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, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
@MWC: WiMAX players make united stand
In the shadow of an overwhelming LTE-focused Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Spain, the WiMAX industry gathered the night before the show’s official opening to provide an update on the “other” next generation technology’s progress. The gathering also came on the heels of the show’s organizers, the GSMA, commenting that WiMAX would never be a “mainstream” technology option in the market. The tone of the event was highlighted by the name given to the event, “2010: WiMAX is mass market,” as those supporting companies in attendance repeatedly touted the current available of networks utilizing the technology and the plans for continued expansion this year. … Read More
@MWC: GSMA looks to standardize voice over LTE, application platform
With all the hype surrounding LTE technology, you would think it was pre-ordained to take over the telecom industry. However, until today there was no set standard for how carriers could transport plain old voice services – you remember voice don’t you? – over the highest of high tech networks. The GSMA is looking to change that with today’s unveiling of its Voice over LTE initiative that is set to standardize how carriers can transport voice services over LTE networks in order to ensure interoperability between networks and a consistent level of voice quality. The initiative takes advantage of the previously announced One Voice Initiative, with GSMA’s broad influence bringing a greater level of industry support. … Read More
@MWC: Carriers demand relevance in new mobile climate
With all the talk at this year’s Mobile World Congress event seemingly centered on the industry-altering properties of mobile applications, the players in the ecosystem that actually own and operate the networks that those applications run on have been conspicuously quiet. But make no mistake, they are a big part of the value chain and will not be left out of the equation. This was apparent during a morning keynote address centered on the mobile application market, where Hugh Bradlow, CTO at Australian operator Telstra Corp. Ltd., provided the crowd with some straight talk on how carriers view the current mobile application frenzy. While there has been some debate as to whether it was the applications or the robustness of networks that aer driving the current surge in wireless data uptake, Bradlow’s view is clearly in the network camp. … Read More
@MWC: Google CEO outlines search giant’s mobile efforts: And no, they’re not trying to steal all of your business
As the second day of Mobile World Congress came to a close, the chairman and CEO of the seemingly dark horse not-so-long ago, Google, presented his thesis for why he thinks the ecosystem supporting mobility is coalescing around a point that will be “fundamental to human existence.” Eric Schmidt outlined three factors – computing, connectivity and the cloud – that will be paramount to delivering a richer, more dynamic and personally fulfilling experience on mobile. … Read More
@MWC: VZW rings up deal with Skype
For a first timer to the GSMA’s premier wireless event, Verizon Wireless wasted little time making its presence felt. Just a day after officially joining the association, Verizon Wireless announced a deal with Skype Ltd. to begin offering Skype Mobile on select smartphones beginning next month. The devices will include the carrier’s band of Research In Motion Ltd. devices as well as its trio of Google Inc. Android-powered devices, including the Motorola Inc. Droid, HTC Corp. Eris and soon to launch Moto Devour. … Read More
Leap pockets Pocket in south Texas JV
Leap Wireless International Inc. expanded its presence in southern Texas with an agreement to form a Leap-controlled and managed joint venture with regional operator Pocket Communications. The agreement will call for Leap to control 76% of the venture and will result in the Pocket brand disappearing from its south Texas markets. The deal does not impact Pocket’s operations in the New England region. If approved by regulators, the deal calls for the JV to gain control of nearly all of Pocket and Leap’s wireless and operating assets in the south Texas area. In addition to maintaining 24% control of the JV, Pocket will also sell some of its assets to Leap for $38 million that Leap will in turn contribute to the JV. Both companies will have “certain put and call rights on Pocket’s interest in the joint venture,” which they said could commence after three-and-a-half years, with Pocket obligated to sell its interest in the JV to Leap in the event Leap experiences a change in control. … Read More
Nokia remains No. 1 in device sales, Symbian in OS
Nokia Corp. remained the wireless industry’s No. 1 handset vendor worldwide in 2009, but its lead over rivals continued to shrink, while LG Electronics Co. Ltd. overtook Motorola Inc. as the third largest handset vendor. According to a report from Gartner Inc., Nokia sold nearly 441 million devices in 2009, which was down from the 472.3 million the company sold in 2008. Overall, Nokia’s share of the handset market, which was down nearly 1% year-over-year, sunk from 38.6% in 2008 to 36.4% in 2009. Much of that share loss appeared to go to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. which saw its device sales jump from 199.3 million in 2008, or 16.3% market share, to 235.8 million in 2009, or 19.5% market share. … Read More
Mobile developers a hot job category
Demand for mobile development grew 180% in 2009, fueled by the successes of the Apple and Android operating systems, according to Elance, an online talent marketplace for freelance computer programmers and other digital talent. Web development is the leading subcategory in the space, with PHP being the most popular skill in the category, but jobs in mobile development are exploding. “Within 24 hours of the Apple iPad announcement, 20 iPad application development jobs were immediately posted on Elance. At the time of this release, there are 70 open iPad jobs on the site. This trend is likely to follow the fast growth of iPhone projects which saw more than 8,800 iPhone jobs completed on Elance in 2009. In addition, Android is rising fast in the ranking of skills in demand – up 400% in the past six months with more than 170 projects posted in the last month alone,” Elance noted. … Read More
Vodafone, VZW, nPhase form M2M alliance focused on multinational businesses
Vodafone, Verizon Wireless and nPhase formed an initiative to make it easier for global businesses to integrate machine-to-machine communications into their enterprises. Specifically, the alliance will make remote monitoring and managing of devices in the United States and Europe easier. “The alliance is designed to deliver a simple and effective international management solution for the growing number of companies looking to use M2M wireless communications to enhance their customer service and create new service offerings in sectors including energy, healthcare, automotive telematics, consumer and commercial products,” according to the companies. “A good example of M2M technology in action is the growing use of smart meters in the utility industry, enabling firms to efficiently collect meter data and provide two-way data transmissions and tailored offers for their customers.” … Read More
Nextel, Televisa partner for upcoming Mexican spectrum auction
Armed with its new equity stake partner, Nextel Mexico officially entered its name into the list of bidders for new spectrum in Mexico. The iDEN carrier announced earlier this week that it would sell a 30% equity stake in the company to Grupo Televisa for $1.44 billion. Televisa, the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world, has the option to acquire another 7.5% stake in NII Holdings Inc.’s Mexican subsidiary at the prevailing market value on the third or fourth year after the investment is completed. Televisa’s investment and the other transactions contemplated by the investment agreement depend on the Nextel/Televisa consortium being awarded spectrum licenses and other closing conditions. … Read More
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
