NEW DELHI, India—Seven leading cellular service providers—covering about 80 percent of India’s 5 million cellular subscribers—have slashed mobile-to-mobile long-distance telephony rates to one-half the current rates beginning 26 January, 2002. …
MOSCOW—Russian carrier Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) placed its first euro bonds worth US$250 million as it needs additional funds for regional expansion. MTS spokeswoman Eva Prokofyeva said the funds will be …
ROSH HAAYIN, Israel—Israel’s Ministry of Communications has awarded third-generation (3G) spectrum to the country’s three incumbent mobile operators and second-generation (2G) spectrum in the 1800 MHz band to Partner Communications …
A new organization is being created to represent the views of American GSM and TDMA wireless carriers as they convert to third-generation wireless technologies such as GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA. …
SHANGHAI—China Unicom Group announced it will launch China’s first nationwide CDMA mobile phone network on December 31. A statement in a China newspaper said the network will operate in 31 …
TORONTO—Com Dev International Ltd. said it plans to sell parts of its wireless division to Mitec Telecom Inc. for about $14.6 million. The exact cash and shares splits will be …
GARDEN GROVE, Calif.-Disposable-phone maker Hop-On announced another customer, evidence that its prepaid, easy-to-use and fully recyclable mobile phone product may be catching on. Wakefern Food Corp., the merchandising and distribution …
CHICAGO, United States—U.S. Cellular said it intends to deploy CDMA 1x technology in all its markets beginning early next year. The carrier currently uses CDMA in approximately one-third of its …
WILMINGTON, Delaware, United States—IDT, the former suitor of Teligent, made a bid for Winstar Communications, offering about US$40 million for the local multipoint distribution services (LMDS) carrier, which was moments …
PARIS—Alcatel will supply a GSM network to Tanzanian Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) under a e25 million (US$22.4 million) contract. The first phase of the network is already installed in the …
PARIS—Alcatel said it signed a US$12 million contract with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to deliver local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) equipment. The first phase of the contract includes deploying several …
MENLO PARK, California, United States—interWAVE Communications signed a distribution agreement with Global Telephone & Telecommunications, a Belgium satellite and last-mile integrator, to deploy GSM cellular networks with satellite backhaul throughout …
HELSINKI, Finland—In a deal that marks Playboy’s entry into the wireless market, the U.S.-based adult entertainment company, partnered with Finland’s Wireless Entertainment Services Finland (WES). Under the agreement, WES will …
MOSCOW—Ericsson is actively operating on the former Soviet communications market and its recent successes include supplies of GSM equipment to a leading Russian and a Kazakh carrier. Ericsson signed a …
ROME—Telecom Italia has agreed to sell its 26.89-percent stake in Spanish telecom operator Auna for US$1.8 billion. The other Auna shareholders will each take part of the holding. Banco Santander …
DUBLIN, Ireland—Ireland has announced details of its third-generation (3G) licensing process following a year-long delay. Four 20-year licenses will be awarded through a “beauty content” method. An “A” license with …
PARIS—France has set 16 May as its deadline for candidates to submit bids for two remaining third-generation (3G) licenses. Winners will be announced by the end of September. This year’s …
LONDON—NEC announced it will close a semiconductor plant in Scotland, eliminating 1,260 jobs. The Livingston, West Lothian, plant closure is blamed on the widespread downturn in demand for cellular phone …
PRAGUE, Czech Republic—Eurotel and RadioMobil were officially awarded third-generation (3G) licenses in the Czech Republic for just more than 3.5 billion crowns (US$97 million). Three licenses were on offer, but …
WICHITA, Kansas, United States—IFR Systems announced it was chosen to provide test equipment for the United Kingdom’s US$2.4 billion BOWMAN tactical communications program. The program will provide secure voice and …
