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!
AT&T offers $3.3 billion to Lin for remaining shares
Lin Broadcasting Corp. can take until mid-May to accept or reject the latest offer by AT&T Corp. to buy the last 48 percent of Lin for about $3.3 billion. The $127.50 per share price was assessed by Wasserstein Perella & Co., the third appraisal group to offer an assessment on the value of Lin stock. AT&T is acquiring Lin on behalf of McCaw Cellular Communications Inc., the wireless giant AT&T purchased last fall. McCaw owns 52 percent of Lin, with a timely option to buy the remaining 48 percent at private market value. … Read More
Future of the FCC is questioned by think tanks and GOP leaders
Are rumors of the Federal Communications Commission’s impending demise exaggerated? Perhaps, perhaps not. The FCC is unlikely to go anywhere today, tomorrow or the next day. But a few years down the road, as the transition in the telecommunications industry from regulation to competition takes hold-if, in fact, it does, and Republicans maintain control of Congress, big changes could be in store for the FCC. … Read More
DE auction back on track as TEC joins PEC PrimeCo
Telephone Electronics Corp., prompted by a deal with PCS PrimeCo L.P., last week dropped its legal challenge to auction rules, clearing the way for the sale of digital pocket telephone system licenses to women, minorities, small businesses and rural telephone companies this summer. The surprising turn of events removes an immediate obstacle to the next broadband personal communications services auction. … Read More
Motorola offering allows users to access data via 2-way radio
Cutting-edge graphic data software that allows en-route firefighters to wirelessly access images of building layouts using a laptop computer is just one mobile remedy offered by a new Motorola Inc. business. Motorola’s RadioWare Software Solutions are made possible through alliances between Motorola’s Land Mobile Products Sector and software solution providers. The firefighting software, called WaveSoft-Fire, is in alpha testing and should be commercially available during this year’s third quarter. The software package eliminates the use of bulky maps and manuals, offering firefighters graphical displays on mobile computers that outline the location of fire hydrants, gas lines, hazardous materials and other information needed to manage emergency situations. … Read More
Ericsson and Swedish operator jointly testing dual-mode phone
With plans to target the corporate market, Swedish telecommunications operator Telia and Ericsson Inc. are testing a new dual-mode telephone that will allow users to seamlessly switch from private wireless networks to the public cellular network. Telia and Ericsson said they are jointly testing a dual-mode handset that can operate on Digital European Cordless Telecommunications-based private systems as well as Global System for Mobile communications networks. Initially, the companies plan to deploy 5,000 models of the GSM/DECT digital wireless phone in Sweden starting next year, Ericsson said. … Read More
CPUC’s move to allow bundling helps state in regulation battle
The decision by the California Public Utilities Commission to allow bundling of cellular telephones gives the commission a card to play as it seeks permission from the Federal Communications Commission to maintain control of cellular rates. “It is one way we can show that California is trying to make the cellular industry more competitive,” said CPUC senior attorney Ellen LeVine. Last August, the federal government was prepared to take from all states the responsibility of regulating intrastate cellular rates. This pre-emption of power was a last-minute provision squeezed into Congress’ 1993 Budget Act, LeVine said. … Read More
Associations ask FCC to modify freeze on intercategory sharing
Two industry associations have asked the Federal Communications Commission to modify the freeze placed on intercategory sharing in the 800 MHz band, suggesting it only apply to specialized mobile radio operators or other groups interloping into industrial/land transportation, business or public-safety pools. The freeze, announced April 5 by the FCC, affects all new applications for the intercategory sharing of channels in the 806-821 and 851-866 MHz band. The FCC said the freeze helps preserve public-safety spectrum for public-safety use. … Read More
Public safety gets first priority in NTIA future spectrum study
The Clinton administration, ending the first phase of a long-range spectrum plan, projects land mobile communications services will require an additional 119 megahertz over the next 10 years. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a unit of the Commerce Department that advises the president on telecommunications policy and manages federal government spectrum, also forecasts mobile satellite services will need 60 megahertz and mobile satellite feeder-links 200-400 megahertz during the same period. … Read More
Wall Street guarded, optimistic over McCaw-Nextel partnership
Wall Street is cautiously optimistic about Craig McCaw’s ability to work wireless wonders for Nextel Communications Inc., whose quest to convert radio dispatch systems around the country into one nationwide digital network has been fraught with technical, financial and legal problems in recent years. Despite the setbacks, telecommunications analysts say the combination of a $1.1 billion investment in Nextel by the McCaw family over the next six years and Craig McCaw’s cellular experience should go a long way toward putting the Rutherford, N.J., firm back in the good graces of the financial community. … Read More
Metricom’s data system brings citywide coverage to Palo Alto
As cellular carriers attempt to roll out nationwide coverage with new mobile data services, Los Gatos, Calif.-based Metricom Inc. is focused on establishing its Ricochet data network in two major computer industry centers-Silicon Valley and Seattle. The company just completed an agreement with the city of Palo Alto, Calif., to install and operate the network citywide by deploying it on streetlight poles. The deal follows similar agreements with the California cities of San Jose, Walnut Creek and Cupertino. Metricom said it intends to cover Silicon Valley by summer and the entire San Francisco Bay area by the end of the year. … Read More
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