The Week in Review

Welcome to our Friday feature, Week in Review. Every Friday, RCR Wireless News will run through the major events of the past week, outlining what happened and speculating on what to look for in the coming weeks. Check below for news about carriers, handset makers, content companies, infrastructure vendors and more.
Carriers
–Baring a change in its downward spiral, Amp’d may well shut off its service on Tuesday. The news serves to chill the once white-hot market for MVNOs, and could portend troubles at rival MVNO Helio, which reported an $83.8 million loss in its most recent quarter.
Handsets
–Apple reported selling 270,000 iPhones during the first few hours of the gadget’s availability, and said it will release a European version in the coming months. And in a potentially worrisome turn of events for enterprise players like Palm and RIM, Apple said it is testing corporate access to e-mail via the iPhone.
Content
–Sprint Nextel announced Google will provide a portal for its forthcoming WiMAX service. The news serves to further solidify Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX plans, and provides additional evidence on Google’s growing interest in all things wireless.
–Nokia acquired social-networking firm Twango in a deal reportedly worth $100 million. All eyes are now on Nokia, which could make a major move into the market for consumer services thanks to its previous acquisitions of music company Loudeye and location-services firm gate5.
Infrastructure
–Crown Castle shut down its Modeo mobile TV business, leaving the market down to Qualcomm’s MediaFLO and Aloha Partners’ Hiwire. However, it’s unclear how local TV broadcasters will play into the market, following the introduction of standards that would allow local stations to broadcast to mobile devices.
Other
–Verizon Wireless eased its stance on open-access stipulations for the upcoming 700 MHz auction, while a majority of the FCC’s members indicated they would be willing to approve such rules. The FCC is scheduled to vote on rules for the 700 MHz auction in the coming weeks, and it appears at least some open-access rules may well be adopted.
COMING IN MONDAY’S ISSUE OF RCR WIRELESS NEWS
–The nascent mobile TV space is struggling to find its footing as one player exits, another is set to begin a network trial, and the dominate player is set to add another carrier partner.
–Also, the once-promising MVNO space struggles as a remaining player looks for financing options.