2005

WASHINGTON-As industry spotlights the latest wireless data innovations this week in San Francisco, another show will unfold just blocks away, where the California Public Utilities Commission opens hearings on a …

KINGS PARK, N.Y.-Visant Strategies predicted a $3.4 billion annual market for fixed and portable broadband equipment by 2010. WiMAX will account for half of that amount or $1.7 billion. Report …

BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless announced a new service that allows customers to receive text message AMBER alerts that notify the public about missing and abducted children. Verizon customers have been able …

CHICAGO-U.S. Cellular Corp. said it plans to close its customer care center in Medford, Ore., as part of a realignment associated with the recent market swap with Alltel Corp. The …

PLAINFIELD, Ind.-Prepaid mobile virtual network operator XE Mobile L.L.C. has tapped Brightpoint Inc. to distribute its phones, the companies said Friday. XE, which targets college students and other young consumers, …

GERMANTOWN, Md.-Weather information provider WeatherBug said it is hurrying to repair weather stations damaged by Hurricane Katrina late last month to prepare for Hurricane Rita, which is expected to make …

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.-Motient Corp. and Mobile Satellite Ventures LP announced an agreement with SkyTerra Communications Inc. and TMI Communications & Co. to consolidate ownership of MSV and TerreStar Networks Inc. within …

NEW YORK-Juice Wireless Inc. this week launched a service that delivers personalized digital “birthday cards” to wireless users. MobileBday.com allows users to create birthday reminder lists of friends and family …

A Sprint Nextel Corp. spokesman confirmed that the carrier has received antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission for its pending $427 million acquisition of network affiliate IWO Holdings Inc. …

Cingular Wireless L.L.C. hopes to build on its relationship with Apple Computer Inc. with a full-track music download service to launch next year. An executive for the No. 1 U.S. …

SEATTLE-Wireless voice, data and Internet services soon will be available on the open seas, says newly formed SeaMobile, founded by a team of veteran communications industry leaders. The company plans …

The following information includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.

New announcements from Qualcomm Inc. and LG Electronics Co. Ltd. show the wireless industry is racing to embrace dual-mode devices. Indeed, new research shows the combination of wireless wide area …

DENVER-Interactive mobile media company U-Turn is partnering with a Wisconsin television station to deliver local video news to wireless users. WISC-TV of Madison will offer access to video content including …

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-Palm Inc. posted sluggish sales and a lower-than-expected outlook, which prompted investors to drop the company’s stock in droves. Palm’s share price tumbled more than 18 percent in trading …

Cingular Wireless L.L.C. next month is expected to launch a push-to-talk service that will compete against similar offerings from Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and a number of regional operators. …

WASHINGTON-Key Republican and Democratic senators officially unveiled legislation overhauling the nation’s half-century-old emergency warning system by tapping into wireless and other digital technologies to alert citizens to real-time emergency situations. …

LOS ANGELES-Pod2Mob announced a podcast streaming service that allows customers to listen to podcasts on their mobile handsets. The Pod2Mob application allows customers to browse and select new shows while …

WASHINGTON-Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced legislation late Thursday aimed at creating a backup communications system for first responders. The Communications Security Act of 2005 would require the Department of Homeland …

WASHINGTON-A revised, $250 million emergency alert system bill set to be introduced would give the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-not the Department of Homeland Security-the lead in modernizing the nation’s …

Sprint Nextel Corp. released preliminary third-quarter customer growth results below many analysts’ estimates, but noted that its integration efforts are ahead of schedule and raised the net present value of …

WASHINGTON-The Federal Aviation Administration is considering requiring commercial airplanes to put in place a mechanism using wireless or other technologies enabling flight attendants to discreetly notify the flight crew of …

BOSTON-Internet voice provider Net2Phone launched a trial of VeriSign Inc.’s cellular/Wi-Fi connection, the companies said Thursday. During the trial, Net2Phone will allow subscribers to receive and place calls over a …

KIRKLAND, Wash.-Nextel Partners Inc. said it will begin mailing definitive proxy material to all Class A stockholders related to a vote on exercising the “put right” that would require Sprint …

Alltel Corp. said it has begun a strategic review related to the possible spinoff of its wireline operations that serve around 3 million customers in 16 states. The company announced …