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!
Verizon ‘ports’ its LNP position
Opponents of wireless local number portability lost a substantial ally last week as Verizon Wireless threw in the towel on fighting the proposed Federal Communications Commission mandate and announced plans for how the nation’s largest wireless carrier would handle customers looking to change carriers and keep their wireless phone numbers. Speaking at the Yankee Group Wireless Leadership Summit in New York, Verizon Wireless President and Chief Executive Officer Denny Strigl said the carrier would adopt procedures that would allow customers to keep their phone numbers when changing carriers once WLNP is implemented Nov. 24. … Read More
RCC acquires PCS spectrum from AT&T, will use GPRS overlay
Rural Cellular Corp. said it is acquiring PCS spectrum from AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and one of its affiliates covering 1.9 million potential customers in Rural Cellular’s Northeast region and 200,000 pops in the carrier’s Northwest region. In connection with the purchase, Rural Cellular said it plans to overlay a substantial number of its cell sites with GSM/GPRS technology and entered national GSM/GPRS roaming agreements with Cingular Wireless L.L.C. effective June 2003 through December 2007, and with AT&T Wireless effective June 2003 through June 2006. Rural Cellular also said it plans to overlay its Midwest region with CDMA technology in anticipation of roaming traffic and is evaluating options in its remaining legacy TDMA markets, noting it was likely that both CDMA and GSM/GPRS technologies may be deployed depending on market conditions. … Read More
A rose by any other name… MVNOs offer services even as industry debates definition
In an industry drowning in acronyms and meaningless catch phrases, few labels are as hard to pin down as the European-derived mobile virtual network operator. Separately the words are familiar and seem to have meaning, but when put together to describe a business model the picture turns cloudy. One of the more complete definitions of an MVNO was provided by a Yankee Group report released last year in conjunction with Sentori Corp. which stated, “an MVNO is commonly recognized as a wireless service provider from a non-communications industry with a popular brand name that wants to deepen relationships with loyal customers-and make more money-by adding wireless voice and data services to their product and service mix.” In the United States, a pair of prominent ventures both appear to fit the MVNO model, though only one openly embraces the lengthy label. … Read More
Pickering could be new CTIA head
Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) confirmed to RCR Wireless News he is being considered for the top job at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, but it is unclear whether the 39-year-old Mississippi lawmaker is the trade group’s first choice to lead the $80 billion mobile-phone industry. “I am under consideration, but my family and I have not made a decision,” Pickering said through a spokesman. Pickering is a known ally of the wireless industry and is a member of the House Commerce Committee. He was an aide to Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), former majority leader, during consideration of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. His last re-election was close, and it is unclear whether he wants to subject himself to such a bruising campaign again in 2004. … Read More
Web sites preview Sprint, Verizon walkie-talkie plans; carriers remain quiet
Nextel Communications Inc. reported it has seen a positive response to its Nationwide Direct Connect service, which the carrier launched in early June, noting the service is available in half of its markets today and will be available in all of its markets by August. By then, Nextel is expected to have some competitors in the push-to-speak space as a number of industry sources expect Verizon Wireless will launch a similar service on its CDMA-based network as early as July with Sprint PCS expected to follow. Rumors of Verizon Wireless’ possible launch have been escalating as Web sites and Internet message boards have been ripe with pictures of possible Verizon Wireless-bound handsets from Motorola Inc. and Samsung Corp. that feature large buttons on the side and reports that the carrier has already begun to train sales staff on the new service. … Read More
Industry remains competitive, penetration at 49%
The Federal Communications Commission said the wireless industry remains highly competitive, but concerns were raised about the quality of data collected by the agency and whether rural consumers are missing out on the benefits of service choice, lower prices and new digital features. FCC member Michael Copps, a Democrat, said the mobile-phone firms refused to help federal regulators collect data on the state of wireless industry competition. Copps has criticized FCC data-gathering efforts in the past. … Read More
U.S. gets support for flexibility at 5 GHz
U.S. officials in Geneva said they are confident about securing a huge swath of global 5 GHz airwaves for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed wireless technologies, but cautioned that final approval cannot be guaranteed until after the World Radiocommunication Conference closes later this week. U.S. officials said they succeeded in securing support for flexibility for 5 GHz applications. A global spectrum allocation enables economies of scale that help keep manufacturing costs down. Officials said they managed to avoid having a specific frequency assigned to the United States for public protection and disaster communications. … Read More
Sony Ericsson retreats from N. American CDMA space
What began as a rumor turned into an unpleasant reality last week for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P., as the handset maker announced it will shut down its CDMA research and development site in North America, reflecting the company’s poor performance in the region. However, the company stopped short of saying it would leave the CDMA handset space, hoping to pursue other markets, especially in Asia. Sony Ericsson also said it plans to close its R&D site in Munich, Germany, for GSM and UMTS handsets. A source close to the situation told RCR Wireless News that the rumor had heightened tension among the staff of the R&D center for the past two weeks, although management denied any such issues. … Read More
Western Wireless objects to tower fine
Western Wireless Corp. is protesting the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed fine for operating a tower in a historic area without proper authorization. The FCC wants to fine Western Wireless $200,000 for constructing and continuing to operate a 180-foot tower in Medora, N.D., on a ridge overlooking a historic area. The proposed fine-known as a notice of apparent liability-is the first time the FCC has enforced its historic preservation environmental rules. … Read More
Microsoft, Palm bolster OS efforts
The two main rivals in the PDA operating system business sought to bolster their offerings, each touting improved and enhanced products. Further, Microsoft Corp. announced two additional licensees for its operating system for personal digital assistants. Computer maker Gateway Inc. and consumer electronics company JVC licensed Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system and will use it to build PDAs. The move could represent a significant blow to Microsoft’s OS rival Palm. … Read More
