2003

WASHINGTON-Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in Iraq, signed an order creating a new Iraqi government agency to oversee licensing of commercial wireless and wireline telecom systems in that country. The …

WASHINGTON-Legislation moving forward in the Massachusetts legislature would require drivers to have hands-free wireless devices, while banning novice drivers from having any wireless conversations while behind the wheel. The bill, …

Centennial Communications Corp. priced $500 million of 10.13-percent senior unsecured notes due 2013 to be issued in a private placement. The telecom provider said the senior notes will be co-issued …

Shareholders seemed to cheer Sierra Wireless Inc.’s $20 million all-stock acquisition of rival modem maker AirPrime Inc., sending the company’s stock up almost 9 percent after the news to about …

ATLANTA-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. launched Samsung Telecommunications America’s SGH-s307 Java-based handset on its network. Cingular said the handset, which is compatible with Cingular’s GSM/GPRS network using both the 850 MHz and …

LAKE CHARLES, La.-Sprint PCS affiliate US Unwired Inc. extended the expiration date of its existing offer to exchange 13.38-percent senior subordinated discount notes due Nov. 1, 2009, for $187.50 in …

MOSCOW-Russian mobile operator Mobile TeleSystems said it increased its ownership in Ukrainian Mobile Communications to 83.7 percent by acquiring an additional 26-percent stake in the Ukrainian operator. MTS paid Ukrtelecom …

KIRKLAND, Wash.-Nextel Partners Inc. entered into an agreement to sell $450 million of 8.125-percent senior notes due July 1, 2011, in a private placement. The carrier said it intends to …

Interest in the wireless enterprise market continues as Siemens, Colligo Networks, Aligo, Salesnet and Orsus Solutions announced new deals and products in the arena. First, Siemens Business Services Inc. announced …

Nextel Communications Inc. has reportedly signed a deal to become the primary sponsor of NASCAR’s top racing series, which is currently known as the Winston Cup Series, with a deal …

WASHINGTON-A federal appeals court on Tuesday said that Sprint Corp. could not challenge rules by the Federal Communications Commission allowing for technology specific-overlays as a way to conserve numbers. A …

LAS VEGAS-The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association will play a role in Shorecliff Communications’ Tower Summit and Trade Show scheduled for October. CTIA’s sponsorship is notable because of the group’s …

MUNICH, Germany-Siemens AG said it plans to replace the analog radio systems for the Finnish Rail Administration with digital GSM infrastructure for voice and data, covering 5,000 kilometers. “Within the …

WASHINGTON-A coalition of consumer advocates and state regulators on Monday sent a letter to senators urging them to reject efforts by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association to delay the …

America Online Inc. said it will stop selling and supporting its Mobile Communicator, which is based on Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry device. According to AOL’s Internet site, the Mobile …

WASHINGTON-Lawmakers last week called for making firm the mandate that TV broadcasters give back spectrum in the 700 MHz band by the end of 2006. Reps. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and …

SAN FRANCISCO-It’s a numbers game. Three million developers. Three million downloads of the J2ME software development kit last year. Five hundred fifty million desktops running Java. Fifty-three wireless carriers deploying …

RESTON, Va.-Broadband service provider XO Communications Inc. continues to pursue its previously announced plans to acquire bankrupt telecommunications company Global Crossing. XO said it is prepared to launch an “any …

Sony Ericsson said that 25,000 of its mobile phones were stolen from the John F. Kennedy Airport Thursday night. “What the thieves did not know is that they were dummy …

PARIS-European company Musiwave has signed deals with Sony Music Europe and several independent record labels for its technology and services. The Sony agreement will make available to mobile phones Sony …

WASHINGTON-Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), co-chairs of the E911 Congressional Caucus, introduced a bill that will provide state grants to deploy wireless enhanced 911 service and …

SAN RAMON, Calif.-Sprint PCS affiliate UbiquiTel Inc. announced its Calif.-based subsidiary VIA Wireless L.L.C. sold 100 wireless communications towers to GoldenState Towers L.L.C. for $11.5 million. Ubiquitel, which plans to …

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint PCS said it will begin offering enhanced directory assistance services from Infonxx in a move that could save the carrier millions of dollars. Infonxx said that in …

The House of Representatives overwhelming passed spectrum relocation legislation, a major boost for industry efforts to secure military frequencies for third-generation wireless systems. “This is a big win for consumers …

The 2003 JavaOne Developer Conference witnessed a collision of giants as Sun Microsystems Inc. and IBM Corp. pushed their platforms, highlighting a division within a technology that seeks to avoid …