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 those sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Who will win the WAP world?
Ding! The bell has sounded for the rematch between Phone.com Inc. and Nokia Corp. in the fight over WAP browser market share, and Nokia is coming out swinging with a whole new strategy. As the U.S. market readies for the coming WAP rollout, Nokia introduced the newest version of its WAP Browser 2.0, an upgraded microbrowser software package that supports the WAP 1.2 specification. In a one-two punch combination, Nokia is hoping to chip away at Phone.com’s dominant WAP microbrowser market share not only by licensing the browser technology to other handset manufacturers as an OEM product-much like Phone.com-but also by including the source code with the license. This is the first time Nokia has introduced an OEM product meant to be licensed externally, as well as the first time the source code has been made available for a WAP browser. Phone.com licenses its UP.Browser software in binary form, meaning licensees cannot alter or manipulate the browser technology. By providing the source code, Nokia is giving licensees full access to the guts of the software, allowing them to make changes and additions at will. This means two different manufacturers licensing the same browser can bring to market two completely different phones with different browser functionality meeting different market needs. … Read more
Nextel dominates 800 MHz auction
WASHINGTON-Nextel Communications Inc. is sweeping the 800 MHz auction, winning licenses for the top 15 markets ranked by population. At the end of round 30, bids totaled more than $262.7 million. Southern Communications Inc. made the highest bid-$4.8 million for the Atlanta market. As it did in an earlier 800 MHz auction, Nextel is a major force in this auction. The company has won at least one license in all but eight markets, including Washington-Baltimore (won by Southern) and San Francisco-Oakland (won by Preferred Communications Inc.). … Read more
US Cellular launches national rate plan
CHICAGO-U.S. Cellular Corp. launched SpanAmerica, a national rate plan that eliminates roaming and long-distance charges. The plan includes five combinations ranging in cost from $30 to $150 per month and offering between 100 minutes and 1,500 minutes of talk time. Additional minutes are billed at a flat rate, ranging from 25 cents to 40 cents per minute. Each package offers call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding and three-way calling. … Read more
Verizon Wireless files for $5 billion IPO
NEW YORK-Verizon Communications hopes to raise $5 billion in an initial public offering of its Verizon Wireless business, according to documents filed Aug. 24 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said it will use net proceeds to pay for network expansion, the acquisition of additional wireless licenses and other wireless assets and for other general corporate purposes. Verizon estimates it will need $4.3 billion next year for capital expenses. The IPO, to be lead-managed jointly by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Merrill Lynch & Co., could go to market as early as next month. Verizon Communications did not disclose in its IPO registration the expected number of shares or their price range. … Read more
Virgin Mobile set to make a splash in the US
One of the world’s most savvy and chic brand names is coming to the U.S. mobile-phone market next year. Virtual network operator Virgin Mobile USA said it plans to ink an agreement with a carrier in the United States and offer nationwide service by the end of 2001. “We’ve talked to all the operators in the U.S., and there is a high level of interest,” said John Tantum, president of Virgin Mobile USA. “We are engaged with a number of operators and in some cases in fairly detailed negotiations about what sort of relationship Virgin will have with a network operator.” Virgin, which sells everything from airline services to books, has caught the attention of carriers around the world. Some 30 network operators reportedly have approached the company to broker VNO deals. They are excited about the enormous revenue prospects the Virgin name can bring to the wireless industry, especially in the third generation, where revenue prospects aren’t so certain. Virgin has deep pockets, extensive distribution channels and a large appeal to newer demographics like teenagers. Virgin founder and Chairman Richard Branson formed his first 50-50 joint venture with U.K. operator One 2 One last year, offering innovative service offerings such as no line rentals, no monthly fees and cheaper prepaid offerings. Within seven months of launching service, Virgin added 325,923 customers. … Read more
Buy a Nokia phone on a flight
HELSINKI, Finland-Nokia Corp. reported a partnership with Scandinavian Airlines Systems to sell Nokia’s 8210 and 8850 wireless phones on all SAS international flights through the airline’s Flightshop service. “As SAS Flightshop is moving away from a traditional in-flight assortment, we are looking for new types of designed products linked to strong brands,” said Rickard Nisell, director of SAS Flightshop. … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News Archives for more stories from the past.
