Daily Wireless Updates

WIRELESS NEWS: Research warns enterprise users of Skype

2006-03-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Enterprises are lured to consider Skype because of the significant cost savings and improved communications, but a new in-depth report from IT research firm Burton Group says that Skype might violate some enterprise information management and security policies. Read complete Release. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Inmarsat got in the satellite-phone business

2006-03-12T23:55:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Inmarsat has long avoided the mobile-phone satellite business, but now chairman and CEO Andy Sukawaty, former head of Sprint PCS, is pushing the company into the satellite-phone operator business by 2008. Inmarsat has long shunned the phone business, choosing to successfully serve remote users such as the maritime industry through large terminals. Inmarsat has already begun offering new high-speed data satellite services based on BGAN technology.

Adding voice to the service will have little impact; what's more interesting is the fact that the company is in talks with satellite and telecom firms about setting up alliances to create hybrid satellite and ground-based voice and data networks, or ATC networks, using the next-gen satellites it already has. That means we could see services a lot sooner than expected, and players partnering with Inmarsat would have a better cost advantage. I've said in the past that the timing and cost involved will ATC would make these players non-competitive. Sukawaty knows his way around the wireless phone business, having built up Sprint PCS' wireless business. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: We hold IPR to TD-SCDMA, said QUALCOMM

2006-03-12T23:50:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- It's not a surprise that QUALCOMM announced it will charge royalties for China's homegrown standard TD-SCDMA. QUALCOMM said it believes it has essential IPR that applies to TD-SCDMA and that it has about 60 license agreements outside of China that include TD-SCDMA. TD-SCDMA is backed by the Chinese government to promote domestic business and bypass the royalties demanded by QUALCOMM and other vendors. We reported in February that the TD-SCDMA Forum hadn't even discussed IPR issues with QUALCOMM and Ericsson, another big CDMA patent holder, even though QUALCOMM is a senior member of the forum.

We'll probably see some sort of IPR skirmish on this one. QUALCOMM will likely not make any concessions on the issue since it charges the same royalties for all CDMA technologies--1xEV-DO, WCDMA and TD-SCDMA. Early on it was willing to work with the Chinese on IPR rates to get CDMA networks into the country. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Financial restatements becoming really common

2006-03-12T23:47:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Restating financial results is becoming a common occurrence in the wireless industry. Nortel Networks, still suffering from an accounting scandal, said it will restate results again, this time for 2003, 2004 and the first nine months of 2005. Leap Wireless plans to restate results for the final five months of 2004 after it emerged from Ch. 11 bankruptcy in August, and the first nine months of 2005. The company said it found the mistakes while preparing its 2005 taxes. However, it expects to announce improved results. Shenandoah Telecommunications recently indicated that it would correct its results for 2003, 2004 and the first three quarters of 2005 by about $2.1 million. Meanwhile, US Cellular has been working since November to restate financial results dating back to 2000.

Since 2004, we've seen a rash of honesty among a host of industries, with companies simply admitting they were wrong about past financial results. Experts say the biggest reason is the new corporate governance and accounting rules in the wake of the corporate reform legislation that was enacted about two-and-a-half years ago. Also, accounting firms have grown far more cautious because of the Enron scandal in 2002. We'll likely see more in wireless, much to the ire of investors. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Vodafone shoots at fixed networks with HSDPA

2006-03-12T23:42:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Vodafone Germany declared that its tariff plan for HSDPA service in Germany "is a genuine alternative to the fixed network." Dubbed UMTS Broadband, Vodafone will charge $60 per month for the service under a two-year contract "without any restrictions on time of data volume," the company said in its press release. However, Vodafone added another release that said data volume would be limited to 10 gigabytes over a period of two months. Any data usage over and above this amount would be charged at $0.6 per 100 kilobytes.

I'm not sure this is the time to start positioning high-speed data services as an alternative to wired broadband, given the the limited data volume. U.S. operators are far from trying to position their services as a DSL alternative, prohibiting users from uploading, downloading or streaming movies, music or games and denying server devices and host computer applications. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: RIM looking to push harder into the enterprise

2006-03-12T23:34:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Research In Motion is working to push itself deeper into the enterprise by acquiring Ascendent Systems today. Ascendent is a provider of voice mobility solutions for the enterprise and makes the Ascendent Voice Mobility Suite, a standards-based software that integrates with existing PBX and IP-PBX telephony systems to "push" voice calls and extend desk phone functionality to mobile users on their wireless handsets or any wireline phone. RIM will likely integrate the the solution within its enterprise server, making it harder for the enterprise to replace, notes research firm UBS. It looks to be a move that will help RIM stave off competition from a host of mobile email players flooding the market. RIM also announced an updated version of its enterprise server. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT EVENTS: MoCo Events Update...

2006-03-06T23:03:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.-

> Mobile Content Americas 2006 Conference & Expo - March 15-17, Miami
Content business in Latin America is already worth well over US$100 million this year and growing at a rate of over 200% per year. MCA will expose and analyze opportunities in Latin America and the US Hispanic market. Register at www.frecuenciaevents.com or email sara@itpeditorial.com, 305.567.2492

> RFID, Tracking and Barcoding for Hospitals - March 21-22, Scottsdale, AZ
At Healthcare IQ's 4th annual RFID, Tracking and Barcoding for Hospitals you will hear first-hand how leading hospitals and heath networks have implemented electronic barcode scanning and RFID technology to cut unnecessary expenses, improve productivity and increase patient safety. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9052&topic=233 for more information.

> Billboard Magazine's MECCA 2006 - April 4, Las Vegas
MECCA is the official mobile entertainment event at CTIA Wireless. MECCA connects the music, film, & TV industry with the wireless world's investors, operators, & application providers to discuss issues in mobile music, games, animation, film & TV. Details at: www.billboardevents.com

> IPTV and Beyond - April 19-20, San Diego
Is your company expecting big payoffs from the IPTV revolution or are you lost in all the hype and confused as to what all this means for your organization? Join us as we discuss the effect of IPTV on your organization and present real-world best practices from those who have implemented IPTV. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9550&topic=586 for more information.

