Bits and Bytes: MetroPCS offers Mexico calling; EHSI tests E911 app; and more

MetroPCS Communications Inc. launched its Mas Mexico unlimited voice and text messaging calling plan that allows its customers to call friends and family in Mexico for $5 per month. The plan includes unlimited calls to landlines and unlimited text messages to mobile phones.
Mobile marketing company Vibes Media announced its Retail CRM Alerts platform, which is the retail version of its text-driven mobile messaging platform. The Vibes platform allows retailers to build databases of mobile customers, use text message campaigns to increase mobile and Web traffic, and to drive m-commerce.
Emerging Healthcare Solutions Inc. said it has completed internal testing of its e-911 smartphone application. The application is designed to transmit a user’s medical information to first responders automatically when 911 is called. The company plans initially to offer e-911 for the Apple iPhone and then make it available on Android and BlackBerry devices.
Brightstar Corp. opened an operations center in Miami. The center serves as the main wireless device distribution hub for Brightstar’s Latin American operations.
NII Holdings Inc. said its subsidiaries Nextel Argentina, Nextel Brazil and Nextel Mexico will offer the Motorola i897 Ferrari Special Edition device, which features branded skins and themes, wallpapers, video, ringtones and a Ferrari-based game.
Sierra Wireless said its AirCard 312U wireless USB modem is available in Australia through Telstra, which recently launched a dual-channel HSPA+ network. The product is marketed under the Telstra Ultimate USB Modem brand name. Sierra Wireless also announced it introduced its AirPrime MC8801 and the AirPrime MC8704 and MC8705 intelligent embedded modules for HSPA+ networks to support manufactures incorporating wireless connectivity into a variety of devices.
Berkeley Varitronics Systems Inc. announced the results of its Wolfhound cell phone detector at the maximum security Bangkwang Prison in Thailand. Prison officials used the Wolfhound to locate 10 contraband cellphones in about 30 minutes.
Cinterion, which makes machine-to-machine communications modules, announced its HC28-J module was approved by NTT DoCoMo. The J version works with UMTS/HSDPA technology in the 800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands.
Cellular One of East Central Illinois won a $13 billion Federal Broadband Stimulus award to develop broadband services in Eastern Illionis. CSMB, the strategy advisory subsidiary of TMNG Global assisted the company with its grand application.