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!
What could be better than getting paged with information?
Information services–whether it be sports, financial or headline news that arrives on an alphanumeric pager–could mark the early stages of a new industry, according to company promoters. “Paging companies that don’t have these services will be left in the dust,” said Christopher Hayes, marketing manager for Intelligent Information Inc. of Stamford, Conn. Numerous U.S. companies have developed the software needed to provide information services. The most common offerings now are stock quotes, headline financial news, sports scores and news, weather updates and traffic advisories. The companies hook up with information sources, such as the National Weather Service or a nationwide sports network. Their software incorporates the information into a program that can be transmitted on the paging frequency. The product is sold to paging carriers to bundle into their paging packages. Some people have insatiable appetites for certain types of information, said Steve Spiro, general manager of the nationwide network for Motorola Inc.’s Embarc Communication Services Inc. “They can’t get the information they want any easier. We firmly believe information on the go will become more prevalent. We’re in the early stages of this new industry, but in the next year, I believe we’ll see major growth,” Spiro said. … Read more
AT&T ‘Cellcard’ enables global GSM roaming (on rented phones)
KIRKLAND, Wash.-AT&T Wireless Services announced the commercial availability of the AT&T CellCard, a smart card the size of a credit card that is designed to extend the reach of a customer’s cellular phone number to an additional 35 countries. AT&T said a customer can rent or purchase a Global System for Mobile communications cellular phone prior to traveling and can immediately begin using the phone once the card is inserted. Charges are included on the customer’s regular cellular bill. … Read more
Harris acquires NovAtel’s wireless business
MELBOURNE, Fla.-As part of the company’s strategy to address the worldwide remote and rural telecommunications market, Harris Corp. said it has acquired NovAtel Communications Ltd.’s wireless products division, research and development capability and a manufacturing plant. Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based NovAtel develops and manufactures wireless products for cellular, mobile data and rural telecommunications markets. The assets Harris acquired include the Wireless Access Products Division, manufacturing capability and NovAtel’s 120,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Calgary. NovAtel’s family of wireless products includes the Supplementary Cellular System, the Wireless Access Communication System and the Cellular Radio Communication System. … Read more
Nearly 400 applicants file to participate in C-block spectrum auction
About 370 short-form applications were filed by deadline for the C-block personal communications services auction set to begin Dec. 11, but the federal government shutdown, which has rendered the Federal Communications Commission inactive since early last week, leaves it a mystery as to who many of those participants might be. The short-form tally is ambiguous. Many companies reported to RCR they filed only one application for all interested markets, while others filed multiple applications. The FCC plans to auction 493 licenses in basic trading areas for next-generation digital pocket phones across the nation. Virginia-based GO Communications Corp.’s Chief Financial Officer Lance Cawley said GO showed interest in bidding in all markets, filing only one application and checking the “all” box. The company is aiming for between 25 million and 75 million pops, or potential customers, among its licenses. Next Wave, headed up by Allen Salmasi and Janice Obuchowski, indicated interest in all markets on its short-form application. The company, with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and San Diego, said it will decide how many pops to shoot for at auction once the company sees how much capital it has raised by Nov. 27. U.S. AirWaves Inc. of Bellevue, Wash., and DCR Communications Inc. of Washington, D.C., each checked the “all” box and indicated they will focus on the top 50 markets. DCR will shoot for at least 75 million pops, said President Jan Riker. … Read more
European Commission joins in satellite coordination
BRUSSELS, Belgium-The European Commission has adopted a proposal to coordinate the selection of mobile satellite communications systems due to spectrum limitations and the economic, industrial and social implications of the services. “There is a significant opportunity for European mobile and space industry in both equipment and services in satellite PCS,” the commission said. Although the Federal Communications Commission is regulating systems, licensing in other parts of the world has not been done, the commission said. Spectrum is, to some extent, controlled by those who first lay claim to it, the EC noted. “There is a danger that, unless precautions are taken, systems capable of providing service in Europe may be selected by a process outside European jurisdiction.” The commission hopes to strengthen the European position on the matter. Two inter-related issues have been identified. First, satellite system operators should give formal notification to the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, the proposal states. ITU announced earlier this year it was considering establishing a global satellite communications network in the 2 GHz frequency band. … Read more
Nextel launches service in New England
RUTHERFORD, N.J.-Nextel Communications Inc. has launched digital service in parts of New England, expanding its Northeastern region to the metropolitan areas of Boston and Worcester, Mass., Providence, R.I., and Manchester and Portsmouth, N.H. Nextel said it had about 61,000 digital mobile units in service as of Sept. 30, compared with about 37,000 digital units in service June 30. The company is using Motorola Inc.’s Integrated Dispatch Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology. … Read more
First CDMA call on 1.9 GHz
ALLAS-PCS PrimeCo L.P. announced it has made the world’s first wireless phone call on a carrier-based personal communications services system using Code Division Multiple Access digital technology at 1900 MHz. The company said the calls, which were made in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, are technologically significant because the CDMA systems in both cities demonstrated a soft handoff between radio towers. Nationwide connectivity was demonstrated with wireless calls originating from Dallas and Houston PCS systems to wireline networks in San Francisco and Arlington, Va. The Dallas calls were completed using three of Motorola’s new SC 4800 base stations and an EMX 2500 switch, PrimeCo said. In Houston, PrimeCo used AT&T Corp.’s PCS CDMA minicells connected to an AT&T 5ESS-2000 switch. Handsets were provided by Qualcomm Inc. and Motorola. … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News Archives for more stories from the past.