> KidPower 2006 and The 13th Annual Conference & Award - May 7-11, Lake Buena Vista, FL
With 13 years under out belts we understand what's important to the marketing minds attempting to engage the ever evolving kids' market. That's why we have organized four full days packed with creativity, education and opportunity. Getting the most out of Kid Power 2006 is as easy as A-B-C-D…. For more information, visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/singlecell.html?topic=236&event=9537.

> 2006 MVNO Summit - May 16-18, Las Vegas
Learn best-practices for entering--and surviving--this competitive but highly-rewarding marketplace and real-world strategies from industry leaders. This conference will equip you with the valuable lessons that you can apply immediately to develop and implement your own MVNO strategy. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9193&topic=586 for more information.

> Telecom Financial & Technology Management - May 17-18, Chicago
The telecom industry is evolving and becoming more complicated, needing faster and economically smart solutions to deal with the various processes. This conference is designed so Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies and their telecom leaders can learn how to be more efficient in a telecom environment. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9585&topic=233 for more information.

> Management for Defense Spectrum - May 23-24, Arlington, VA
Maximize spectrum management and provide optimal communications in times of increasing security threats. Timely updates on new spectrum requirements and strategies with a balanced perspective from key DoD, FCC, Commerce Department and Industry members on spectrum management policy, requirements and research & development. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9644&topic=221 for more information.

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: Today's Mobile Content (MoCo) spotligths

2006-03-06T22:57:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- More MoCo (Mobile Content) market updates...

> The New York Times offers a more somber wrap-up of last week's MoCo news. Article

> Orange teams with SonyEricsson to roll out the OEMs handsets across Europe. Christina Aguilera has signed on as a sponsor for the next nine months. Article

> Study: MVNOs won't all make it since they face many hurdles. Who knew? Release

> How to dress like Steve Jobs. Blog

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: SonyEricsson answers back with speakers for phone

2006-03-06T22:55:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- SonyEricsson launched a portable speaker phone much like many portable speaker systems designed for the iPod and along the same lines as Apple's latest stereo speaker offering, the iPod Hi-Fi. SonyEricsson's "room filling" speaker system includes a pair of 5 watt stereo speakers backed by a 15 watt sub-woofer. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: Telstra launches mobile music service for i-mode subs

2006-03-06T22:51:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- Australian carrier Telstra launched a mobile music service called "Music-on-the-Move" that's delivered to its i-mode subscribers through a partnership with NEC and NEC Australia. The initial offerings include realtones and industry news, but the carrier plans to expand them to include full-length music tracks and music videos. NEC Australia will also offer exclusive Flash content and wallpapers for Telstra's subscribers. EMI, Warner and local indie labels Shock Records and Vicious are stocking the content. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: XM Satellite Radio gains traction with OEMs

2006-03-06T22:48:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- A research firm says in three years there will be three markets for satellite radio: OEM, aftermarket and cell phone operators. RBC Capital Markets said that XM Satellite Radio is a dominant player in the mobile content distribution sector and that it should forge a partnership with a wireless carrier. Remaining hurdles for the radio company's mobile prospects include a handset's form factor requirements, chip sets, power drain, battery life, heat dissipation and antenna performance. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: Amp'd offers 3 month unlimited calling promo

2006-03-06T22:45:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- Amp'd is offering subscribers a promotional deal of 3 months of unlimited calling to those who sign up for its $15 per month Amp'd Live 20 channel video plan. Usually, the unlimited option comes with the MVNO's $150 per month plan. The promo does not include international calls, however, and subscribers must first sign up for the $50 a month calling plan then the TV service. The plan includes the TV channels, unlimited data transfer and Internet access. The offer kicks off a requisite 18-month contract. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: Reality TV fueling SMS in the U.K.

2006-03-06T22:40:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- According to a recent study by M:Metrics, an estimated 21.8 percent of British mobile subscribers voted in a TV or radio poll last quarter, compared with 12.1 percent in Germany and 7 percent in the U.S. Compare that to the 7 percent of Germans and British mobile subscribers who received news updates and other info by SMS--more vote for the TV programs than consume mobile content. As such, interactive TV campaigns continue to hold the greatest potential for ROI. Other stats of note for the U.K.:

25.9 percent used MMS
6.8 percent bought a ringtone
4.1 percent downloaded a mobile game
2.6 percent purchased wallpaper or screensaver

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: HP: TV not viable on phones yet

2006-03-06T22:35:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content News & Updates.- Hewlett-Packard said it won't be launching 3G-enabled handsets until 2007, citing barriers to market like cost of service and the technology's killer app TV and streaming video being not yet viable. "3G is still only occupying 3 percent of the world pie," HP's APAC VP for consumer products and mobile business group Chin-Teik SEE said. "It's a nascent market." HP's recently launched smart phones, iPAQ rw6800 and the iPAQ hw6900, noticeably lacked 3G support. Chin-Teik also said that "the screen is too small" on a mobile phone to watch Desperate Housewives or a football or cricket match. Expensive subscription prices and tall prices for the hardware cemented the company's decision for 3G on mobiles, but 3G for notebooks gets a push from HP. The company is in talks with Australian carriers to integrate 3G into its upcoming notebook products. "This will be the next phase of notebook mobility," Chin-Teik said.

I know every company can't be an early adopter and 2007 is a prudent time frame to work with in terms of uptake of mobile television, but "the screen size is too small?" How many people are downloading full TV shows to their video iPods? And of course, many a soccer fan would watch a match on his handset if he had to--it's an obsession. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS EVENTS: Protect Your Data, Not Just Your Device

2006-03-06T21:05:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless Events Update.- "Protect Your Data, Not Just Your Device" Webcast - March 16, 11am CT.

Effective information security requires a holistic, data-centric approach, not just a simple 'fire and forget' point solution that only protects one type of device. In this webinar, we will discuss emerging trends and the new risks to mobile data usage. Register for this webcast today or learn more here. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: More up to the minute wireless or mobile news updates

2006-03-06T20:59:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- These is our help to keep you updated with the lastest wireless or mobile news.

