Editor’s Note: The RCR Wireless News Time Machine is a way to take advantage of our extensive history in covering the wireless space to fire up the DeLorean and take a trip back in time to re-visit some of the more interesting headlines from this week in history. Enjoy the ride!
I-mode author recounts mobile Internet birth
When NTT DoCoMo began planning for what would become its wildly successful i-mode service, Japan’s largest telecommunications company turned to a journalist with an undergraduate degree in French literature. “I-mode is now a mega hit, but I was pushed into the valley many times. Many people say now they knew it would work, but that wasn’t what they said then. They said the monitor is so small and only 10 keys. What can you do with that?” said Mari Matsunaga in a recent presentation here at the Japan Society. … Read More
Collocation proposal sound, but not adopted
Staff of the federal Advisory Commission on Historic Preservation said a wireless industry proposal on collocation of wireless facilities is sound, but did not adopt the proposal, instead opting to wait for the National Conference of State Historic Preservations Officers to sign on. Staff members also hope to prepare a draft nationwide programmatic agreement for the historic preservation council’s consideration at its March meeting in Little Rock. … Read More
makes the QCP its own: Company debuts first smartphone since Qualcomm buy
Kyocera Wireless Corp. hopes to reach two fast-growing markets with its QCP 6035 Smartphone, combining the functionality of a tri-mode CDMA phone with a personal digital assistant incorporating Palm Inc.’s latest 3.5 operating system. The hybrid, set to launch during the first quarter of next year, is the company’s first attempt to update Qualcomm Inc.’s pdQ Smartphone, launched prior to Kyocera buying Qualcomm’s handset division earlier this year. While still bigger than the average wireless phone, the flip-style QCP 6035 is more than half an inch shorter and narrower than the pdQ, while offering increased talk and standby times. In addition to being more than two ounces lighter than the previous edition, tipping the scales at just more than seven ounces, the Kyocera phone features a screen size that is only slightly smaller than the screen on the average Palm PDA. … Read More
Wireless plays at Comdex
The computer industry is ready to stake its claim in the wireless market, evidenced by a range of announcements at this year’s Fall Comdex show. Various PDA manufacturers and service providers made significant announcements at Comdex. And while wireless was but a footnote for some, others held wireless connectivity like a badge of pride. Many executives feel wireless connectivity will help legitimize and flourish the up-to-now slow-growing handheld device market on both consumer and business fronts. … Read More
Hunt for 3G spectrum turns to clearing, rather than sharing
The Clinton administration last week cast doubt on large-scale sharing of spectrum designated for third-generation mobile systems, a development likely to shift the government’s focus to broadcast spectrum and to clearing military, educational, religious and broadband Internet licensees off the 1700 MHz and 2500 MHz bands to make room for 3G services. Interim 3G spectrum reports, released by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission last week in accordance with President Clinton’s Oct. 13 executive memorandum, were nearly overshadowed by highly critical remarks by FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth. … Read More
OSHA puts tower industry under scrutiny
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, concerned with increased tower construction fatalities and injuries, is putting the tower industry under the microscope. OSHA head Charles Jeffress is expected shortly to write tower owners and mobile phone carriers to emphasize the importance of federal workplace safety regulation compliance. “This is a request for assistance in helping ensure that towers are constructed safely,” said Rob Medlock, director of OSHA’s Cleveland office and tower task force director. … Read More
Sprint tests voice recognition for concierge-level offering
Just as Sprint PCS was quick to offer wireless Web services, the company is jumping head first into the voice-recognition market, signing a new agreement with voice portal provider BeVocal Inc. to test speech-activated applications powered by BeVocal’s Total Voice Portal Solution. The BeVocal deal comes months after Sprint announced a deal with voice-recognition technology provider Nuance to provide service for Sprint’s Voice Command offering. BeVocal, which uses Nuance’s voice-recognition technology, said its Total Voice Portal was designed to deliver personalized, location-specific, voice-enabled services to subscribers. … Read More
Verizon picks up Price
The hunt for spectrum by wireless carriers continued last week as Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest operator, offered more than $2 billion for Price Communications Wireless, a wholly owned subsidiary of Price Communications. While the purchase was not surprising-Price has been looking for a buyer for sometime-it comes on the heels of a flurry of activity by nationwide carriers to shore up their spectrum footprints ahead of the December re-auction of wireless licenses by the Federal Communications Commission. … Read More
Ericsson unveils R380 smart phone based on Symbian operating system
Those who got an early view of the new Ericsson R380 World Smartphone at Comdex here last week quickly dubbed it a “spork.” Developers Ericsson and Symbian didn’t seem to mind the term for their new integrated device that combines the features of a mobile phone and personal digital assistant with Internet access. At a show where wireless handheld and PDA devices were all the rage, Ericsson offered a solution that it says eliminates the need to carry multiple or awkward devices. The R380, a standard-sized mobile phone based on the Symbian operating system for next-generation mobile phones, can bring users all they are looking for in advanced services in a traditional form factor, said Symbian Chief Executive Officer Colly Myers. … Read More
Qualcomm forms venture to advance CDMA
Qualcomm Inc. announced it will form a venture arm to invest in start-up companies in an effort to proliferate the use of CDMA technology. Qualcomm is making a $500 million commitment to the new venture company, Qualcomm Ventures. “The convergence of wireless technology and the Internet has created opportunities for new products, applications and services, and we look forward to helping drive these innovations,” said Jeff Jacobs, who will manage the new company. “Qualcomm Ventures will focus on strategic investments in promising young start-up companies that can deliver these new capabilities and accelerate CDMA usage worldwide.” … Read More
