The Week in Review

Welcome to our Friday feature, Week in Review. Every Friday, RCR Wireless News runs through the major events of the past week, outlining what happened and speculating on what to look for in the coming weeks, months and years. Check below for news about carriers, handset makers, content companies, infrastructure vendors and more.
Carriers
–Virgin Mobile USA scored $412 million in its initial public offering, cash that will go toward strengthening the company’s financial position in the hotly contested wireless market. The new funds could also cause Virgin Mobile USA’s competitors to pause and rethink their strategies.
–This week saw not one but two CEOs leave their posts at nationwide wireless carriers: AT&T Mobility’s Stan Sigman and Sprint Nextel’s Gary Forsee. It remains to be seen whether their replacements will enact significant changes.
Handsets
–Kyocera is in negotiations to buy Sanyo’s cellphone business, a move that would significantly boost Kyocera’s position in the worldwide wireless handset market. However, following the flameouts of companies like BenQ, the Kyocera-Sanyo deal-if completed-is not guaranteed to improve Kyocera’s overall business situation.
Content
–Nokia announced its first carrier partner for its Ovi line of services; Telefonica said it will allow Nokia handset owners to access services from both Nokia and Telefonica. The deal is notable as it adds further weight to Nokia’s direct-to-consumer strategy, although the Finish handset maker’s efforts are still in a very early stage.
Infrastructure
–AT&T Mobility announced it acquired the 700 MHz spectrum of Aloha Partners, which was attempting to make a go in the mobile TV space with its Hiwire effort. Now all eyes are on AT&T Mobility, which has not yet said what it plans to do with the spectrum it paid a whopping $2.5 billion for.
Other
–A new anti-terrorist wiretap bill does not include liability protection for telecom carriers that cooperate with government spying programs. The bill appears headed for a veto from President Bush, although the issue could stretch on for years.
COMING IN MONDAY’S ISSUE OF RCR WIRELESS NEWS
–Is the .mobi domain gaining traction as a way to access mobile Websites? Colin Gibbs reports.
–MySpace is launching advertising-subsidized mobile access to its MySpace.com site, offering brands a new avenue to use mobile as an advertising channel. Is it an effective ad spend? Kelly Hill takes a look.
–Managing Editor Dan Meyer previews this fall’s CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment Show.