> Commercial wireless networking, specifically WiMAX, set to explode. Article

> Philly's new WiFi network will cost users just $20 a month. Article

> Google views mobility and wireless as "extremely strategic." Article

> Enterprise migration pushes IP PBX revenues upward. Article

> Why customer service is now key for mobile services providers. Article

> Mobility virus threat will grow during this year. Article

> The factors spurring more smartphone adoption. Article

> Intel's Vietnam plant will foster mobile technology work. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Wireless tool for Linux

2006-03-06T20:53:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Given that today's f"how-to" focuses on a major Linux wireless effort, I thought it would be good to provide some links and resources focused solely on building a wireless network on top of a Linux or other open-source infrastructure. This Hewlett-Packard site, Wireless Tools For Linux, provides dozens and dozens of links to resources, code bits, code mechanisms and other supporting elements. While supported by HP, it features contributions from Linux advocates and users worldwide. The site kicks off with the Wireless Extension, a generic API allowing a driver to expose to the user space configuration and statistics specific to common Wireless LANs. Then there is the Wireless Tools set, which lets you manipulate the Wireless Extensions. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Advances in WPA2 solutions worth a check

2006-03-06T20:51:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- There are two kinds of Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2): WPA Enterprise (an almost finished implementation of the IEEE 802.11i spec for large enterprises that can host RADIUS services and lots of support staff) and WPA Home (a lighter approach that's a bit less secure and easy to set up). That's the main reason that WPA Home is also being used within enterprises today, and the Wi-Fi Alliance has renamed it WPA Personal. The alliance is also reviewing ways to make management easier with both flavors, though automation of today's current manual key transfer work isn't going to be easy. But there has been some vendor headway that is worth checking out such as Broadcom's Secure Easy Setup (SES). For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRLESS NEWS: How to go wireless with Linux

2006-03-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Going wireless using open-source technology is a big challenge in itself, but if you add in a user base of nearly 600,000 spread over nearly 2,000 site locations, it becomes just downright daunting. That's exactly what Australia's Victoria Department of Education (DET) faced when it decided to bring wireless on campus. Costing about $5 million, the organization made it all happen in just under six months. But that doesn't mean there were more than a few challenges. First DET had to find the right technology partner to work with their programmers who had their own kernel system in place. Then it had to convince it's chosen partner, Cisco, to change factory default settings on the new networking pieces. Then it was time to review, consider and review again the security map and code access issues.

Since the new network has been in place, DET estimates that it has saved at least 20 percent against a cable network and 50 percent due to open-source software. And all the open source efforts actually took place in a Windows heavy environment, a fact that wasn't lost on the major tech titan, says the DET tech leader. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Orange matches customer behavior with animals

2006-03-06T19:59:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Who is at the marketing helm of Orange these days? The mobile arm of France Telecom launched a new marketing campaign in the U.K. contract market that links customer behavior with animal characteristics. Orange's odd menagerie of pricing structures will focus on customer segmentation, tailoring certain types of packages to certain types of customers. For instance, Dolphin will appeal to sociable types who want bundles of minutes and texts; Canary will appeal to those who prioritize voice bundles; Raccoon is for consumers who view their phone as a tool rather than a toy; and the more expensive Panther package is for users who expect extra features. Evidently, the company considered food types and fabrics before settling on animals. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: IP control to create focus on DRM in Europe

2006-03-06T19:53:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- According to Frost & Sullivan, the rising need to control distribution of IP is creating a bigger emphasis on DRM across Europe. The firm believes this need will increase adoption of the Open Mobile Alliance DRM v2.0 standard to improve interoperability across networks. This should grow the mobile content market significantly, said Frost & Sullivan. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Vodafone in talks to offload Japanese unit

2006-03-06T19:33:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- After a continued dismal performance at its Japanese wireless unit, Vodafone indicated it is now in talks with Softbank of Japan to offload the business. Intense competition has eroded Vodafone's market share in Japan. But is the move to sell off the unit enough to satisfy unhappy Vodafone investors who have been pressuring the world's largest mobile operator to sell its stake in Verizon Wireless? With AT&T acquiring BellSouth, there is much more pressure on Verizon to buy out Vodafone's ownership in Verizon Wireless. The offer might be too good for Vodafone to pass up and risk more ire from investors--even if that means not having a presence in the U.S. market. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: RIM, NTP settle... at last.

2006-03-06T19:29:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless Industry News & Updates.- RIM is finally looking to put this whole patent-infringement mess behind it, reaching a $612.5 million settlement with NTP. NTP got a windfall because the deal stands even if all of its patents in question are rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. RIM just couldn't wait any longer. NTP had backed it into a corner. A federal judge looked like he might shut down BlackBerry service in the U.S. even though it looked like the patent office would invalidate the patents. The judge was tired of the case, which is incredulous to some columnists who correctly likened the judge's actions to ignoring DNA evidence that might exonerate a murder suspect. In addition, RIM said it was feeling the impact from enterprise customers who were scared to expand their current BlackBerry usage or upgrade to new software and hardware.

UBS says it believes the mobile email market is vastly under penetrated and still big enough for multiple players. It expects RIM to maintain its leadership in the high-end market and become more aggressive in the small and midsized business market. Interestingly, shares of Palm fell on the announcement. I'm sure a number of BlackBerry competitors who were looking to swoop in during the midst of patent-lawsuit confusion are disappointed. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: AT&T/BellSouth combo to spark host of M&A activity

2006-03-06T19:15:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- Wireless services have become an important part, if not the most important part, of the telecom conglomerate's arsenal. AT&T's $67 billion acquisition of BellSouth gives the company full control of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless operator. Having one owner certainly helps Cingular roll out new services quicker and reach the Holy Grail faster: fixed-mobile convergence. This is certainly putting pressure on Verizon Wireless to make some acquisitions. Its first order of business will probably be to gain full ownership of Verizon Wireless by trying to buy out Vodafone's stake so that quicker business decisions can be made. Vodafone's CEO Arun Sarin has said the company isn't ready to sell off the stake, but mounting pressure from both Verizon and Vodafone shareholders could make that a reality.

