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OXFORD, United Kingdom-Despite the promotional efforts of developers and mobile operators, the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) was roundly condemned by industry observers as being “unfit for purpose” during most of …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-Under a new three-year agreement, Ericsson will supply its third-generation UMTS radio access network equipment and services to Finnish operator Sonera. The services will run on top of the …

CHINA China Mobile Communications Corp. awarded Motorola Inc. a GPRS network supply contract to cover an estimated 110,000 subscribers in four Chinese cities. China Mobile, a GSM operator, will use …

OSLO, Norway-Telenor said it would exercise its option to sell its 10-percent stake in German operator Viag Interkom GmbH to British Telecommunications plc. The transaction, expected to be completed in …

Belgium KPN Mobile will acquire 50 percent of Belgian operator KPN Orange Belgium from France Telecom for US$443.5 million, giving KPN 100-percent ownership. France Telecom had to divest its KPN …

The talk throughout 2000 centered on third-generation (3G) technology-its high costs, functionality, risks and mostly its promise. But 3G has different meanings in different circles. Because 3G is something that …

BEIJING-China’s mobile communications market made big strides forward during 2000. The number of GSM subscribers leapt to more than 70 million, with a penetration rate of 5.5 percent. China Unicom …

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.-Wireless operator UbiquiTel Inc., a Sprint PCS Network Partner, expanded its coverage area along the Interstate 90 corridor from Spokane, Wash., to east of Moses Lake, Wash., and Sandpoint, …

At the end of each year, the RCR Wireless News editorial staff looks back on the new events that made RCR headlines and decides which were the most significant, industry-impacting …

As wireless operators enjoyed their holiday break from the Federal Communications Commission’s re-auction of 422 personal communications services licenses, a fair share of pre-auction predictions made by analysts were being …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-In a surprise announcement, the Swedish government awarded four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses on Dec. 16, dismissing a proposal from Telia, the country’s current mobile leader. Sweden’s other …

BRUSSELS, Belgium-KPN Mobile will acquire 50 percent of Belgium operator KPN Orange Belgium from France Telecom for $443.5 million, giving KPN 100-percent ownership. France Telecom had to divest its KPN …

Chris Gent has had quite a year. For the chief executive of Vodafone Group plc, 2000 began with a hostile takeover of Mannesmann AG, parent of its rival Orange plc, …

BRAZIL ADC Telecommunications Inc. announced it signed a $16 million contract to supply GVT Brazil with a broadband access bundled solution for the southern and central regions of Brazil. ADC …

NEW YORK-A U.S. class action lawsuit was filed last week against Turkish cell-phone operator Turkcell. The lawsuit was commenced on behalf of all persons or entities purchasing Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetler …

DUBLIN, Ireland-The Irish telecom regulator outlined the license framework for third-generation licenses in the country, following a public consultation period. The regulator, which previously announced the licenses will be awarded …

OSLO, Norway-British Telecom and Telenor agreed to extend Telenor’s put option on Irish mobile operator Esat Digifone from Dec. 7 to Feb. 7, 2001. Under an agreement between BT and …

Every day another vendor announces it has won a contract to provide third-generation services. And with each 3G announcement is the implication that 3G services will soon be here. And …

SOFIA, Bulgaria-Five companies have submitted applications to bid for a 15-year GSM license in Bulgaria. The minimum price for the license, to be awarded Dec. 15, is $40 million. Vodafone …

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil-Telecom Italia Mobile said it agreed to acquire the 19.43-percent and 18.53-percent stakes held by UGB S.A. and Vicunha S.A. in Brazilian operator Maxitel S.A. TIM will …

HELSINKI, Finland-European mobile operator Telefonica Moviles Espana chose Nokia Corp. to supply its third-generation core radio network in Spain. Telefonica said it plans to launch the commercial service in August. …

JAMAICA After a successful field demonstration of Finline Technologies’ multichannel multipoint distribution system, N5 Systems Ltd. plans to deploy the company’s system in Jamaica. The companies hope the joint deployment …

HELSINKI, Finland-Sonera Corp. said it will be the first operator in the Nordic countries to launch a GPRS network when its commercial service begins Dec. 11. Initial service will be …

GENEVA-The Financial Times reported the Swiss government will resume its auction of four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses on Dec. 6. The report said the decision was made after the …

OSLO, Norway-The Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications announced the winners of the country’s four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses, which were awarded through a beauty contest. The license winners …