As the pace of convergence quickens, Nokia Corp. cut a deal with wireless telecom giant Vodafone Group plc to integrate mutual service offerings designed to grab eyes, ears and wallets-as competitors from within and without the wireless industry rapidly move in with similar treats.Vodafone-one...
Like rival Nokia Corp., Sony Ericsson is stepping up its direct-to-consumer content business.The London-based handset manufacturer said it will expand its PlayNow business, adding a song-identification application and "millions of music tracks and thousands of mastertones from both major and independent labels." Sony Ericsson...
T-Mobile USA Inc. jumped on the bandwagon for a more consumer-friendly wireless service contract, announcing plans to begin pro-rating early termination fees in the first half of 2008. The changes will affect new customers and current customers who renew their service contracts with T-Mobile...
American Tower Corp. brought in $59.6 million in profits during the third quarter thanks to a 10% increase in total revenue from the year-ago period, the company announced.The company also raised its guidance for 2007 based on increased revenues. American Tower now expects to...
TomTom NV fired the latest salvo in the bidding war for Tele Atlas, offering to acquire the Dutch digital mapping company for $4.25 billion.The Amsterdam, Netherlands-based maker of car navigation equipment outbid rival Garmin Ltd., which last week offered $3.3 billion for Tele Atlas....
The following list includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.Carrier--RBC Capital Markets lowered its price target on Embarq to $60 from $67 after the company reported in-line third-quarter results.--R.W. Baird lowered its estimates on...
The following list includes venture capital and other investments into wireless companies announced during the past week. The value of the investment is included when available.--4INFO: Peacock Equity, a joint venture of GE Commercial Finance's Media, Communications & Entertainment business and NBC Universal, invested...
Andrew Corp. agreed to sell its satellite communications business to Resilience Capital Partners in a deal that will allow Andrew to maintain an ownership stake in a new company that Resilience Capital Partners plans to establish.Andrew will receive up to $39 million in cash...
CBS Mobile has tapped Danny Bonaduce for a new mobile video series that will air on major wireless carriers beginning next week.The first original animated program developed under the CBS Mobile brand will air new three-to-five minute episodes every two weeks. "Danny Bonaduce: Life...
Research In Motion Ltd. is targeting small and medium-sized businesses with a new BlackBerry software offering for up to 30 users.The Waterloo, Ontario-based developer released BlackBerry Professional Software, a "streamlined" offering that allows users to access e-mail, Internet and intranet applications on the go....
U.S. Cellular Corp. reported a strong third quarter, with average revenue per user up 10% and postpaid customer gains of about 73,000 subscribers. However, the company missed Wall Street estimates on its earnings per share, sending its stock down sharply before rebounding. U.S. Cellular's...
Editor's Note: Welcome to Reality Check, a feature for RCR Wireless News' new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. We've gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile content industry to give their insights into the marketplace. In the coming weeks...
Differentiation, finally!Google's announcement that its mobile play will consist of an open-source software platform highlights the division in industry between featuring content on the carrier's deck and the benefits and risks of taking it off-deck. The editorial staff at RCR Wireless News was just...
Alltel Corp. announced that it will be using QuickPlay Media Inc.'s OpenVideo platform to provide new streaming video channels on the No. 5 carrier's Celltop information-on-demand service.Through the partnership, Alltel will offer new video "cells" including the latest entertainment, horoscopes, extreme sports and wellness...
The following list details this week's infrastructure awards for the cellular, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX industries. The contracts are broken down by transmission technology, country and vendor. The value of the contract is included when available.Cellular--Uruguay: L.M. Ericsson said it has been chosen by ANTEL...
Editor's Note: Welcome to On the Margins, a feature for RCR Wireless News' new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week, the RCR Wireless News staff considers events in the wider business world and how they could affect the wireless industry.--Google announced...
Editor's Note: Welcome to Yay or Nay, a feature for RCR Wireless News' new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week we'll review a new wireless application or service from the user's point of view, with the goal of highlighting what works...
Google Inc. is the new E.F. Hutton-when the Internet search giant talks, everybody listens. Many observers today expected to hear about a long-rumored Google phone-it didn't happen. Nor were any specific handset models announced. But listeners probably included likely competitors to the new Open...
Google Inc. ended weeks of speculation about its mobile plans, unveiling an alliance of industry heavyweights centered on a new, open-source software platform.The Internet behemoth joined Qualcomm Inc., Motorola Inc., HTC Corp. and T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom AG to take the wraps off the...
Synchronica acquired GoodServer to boost its ability to target mobile device synchronization and management, the company announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.GoodServer's technology was already a key component of Synchronica's Mobile Gateway and the purchase will give Synchronica the sole rights to...
In Verizon's third-quarter results last week, the company tallied its wireless customers at 63.7 million-that number includes 1.8 million new ones.Though the marketer didn't specify whether the gains came from first-time cellphone buyers or by luring existing ones from competitors, it nevertheless seems a...
Despite 11th hour attempts to prevent a work stoppage, Hollywood writers went on strike today.Renewed talks between the Writers Guild of America and networks and studios failed to halt the guild's planned strike, despite the pressure of a federal mediator and a flurry of...
Editor's Note: Welcome to our Monday feature, Analyst Angle. We've collected a group of the industry's leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. In the coming weeks look for columns from Current Analysis' Avi Greengart, iGR's Iain...
A group of industry heavyweights-headed by Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC Corp., Qualcomm Inc., and Motorola Inc.-announced a new software platform for cellphones that includes an operating system, middleware, user interface and applications. The alliance said the first phones based on the "Android" platform will...
