Acquisitions

Verizon Wireless announced it completed its purchase of Rural Cellular Corp., bringing to a close a yearlong transaction that sparked complaints from consumer advocates and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).Under the …

T-Mobile USA Inc.’s new Sidekick device is the first to launch since Microsoft Corp. bought the software company at the heart of the Danger Inc. franchise. Sharp makes the handset’s …

Mobile media company Player X said it pocketed Spain’s Gaelco Moviles, a mobile games publisher, for an undisclosed amount of cash.The move marks the first acquisition for Player X, a …

Mobile news aggregator Mobispine AB said it has acquired NewsAlloy, a Web-based feed reader, for an undisclosed sum.A Sweden-based startup, Mobispine offers a free, Java-based download that delivers RSS feeds …

The addition of Navteq’s location services creates an online maps powerhouse that will compete with Tom Tom and potentially the Google Android set.

Nokia Corp. will acquire total ownership of Symbian Ltd., buying out current partners in a deal valued at about $411 million, the company said today.Nokia said it would combine its …

Nokia Corp. added another social networking business to its portfolio, acquiring Plazes AG for an undisclosed sum.Operating primarily out of Berlin with 13 employees, Plazes offers a context-aware community that …

The Justice Department’s agreement to let Verizon Wireless purchase Rural Cellular Corp. so long as the No. 2 mobile-phone carrier sells off a handful of licenses in Vermont, New York …

Verizon Wireless’s purchase of Alltel Communication L.L.C. is leaving many gasping for breath. The $28.1 billion purchase of the nation’s fifth-largest U.S. mobile operator seems to make sense for Verizon …

Hours after media reports indicated a deal was close, Verizon Wireless announced an agreement to acquire Alltel Communications L.L.C.for $5.9 billion in cash and assume $22.2 billion in debt, for …

AOL on Monday said it has completed the acquisition of Bebo, an online social network focused on the youth market and particularly strong in the United Kingdom.

Direct-to-consumer content vendor PlayPhone Inc. is expanding its footprint by merging with London’s Pitch Entertainment Group.Pitch Entertainment delivers off-deck content, social networking applications and mobile marketing solutions in 20 markets …

NextWave Wireless Inc. plans to introduce today broadcast technology that will give WiMAX operators the ability to deliver multimedia services like mobile TV and digital audio over their networks. NextWave’s …

Motricity Inc. finally made it official, announcing that it will slash 250 jobs over the next nine months and move its headquarters from Durham, N.C. to the Seattle area.The moves, …

ROK Entertainment Group Inc. said it has broken off negotiations to acquire fledgling mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Xero Mobile Inc.ROK, a U.K.-based mobile media firm, provides live and on-demand …

DukeNet Communication Services L.L.C., which is owned by Duke Energy Corp., said it signed a definitive agreement to acquire 115 wireless towers from Vangard Wireless L.P.The sites are located within …

New wireless subscribers came to AT&T Mobility in record droves during the fourth quarter; the carrier added 2.7 million net new customers to the rolls — an all-time record high …

Shares of Glu Mobile Inc. got a lift after the company offered to buy U.K.-based rival Superscape Group plc for $36 million.Superscape has gained traction with a portfolio of both …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to On the Margins, a feature for RCR Wireless News’ weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week, the RCR Wireless News staff considers events in …

Aptilo Networks announced it is acquiring Airpath Wireless Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Aptilo said the acquisition would double its presence and revenue stream in the United States by expanding …

Aruba Networks Inc. reported plans to buy Airwave Wireless Inc., purveyor of management tools for multi-vendor wireless networks, for $37 million in stock and cash.Airwave will operate as a business …

Clearwire Corp.’s stock jumped nearly 12% in early afternoon trading based on speculation that the company is on the verge of announcing it will be acquired. According to a research …

Leap Wireless International Inc. said that it plans to acquire Hargray Communications Group Inc.’s wireless operations for $30 million, expanding Leap’s Cricket service into Savannah, Ga. and Hilton Head, S.C.The …

AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless have agreed to swap wireless assets as part of previously announced acquisitions: Verizon Wireless’ pending acquisition of Rural Cellular Corp. and AT&T Mobility recently approved …

Shares of satellite provider EchoStar Communications Corp. surged more than 25% yesterday, prompted by speculation that the company may be purchased by AT&T Inc. TheStreet.com reported that AT&T is close …