Super-regional player Alltel is another possibility. The company has already aligned its technology decisions with Verizon. Then Verizon will have to set its sights on buying up Qwest or a cable operator to match the capabilities of the new AT&T in the local and high-speed market. Look for cable operators to make acquisitions to meet the scale and scope of the new AT&T. The merger potential is mind-boggling. Meanwhile, the Cingular brand could be one of the shortest-living major wireless brands in history. Talk about customer confusion. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Investors welcome India's Reliance

2006-03-05T19:36:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Investors love the prospect of wireless growth in India. Reliance Communications Ventures, the holding group for India's second-largest mobile phone carrier, made a strong debut on the Bombay Stock Exchange, entering the market with a valuation around $8 billion. Last week, Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa said it too is planning an IPO of its Indian unit, Hutchison Essar, later this year. Along with China, India's wireless market is one to watch for explosive growth. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: The extra, extra of the wireless market

2006-03-04T20:29:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- These are the lastest wireless updates for the mobile market fans...

> Samsung Electronics unveiled a smart phone equipped with an 8-Gbyte hard disk drive. Article

> Motorola plans to merge its networks business and Government & Enterprise Mobility Solutions units into a single organization. Article

> A Newspoll survey commissioned by Vodafone showed that about 1.4 million Australians see few reasons to keep their landline phones. Article

> TRENDnet and McAfee partner to enhance security for wireless networks. Release

> InnoPath Software announced that it has signed an agreement with Kyocera deploy Firmware Manager. Release

> The one-time darling ISP of Silicon Valley, Ricochet, is back with a wireless bent. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIFI NEWS: Give time to time the WiFi way

2006-02-26T18:58:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- This week, Google and EarthLink combined proposals to build a municipal WiFi network in San Francisco--shining a brighter spotlight on the already closely watched municipal WiFi market.

With major American cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Portland and Houston soliciting proposals to build municipal, high-speed, wireless Internet networks for use by the city and residents, the benefits of these wireless networks to communities has been spoken of often. City infrastructure, from parking meters to public safety, promises to become more efficient when connected to City Hall by a city-controlled network. Residents could receive free or low-cost WiFi. These "unwired" cities hold the promise of becoming more attractive to people and businesses alike.

However, the discussion lacks the viewpoints of businesses and the millions of mobile and remote workers. Business use has driven the growth of WiFi. Industry research firm IDC estimates there are more than 50 million mobile business users in the U.S. The continued adoption of WiFi by municipalities will make it even more convenient for business users to "go mobile" whenever they can.

The mobile workforce represents a potential and significant revenue source for the operators of citywide networks. City-wide and region-wide networks can take advantage of these WiFi "power users" to subsidize other services in their communities, such as free access in public spaces and low-income areas. Without the support of medium-to-large businesses, these municipal WiFi projects will not succeed in the long term.

What do business users need from municipal WiFi? Business users demand that such networks be secure and easy to use. And, because so many employees are mobile, they also require that Internet connectivity is available everywhere. By everywhere, I mean the connectivity service must enable employees to access the Internet in any location outside of the office as easily as in their office headquarters. To accomplish this feat, each municipal WiFi network must find a way to work with other networks both inside and outside their civic boundaries-- to offer business users true roaming.

Current municipal projects have addressed the ease-of-use and security hurdles. The roaming obstacle is more complex because it requires the networks to band together, or be aggregated in a "network of networks." If this does not occur, I believe that many corporations will not be supportive of their local municipal WiFi networks and choose to work with the myriad of existing providers already offering service at important locations throughout a city. Simply put, businesses may be unwilling to pay for a service that stops at the city limits.

What is the challenge posed by a network that serves only a single geographic area? Anyone who has been trapped on the main Bay Area corridor, Highway 101, during rush hour can tell you that people don't always live and work in the same city. In fact, many employees do not live and work in the same state. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that America's largest 1000 companies have as many as 590 corporate locations--each. This means the Fortune 1000 businesses headquartered in any given city will likely have thousands of corporate locations located beyond city, state or national boundaries.

For municipal networks to be embraced by businesses, and succeed as a service for pay, they must participate in an ecosystem of hotspots. This "network of networks" that I referenced earlier should include other municipal WiFi networks and the private networks of hotspots already in place around the country. It should also be able to accommodate the new wireless technologies--like 3G and WiMax--that are expected to be incorporated into networks over the next few years.

A wireless service must offer security, ease-of-use and ubiquity to business users in order to be both a successful revenue generator and an important economic development asset for a city. When this is achieved, city-wide and region-wide wireless networks can begin to scale to meet the needs of the entire community, now and in the future. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Novatel blames poor results on competition

2006-02-26T18:58:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Novatel Wireless shares fell after the wireless modem maker said overall revenues would be squeezed by the falling price of wireless data cards this year. The company expects first-quarter revenues to come in at between $40 million and $42 million, lower than analyst predictions of $46.8 million. Novatel said profits would be non-existent or even negative. Fourth-quarter results were also lower than expected.

Novatel CEO Hasan Imam blamed the company's poor financials on extreme competitive pressure in the European market for WCDMA gear. That statement caught analysts off guard. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: RIM continues to try and fight the good fight

2006-02-26T18:58:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Okay, I was going to try and avoid any talk about NTP and RIM until a judge makes his decision about whether he's going to shut down BlackBerry operations in the U.S. But every news outlet has a story about the nasty patent-infringement battle (are you tired of hearing about it yet?). NTP today asked a judge to award it $126 million in damages and issue an injunction against RIM.

It's interesting to note how this got started. RIM could have settled the whole thing a few years ago by paying as little as $10 million. And last year, NTP promised to go away if RIM would cough up $1 billion. But Chairman and co-executive Jim Balsillie took a hardball stance, saying NTP's patents are "committed to the garbage bin."

