Wireless operator MetroPCS Inc. said it has begun taking delivery of Nokia Corp.’s 2270 handset and will be the first carrier to offer the cdma2000 1x phone to customers signing up for the carrier’s unlimited local calling rate plan. Retail price for the 2270 was not released though MetroPCS said it will offer a free month of service and free activation with the purchase of the handset. The 2270 handset joins the 3585 as the second Nokia handset being offered by MetroPCS and brings the carrier’s total handset selection to seven, including Sony Ericsson’s T206 and T61c, Kyocera Corp.’s 1155 and S14, and Audiovox Corp.’s 8500.
Enterprise software company iPass Inc. looks to file an initial public offering and said it expects to file 7 million shares for between $9 and $11 per share, according to the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company did not say when the IPO would take place. The move is notable as the IPO scene has been largely stagnant due to the sluggish economy. Other wireless companies with IPO plans include Palm Inc.’s operating system spinoff and InPhonic.
Synchronization company Pumatech Inc. solidified its role as one of the industry’s consolidators with the announcement it would acquire the assets of Loudfire Inc., which offers Internet and wireless access to Microsoft Outlook. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The company’s stock was up about 9 percent to $3.66 per share following the news. Pumatech recently acquired rival synchronization company Starfish Software from Motorola Inc.
Paging and messaging carrier Metrocall Holdings Inc. retired its remaining $11.5 million outstanding aggregate principal, marking its final retirement of all debt balances issued in connection with the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In other paging news, Arch Wireless Inc. announced it completed the optional redemption of its $30 million principal amount, and it has redeemed a total of $170 million in principal to date.
