May 2005

LONDON-Content provider Volantis has teamed with Bango to develop mobile portals offering mobile content directly to consumers. The companies unveiled a portal for Channel 4, a U.K. TV broadcaster, featuring …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-A new multimedia messaging service interoperability agreement will allow Verizon Wireless and Leap Wireless International Inc. subscribers to exchange photos and video clips, the carriers said. The service is …

Verizon Wireless is bolstering its phone lineup with high-end devices from PalmOne Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Meanwhile, T-Mobile USA Inc. appears to be fleshing out its EDGE offerings …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless launched a new in-flight calling option for customers that allows for 10-cent per-minute calling when they sign up for the Airfone Service under the Verizon Wireless $10 …

Last week’s unexpected exit of PalmSource Inc.’s chief executive officer was counterbalanced by the company’s new deals with PalmOne Inc., valued around $187 million. However, PalmSource’s future is still unclear …

The Mobile Marketing Association and wireless carrier association CTIA released guidelines outlining policies for wireless carriers and content providers marketing to consumers. A committee including all five Tier 1 operators …

Verizon Wireless announced an agreement with Clear Channel Entertainment Properties to broadcast concert footage of Velvet Revolver, Avril Lavigne, the Moody Blues and other artists. The carrier added a channel …

Three test and measurement companies last week announced acquisition plans in separate deals. JDS Uniphase Corp. announced it purchased network testing and measurement company Acterna Inc. for $760 million in …

WASHINGTON-U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake stopped cold the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions’ legal efforts to shut down IFAST Ltd., the Maryland-based firm that assigns codes enabling foreigners to operate …

LONDON-Following what it termed extensive customer research and feedback, Vodafone Group plc launched its Vodafone Simply service, which the carrier said provides customers with basic voice and text messaging services …

KIRKLAND, Wash.-Nextel Partners Inc., via its wholly owned subsidiary Nextel Partners Operating Corp., said it expects to save $14 million in annual interest expenses due to a new $550 million …

WASHINGTON-The White House policy of banning Democratic donors from U.S. telecom delegations appears at odds with a new government report that stresses the importance of having industry experts on the …

TEL AVIV, Israel-Nortel Networks Ltd. said it completed a trial of High-Speed Downlink Packet Access technology with Israeli wireless carrier Partner Communications Company Ltd. over its live cellular network in …

CARSON CITY, Nev.-Visitors to Las Vegas and other Nevada casinos could gamble with wireless devices under legislation being proposed by Nevada lawmakers. A bill is being considered that will allow …

BOCA RATON, Fla.-SBA Communications Corp. extended its pending exchange offer for all $250 million of its outstanding series of 8.5-percent senior notes due 2012. The expiration date, originally scheduled for …

LONDON-Independent market analyst Datamonitor plc predicts radio frequency identification technology, including hardware, software and services, will be a $6 billion market by 2010, or three times that of today. The …

WASHINGTON-Wireless security needs to be incorporated into the federal government’s network security, recommended government auditors in a report to Congress released earlier this month. “The Government Accountability Office recommends that …

Logistical services provider CellStar Corp. said it has retained Raymond James & Associates Inc. to act as its investment banking adviser in assisting the company with the evaluation of its …

HOUSTON-Crown Castle International Corp. said it priced $1.9 billion of senior secured tower revenue notes, series 2005-1, which will be issued by its indirect subsidiaries in a private transaction. Net …

DURHAM, N.C.-Semiconductor company Cree Inc. said its Japanese distributor, Sumitomo Corp., has agreed to purchase $200 million of Cree’s light emitting diode products. The purchase, which is subject to end-customer …

LUXEMBOURG-T-Mobile selected Gemplus International S.A. to provide its GemXplore Generations operating system for T-Mobile’s future card and service deployments. The product complies with the most recent multimedia features and standards …

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Software developer and publisher Handmark said its Java-based Express News Maps and More application is now available on select Sprint PCS Vision handsets. The application is based on …

FREMONT, Calif.-Pegasus Wireless, which provides wireless products for computer networking and industrial data transmissions, changed its name to Homeskills Inc. The company also announced it completed its merger into Blue …

WASHINGTON-Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. (R) signed into law legislation prohibiting teens and other inexperienced drivers from talking on cell phones or using hands-free devices while driving. The bill, championed …