Despite whether RIM is right, and it looks like the company is, NTP will have managed to damage the BlackBerry brand and loyalty. And all the while, competitors are swooping in like vultures to slowly and methodically take bites out of RIM's market share. As I'm writing this, the USPTO just gave final rejection of a second NTP patent. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: RealNetworks, DoCoMo to develop video streaming

2006-02-25T18:58:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- RealNetworks and NTT DoCoMo announced an agreement to deploy Real's streaming mobile video software to DoCoMo's existing V-Live mobile TV service. The JV's aim is to allow content providers to use their own multi-format, cross platform Helix Mobile servers to stream video content over the Internet and onto FOMA handsets. Real and DoCoMo expect the setup to encourage content providers to unleash more content and increase the "virtuous cycle of supply and demand." The companies are pursuing the right goal, but the end quality of the content sounds suspect. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Handset vendors open own retail stores

2006-02-25T18:58:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily WiFi News & Updates.- An interesting branding war is playing itself out. As mobile operators begin pushing for their own brands placed on mobile phones, handset makers are fighting back by introducing their own retail stores. In a move the vendor hopes will build brand loyalty and show off its phones' features, Nokia plans to open 18 stores in cities around the world within the next 18 months in places like New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London. Motorola will open one in Moscow, while Sony has several flagship stores. It's an intriguing concept that may just help vendors distinguish their products from one another. This is a market dominated by me-too products, but handset makers also have to be careful not to upset the carrier ecosystem when it comes to selling service plans. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Nokia dealt blow in Japan

2006-02-25T18:58:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Nokia received a blow from NTT DoCoMo when Japan's largest operator announced it is delaying the launch of Nokia's 3G FOMA handset because of software problems. Nokia had said last week that the handset was to go on sale today. The delay doesn't come at a good time for Nokia since it has been working on stepping up its visibility in Japan as DoCoMo had scaled back its purchases from Nokia in light of the fact that the vendor had problems implementing i-mode into its handsets, according to DoCoMo officials. The handset is Nokia's first 3G model for DoCoMo, and no decision has been made on when the phone will launch. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Wireless revenues totaled $174.7B in 2005

2006-02-24T18:58:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) said wireless revenues in the U.S. totaled $174.7 billion in 2005, up 10.7 percent from 2004. The growth drivers were the acceleration in handset revenue and new wireless subscribers. According to the association's annual report, the wireless handset and device market totaled $15 billion last year, with the expectation that the market will increase 19.3 percent this year. Carriers added a record 25 million customers in 2005. TIA said that the recent uptick in wireless subscribers is due in part to moderate price increases and the introduction of new uses for wireless devices. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Picture services aim to help ease-of-use problems

2006-02-24T18:58:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Sprint announced it will launch this spring Picture Mail groups, a service that allows subscribers to create an online community about any subject and invite friends with an email address or Sprint phone to add pictures, video clips and text of their own at no additional cost. And Seattle-based Vizrea has introduced the Vizrea Snap service, which can automatically move pictures between a phone, PC and the Web.

These services might help push the camera-phone market along. In-Stat has said that only a tiny percentage of camera phones are used regularly to transmit pictures or to store for later use. Less than a third of camera phone owners surveyed by In-Stat indicated that they share picture messages with friends. One of the reasons was that they were turned off by the difficulty of creating and sending pictures. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: Motorola fears subscribers not excited about moco

2006-02-24T18:58:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- Motorola's handset division head Ron Garriques said the company is backing away from being the first to market with advanced phones that boast WCDMA and expensive QUALCOMM chips that will enable or optimize next-gen 3G services. Why? He's not so sure subscribers are impressed by moco services and want to pay the money for handsets that support them. "In the past we had to launch every product and chase every market, because we needed the opportunity," he said.

The game changed for Motorola after the RAZR handset's breakout success two years ago--the handset's sales now account for one-third of the company's overall handset sales. Currently, thanks in large part to the RAZR's exterior design, more end users are willing to spend on slick phones with less features. Motorola said Samsung's newest 3G phone won't sell anywhere near the shipments that the RAZR has, so why should Motorola lead the charge? For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Controversy surrounds cell-phone viruses

2006-02-23T18:58:00.011-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- With all the noise surrounding security vendors entering the mobile market to fight viruses, Verizon says it doesn't see a need for its customers to install antivirus software on mobile phones. Verizon is right that threats are low today in light of the fact that there is not one dominant OS platform and that mobile phones pretty much incorporate a push-and-pull method of downloading information from the Internet. But as phones become a virtual PC in the hand, that significantly increases the threat of viruses. In fact, Gartner suggests a widespread attack could happen by the end of next year.

The vendors announcing their progress in the mobile industry have been accused of fear mongering to get their software sold, but most of the ones I talk to are realistic about the threat. They say they're just preparing for the inevitable when mobile phones coalesce around a couple of dominant OS platforms. We're already seeing a high infection rate of non-malicious viruses, meaning virus makers are testing the platforms out. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: MoCo events updates

2006-02-23T18:58:00.010-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- This is your first update on MoCo events...

> Software Radio Summit 2006 - Feb 22-23, Tyson's Corner, Vienna, VA
A visionary approach outlining future uses of software radio technology in the military, government & commercial sector. This event will serve as a forum for government, industry & academia to discuss the goals, objectives, priorities, implementation strategies, enablers, barriers and existing program initiatives in support of software-defined radios. www.idga.org/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?topic=329&event=8948&

> IT Infrastructure Qualification Summit - Feb 28-March 1, Del Mar, CA
At the IT Infrastructure Qualification Summit, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Biotech industries experts will explain cost-effective strategies for qualifying and maintaining FDA compliance for their MIS infrastructure. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=8991&topic=233 for more information.

> RFID, Tracking and Barcoding for Hospitals - March 21-22, Scottsdale, AZ
At Healthcare IQ's 4th annual RFID, Tracking and Barcoding for Hospitals you will hear first-hand how leading hospitals and heath networks have implemented electronic barcode scanning and RFID technology to cut unnecessary expenses, improve productivity and increase patient safety. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9052&topic=233 for more information.

> Billboard Magazine's MECCA 2006 - April 4, Las Vegas
MECCA is the official mobile entertainment event at CTIA Wireless. MECCA connects the music, film, & TV industry with the wireless world's investors, operators, & application providers to discuss issues in mobile music, games, animation, film & TV. Details at: www.billboardevents.com

> IPTV and Beyond - April 19-20, San Diego
Is your company expecting big payoffs from the IPTV revolution or are you lost in all the hype and confused as to what all this means for your organization? Join us as we discuss the effect of IPTV on your organization and present real-world best practices from those who have implemented IPTV. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9550&topic=586 for more information.

