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!
Sprint enters CDMA equipment service agreement with Ericsson
Sprint PCS signed a seven-year master service agreement with Ericsson Inc. for Code Division Multiple Access equipment, though the nationwide carrier has not committed to buying any infrastructure from the vendor. Ericsson, which embraced cdmaOne technology earlier this year by purchasing Qualcomm’s cdmaOne infrastructure division and licensing the technology, said the agreement allows Sprint PCS to use its compact radio base station and base-station controller products in expanding its nationwide network. Testing and integration of Ericsson’s cdmaOne equipment already has begun in Sprint PCS’ Interoperability Specification lab. … Read More
Tracking stock to trace growing AT&T wireless business
Speculation continues that AT&T Corp. will unveil plans to issue a separate tracking stock to trace its wireless business, which has grown significantly since the carrier introduced its successful Digital One Rate plan. The tracking stock, according to published reports, also would include fixed wireless services, which analysts estimate will cost about $1 billion to roll out. AT&T already is offering commercial fixed wireless access in Dallas, and said in its recent quarterly conference call that it will widely introduce the service next year. AT&T is busy upgrading its cable networks with the capability to provide local service. In places where this is improbable, AT&T plans to provide service wirelessly. AT&T has driven down the cost of providing wireless fixed access, to about $750, matching costs of circuit-switched cable telephony. … Read More
Third operator to deploy iDEN
Motorola Inc. found a third operator in the United States willing to deploy its proprietary integrated Digital Enhanced Network technology and more may follow. Specialized mobile radio operator Pacific Wireless Technologies Inc. announced plans to offer iDEN technology in central California. The company, formed through the acquisition and combination of Sierra Communications and Cumulous Communications Co., plans to offer commercial iDEN service by spring. While Pacific Wireless plans to heavily focus on its traditional dispatch customers, it-like Nextel Communications Inc. and Southern Linc-will target service at all users that desire integrated wireless services. iDEN handsets incorporate mobile-phone, pager and two-way radio capabilities. … Read More
Dealers sue Omnipoint over master pacts
Mobile-phone dealers in Michigan are suing personal communications services provider Omnipoint Communications Services L.L.C., claiming the operator entered into bogus master dealer agreements with them. Three dealers have filed lawsuits against Omnipoint in a Michigan circuit court. The lawsuits filed by Michigan Wireless PCS Inc., Korkis & Korkis Inc. and First Class Communications could be consolidated into a class-action lawsuit. Omnipoint has filed an answer to the lawsuit against Michigan Wireless and moved it into federal court. Omnipoint denies Michigan Wireless’ claims. … Read More
AOL buys Tegic
In what is perhaps the most concrete example to date of its commitment to extend Internet services to mobile devices, America Online Inc. last week acquired Tegic Communications Inc. for an undisclosed sum. AOL said it made the purchase to further advance its AOL Anywhere strategy, which aims to deliver AOL content to a variety of devices other than personal computers, including wireless devices and TVs. Tegic created the T9 Text Input software, compatible with 14 languages, which allows phone users to enter text into their devices by pressing only one button on the keypad. … Read More
Vodafone AirTouch, Mannesmann compete for shareholder support
Vodafone AirTouch plc last week continued its efforts to win support for its hostile takeover bid for Germany’s Mannesmann AG. At the same time, Mannesmann executives began a road show aimed at convincing shareholders to reject the bid. Mannesmann has been bolstering its defenses since Vodafone launched its $128 billion hostile takeover bid for the company Nov. 19. Mannesmann rejected an earlier friendly offer of $106 billion. Mannesmann’s supervisory board last week supported the company’s executive board in its rejection of Vodafone’s hostile takeover attempt. … Read More
Vendors make plans to move to packet networks
Several big names in the wireless and computing industries last week took additional steps in the process of converting wireless networks from a switch-based to a packet-based environment. Cisco Systems Inc. and Motorola Inc. unveiled the next phase of their joint venture, formed in February, to develop and deliver a framework for Internet-based wireless networks. Meanwhile, Lucent Technologies Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc. announced their own partnership. The Cisco-Motorola project, called Invisix, opened the first of four planned Internet Solutions Centers in the United Kingdom. The center will focus on introducing General Packet Radio Service applications on Global System for Mobile communications networks. … Read More
Speculation increases McCaw interested in Iridium bailout
Just weeks after a bankruptcy court approved the first part of his plan to bail out the financially struggling ICO Global Communications, Craig McCaw reportedly is close to completing a similar deal to save another bankrupt satellite-based global voice provider-Iridium L.L.C. While officials at Iridium would not confirm the McCaw speculation, one source said to expect some kind of bankruptcy-related announcement before Christmas. The speculation began over an update sent by Tim O’Neil, financial analyst at SoundView Technology Group Inc. He said such a deal, if structured like the ICO package, would give McCaw a controlling interest in Iridium, as well as ICO. This would allow McCaw to pick from the best aspects of the two systems, at a fraction of their respective construction costs. He also would gain Iridium’s worldwide recognition, almost 300 distribution agreements, roaming agreements, licenses and service authorizations and a global billing platform with currency-conversion capabilities. … Read More
Ericsson may renegotiate Qualcomm infrastructure unit price
L.M. Ericsson wants to renegotiate the price it paid for Qualcomm Inc.’s infrastructure division, Qualcomm revealed in a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Qualcomm and Ericsson declined to comment on what terms Ericsson wants to renegotiate, but both companies indicated they were in discussions. If negotiations break down, Ericsson could sue the company. Ericsson said it paid less than $120.8 million net for Qualcomm’s Code Division Multiple Access infrastructure operations, which industry insiders said was a modest amount. The net amount included compensation for cross licensing CDMA patents the two companies own. … Read More
Carriers need value-add to take on Internet
As wireless access to the Internet becomes an increasingly popular selling point for wireless carriers, a new concern arises over how carriers can offer valuable Internet-based content without becoming marginalized as a pipe. With 1 billion wireless customers expected by 2003, it is no surprise Internet portals are eying the space with hungry eyes. At the same time, carriers see Internet content as a way to increase airtime usage and reduce churn. But while Internet content provides huge opportunity for wireless carriers, it also may prove a Trojan Horse. Internet powerhouses like Yahoo! and others are well funded by Wall Street, which seems willing to turn a blind eye to their lack of profits. This gives them a large base of cash to spend without the need to worry about their bottom line. Wireless carriers are the opposite. To get any love on Wall Street, wireless carriers need to show a firm profit margin. … Read More
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