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!
Get yer mobile faxes from IBM and Pac Bell
PLEASANTON, Calif.-Pacific Bell Mobile Services and IBM Corp. announced a joint marketing agreement to provide a mobile office solution that will allow people on the move in California and Nevada to send and receive faxes and electronic mail and sign on to the Internet over a personal communications services network. PBMS, the wireless telecommunications subsidiary of Pacific Bell, will provide access to its wireless network while IBM will contribute hardware, software and services. … Read more
A criminal cellular emulation case heads to trial
A federal case against a Kentucky man accused of creating cellular extension phones is expected to go to trial in what may be the first U.S. criminal case attacking the emulation business. A four-count indictment was issued against Don Billy Yates by a federal grand jury in November. Yates’ attorney, R. Burl McCoy, argues that no law was broken and asked the court to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Karl Forester heard initial arguments earlier this month and told attorneys he would research the matter, in consideration of dropping the charges. The judge decided Dec. 13 to allow the government’s allegations. “We intend to defend this case vigorously because there was no attempt to defraud,” said McCoy. “And we will win.” The government’s case springs from an alleged Secret Service sting. In September, an undercover agent contacted Yates and asked Yates if he could program a cellular phone to emulate the same electronic serial number of another cellular phone. Yates allegedly told the agent he could and the two met. Yates then programmed the phone so the undercover agent could use his existing cellular number on another cellular phone, according to court documents. Several weeks later, Yates was indicted on four charges, all including the allegation “with intent to defraud,” producing, using and trafficking in a counterfeit access device; having control and possession of device-making equipment; trafficking, having a telecommunications instrument that has been altered “to obtain unauthorized use of telecommunications service;” and possessing hardware and software used to alter telecom instruments to gain unauthorized service. The Federal Communications Commission has stated that every cellular phone must have an original ESN. … Numerous civil cases have been filed this year against businesses that provide emulation services, but the Lexington case is believed to be the first time criminal charges have been filed for this alleged violation. … Read more
Telecom Act runs up against Congressional crunch time
WASHINGTON-House and Senate conferees agreed on key wireless provisions in the telecommunications reform bill last week, but with several controversial issues still unresolved and time running out this session it remains unclear whether the historic legislation can be passed this year. The measure is expected to win easy approval by the GOP-led Congress once completed, but faces a veto by President Clinton. However, House and Senate telecommunications reform bills passed by wide enough margins this year to override a veto. Late last week, unfinished business remained regarding regional Bell telephone entry into the long-distance market, Internet pornography and media ownership. The bill would overhaul the Communications Act of 1934 and allow local telephone companies, long-distance carriers and cable TV operators to compete against each other. Sen. Larry Pressler, R-S.D., chairman of the telecommunication conference committee, said getting the bill passed was “like pushing Jell-O up a hill.” … Read more
AT&T tries out IS-36 TDMA
DALLAS-AT&T Wireless Services has launched its commercial rollout of Interim Standard-136 service with a Dallas in-office system, using L.M. Ericsson microcells and Nokia Corp. handsets. The office system installed at Perot Systems uses a distributed antenna strategy, and allows handoffs to the public cellular network. The same IS-136 cellular phone can be used on the public and in-office network. AT&T said it expects to upgrade most of its wireless systems to IS-136 in 1996. The wireless operator uses Time Division Multiple Access IS-54 technology in most of its 800 markets nationwide. IS-136 is an advanced TDMA technology. AT&T said it also will test the IS-136 equipment being sold by AT&T Network Systems. The reorganization of AT&T Corp. announced in late September pulled AT&T’s cellular and paging division away from the company’s wireless equipment business. AT&T hopes to allow each division to follow the path of greatest opportunity. AT&T Wireless and AT&T Network Systems are scheduled to become independent, publicly traded companies, possibly by year-end 1996. One feature of IS-136 is sleep mode, during which time the phone sleeps (except for six milli-seconds of each second cycle) until awakened by an incoming call. … Read more
Figuring out PCS relocation
WASHINGTON-A government plan for personal communications services licensees to share microwave relocation costs has received qualified support from both carriers and fixed users, while providing the two warring factions a public forum to continue fighting. The Federal Communications Commission’s proposal would enable initially licensed PCS operators, who must absorb the costs of moving microwave licensees from the 2 GHz band to higher frequencies, to be reimbursed by other PCS operators for fixed links relocated outside the microwave licensees service areas and/or spectrum block. Firms most directly affected include the 18 that paid $7 billion for 99 licensees at the first PCS auction that ended last March and three companies that paid $700 million total for pioneer’s preference PCS licenses in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. So while winners of the entrepreneur block PCS auction that is scheduled to begin today may be spared nasty microwave relocation negotiations, they will not escape payment to earlier-licensed PCS firms in accordance with a proposed formula that caps at $250,000 per link the amount subject to reimbursement. The cost could go up another $150,000 if an antenna tower must be built. … Read more
900 MHz auction chugs along
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission’s first-ever auction of 900 MHz specialized mobile radio spectrum is set to enter its third week of daily, one-round bidding, and there is no indication that auction proctors will step up the pace any time soon. According to Jerry Vaughan, deputy chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, even though the daily percentage change in net revenues has dropped substantially and steadily since the auction began Dec. 5, the commission probably won’t alter its bidding procedure until the number of new bids falls to fewer than 100 per round. And even with the specter of possible government shutdowns beginning Dec. 15, the 900 MHz auction is scheduled to continue along with today’s highly anticipated start of C-block personal communications services auctions. Net revenues so far are hovering between $50 million and $60 million and, in certain large and desirable markets, deep-pocketed established carriers continue to spar with unknown startups and individuals for at least one of the 20 10-channel blocks available in 51 markets. Of the 128 bidders who were qualified to enter the auction, five dropped out after seven rounds. … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News Archives for more stories from the past.
