January 2006

WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission set a May 10 date for the auction of 800 MHz air-to-ground licenses. The FCC is auctioning the four megahertz of spectrum in the 800 MHz …

HOLTSVILLE, N.Y.-Symbol Technologies Inc. unveiled a rugged wireless gadget the company said will give businesses all the wireless capabilities they need. Symbol’s new MC70, which it has dubbed an “Enterprise …

SAN ANTONIO-Nighthawk Systems Inc.’s telemetry devices will be able to access Verizon Wireless’ network, according to an agreement between the two companies. Nighthawk provides wireless power control and emergency notification …

WATERLOO, Ontario-Google Inc. continues to make waves in wireless, announcing an agreement to bring its instant messaging, mapping and search services to Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry devices. Financial terms …

LOS GATOS, Calif.-Wireless mesh networking company Firetide Inc. and EDX Wireless announced a strategic partnership to target the growing market for municipal Wi-Fi products. Under the partnership, EDX will include …

SAN DIEGO-Sky MobileMedia Inc., which provides wireless software platforms, named Naser Partovi as its new president and chief executive officer. Previously, Partovi was managing director at Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, …

GOLDEN, Colo.-T-Mobile USA Inc. users are now able to make their own designs for their phones’ casings under a new deal between the carrier and SkinIt Inc. T-Mobile USA customers …

LOS ANGELES-Xingtone Inc., an Internet storefront for third-party content providers, launched an automated e-commerce offering that it says allows independent content owners to market and sell real-music ringtones from their …

BELLEVUE, Wash.-Kristin Rinne, chief technology officer for Cingular Wireless L.L.C., will serve a second term as chairperson of 3G Americas after being re-elected by the GSM technology organization’s board of …

MIAMI-Strax Holdings Inc., which sells mobile phones, phone accessories and data services, announced it acquired European accessory makers more…Mobilfunkzubehor GmbH and more…International Ltd. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. …

TAMPA, Fla.-Syniverse Technologies Inc., which provides technology and clearing services to wireless companies, said it has renewed its contract with regional wireless operator SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc. Syniverse said the …

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Google Inc. is working to patent a wireless marketing method that would allow users to dial an advertiser’s phone number with a single click, according to a U.S. Patent …

MADRID, Spain-Wireless operator Telefonica SA received conditional approval of its $31 billion takeover of U.K. operator O2 plc from the European Commission. However, Telefonica had to agree that one of …

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.-The blazing-hot mobile phone market is finally due for a cool-down, according to research from iSuppli Corp. The firm said slowing growth and falling prices will lead to …

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.-Digital security and mobile content provider VeriSign Inc. said it plans to spend $30 million in cash to acquire software developer CallVision Inc. Seattle-based CallVision provides Web-based billing …

ST. LOUIS-Mobile Satellite Ventures L.P. announced it bought three new satellites from Boeing Co. to launch its satellite-cellular hybrid network, which the carrier said would cover North and South America …

MILPITAS, Calif.-Adamind Ltd. announced a three-year deal to provide mobile content production and delivery software to Universal Music Group subsidiary Universal Music Mobile U.S. The California-based developer, which also maintains …

WASHINGTON-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as early as today is expected to appoint former Federal Communications Commission member Rachelle Chong to replace Susan Kennedy on the California Public Utilities Commission. Chong, …

TORONTO-Nortel Networks Ltd. named former General Electric Co. executive Don McKenna as its new vice president of Global Manufacturing Services. Nortel said McKenna will play a “pivotal” role in transforming …

RESTON, Va.-Service on Sprint Nextel Corp.’s network was interrupted for about three and a half hours beginning Monday afternoon, when cuts in two of the carrier’s fiber lines in the …

NEW YORK-Sprint Nextel Corp. launched a location-based feature that allows users to access nearby movie theaters and listings by pressing a single button. The carrier added location capability to its …

TAMPA, Fla.-Syniverse Technologies Inc., which provides wireless clearing and settlement services to cellular carriers, tapped Tony Holcombe to lead the company. Holcombe, who has served on the Syniverse board of …

LOS ANGELES-Mobile content provider UrbanWorld Wireless launched its first mobile game and added the voices of National Football League running backs Warrick Dunn and Deuce McAllister to ringtone offerings. UrbanWorld …

WALL, N.J.-Regional carrier Centennial Communications Corp. lowered its stock price substantially in recent weeks as part of a process to evaluate “strategic alternatives” for its operations. On Dec. 21, Centennial …

GLEN BURNIE, Md.-American Financial Holdings Inc. finalized its merger with Pelican Mobile Computers Inc., which provides rugged mobile hardware and software for law enforcement agencies and emergency workers. The combined …