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!
Wireless price wars may be over
Robinson-Humphrey Co. L.L.C’s latest quarterly survey of U.S. mobile phone prices indicates the pricing wars may be over. The Atlanta-based company said pricing decreased since December just .8 percent to 1.6 percent on average, the smallest price decrease the company has seen since beginning the survey five quarters ago. “The packaging of large `baskets’ of minutes continues to be a popular practice of the cellular and PCS providers, encouraging subscribers to use their phones more,” said the firm. “However, we note that many `double your minutes’ promotions seen in the fourth quarter have been discontinued. In many markets, we actually saw the price per plan go up as AT&T and Sprint PCS have discontinued `double your minutes’ and other promotions.” … Read More
Magellan satellite unit close to market
Magellan Systems Corp., a maker of consumer-oriented Global Positioning System and navigation devices, said it will release its Global Satellite Communicator 100 late next month. The GSC 100 provides global two-way e-mail capability using satellite service provided by Orbcomm. The unit also features a GPS receiver for positioning and navigation, said the company. Orbcomm’s network relies on three main components: the satellites, ground stations and a communicator such as the GSC 100. The system ultimately will consist of 28 low-earth-orbit satellites. … Read More
Cellcomm seeks payoff in providing cellular pay-phone business
Anyone who has tried to find a wireline pay phone or use a wireless handset at crowded public entertainment events can understand why International CellComm Corp. has found a lucrative niche providing portable cellular pay phone services. The Titusville, Fla., company was founded in 1990, but its business really has taken off since 1995, largely as the result of two regulatory changes, said Steve Kroecker, founder and chief executive officer. First, the regional Bell operating companies lobbied successfully to free themselves of a requirement to install, maintain and operate pay phones at any cost. They must do so now only if the unit generates a daily minimum average income. Since wireline talk for local calls is cheap and use at public events clustered into its time span, Baby Bells removed many of their wireline pay phones from these locations. … Read More
China still bull market for telecom, analysts say
Motorola Inc.’s announcement that its overall sales in China slowed during the first quarter doesn’t indicate this market is in any trouble, say analysts. China is still seen as one of the largest markets for telecom equipment and service providers with its large pent-up demand for telecommunications and a gross domestic product growth rate that is twice the United States’. But analysts have been concerned that China may devalue its own currency in light of the economic problems its neighboring countries are experiencing, sending business there into a tailspin. … Read More
Wideband CDMAOne standard set to go before ITU
The CDMA Development Group said wideband CDMAOne technology is ready to be submitted to the International Telecommunications Union after gaining approval from groups within the Telecommunications Industry Association. The CDG said the TIA TR 45 Committee, the TIA Wireless Communications Division, the TIA Ad Hoc Committee on 3G wireless systems and the TIA TR 45.5 IMT-2000 Standards Coordinating Ad Hoc committee all have endorsed W-CDMAOne technology, a standard based on Interim Standard 95 Code Division Multiple Access technology. … Read More
Company uses lasers to replace fiber-optic links
Wireless Turn-Key Services Inc., a new company based in Long Beach, Calif., introduced a system designed to replace fiber-optic cable for local telephone companies and competitive local exchange carriers, including wireless CLECs. Carriers could use the technology instead of fiber-optic cable or microwave transmission links. Based on wireless laser technology, the system is designed to increase carrying capacity up to and including OC-12, said the company. The high frequency at which lasers operate and recent advances in laser technology make the increased bandwidth possible, said the company. … Read More
Iridium, radio astronomers reach compromise
Responding to concerns by radio astronomers that its transmission signals will overpower those from the distant celestial objects they track, Iridium L.L.C. has moved forward with a series of compromise agreements that it hopes will resolve the issue. A small portion of spectrum Iridium’s satellite constellation will use to transmit its voice and data signals borders the frequency that emits signals from hydroxyl ions, which astronomers use to track giant suns and newly formed stars. Astronomers study these faint signals on the 1610.6 MHz through 1613.8 MHz frequencies. Iridium’s constellation will transmit its much more powerful signals on the nearby 1621.35 MHz through 1626.5 MHz frequencies. It is very likely that the more powerful Iridium signals will “bleed” into the frequency range so critical to the astronomers. … Read More
7 carriers test SnapTrack solution
SnapTrack Inc., headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is attracting attention from some industry heavyweights with its Global Positioning System-based method for providing location-based services, including enhanced 911 service. Seven Code Division Multiple Access carriers are taking a serious look at what SnapTrack has to offer. AirTouch Communications Inc., GTE Wireless Inc., Ameritech Cellular, PrimeCo Personal Communications L.P., U S West Wireless, Bell Mobility and Sprint Spectrum L.P. formed a test group to demonstrate and evaluate the technological feasibility, performance and cost of using SnapTrack’s system for wireless handset location. … Read More
Motorola faces gloomy financials
This year’s financial outlook appears gloomy for Motorola Inc., which released poor first-quarter results last week and told analysts this quarter’s results won’t look much better. Motorola’s shares fell $6.38 Tuesday to $53.50 and rebounded slightly Wednesday to close at $54.94. The company warned investors in early March that its first-quarter financials would fall well below expectations. The primary culprit, says Motorola, is the economic crisis in Asia, but analysts also say the company is impacted by the increasing number of players entering the market. … Read More
Build-to-suit segment attracts attention
A new niche segment of the wireless industry-build-to-suit-is attracting a lot of attention, both from carriers and Wall Street. The idea behind the build-to-suit concept is to shift all aspects of tower siting-including zoning, construction and maintenance-to a third party. Carriers, increasingly burdened with competitive pressures, now can pass the time, capital and risk involved with tower siting to a vendor and focus their money on their core business, say build-to-suit companies. … Read More
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