Nortel Networks Ltd. said it will supply its converged multiple network offering to rural carrier Western Wireless Corp. Nortel said it will supply Passport 15000 Multiservice Switches to bring the carrier’s CDMA, GSM/GPRS and TDMA/AMPS networks onto one transport network. “This new converged network will provide Western Wireless Corp. with a higher degree of network reliability, a greatly simplified network architecture and a migration path to planned third-generation services,” said the vendor.
Private tower company Global Tower Partners will acquire a portfolio of 62 wireless communications towers from St. Louis-based 5-Star Communications L.L.C. The acquisition brings GTP’s total portfolio to 580 owned tower sites, placing it among the top private tower companies in the United States by size. Counting owned and master-leased tower and rooftop sites, GTP has 3,320 sites. The 5-Star portfolio bolsters GTP’s presence in the St. Louis area to nearly 200 sites.
TCL & Alcatel Mobile Phones Ltd., a joint venture between TCL Communication Technology Holdings Ltd. and Alcatel Corp., has officially begun operations. The companies announced the JV June 18 and since have completed operational agreements and obtained shareholder, board and regulatory approvals. TCL holds a 55-percent equity stake in TAMP, with Alcatel owning 45 percent. The company’s initial net asset value is approximately $121.8 million. The company will be headquartered in Hong Kong, with research and development teams in Colombes, France, and Shanghai, China. The company will use the Alcatel brand name for its handsets.
Consumers can expect to see more of LG Mobile Phones, as the mobile-phone manufacturer has launched its biggest advertising campaign since its 1998 U.S. debut. The company is being promoted in motion-picture screenings, through major national and regional print media outlets, and in TV advertisements this fall. The campaign, designed by BrandBuzz, targets consumers from ages 18 to 24, positioning LG phones as stylish fashion accessories with advanced mobile-phone features.
