Mobile operators claim 20M users, adding 17,000 per day, while the connected car market begins to take shape … 22 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, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Cellular industry reports nearly 20 million users, 17,000 added each day
The number of people who use cellular telephones in the United States is nearing the 20 million mark, with more than 17,000 new cellular customers added daily. In its semi-annual survey of industry growth, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association said the number of subscribers in the first six months of 1994 grew by 3.3 million, its largest half-year increase ever. For the 12-month period from July 1993 to June 1994, the industry reported six million more subscribers, a 48 percent increase from the previous year. … Read More
Available spectrum will decide success of ‘smart car’ industry
The revolution in wireless communications, already well underway, will dramatically reshape the way we work, play, shop and travel. Which technologies survive and flourish depends not only upon their consumer acceptance in the marketplace, but also, on a more basic level, their ability to be granted access by the federal government to the radio frequencies they need to operate efficiently. As more and more technologies are developed, the internecine fighting among these new technologies for access to the nation’s limited radio spectrum will surely become more and more fierce. … Read More
CellPort developing technology for intelligent car of the future
A Boulder, Colo.-based company has teamed up with several North American cellular operators to develop standards that could lead to the development of so-called intelligent vehicle products. CellPort Labs Inc. plans to create, develop and license technology and products to expand wireless voice and data capabilities within vehicles, as well as in offices and homes. The company is working with GTE Mobilnet, Contel Cellular, Ameritech Cellular Services, AirTouch Cellular and Toronto-based Bell Mobility Cellular to devise common interfaces for applications for the car of the future. … Read More
GTE to buy outstanding shares of Contel, form new subsidiary
GTE Corp. has opted to spend $224 million to purchase the remaining shares of Contel Cellular Inc. it doesn’t already own. As part of the deal, GTE will spend $22.50 for each of the 9.95 million Class A Contel shares remaining, according to GTE spokesman Jeff Keller. The company said it hopes to complete the deal by the end of the year. GTE announced in July 1990 that it would acquire Contel’s parent company, Contel Corp., for about $6.2 billion. The deal closed in April the following year, but because Contel owned only 90 percent of the stock in its mobile communications subsidiary, Contel Cellular, GTE has had to acquire the remaining 10 percent from the public. … Read More
Inmarsat aiming for $1 billion to finance its handheld system
The International Maritime Satellite Organization has announced more detailed investment plans for “corporatizing” its Inmarsat-P handheld mobile satellite service, stating it hopes to raise an initial $1 billion from its signatories to launch an affiliate company. While significant by itself, this effort also would be a trial run for making the entire Inmarsat organization a commercial entity. Following a meeting of its governing council the week of Sept. 5, Inmarsat said it plans to invest up to $150 million in the new company, which would be about 15 percent of the affiliate’s ordinary shares. Its interest in the company also would include additional equity, equivalent to about 5 percent of the shares, as payback for work it has already done, according to spokeswoman Elizabeth Hess. … Read More
PCS providers have to address microwave relocation at 2 GHz
Death, taxes, and for potential PCS licensees, microwave relocation are issues no one wants to face. Yet, like the first two, the consequences of ignoring the issue could be devastating. Following the Federal Communications Commission auctions, winning bidders could find themselves having paid tens or hundreds of millions of dollars for access to spectrum they cannot use, potentially for up to five years. Those who are unprepared may discover they not only must pay millions more to clear the spectrum, but their hopes for early entry into the marketplace are replaced by the frustrations of protracted negotiations over the terms of the microwave relocations. … Read More
Kitchen named to head new trade association from anticipated merger
Jay Kitchen will head the new wireless trade group created by the anticipated merger of the National Association of Business and Educational Radio and the Personal Communications Industry Association. The boards of both associations are expected to approve the proposed merger this month. While Kitchen, president of NABER, would be president of the merged entity-to be named the Personal Communications Industry Association-the associations said acting PCIA President Mark Golden “would hold a key management role” in the new organization. … Read More
Wireless boom may bring back lack of experience site developers
Currently, massive investments are being planned for the next boom in wireless communications. Spurred by the prospect of personal communications services, the race is on to secure a position of leadership. More wireless sites will be built in the next few years than were built in the previous 10. With all the investment in physical capital, have we estimated the impact on human capital? With the advent of PCS, thousands of new jobs will be created as the number of wireless sites needed to provide these enhanced services increases tenfold over existing wireless networks. At the same time, cellular networks scramble to keep the edge, while enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR) races to capture its own unique markets. … Read More
Telecommunications legislation may take center stage this fall
Congress will attempt to pass telecommunications reform and digital wiretap legislation this fall, and lawmakers also plan to put the Federal Communications Commission’s auction program under the microscope before adjourning the 103rd session next month. With any luck, telecommunications reform legislation could hit the Senate floor this week. In fact, telecommunications legislation may grab center stage now that Congress and the Clinton administration have abandoned hope of passing a major health care reform bill this year. … Read More
Telecom bill’s fate overshadows the FCC’s fall agenda
Clouding the Federal Communications Commision’s wireless agenda this fall is the uncertain fate of telecommunications reform legislation that could trigger scores of new rule makings with mandated deadlines costing $70 million to implement. If Congress approves the legislation, the FCC would have to devote significant resources toward implementing new telecommunications laws and put intatives other ripe for consideration on the back burner. … Read More
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