WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission set a May 10 date to auction 800 MHz air-to-ground licenses. The FCC is auctioning the four megahertz of spectrum in the 800 MHz ATG band after it decided that the current ATG spectrum was being underutilized. The agency plans...
GLEN BURNIE, Md.-American Financial Holdings Inc. completed its merger with Pelican Mobile Computers Inc., which provides rugged mobile hardware and software for law enforcement agencies and emergency workers. The combined companies said they plan to adopt the name Tactical Solution Partners Inc., and plan...
WASHINGTON-Two satellite firms last week challenged the Federal Communications Commission's decision to give reclaimed 2 GHz mobile satellite service spectrum to ICO Satellite Services and TMI Communications and Co. Globalstar L.L.C., which lost its 2 GHz MSS license but operates mobile satellite services in...
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Motorola Inc. announced it invested an undisclosed sum in Global Locate Inc., a privately held GPS semiconductor, software and services provider. "Global Locate is a compelling addition to our portfolio of cutting-edge technology investments," said Warren Holtsberg, corporate vice president of equity investments...
Crown Castle International Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. are placing huge bets on mobile TV, spending a combined $1.3 billion to build networks dedicated almost entirely to one-way wireless video. Traditional TV networks and film studios are hastily establishing divisions to produce content for "the...
Adamind Ltd. announced a three-year deal to provide mobile content production and delivery software to Universal Music Group subsidiary Universal Music Mobile U.S. The California-based developer, which also maintains a research and development facility in Israel, said the agreement calls for the integration of...
WASHINGTON-Wireless carriers whose networks were severely damaged or destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita have the opportunity to take advantage of federal tax breaks, including a bonus depreciation that many believe will help wireless players rebuild and upgrade their networks in the Gulf Coast...
WASHINGTON-U.S. telecom firms again are complaining to Bush administration trade officials about fees charged by foreign mobile-phone carriers to connect calls, a controversy cellular operators do not want to see enlarged at the Federal Communications Commission at a time when wireless service providers are...
In RCR Wireless News' Jan. 6 article, "Computer makers, carriers embrace embedded chips," Qualcomm Inc.'s Kristin Taylor's name and title were incorrect. Taylor is senior director of enterprise business development.
OKLAHOMA CITY-The fourth quarter of 2005 brought continuing net customer losses but higher annual revenue per user for Dobson Communications Corp, according to preliminary figures released by the company. Dobson said it lost about 22,500 total customers during the final three months of last...
WASHINGTON-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger officially named former federal telecom regulator Rachelle Chong to the California Public Utilities Commission. "Rachelle's more than two decades of experience in telecommunications law in conjunction with her exceptional understanding of the regulatory environment will be a tremendous asset to...
Regional carrier Centennial Communications Corp. lowered its stock price substantially in recent weeks as part of a process to evaluate strategic alternatives for its operations. On Dec. 21, Centennial announced that it had completed a $550 million senior notes offering and that it would...
WASHINGTON-The Missouri Supreme Court gave a stunning rebuke to rural local exchange carriers, which have been trying unsuccessfully to recover money they believe wireless carriers owe them for connecting calls from mobile phones to their customers. The Missouri court reaffirmed the Missouri Public Service...
SAN FRANCISCO—Moderati released its list of 2005’s top ringtones, with notes on some regional flavor. Hip-hop dominated the list in ’05, with 60 percent of the songs from these artists. Video-game themes such as "Super Mario Brothers" and movie themes like "Halloween" also placed...
LAS VEGAS-Motorola Inc. announced an extensive agreement with camera company Eastman Kodak Co. that calls for the two players to collaborate on mobile imaging and printing. Specifically, Motorola announced it will use Kodak's CMOS sensors in its upcoming camera phones and will include software...
Centennial Communications Corp.'s earnings tumbled in its second quarter, despite an increase in revenue and healthy growth in its U.S. wireless operations. The carrier reported $8.2 million in income from continuing operations during the quarter, compared with $18.6 million for the same quarter a...
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-John Garcia, senior vice president of strategic partners for Sprint Consumer Solutions, will head up the joint venture between Sprint Nextel Corp. and cable companies Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Advance/Newhouse Communications. The joint venture will focus on quadruple-play...
Just when you thought your new Wi-Fi-enabled laptop was nifty, along comes a bevy of new laptops embedded with PC cards and chips that support wireless broadband Internet access via third-generation carrier networks. Several announcements touted the latest collaborations between carriers and computer manufacturers...
Qualcomm Inc. announced it has acquired Berkana Wireless Inc., a wireless chip designer, for $56 million in cash. Silicon Valley-based Berkana provides metal oxide semiconductor radio frequency integrated circuits, or RF CMOS chips, to the wireless industry, and Qualcomm said it expects Berkana's technology...
CINCINNATI-Cincinnati Bell is buying out Cingular Wireless L.L.C.'s stake in a joint venture between the two companies. According to Securities and Exchange Commission filings by Cincinnati Bell, the company must pay $83 million for Cingular's stake. The sale is anticipated to close next month....
WASHINGTON-Even as FCC Chairman Kevin Martin administered the oath of office to returning colleague FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and new Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, he could be closer to finding himself in the majority. The White House is rumored to be vetting Robert McDowell,...
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission may lack the time to make changes to designated-entity rules before this June's third-generation wireless auction, a possibility that may upset the agency's two Democrats at a time when litigation has surfaced alleging Wall Street mogul Mario Gabelli skirted small-business...
WASHINGTON-Brian Kidney, CTIA's chief operating officer, has left the wireless trade association, CTIA confirmed to RCR Wireless News. "Brian Kidney and CTIA President Steve Largent had different management styles and have mutually agreed to part ways," said John Walls, CTIA vice president of public...
WASHINGTON-Minnesota has become the latest state to enforce legislation restricting cell-phone use by teenage drivers, the 10th state to do so in the face of mounting research on the dangers of talking on the phone while driving. Given their inexperience behind the wheel, teens...