> KidPower 2006 and The 13th Annual Conference & Award - May 7-11, Lake Buena Vista, FL
With 13 years under out belts we understand what's important to the marketing minds attempting to engage the ever evolving kids' market. That's why we have organized four full days packed with creativity, education and opportunity. Getting the most out of Kid Power 2006 is as easy as A-B-C-D…. For more information, visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/singlecell.html?topic=236&event=9537.

> 2006 MVNO Summit - May 16-18, Las Vegas
Learn best-practices for entering--and surviving--this competitive but highly-rewarding marketplace and real-world strategies from industry leaders. This conference will equip you with the valuable lessons that you can apply immediately to develop and implement your own MVNO strategy. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9193&topic=586 for more information.

> Telecom Financial & Technology Management - May 17-18, Chicago
The telecom industry is evolving and becoming more complicated, needing faster and economically smart solutions to deal with the various processes. This conference is designed so Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies and their telecom leaders can learn how to be more efficient in a telecom environment. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9585&topic=233 for more information.

> Management for Defense Spectrum - May 23-24, Arlington, VA
Maximize spectrum management and provide optimal communications in times of increasing security threats. Timely updates on new spectrum requirements and strategies with a balanced perspective from key DoD, FCC, Commerce Department and Industry members on spectrum management policy, requirements and research & development. Visit www.iqpc.com/cgi-bin/templates/genevent.html?event=9644&topic=221 for more information.

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: More updates on the new Mobile Content Market

2006-02-23T18:58:00.009-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- The Mobile Content Market or MoCo is what's hot right now, and we are you main source for moco industry news...

> Commodore and The Content Factory team up to take on mobile gaming. The plan is to open new channels for delivering digital media content, which can include video, music, games and business applications for mobile phones and handheld devices. Article

> An Australian fund is in the works to grant venture capital to Australia's emerging mobile TV sector. Article

> Axiom Telecom launches multi-platform chat service that claims to bridge ICQ, MSN, AOL, Google and Yahoo! IM services. Article

> Here's a high level New York Times take on 3G services and a profile of an early adopter who remains unimpressed. Article

> Abandon Mobile, in an exclusive partnership with NBC Sports, releases two new wireless game titles: Bode Miller Alpine Racing and Abandon's additional release, NBC Sports Figure Skating. Both are available for download now for customers on the Cingular Wireless, Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless networks. Article

> Researchers discover that rats use instant replay for memory and while dreaming. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: 3 Italia says mobile TV to increase IPO

2006-02-23T18:58:00.008-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- 3 Italia CEO Vincenzo Novari said the launch of his company's mobile TV service will boost its IPO valuation because media companies are valued at around double the multiples of traditional telecom companies due to their higher margins. Currently, media services like data downloading and streaming account for 30 percent of the carrier's sales, but Novari said he didn't know what percentage of sales needed to be from media services to be considered a "media company." For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: Third Screen Media raises $5M in second round

2006-02-23T18:58:00.007-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- Mobile advertising and marketing software developer Third Screen Media announced it has secured $5 million in venture capital led by TD Capital Ventures with backing from Blue Chip Venture. The company said the round will go toward marketing its MADX mobile ad delivery platform to publishers, carriers, brands and advertising agencies. Third Screen has deployed or tested its products with USA Today, MasterCard, Dunkin Donuts, MSN and Sprint. Mobile marketing is hot, and Third Screen Media can back that statement up with its funding. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: 89% of brands to use mobile marketing by 2008

2006-02-23T18:58:00.006-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- According to a recent study by mobile infrastructure software provider Airwide Solutions, by 2008 an estimated 89 percent of major brands will use text and multimedia messaging to reach their audience. (Please note: Airwide offers monitoring solutions for SMS and MMS campaigns.) The report also claims nearly one-third plan to spend more than 10 percent of their marketing budget on the mobile medium. Currently, 40 percent of brands have already launched SMS marketing campaigns and a rugged 18 percent have deployed MMS marketing initiatives. The study found the largest barrier to market for such campaigns is a lack of information as to how to manage and implement an SMS campaign.

The report concluded that brands want the ability to reach a specific target audience, more info about how the user responded to the message and proof that the message had been received by the user's handset. Surprisingly, Airwide released such a monitoring tool just last week. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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MOBILE CONTENT NEWS: AT&T, Yahoo! team up for moco services

2006-02-23T18:58:00.005-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Mobile Content Industry News & Updates.- AT&T and Yahoo's Go Mobile team have partnered for a mobile app that brings Cingular subscriber's AT&T Yahoo! mail, photos, address book and more to the user's handheld. The app also comes equipped with Yahoo! Messenger, allowing users to exchange IMs, voice clips, emoticons and Audibles. The service will work exclusively with Nokia's 6682 handset, which sells online for $199.99 after a $50 rebate. AT&T recommended subscribers also sign up for its data service, which runs $19.99 for an unlimited plan. Between the exclusive on the handset and the additional $20, Cingular needs to seriously consider whether any lay user really has the desire to check their Yahoo! mail anywhere, anytime for that much money. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Keep up with the lastest Wireless news

2006-02-23T18:58:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Here are some extra wireless updates to keep you ahead on the mobile industry.

> Nokia's music N91 smartphone has been held up because of DRM issues. Article

> Ericsson signed HSDPA contracts with Italian operator 3 and Swiss operator Swisscom Mobile. Article

> San Francisco reveals six proposals to running the city's muni-WiFi network. Article

> STMicroelectronics announced a new Multi-Chip Package memory portfolio for 3G and CDMA mobile phones. Release

> Afghanistan's telecoms regulator has shut down an illegal GSM network operating in Kabul. Article

> A Canadian university has limited WiFi networks on campus because the long-term safety of the technology is "unproven." Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: NTT DoCoMo transmits 2.5 Gbps in 4G trial

2006-02-23T18:58:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- NTT DoCoMo said it transmitted data at 2.5 Gbps to a moving vehicle using MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) technology. The tests are part of the Japanese operator's research into fourth-generation mobile technology. The vehicle, however, was traveling at 12 mph. MIMO, which sends data using multiple antennas, is emerging as the key enabler of super fast data speeds. It is an integral part of the 802.11n WiFi standard and will be an important development in the 3G standards-making process going forward. Look for lots of patents filed on this one. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Technology CEOs call for spectrum policy changes

2006-02-23T18:58:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Wireless executives have long complained about the inefficient use of spectrum in the U.S. Now a group of technology executives are calling on Congress and President Bush to initiate a formal review of spectrum in the U.S. to determine where it is being used inefficiently. The Technology CEO Council, in a report released yesterday, wants Congress to instruct the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to report on the value and lost opportunities, primarily as a result of inefficient government use. It also wants more unlicensed spectrum for WiFi and other services, as well as a change in the spectrum auction process, saying spectrum policy is still governed by outdated 1970s policies. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: What's the future of push-to-talk in the U.S.?

