Leap Wireless International Inc. reported plans to swap 10 megahertz of 1.9 GHz spectrum covering Grand Rapids, Mich., for 10 megahertz in Rochester, N.Y. currently held by Cingular Wireless L.L.C. The move plays into Leap’s market-cluster strategy, adding to its upstate New York holdings in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls and Syracuse markets. Each of the licenses covers about 1.1 million potential customers.
Wi-Fi gambling technology manufacturer Diamond I Inc. said it will acquire Touchdev Ltd., a U.K.-based developer of mobile applications. Financial details were not disclosed. Diamond I is working to provide wireless gambling systems for casinos and cruise ships. The company said it hopes to integrate Touchdev’s gaming properties-which are used only for entertainment purposes-with WifiCasino, a wireless handheld gaming system. Shares of Diamond I, which have traded for as little as two cents each in the last year, held firm at a nickel following the news.
Mobile gaming continued the move toward consolidation with news that Hands-On Mobile snapped up wireless applications developer Thumbspeed Inc. Financial details were not disclosed. Thumbspeed’s 30 employees develop mobile instant messaging, e-mail and personalization applications. Hands-On, which until recently was known as Mforma, is looking to expand beyond its wireless game-making roots into a publisher of a variety of entertainment and messaging applications.
Dallas-based fixed-wireless broadband provider airBand Communications is stepping into Southeastern markets by acquiring WindChannel Communications’ fixed-wireless business. The deal includes all of WindChannel’s Wi-Fi monitoring contracts. The move gives airBand an immediate presence in North Carolina’s major markets, including Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham and Greensboro. Meanwhile, WindChannel said it plans to focus on growing its professional services business, which provides Wi-Fi services to municipalities, multi-dwelling units and hospitality locations.
