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!
AWS auction could spell windfall for government, though analysts differ on value
The Federal Communications Commission’s planned auction of so-called “advanced wireless services” spectrum scheduled for June could spell a windfall for government coffers, though analysts are mixed on the amount of said windfall. The government has said it expects to generate $25 billion during the next three years through the sale of wireless spectrum, with a majority expected to come this summer. The Yankee Group put out a report last week stating that based on previous auctions and other wireless spectrum transactions, the government is likely to net between $8.5 billion and $13.9 billion in total bids from the AWS auction. Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. telecommunications analyst Phil Cusick noted earlier this year that the auctions would likely bring in between $10 billion and $15 billion. … Read More
As expected, 5 GHz Wi-Fi pact becomes official
The Bush administration today confirmed an agreement among military, high-tech and wireless firms on criteria for certifying new 5 GHz Wi-Fi devices capable of avoiding harmful interference to military radar. RCR Wireless News first reported the accord Monday. The 5 GHz Wi-Fi pact, the result of trial-and-error testing in recent years, outlines testing and manufacturing guidelines for new 5 GHz Wi-Fi products. The offerings are expected to hit the market later this year. An advisory committee that worked on 5 GHz Wi-Fi radar protection is expected to submit recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission soon. The FCC then likely will issue a public notice or initiate a rulemaking to write the 5 GHz Wi-Fi pact into rules. … Read More
Telecom execs asked to explain cooperation in wiretaps
Two powerful Senate Democrats asked executives of three telecom giants with major mobile phone units to turn over information on their alleged participation in the Bush administration’s warrantless domestic surveillance program. Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent letters requesting company documents to Edward Witacre, chairman of AT&T Inc., which owns 60 percent of Cingular Wireless L.L.C.; Gary Forsee, president of Sprint Nextel Corp.; and Ivan Seidenberg, chairman of Verizon Communications Inc., which is the majority owner of Verizon Wireless. … Read More
RIM touts NTP workaround, but technology could cause disruptions
Research In Motion Ltd. may have found some leverage in its fight against NTP Inc., unveiling a software “workaround” it says would prevent a shutdown of its service to U.S. BlackBerry users. The Canadian developer said it has developed and tested technology it plans to deploy should a court-ordered injunction be enforced that would kill its service. RIM said it has received a legal opinion confirming the workaround doesn’t infringe on NTP’s patent claims in question. The substitute technology is invisible to users, RIM said, and maintains “existing platform benefits for system administrators, application developers and network operators.” … Read More
In bid for mass market dominance, Symbian halves licensing prices
Operating system vendor Symbian Ltd. announced it will cut its licensing fees in half in a bid to counter encroaching competition from Windows Mobile and Linux. Symbian currently charges handset makers $5 per phone (for shipments of more than 2 million units) to use its Symbian OS. The company said it will reduce its licensing prices to as low as $2.50 per phone. … Read More
FBI probing bulk prepaid phone purchases for terrorist, black market ties
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have advised state and local law enforcement officials to be alert for large purchases of prepaid cell phones, an FBI spokesman said. The advisory follows an investigation of recent incidents in Texas, California and possibly other states in which individuals bought or tried to buy large quantities of prepaid cell phones. An FBI-DHS bulletin went out yesterday to law enforcement officers across the country, an FBI spokesman said. The spokesman, who declined to release the bulletin, said the FBI probe found no clear terrorist ties to the purchases. However, he said FBI agents continue to run down leads of possible terrorist links in connection with bigger-than-normal purchases of prepaid cell phones. … Read More
Pentagon report underscores wireless needs for successful military
A new Department of Defense report says the military will depend on broadband and wireless technologies in future warfare, a policy direction that could create added business opportunities for telecom and high-tech industry sectors. The Quadrennial Defense Review Report, the second comprehensive defense assessment since 2001, expands on efforts to transform the military into one that is highly mobile and leveraged by information connectivity. The report highlights not only how wireless, broadband and other technologies can further the Pentagon’s mission-today dominated by the war on global terror-but also how the U.S. is challenged by terrorists’ exploitation of the very same technologies. … Read More
Bush signs DTV bill
President George W. Bush signed into law budget deficit legislation requiring TV broadcasters to surrender analog spectrum by Feb. 18, 2009, paving the way for the redistribution of valuable frequencies to public safety and other wireless users. The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to begin auctioning the reclaimed spectrum not set aside for public safety by Jan. 28, 2008. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the auction of those airwaves could generate between $10 billion and $20 billion. Private estimates have reached as high as $30 billion. … Read More
Auto industry driving Bluetooth adoption
Bluetoothing in cars is on the rise and the technology shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, says a new report by ABI Research. While Bluetooth automotive markets have been stalled in the past, ABI stated that the market grew significantly in 2005 and shows healthy signs of prospects for long-term growth. “Several key factors have fallen into place and have driven the market to an unprecedented level: 141-percent growth in 2005, when compared to 2004,” noted Stuart Carlaw, principal analyst of wireless connectivity at ABI. While a number of factors affect Bluetooth’s growth, three drivers are clearly “head and shoulders above the rest,” according to ABI’s report. … Read More
Lobbying reform shouldn’t impact wireless spending on Capitol Hill
Wireless, telecom and high-tech sectors that spend an estimated $300 million a year to change the hearts and minds of congressmen, federal regulators and White House officials are unlikely to lose prized access to policymakers, with efforts to pass lobbying reform legislation showing signs of losing steam and direction. Even so, the high-profile lobbying reform issue is not expected to go away. One reason: Some lawmakers are apt to be implicated in the government’s lobbying corruption probe as a result of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s plea deal with U.S. prosecutors. … Read More
