March 1999

CdmaOne vendors in China anxiously are awaiting official government word on whether China Unicom is allowed to deploy Interim Standard-95 technology. “It appears China Unicom has been told that they …

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Wireless Data Forum announced six new members joined the organization. Aether Technologies International L.L.C., Global Wireless Data L.L.C., ICE Wireless Group L.L.C., TeleCommunications Systems Inc., NotiCom L.L.C. and …

Although Qualcomm Inc. and L.M. Ericsson announced resolutions to Code Division Multiple Access disputes and the standoff over third-generation intellectual property rights, the companies didn’t resolve key technical differences 3G …

ATLANTA-Preferred Networks Inc. said The Nasdaq Stock Market notified the company that effective with the close of business on March 22, the company’s common stock was delisted as a consequence …

Canada’s telecom market saw major changes last week, as its four smallest telecom companies agreed to merge into one company and Bell Canada formed a strategic partnership with U.S.-based Ameritech …

NEW YORK-World Access Inc. announced March 22 it completed the sale of its manufacturing operations in Alpharetta, Ga., to U.S. Assemblies in Georgia Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The …

CUPERTINO, Calif.-DSP Communications Inc. announced the D5361, a single-chip radio-frequency solution for the Personal Digital Cellular standard, which will be manufactured by IBM for DSPC using IBM’s Silicon Germanium technology. …

Reuters reported that Italy’s Ministry of Communications approved the auction process for a fourth cellular license there, scheduled to get underway in June or July. Next, the details of the …

WASHINGTON-Despite China’s making new promises to open its telecom market to competition and foreign investment, the Clinton administration is avoiding making any commitments to endorse Chinese entry into the World …

AO PAULO, Brazil-Samsung in mid-March opened its first manufacturing operations for cellular handsets outside of South Korea. The company began manufacturing a Code Division Multiple Access handset for the Brazil …

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a hamburger and French fries? Probably McDonalds. Think of a pair of tennis shoes, and you probably …

ARLINGTON, Va.-The Electronic Messaging Association announced the formation of the Wireless Messaging Group, designed to help bring wireless messaging mainstream. According to EMA, the WMG’s specific charter is “to promote …

Silicon Wave Inc. announced it is developing a Radio Modem Control integrated circuit for Bluetooth applications, using an advanced silicon-on-insulator technology known as BiCMOS. Silicon Wave hopes to combine Bluetooth …

PEORIA, Ill.-Rohn Industries Inc. said its previously announced merger with PiRod Holdings Inc., which was expected to close in the first quarter, has been postponed because of current adverse industry …

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala-Telefonica Centroamerica, a member of Telefonica Group, said it acquired the 15-megahertz band B license for personal communications services in Guatemala for $33 million. The company recently acquired …

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. announced Qualcomm Personal Electronics, a joint venture between subsidiaries of Qualcomm Inc. and Sony Electronics Inc., shipped its 10 millionth Code Division Multiple Access handset. Initial shipments …

WASHINGTON-Sixty-six bidders are competing for the 356 personal communications services licenses being re-auctioned by the Federal Communications Commission. Bidders include Omnipoint Corp., Cook Inlet/VoiceStream PCS L.L.C., Leap Wireless International Inc., …

WASHINGTON-The introduction of a wireless E911 bill in the Senate has been complicated by controversy over the ComCare Alliance’s push for federal funding and public-safety provisions stripped out of the …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission late Friday adopted proposed rules to implement the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The long-awaited notice of proposed rule making does not “even render tentative conclusions” …

Cellular towers ruining America To the Editor: I have two comments regarding your antenna-siting article. (Antenna siting is hot topic for NACo Crowd, March 8.) First, it is my understanding …

Omnipoint Corp. said last week it has received proposals from potential strategic equity investors and will be evaluating them shortly. The company in January began a second round of serious …

To create some excitement before his swing through New Hampshire last week, Al Gore declared he invented the Internet. It worked. A dumbfounded James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the House …

WASHINGTON-U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan last week rejected the Justice Department’s motion to deny Nextel Communications Inc.’s lawsuit to vacate a 1995 antitrust consent decree, opening the way for …

NORTHBROOK, Ill.-Motorola Inc. introduced a new global positioning system technology designed to enhance traditional GPS for telematics systems. Called Wireless-Assisted GPS, the system includes a GPS mobile receiver and server, …

FORT WORTH, Texas-The Sabre Group announced it is working with IBM Corp. and Nokia Corp. to create a real-time, interactive flight schedule service for Wireless Application Protocol phones. With it, …