2006-02-23T18:58:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily WiFi News & Updates.- Push-to-talk services are in the news again. Remember when they were the hottest topic in 2002 and 2003? Operators looking jealously at Nextel's high ARPU thought IP networks would finally allow them to compete. It turned out though that when Verizon launched the first competitive PTT service it couldn't compete on quality. Marketing of the service quickly faded. Cingular and Alltel have launched services using a solution from Kodiak, which uses a circuit-switched network that reduces latency problems. But PTT will probably run into the same adoption problems SMS and MMS faced early on in the U.S. because carriers aren't opening up their networks to interoperability. Sprint Nextel won't have an incentive for a long time to do so because it still has a corner on this market. It's interesting that Verizon now says that text messaging and in-network free mobile-to-mobile provide the instant communications consumers want. Has it totally abandoned PTT or is it waiting for the next generation of EV-DO technology that offers QoS over VoIP and quicker connection times? For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Tomorrow D-day for RIM's BlackBerry service

2006-02-23T18:58:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Tomorrow is D-day for Research In Motion. A federal judge will decide whether or not to impose an injunction to shut down BlackBerry operations in the U.S. as a result of RIM's patent battle with NTP. To be sure, carriers are watching the situation and have been testing and certifying RIM's workaround solution in case the judge doesn't rule in RIM's favor.

The workaround solution requires customers to download new software to their BlackBerry devices, and corporate customers will have to upgrade the software on BlackBerry servers. Some wireless operators are worried that older BlackBerry devices will be unable to use the workaround software because they don't have enough memory. While operators say they are confident things are going to be operating as usual, they have to be biting their nails this week. After all, their BlackBerry customers are some of the most important revenue generators. Meanwhile, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a final rejection to one of the key patents NTP's infringement lawsuit against RIM. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Keep you updated one news a ta time

2006-02-23T03:59:00.006-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- New of the top Wireless and Mobile industry updates...

> EarthLink and Google have combined their proposals to build a muni-WiFi network in San Francisco. Article

> It's a sign of a maturing market: About 16 percent of U.S. wireless customers have two mobile phones. Article

> A federal judge refused the Justice Department's request for its own hearing on how a possible shutdown of BlackBerry email service would effect government employees. Article

> London announced plans to install a comprehensive WiFi network throughout the city's Square Mile. Article

> Georgia's National Communications Commission plans to auction a 3G license. Article

> New wireless technology could replace fiber in some instances. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Deadbeat customers cost a lot of money

2006-02-23T03:59:00.005-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Deadbeat customers are costing mobile operators about $26 billion every year, according to a report from Analysys and Talgentra, which surveyed operators around the world. As a result, 5 percent of total billings are written off annually. One of the main problems associated with the high write-off figures is that collections often fall between the responsibilities of various departments in a company. In other words, there is no clear strategy for collecting. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Alltel to acquire Ill. regional operator

2006-02-23T03:59:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Not surprisingly, we're seeing large operators snapping up small, regional operators as regional players struggle in an environment dominated by national or nearly national operators with cheap country-wide pricing plans. Alltel purchased First Cellular of Southern Illinois, a locally owned wireless service provider in Mt. Vernon. Verizon Wireless recently acquired a small cellular operator in Northern California, Cal-One Cellular, which operates under the Cal North Wireless brand. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: EC expected to rule on QUALCOMM antitrust case

2006-02-23T03:59:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- The European Commission is expected to publish an initial decision on complaints against QUALCOMM and its alleged patent license policies. Broadcom, Ericsson, NEC, Nokia, Panasonic Mobile Communications and Texas Instruments have claimed that QUALCOMM is engaging in anti-competitive practices when it comes to licensing essential patents for 3G W-CDMA systems. Analysts believe the EC will pursue the matter, but a detailed investigation from the commission could take years. So expect a long, drawn out battle here, and QUALCOMM is no stranger to vicious, drawn-out IPR battles. It's a classic case of one company trying to get as much as it can from licensing while the licensees want to pay as little as they can. Licensing is something QUALCOMM will vigorously defend. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Senate wants unlicensed access in 700 MHz

2006-02-23T03:59:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily WiFi News & Updates.- Two new bills circulating in the U.S. Senate would allow WISPs to operate on an unlicensed basis in unused 700 MHz TV spectrum. There's a lot of pressure on Congress right now to allow this because it is seen as a viable way to enable cheaper and easier widespread broadband access for rural and low-income areas. But let's hope Congress won't jump the gun here. The FCC has already been considering rules for this since 2004, but there are some big concerns about interference. Both new bills would force the FCC to move more quickly on concluding those rulemaking procedures and require the agency to craft technical rules and guidelines for those operating on the unlicensed spectrum. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Cingular rolls out OfficeReach for enterprises

2006-02-23T03:59:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily WiFi News & Updates.- Cingular Wireless introduced Cingular OfficeReach, an integrated communications management solution that allows businesses to administer their wireline and wireless services as one system to help control telecom costs. OfficeReach is a voice-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) that enables business customers to manage their communications platforms through a suite of tools, including one number service, customizable call management, private numbering plan and zone billing. OfficeReach is integrated directly into a company's existing telephone network and uses a database-driven, intelligent platform. Cingular says OfficeReach requires no capital investment in PBX infrastructure so trunk line and PBX investments are minimized while the organization grows.

