OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint PCS recorded a one-time pre-tax charge of $352 million during the fourth quarter of 2003 related to the termination of an in-house developed billing platform that the carrier has reportedly elected to outsource to IBM Corp.The outsourcing is reportedly part of...
Digital rights management has arisen as one of the most critical elements of the wireless data industry. And in an acknowledgement of the importance of the technology, the Open Mobile Alliance today released an updated version of its DRM specifications."There is a strong market...
T-Mobile USA Inc. is replacing its America Online Inc. instant-messaging service in favor of a more open, standards-based offering. The carrier signed a deal with IM company Oz Communications to install a gateway in its network that complies with instant-messaging and presence specifications from...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless said it has added new features to its Edocs Inc. powered My Account online account management and customer service tool that allows users to track airtime use, analyze monthly spending trends, access up to six months of billing information, change account...
SAN DIEGO-BREW pioneer Qualcomm Inc. said it will recommend that its carrier customers use IBM Corp.'s Linux servers to run its application download system. Qualcomm said its BREW service runs most quickly on IBM's Linux equipment.Qualcomm's IBM deal "is not an exclusive relationship," said...
T-Mobile USA Inc. announced a major new instant messaging strategy through a deal with IM company Oz Communications. T-Mobile said it will use Oz's gateway and client technology to manage a standards-based instant messaging service, one that can work with desktop IM services including...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless said it has added new features to its Edocs Inc. powered My Account online account management and customer service tool that allows users to track airtime use, analyze monthly spending trends, access up to six months of billing information, change account...
WASHINGTON-California Public Utilities Commission member Susan Kennedy has decided not to offer a competing bill of rights for telecom consumers-one that exempts mobile-phone carriers from new rules-during Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's review of existing state regulations."We will not put out an alternate during the governor's...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless teamed with self-service and e-billing software solutions provider edocs Inc. to enhance its My Account online account management and customer service tool.My Account already allows customers to access bills, make payments and update account information online. With the enhancements, customers will...
To Internet or not to Internet is the question.Some carriers have embraced the idea of selling wireless content over third-party Internet sites, while others have steadfastly rejected it. Content providers like Walt Disney Internet Group are clamoring for the technology in hopes that it...
WASHINGTON-Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch has sued Cellular One in state court for alleged billing overcharges. The lawsuit, according to sources, claims the Oklahoma City-based wireless carrier violated consumer fraud law and engaged in deceptive trade practices.Meanwhile, a consumer suit against Nextel Communications Inc....
The latest issue of Consumer Reports, published by nonprofit Consumers Union, comes down hard on the wireless industry in its annual wireless consumer review, referred to facetiously as an "Annual Address on the State of Consumer's Cell Hell," by Jim Guest, president and chief...
Consumer Reports bashed the wireless industry again in its second annual survey of rating wireless providers. It's safe to say carriers flunked in the magazine's eyes. The editor of Consumer Reports complained cellular service hasn't improved one iota since last year. But while Consumer...
WASHINGTON-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is rejecting the notion that because 2004 is a presidential election year, its legislative priorities-led by class-action reform-cannot be passed."Backed by the Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform, landmark class-action reform legislation passed the House and made it to the...
The latest issue of Consumer Reports comes down hard on the wireless industry in its annual wireless consumer review, referred to facetiously as an "Annual Address on the State of Consumer's Cell Hell" by Jim Guest, president and chief executive officer of Consumers Union....
DALLAS-New research shows the worldwide market for wireless "infotainment" services will grow from $1.5 billion in 2005 to $7.2 billion in 2008, but such massive success will be contingent on efficient billing models, effective content and improved security and privacy measures.According to a new...
WASHINGTON-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger-despite lacking jurisdiction over the California Public Utilities Commission-is quietly pressing regulators to follow an executive order freezing pending regulations until their economic impact can be assessed, setting up a political showdown at the agency over an upcoming vote on a proposed...
CINCINNATI-In a move designed to improve its market share in the billing and customer-care business, Convergys Corp. said it is acquiring certain acquiring certain billing and customer-care assets from Alltel Communications Inc.The deal, which should close Dec. 31, will cost Convergys $37 million, representing...
Editor's Note: Each year, RCR Wireless News chooses the person who has most impacted the wireless industry. Our choice for 2003 is the consumer, the collective 150 million wireless subscribers who are changing the wireless industry with both their praises and their complaints. ...
Wireless local area network aggregator Boingo Wireless Inc. reported a roaming agreement with WorldCom Inc., providing the telecommunications provider's MCI customers with remote access service to Boingo's more than 2,000 global wireless hot-spot access points. MCI noted it currently has about 600 Wi-Fi access...
HERNDON, Va.-Xius announced the launch of its next-generation Wireless Intelligent Services Engine (WISE), an integrated operational support system/billing platform that combines real-time signaling with billing capabilities.The platform allows wireless carriers to support advanced billing and revenue-enhancing services, including global prepaid roaming services.
Amdocs attempted to assuage shareholders Tuesday, following news earlier in the week that Sprint has backed out of a previously announced billing migration project, by reiterating its revenue and earnings guidance for the first fiscal quarter 2004, which ends Dec. 31, 2003.The company expects...
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Sprint Corp. said it expects its wireless division to post full-year losses at the low end of previous guidance of 43 cents to 48 cents per share, and its full-year adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization will be in the...
STOCKHOLM, Sweden-L.M. Ericsson said it will host, operate and manage Western Wireless Corp.'s multimedia messaging service offering throughout the carrier's domestic CDMA coverage area.Ericsson noted that in addition to supplying the platform and integrating the application with Western Wireless' network and billing system, it...
