May 2001

NEW DELHI, India-The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing a rapid growth of short message service (SMS), which is not only beginning to contribute significantly to operators’ revenues, but is also setting …

I have become confused and disturbed recently. And I do not like it. Confused I have grown used to over the years, but disturbed is a new phenomenon. I think …

TORONTO-It is clear that Canada’s dominant trunked radio network is going to get much more dominant. Last year’s C$6.6 billion (US$4.3 billion) blockbuster deal by Telus to acquire Clearnet Communications …

HONG KONG-Trunked radio has been the Cinderella of Hong Kong’s wireless communications in recent years, compared with the fast-growing mobile-phone technologies, but things may soon change. China’s industrialization is opening …

Mobile devices Alcatel Alcatel launched the One Touch 502 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) phone with Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access. The phone offers GPRS monoslot technology, which is ideal …

As they launch their enhanced data networks, carriers are also planning for the third generation (3G). Carriers that choose cdma2000 have direct paths to 3G because there are no interim …

SAO PAULO, Brazil-Vesper, Brazil’s largest wireless local loop (WLL) operator, has changed its business strategy with an objective to reduce costs and to win profitability. Vesper is a “mirror” fixed …

SINGAPORE-The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore said the number of prepaid card subscribers in Singapore has doubled in the 12 months ending January 2001 from 306,600 to 741,200 users. The …

In Beijing, it is uncivilized for a lady to talk on a mobile phone while walking, according to a report on the Beijing Evening News. It seems cultural rules of …

Australia Australia’s third-generation (3G) spectrum auction fell well short of the federal government’s budget forecasts of A$2.6 billion (US$1.3 billion). Six bidders paid a total of almost A$1.17 billion (US$577 …

BANGKOK, Thailand-After years of war and political instability, Cambodia and its 12 million people have entered a period of relative calm. With its economy starting to grow once more, demand …

EMMA’s 2001 Congress 16-18 May Rome European Mobile Messaging Association Tel: (+44) (0) 20 7747 5417 [email protected] WAP Congress 17-18 May Rome IBC Global Conferences Tel: (+44) 1932 893 855 …

TORONTO-The Canadian government may give a new meaning to the sounds of silence for wireless devices. Ottawa is considering changing its laws to allow restaurants, theaters, hospitals and churches to …

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina-With a growth rate above 50 percent during 2001 and a 20-percent penetration, cellular telephony has proven itself as the main communications vehicle in Paraguay. Four operators compete …

TOKYO-Vodafone Group, the largest mobile carrier in the world, announced in May it will acquire British Telecommunications’ (BT) entire stake in Japan Telecom Group (JT) for 652.3 billion yen (US$5.4 …

BUCHAREST, Romania-Streaming video is a technology that is often mentioned in conjunction with third-generation (3G) networks, but users may see its possibilities sooner than 3G network rollouts. Streaming media is …

DUBLIN, Ireland-During the next few weeks, third-generation (3G) mobile communications will take its first shaky steps in Europe, as the Isle of Man, population 75,000, prepares to become the unlikely …

BEIJING-Once again there seems to be a significant delay in China Unicom’s rollout of its CDMA network. The much-plagued endeavor was on track just a couple of weeks ago, when …

DENVER, United States-With its feet in the New York Stock Exchange and an eye toward the future, Siemens has advanced a package of products and strategies to make it a …

DENVER, United States-Cooperation and services are two focus areas for the GSM Association during the upcoming year, according to Scott Fox, who assumed the association’s chairmanship 1 May. Cooperation will …

NEW DELHI, India-The Indian wireless market, so far a preserve of GSM, has been opened to the competing CDMA technology in a big way. CDMA growth is expected to pick …

GENEVA-How the mighty have fallen. British Telecommunications (BT), once ranked among the world’s most powerful carriers, is finding itself buckling under a crippling mountain of debt in a climate where …

TOKYO-Korea Telecom Freetel, South Korea’s second-largest mobile carrier, launched 1XRTT technology in May, targeting to win 1 million 1X subscribers during the first year. To facilitate more advanced data services, …

OXFORD, United Kingdom-The announcement by NTT DoCoMo of a five-month delay to its wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) launch must have been music to the ears of Irwin Jacobs, the chairman and chief …

MOSCOW-CDMA carriers continue to operate in Russia, working to recoup costs and hoping for a possible replacement of Communications Minister Leonid Reiman, who warned last year that the U.S.-developed IS-95 …