Omnipoint Communications began a trial of high-speed wireless data technology using L.M. Ericsson’s General Packet Radio Services solution. Ericsson’s GPRS equipment is installed at network facilities in Wayne, N.J., serving Omnipoint’s New York metro area. Omnipoint said it plans to extend the scope of the pre-commercial trials and offer commercial services next year.
The International Telecommunication Union signed an agreement with the Turkish government that calls for Turkey to host the ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC 2000) May 8 through June 2. The four-week conference, which is held every two to three years, is a forum where countries decide on shared use of spectrum to allow deployment and growth of radio communications services. The conference will be held at the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Motorola Inc. said contract manufacturers JIT Holdings Ltd. and Flextronics International will produce Motorola Global System for Mobile communications handsets in Hungary. The total value of the new investments exceeds $60 million, the companies said. The impact of this announcement on the Hungarian economy will translate into 2,200 to 2,400 new high-tech manufacturing jobs-up to 1,000 people at JIT and between 1,200 and 1,400 people at Flextronics. Production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter.
KG Telecom awarded Nokia a contract valued at more than $250 million to expand KG Telecom’s Global System for Mobile communications network in Taiwan. The GSM equipment will cover the Northern area of Taiwan, including the capital, Taipei. In related news, KG Telecom completed installation of Nokia’s General Packet Radio Service core network solution in its existing network.
Spyglass Inc. established a formal practice to focus on the mobile data market, dedicating more resources to grow its mobile data team. In that effort, the company appointed Herb Williams to the newly created position of director of mobile data services. He and Jack Armstrong, existing vice president of mobile data services, will work on strategic planning and managing key partnerships.
