December 2004

LONDON-Vodafone Group plc expanded its partner network program to include SmarTone as its exclusive partner in Hong Kong. Under the agreement, SmarTone will re-brand its business to SmarTone-Vodafone, enabling the …

Qualcomm Inc. made a strategic investment in wireless application company Digital Orchid. The companies did not disclose the amount of the investment. Digital Orchid sells applications working on Qualcomm’s BREW …

KINGSWOOD, United Kingdom-ROK Entertainment Group launched its ROK Player technology in the United Kingdom through a deal with Sony/BMG Music Publishing. The technology allows users to view video content including …

CARLSBAD, Calif.-Pulse-Link Inc. said it achieved ultra-wideband date rates of 667 megabits per second of throughput after forward correction. The company said that speed is the highest ever transmitted and …

DUBLIN, Calif.-New research has picked iAnywhere Solutions Inc. as the top player in the middleware market, besting 13 competitors. This is the company’s third straight year on top of that …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless today said the company’s corporate Web site has been improved to make it more accessible to customers with disabilities. The nation’s No. 2 mobile-phone carrier said new …

SEATTLE-Let the music play, says the deal between software music company Melodeo and Warner Music Group. Both companies came together to ink a global agreement that will allow consumers to …

MONTREAL-Canadian telecommunications provider BCE Inc. said it plans to begin technical trials of CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology on its wireless network with plans to launch commercial services in major Canadian …

LITTLETON, Colo.-Wireless carriers posted 54.8 days of inventory valued at $1.7 billion during the third quarter of this year, which was a week more than reported during the second quarter …

Third-generation wireless carrier Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. said it has nearly 6 million subscribers to its 3G services around the world. The 5.9 million subscriber figure is up 81 percent from …

The anticipated merger between Sprint PCS and Nextel Communications Inc. offers an olive branch in one area and a turf battle in another. The turf battle arises from what the …

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Motorola Inc. said it has successfully completed trials for broadband public-safety solutions in the 4.9 GHz band. “The success of the trial, thanks in large measure to the involvement …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission left the few remaining independent wireless carriers twisting in the wind last week when it said that mobile-phone and long-distance carriers could not get access to …

PARIS-Alcatel Corp. said it has completed the acquisition of Spatial Wireless, which makes software-based switching solutions. Alcatel first announced the $250 million buy in September. Spatial Wireless’ flagship product known …

SAN DIEGO-Leap Wireless International Inc. added 9 Squared Inc.’s RealTone JukeBox music downloads to its BREW-based Cricket Clicks offering. The carrier said the application allows customers to download real music …

BELLEVUE, Wash.-Wireless Internet company InfoSpace Inc. continued its acquisition spree with the purchase of German wireless gaming company Elkware GmbH for $26 million in cash. Infospace said Elkware managed $1 …

WASHINGTON-Telecom manufacturers asked President Bush for more help-including freeing up additional spectrum-in revitalizing an industry sector that lags behind other segments of the recovering U.S. economy. “While some signs of …

BRUSSELS, Belgium-Following several similar reviews, the European Regulators Group-a body comprised of national telecom regulators in Europe-plan to survey mobile operators in Europe about their mobile roaming rates. The questionnaire …

Mobile users will get a little help battling the bulge with two new applications aimed at dieters. Wireless entertainment publisher Digital Chocolate said it plans to work with Atkins Nutritionals …

HAMPSHIRE, United Kingdom-The global market for multimedia messaging services will more than double next year, reaching $42.5 billion, according to a new report from Juniper Research. Messaging between mobile-phone users …

Investors trashed device maker PalmOne Inc. following lower-than-expected forecasts for the critical holiday shopping season, sending the company’s shares down almost 20 percent to around $34.18 per share. Three out …

VANCOUVER, British Columbia-Canadian telecommunications provider Telus Corp. updated its 2005 guidance, noting that it expects its wireless division-Telus Mobility-to post between $2.61 billion and $2.65 billion in revenues, an increase …

WASHINGTON-Cable TV channel Speed said it will offer an interactive promotion campaign using mobile phones that will allow viewers to guess at the value of various classic cars. The channel …

MOSCOW-I-mode mobile Internet service is coming to Russia and Eastern Europe under an agreement between Japanese i-mode creator NTT DoCoMo Inc. and Russia’s largest wireless carrier Mobile TeleSystems. The carriers …

BERWYN, Pa.-WestLink Communications, a personal communications services provider in western Kansas, has selected TruePosition Inc.’s Finder wireless location system to help it meet enhanced 911 Phase II requirements. TruePosition is …