DENVER, United States—Venezuela's leading operator, Telecommunicaciones Movilnet, signed a US$150 million contract that will allow Lucent Technologies to build a nationwide third-generation (3G) cdma2000 wireless network to complement its existing TDMA digital network.Lucent did not announce the timeline for the launch of the network,...
NEW YORK—U.S. power company AES has withdrawn its US$1.4 billion hostile takeover bid for Venezuela's CANTV. CANTV's shareholders approved a 15-percent share buyback last month to fend off the takeover.CANTV's board of directors agreed on a plan to repurchase 15 percent of its stock...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.—Verizon Wireless Inc. filed an updated registration statement relating to its potential initial public offering of common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The statement notes that upon completion of the IPO, Verizon Wireless Inc. would be a holding company whose sole assets...
WASHINGTON—Verizon Wireless today said it hopes to reach a deal soon with the Bush administration that would ensure mobile phone calls involving national security and rescue personnel during national emergencies are processed first."We are currently in discussions with the federal government about providing priority...
BELLEVUE, Wash.—Verizon Wireless sent out invitations to 250,000 residential customers in the northwest encouraging them to visit their local retail outlets and make sure they are on the correct service plan for their needs.To entice customers to visit, Verizon Wireless said it will provide...
NEW YORK—Verizon Communications Inc. and Verizon Wireless said they will begin offering consolidated billing to customers in New York and Massachusetts. The service, One-Bill, is available to customers with accounts in the same name and good credit records with both Verizon and...
BEDMINSTER, New Jersey, United States—Verizon Wireless signed definitive agreements to acquire certain Dobson Communications wireless operations in California, Georgia, Ohio and Tennessee for approximately US$465 million. The Tennessee market, which Dobson said it was selling for US$202 million, was the property of American Cellular,...
PRAGUE, Czech Republic—All three incumbent mobile operators in the Czech Republic have refused to pay the minimum US$180 million price set for the country's third-generation (3G) licenses, sending the licensing process into an upheaval. The licenses are set to be auctioned next month, but...
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—TeleCommunication Systems Inc. announced Cingular Wireless selected TCS as one of its vendors to supply E911 Phase I and Phase II solutions.TCS also said it signed a letter of intent with Verizon Wireless to provide Phase I and Phase II services.Under the agreement...
AlcatelChina. With China Mobile for GSM network expansion contracts by Shanghai Mobile and Jilin Mobile.Value: US$70 millionMalaysia. With Telekom Cellular to expand its existing GSM 1800 MHz capacity and ready it for GPRS.Value: US$85 millionPhilippines. With Digitel to roll out its mobile network by...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.—Verizon Wireless introduced its Mobile Web Plus service, a wireless e-mail and Internet access service for use on the Kyocera QCP6035 smartphone.The service provides access to up to six e-mail accounts; attachment previews supporting Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel, WordPerfect and PDF files;...
MONROE, La.—CenturyTel Inc. said its third-quarter financial results "will meet and possible exceed the range of guidance previously provided to the investment community," when they are released Oct. 30.Previous guidance expected third quarter revenue to range from $520 million to $535 million, with earnings...
ORANGEBURG, N.Y.—Verizon Wireless has reminded its customers in New York that beginning Nov. 1, customers must use hands-free technology when talking and driving."We think educating drivers about how to use wireless phones responsibly while driving will enhance roadway safety for all of us," said...
Editor's Note: Since 1993, RCR Wireless News has chosen one person who most impacted the wireless industry that year. As part of our celebration of 20 years of covering the wireless industry, here is a look at past inductees:1993
During the past 20 years, two overriding factors have shaped the wireless carrier landscape: customer growth and carrier consolidation. The number of wireless customers has grown from less than 100,000 subscribers after the first full year of availability in 1984 to nearly 120...
WASHINGTON-All the principles in the negotiations for bankrupt NextWave Telecom's personal communications services (PCS) C- and F-block licenses signed off on a concept agreement that would allow NextWave to walk away with US$5 billion, the government to be paid US$11 billion and the buyers,...
CARACAS, Venezuela—CANTV's board of directors agreed on a plan to repurchase 15 percent of its stock at US$30 per American Depositary Receipt (ADR) to avoid a takeover bid from U.S.-based AES. In addition, an extraordinary cash dividend of US$4.89 per ADR would be paid,...
GAITHERSBURG, Maryland, United States—Ace*Comm said Compania Dominicana de Telefonos (Codetel) placed a series of orders to extend its use of the company's mediation technology. The software will improve data collection capabilities and improve efficiency, Ace*Comm said.Codetel is owned by U.S.-based Verizon Communications.
BELLEVUE, Wash.—WatchMark Corp., a provider of service assurance products, said it will begin working with Motorola Inc. to provide Verizon Wireless with service assurance software designed to help the carrier evaluate network performance.
ATLANTA—Some of the top companies in the wireless space are planning a nationwide series of seminars to educate business leaders on the critical components of a successful mobile computing solution.The companies include GoAmerica, Hewlett-Packard Co., Verizon Information Technologies and XcellNet Inc.The seminars will be...
WASHINGTON—All of the principles in the negotiations for bankrupt NextWave Telecom Inc.'s PCS C- and F-block license have signed off on a concept agreement that would allow NextWave to walk away with $5 billion, the government to be paid $11 billion and the buyers,...
IRVINE, Calif.—Verizon Wireless reached a settlement with Acacia National Mortgage Co. stopping the lender from sending repeated, unsolicited commercial text messages to Verizon Wireless customers signed up for the carrier's text messaging service.Verizon Wireless said it filed a lawsuit against Acacia in Denver District...
BELLEVUE, Wash.—InfoSpace Inc. has teamed with Verizon Wireless to allow baseball fans to follow this year's playoffs on their digital wireless phones.Verizon Wireless subscribers can sign up on the Verizon Wireless Web site to receive updated alerts that include scores, statistics and other playoff...
