executive order directing the state’s Department of General Services and the California Highway Patrol …