October 1999

Motorola Inc. released a new communications platform last week called Mobile Internet Exchange, or MIX, with the goal of giving users the ability to access Internet information by either voice …

Agilent Agilent Technologies debuted the SQL server 7.0 database scanner and HP SFCommand. HP SFCommand will help network operators integrate all security applications, such as monitoring and the implementation of …

Qualcomm Inc. said it tried to purchase Interim Standard-661 handsets from Omnipoint Corp.’s stores in New York, but was told the carrier only offered Global System for Mobile communications service …

The popularity of wireless may be contributing to an industrywide shortage of some components used in mobile devices, although device manufacturers may not be feeling the effects just yet. After …

NEW YORK-Exide Corp., a Reading, Pa., battery maker well-known as an automotive industry supplier, announced a tentative acquisition agreement that offers it an entree into the wireless electronic device marketplace. …

PARIS-France Telecom said it reached an agreement to buy Vodafone AirTouch plc’s 17.24-percent interest in E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH, Germany’s third-largest mobile carrier, for $1.86 billion. Vodafone was required to sell …

American Mobile Satellite Corp. began offering its eLink wireless e-mail service commercially last week, featuring two-way wireless extension of desktop Internet e-mail to handheld devices and personal information management functions. …

COLUMBUS, Ohio-Divine Tower International Corp. said it selected Lucent Technologies Inc. to provide approximately $100 million of wireless infrastructure equipment in the first year of a three-year contract. Under terms …

NEW YORK-Deutsche Telekom AG launched T-Venture of America Inc., a new, U.S.-based subsidiary that will manage a $100 million venture capital fund focused on investing in the U.S. communications and …

BASINGSTOKE, U.K.-Telesystem International Wireless, through its subsidiary Dolphin Telecom plc, announced Motorola Inc. has arranged financing commitments for credit facilities totaling $342 million for Dolphin’s German subsidiary. Motorola arranged a …

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Sprint PCS announced its business customers now can select a new Nationwide Team Option for team-based calling from any Sprint PCS phone to another Sprint PCS phone. The …

Lucent Technologies Inc. will be noticeably absent when the Personal Communications Industry Association kicks off its 2000 showcase next September in Chicago. The infrastructure vendor has told PCIA it plans …

WASHINGTON-Twenty-three organizations representing a broad cross section of American industry blasted an American Mobile Telecommunications Association proposal to auction a big chunk of the 450-470 MHz band and reserve only …

WASHINGTON-Six House members last week sent a letter to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging consideration of a bill recently passed by the House …

WASHINGTON-Federal Communications Commission Chairman William Kennard last week told the House of Representatives’ top telecommunications lawmaker, Rep. Thomas Bliley (R-Va.), that a letter signed by the FCC general counsel does …

When voice paging carrier Conxus Communications Inc. shut off its network in the closing days of August, many wondered what would happen to the nearly 80,000 customers stranded in the …

WASHINGTON-President Clinton last week vetoed an appropriations bill that fosters antenna siting in Rock Creek Park and on other federal property in the nation’s capital, and threatened to veto a …

SAN DIEGO-Sprint PCS said it selected Qualcomm CDMA Technologies to provide infrastructure for trials of third-generation wireless technology based on the 3G Code Division Multiple Access 1x multicarrier mode of …

WASHINGTON-In a victory for the wireless industry and a blow to free-speech advocates, a federal court here has revived a high-profile cell-phone eavesdropping lawsuit by Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) against …

ST. LOUIS-Sun Microsystems Inc. and Amdocs announced a global alliance reseller agreement under which Amdocs will resell and support the Sun platform. Under terms of the agreement, Amdocs’ Ensemble customer-care …

AirTouch Cellular plans to unveil a new version of its calling party pays service later this month. AirTouch will launch the new service first in Colorado, followed by rollouts in …

PHOENIX-AG Communication Systems and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. announced the general availability of the Roameo Time Division Multiple Access 850 MHz to 1900 MHz-based digital wireless office phone system. The …

WASHINGTON-The Association of American Railroads again urged federal regulators to lift the licensing freeze on private multiple address system applications and not auction fixed wireless frequencies internally used by railroads, …

SAN JOSE, Calif.-APiON Ltd., a Wireless Application Protocol infrastructure provider, and Symmetry Communications Inc., which provides General Packet Radio System equipment, announced that have cooperated to demonstrate WAP-GPRS interworking. The …

NEW ORLEANS-The bankruptcies of certain C-block and mobile satellite companies, coupled with mutual fund outflows, rising interest rates and other macro-economic trends, have aligned like planets in a bad omen …