#TBT: Industry braces for iPhone 3G launch; OSHA tackles tower climber safety … 6 years ago this week

Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades and enjoy the memories!
Activation may prove challenge to 3G iPhone launch: New process requires in-store activation
A lower price isn’t the only change accompanying the release of Apple Inc.’s 3G iPhone. Activating the device will also differ this year. When released last summer, customers were required to perform a self-activation of the device at home via their iTunes account. This year, Mark Siegel at AT&T Mobility Inc. said all activation will be done in AT&T Mobility and Apple stores. Seeing as how avid tech fans already line up and pack the stores to just get their new device, having to wait for activations could make it an even lengthier process in the sure-to-be-packed stores. But Siegel said this is the better way to go. … Read More
Apple’s launch goal: 22 countries, 1 day: Impressive if successful; all eyes on Friday
Few are certain whether Apple Inc.’s simultaneous, 22-country launch of its 3G iPhone this Friday is unprecedented in the industry. But many observers, cognizant of manufacturing logistics, regulatory-approval and carrier-testing hurdles, will watch closely to see how well the Cupertino, Calif.-based company pulls off this feat. Most agree that, given confidentiality agreements in general and Apple’s penchant for secrecy in particular, there’s not much visibility into the process. … Read More
Tower climbing: deadliest job in U.S.: Tie or die, OSHA head says
Despite ongoing government and industry efforts to improve safety, maintenance of mobile-phone and other communications towers continues to be the most hazardous work around. And because of the relatively small number of employees in the business compared to other industry sectors, tower climbing – which suffered five fatalities during a 12-day span this spring and seven deaths overall this year so far – may also be the most overlooked, deadly job in the country. … Read More
Carriers still trying to find right notes in mobile music: VZW latest to alter strategy
Full-track music download services continue to spin their wheels in mobile, but Verizon Wireless is hoping to get some traction by overhauling its offering. The carrier last week launched a new offering that couples an all-you-can-eat subscription with an over-the-air option that dispenses with the headaches of anti-piracy software. The service makes good on on a partnership announced nearly a year ago teaming the nation’s No. 2 carrier with MTV Networks Inc. and RealNetworks Inc., which operates the online service Rhapsody. … Read More
IMS continues struggle for adoption: Complex architecture befuddles carriers and customers
The blueprints for the much-hyped IP Multimedia Subsystems architecture have been drawn, plans have been made, dreams have hatched; nearly everything needed to be done has been done; everything but the implementation. This seems odd, especially when a few years ago, carriers spent a lot of energy talking up the benefits of IMS. Now amid the silence, some are wondering, what’s the problem? … Read More
Huawei seeking capital and foothold in U.S.
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., the Chinese vendor of entry-tier phones, is seeking a capital infusion for its handset division to fuel international expansion of that business, particularly in the United States. Such a move would provide a brand-building opportunity and also free up resources to power the vendor’s more formidable network infrastructure business. Huawei took bids from interested parties last week and has retained investment banking firm Morgan Stanley to facilitate the process, according to news reports. AT&T and Vodafone have been mentioned as network operators that might have an interest in Huawei, as have private-equity firms. … Read More
Consolidation presses roaming issues: Congress, smaller carriers fear unreasonable requirements
While wireless providers – large and small – differ on such hot-button issues as universal service support, exclusive handset arrangements and special access, the controversy over roaming has the potential to become the major fault line in the cellphone industry. The consolidation trend is making an already ruff-and-tumble roaming dispute even more volatile. The deep divide over roaming pits small, mid-sized, rural and the No. 3 and 4 national carriers against the two largest wireless providers, AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless. … Read More
T-Mobile USA balks at FCC’s plans for AWS-3 auction
T-Mobile USA Inc. asked the Federal Communications Commission to extend up to three months the public comment cycle for a controversial free wireless Internet plan, a request that would provide additional time for interference testing and likely delay a final decision until after the fall presidential and congressional elections. The current comment deadline is July 9, and reply comments are due July 16. The FCC would like to rule on the matter as soon as August. … Read More
Lawsuits target alleged government cellphone tracking
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation sued the Bush administration in federal court to obtain records on allegedly unchecked cellphone tracking by the government. The ACLU said it sought records through a Freedom of Information Act request filed with the Department of Justice in November after media reports surfaced about government officials using citizens’ cellphones to zero in on their locations and monitor their movements – sometimes without a warrant or any court oversight. The DoJ, according to the ACLU, has not adequately responded to the FOIA request. … Read More
Devices & Strategy: Relying on Instinct: Sprint hits back with touch
Sprint Nextel Corp. has launched an expensive, frontal assault on rivals in a bid for a hit handset that will resuscitate its fortunes. While it remains early in the game – the Instinct handset has been on the market for 11 days – the carrier already claims record sales for the device by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Not only is Sprint spending $100 million to market the Instinct, it has chosen the tactic of making side-by-side comparisons with AT&T Mobility and Apple Inc.’s device in prominent video pitches on its Web site, among other outreach methods. … Read More
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
Photo courtesy of the Marconi Society.