To create some excitement before his swing through New Hampshire last week, Al Gore declared he invented the Internet. It worked. A dumbfounded James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Science Committee, exclaimed: "I had no idea!" Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) countered that...
NORTHBROOK, Ill.-Motorola Inc. introduced a new global positioning system technology designed to enhance traditional GPS for telematics systems.Called Wireless-Assisted GPS, the system includes a GPS mobile receiver and server, which can exchange data with a telematics unit. Motorola said the system also can support...
Cellular towers ruining AmericaTo the Editor: I have two comments regarding your antenna-siting article. (Antenna siting is hot topic for NACo Crowd, March 8.)First, it is my understanding that all calls from cellular phones travel along landline phone wires to the next cell site.Second, having...
Sun Microsystems Inc. last week signed two separate memorandums of understanding designed to further its presence in the wireless industry.The first MoU calls for Japan's NTT DoCoMo to deploy the company's Java, Jini and JavaCard technologies in its i-mode digital cellular phone and wireless...
As Telecom Italia Spa shareholders prepare to vote April 16 on the company's proposed new corporate plan, Olivetti Spa outlined its own plans for the company should its hostile takeover bid of Telecom Italia succeed.According to reports from the Italian news agency Agenzia Giornalistica...
HANNOVER, Germany-Motorola Inc. introduced a portfolio of digital wireless devices at the CeBIT exhibition and promised to offer Internet-browsing capability on its entire line of digital mobile phones by 2000.The new product line includes what the company called the world's lightest and smallest dual-band...
Sometimes you just have to laugh ..."When parents are on the car phone talking to their kids explaining why they can't get home for dinner or can't do bedtime stories, that really has an impact on the quality of life," Vice President Al Gore...
CARROLLTON, Texas-CellStar Corp. has signed a supply agreement with KG Telecommunication Co. Ltd., a cellular phone carrier in Taiwan.CellStar said it will serve as a major supplier of cellular telephones and accessories to KG Telecommunication. CellStar also will provide full after-sales services.
Aether Technologies announced it is joining BellSouth Wireless Data L.P. and Research in Motion Ltd. to bring financial market data via wirelessly connected handheld and laptop computers to the Atlanta, Los Angeles and New Orleans markets.Datalink.net announced it can allow companies to extend Web-based...
The wireless industry's toughest challenge may not be choosing 3G standards, or whether the handset or the network should transmit E911 information. Rather, the industry's greatest stumbling block may be its customers.The majority of the nation's 60-plus million wireless phone users most likely do...
EAGAN, Minn. (AP)-Northwest Airlines has loosened its rules on the use of cellular phones aboard aircraft and in jetways.Effective immediately, Northwest passengers may use their portable cell phones aboard planes and in the jetways connecting planes and terminals whenever at least one of the...
The evolution of the wireless handset has gone from the mobile in the car, to the transportable in the car, to the portable in the purse or suit jacket and now is going back to the car-with a new twist.Does this mean we all...
Utah state representative Ralph Becker said he has withdrawn his bid to ban drivers from using wireless phones."After careful consideration, I have decided not to introduce legislation limiting the use of cellular phones while driving," Becker told RCR. "Rather, I have decided to establish...
Canadian controversy, ehWhile the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and its patrons were whooping it up last week in New Orleans, Canada was working itself into a frenzy over an issue that once was big in the "lower 48" before folks here succumbed to battle...
NEW ORLEANS-Following a trend of convergence between the wireless and Internet industries, Motorola Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. last week announced the first phase of a strategic alliance to develop and deploy a framework for Internet-based wireless networks.The companies signed a memorandum of understanding...
NEW ORLEANS-Lucent Technologies Inc.'s Microelectronics Group introduced a Code Division Multiple Access chip that uses technology with origins in the airline industry to make it easier to understand cellular phone callers in noisy environments, such as airports and restaurants.Called the EVRC+, the chip is...
NEW YORK-Wave Systems Corp., San Jose, Calif., may possess some important answers to questions wireless carriers have about reducing customer-service costs, promoting prepaid calling and data communications and capitalizing on electronic commerce, while also preventing fraud.The company, founded in 1988 by Peter J. Sprague,...
DinetDinet Inc. announced an advanced keypad will be installed in all of its models of mobile data terminals. The keypad provides a more tactile feel as well as improved radio-frequency shielding. Testing of the new keypad showed no failures occurring in 16 million pushes....
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Motorola Inc. said it plans to incorporate Sun Microsystems' Jini technology into a Motorola networking software project code-named Piano.Currently in the research and development stage, Piano involves technology that would enable most electronic devices to be aware of other nearby electronic devices and...
NEW YORK-Cautious optimism in the absence of completely verifiable proof is the prognosis for Year 2000 compliance by the wireless industry, according to consultants interviewed by RCR."How fraught with danger is the unknown? It is irresponsible to say 'head for the hills and take...
WASHINGTON-House telecommunications subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) said he will pursue early passage this year of legislation to improve wireless E911 service and foster antenna siting on federal land, a move likely to re-energize opposition from local officials, conservationists and from environmentalists who last...
ZetronZetron Inc. launched the Model Z907 PCS Fault Finder, which provides fast notification of power amplifier and antenna problems at personal communications services sites. The PCS Fault Finder monitors forward radio-frequency power and antenna return loss in the 1.8 GHz to 2.0 GHz frequency...
We already knew Vice President Al Gore was good at working White House phones and Buddhist temples for noble causes, like the presidency. Now we've learned the veep is conspiring with other geeks to become the first digital president of the New Millennium.When he's...
Ameritech Corp. said it plans to invest $3 billion in capital in its communications networks in 1999. Approximately $2 billion will be targeted at enhancing the company's core communications networks, with half of the total supporting data networks. An additional $1 billion will be...