We're starting to see a big emphasis from carriers on helping enterprises control telecom spending. Sprint quietly rolled out a voice feature for both wireless consumers and business users called Sprint to Home that allows customers to designate a wireline number for unlimited calling for $5 a month. Business users of Mobile to Office pay $8 a month and can call a designated wireline business or residential number on an unlimited basis. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Sprint Nextel takes merger-related hit

2006-02-23T03:59:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Sprint Nextel took a hit from merger-related expenses, announcing a 55 percent drop in fourth-quarter net income. The carrier also announced revenue for 2006 will be far below what analysts had forecasted. Revenue will come in at about $41 billion, and analysts were forecasting $46.8 billion in revenue. Sprint Nextel added 2 million customers, ending the year with 47.6 million customers.

Analysts I'm sure are watching the mix of customers coming on the network, perhaps fearing that the majority of customer adds may be prepaid customers in the future. Prepaid typically brings in higher churn and lower ARPU. The company added 746,000 users under the Sprint and Nextel post-paid brands, 624,000 under the Boost Mobile brand and 651,000 through wholesale channels and from PCS affiliates. Boost Mobile is Sprint Nextel's subsidiary that offers a prepaid push-to-talk service targeted at younger users. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Walking the Line Of IEEE Process

2006-02-19T19:27:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- So the question remains, when will the draft be stable enough to begin designing firmware upgradeable chipsets? The industry eagerly awaits an answer. Claims that chip sets based on any early draft will be firmware upgradeable or interoperable with the final 802.11n specification are irresponsible and may mislead consumers who do not completely understand the IEEE process.

Gartner, Farpoint Group and other industry experts further highlight that claims of upgradeability at this juncture are at best unfounded and at worst misleading. They also point out that these claims have the potential to put chip vendors and the OEMs who work with them in an extremely difficult position when upgradeability and interoperability is not achieved.

In a recent statement about claims of upgradeability and interoperability Gartner warned, "Gartner believes that such claims may be misleading to clients, in part because they are premature, since the specification is likely to undergo changes over the next year. Also, customers may mistakenly infer that these chips can be made compliant through upgrades. In the past, with 802.11g, a similar rush to marketing occurred and included promises regarding the ability to upgrade that were not met." For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: The Road Ahead For 802.11n

2006-02-19T19:27:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Initially, many within the 802.11n task group estimated that it would take just over a year to move from Draft 1.0 to ratification. The IEEE, however, has since agreed that a more reasonable timeline is 18 months and now estimates ratification of the standard to be in September 2007. This builds in time for the 500-member IEEE 802.11n task group to review the draft for errors and omissions, inconsistencies with other 802.11 standards, possible improvements in performance and interoperability and better voice and multimedia application support. The first round of IEEE group corrections and improvements will be incorporated into a Draft 2.0 in May or July 2006, and the IEEE anticipates that a last draft will be ratified approximately one year later.

This schedule update by the IEEE indicates that a lot work still needs to be done, and that the first draft will undergo several rounds of review and revisions before it is stable enough to guarantee firmware upgradeability or interoperability to the final ratified standard. More importantly, until there is a stable and mature draft of the IEEE 802.11n standard, the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) cannot begin the testing and certification program, which it expects to begin in March 2007. Until this certification testing is in place, device manufacturers-and consumers-cannot be assured of interoperability between different vendors' 802.11n products. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIFI NEWS: CTIA no longer opposed to muni-WiFi

2006-02-18T20:05:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily WiFi News & Updates.- CTIA says it is no longer opposed to competition from city-sponsored muni-WiFi initiatives now that its members are involved in some of them. Last year, CTIA raised concerns about competition from muni-WiFi initiatives. This year there are a number of operators with plans to deploy hybrid services. "What has changed is that we reflect our members and the industry," Senior Vice President Michael Altschul said. "As our technology and our world has evolved, licensed and unlicensed converge, and our members are a part of it." For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: US leads in ringtone downloads

2006-02-18T20:01:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- M:metrics' first comparison of German, UK and US use of mobile content shows that US consumers outpaced their European counterparts when it came to downloading ringtones. During the last quarter of 2005, 9.7 percent of US mobile subscribers downloaded a ringtone compared with 7.1 percent of Brits and 7 percent of Germans. But 4.1 per cent of UK users had downloaded a game in the period of the survey compared with 3.3 percent of Americans and 2 percent of Germans. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: RadioShack rocked by wireless sales

2006-02-18T19:30:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- RadioShack posted a 62 percent drop in fourth-quarter net income, and announced a massive restructuring plan that could include closing up to 10 percent of stores. Wireless is primarily to blame. The company told investors that strong sales in products such as digital cameras, satellite radios and portable DVD players were not enough to offset weakness in wireless and other high-margin items. Wireless sales took a hit when Verizon Wireless transitioned out and Cingular Wireless came in. RadioShack expected a considerable increase in Sprint Nextel sales to offset the transition, but it didn't happen. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: The MIMO Wireless Opportunity

2006-02-18T19:27:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- The MIMO technology at the heart of 802.11n is more complex than any technology ever attempted in wireless, and there is much work to be done to create a stable and final draft of the IEEE standard. Analysts forecast the market for MIMO to reach $1 billion in 2007, in large part due to the industry push to standardize MIMO Wi-Fi technology through the 802.11n standard. The consumer market today can experience the benefits of MIMO-powered wireless networks through Wi-Fi certified 802.11b/g and 802.11a/g compliant products from leading providers such as Linksys, Netgear, Buffalo, Belkin, Corega, and others. Because these products are Wi-Fi Alliance certified for interoperability, they are guaranteed to work with 802.11n products shipped in the future.

Years have been invested in demonstrating and evangelizing MIMO technology to gain its acceptance by the industry. However, those closely involved will agree that the surface has just been scratched in terms of the opportunity presented by MIMO. MIMO-based products are bringing a new level of connectivity to millions of consumers, and the technology--with the ratification of a final draft of the 802.11n standard--will form an essential building block of the wireless future. This industry is truly poised to explode once the IEEE and Wi-Fi Alliance complete the standardization and certification process. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Unlocking the True Potential of the Smart Home--IEEE 802.11n

2006-02-18T19:27:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Airgo's David Borison talks about the dangers of developing 802.11n chipsets before the standard is completed.

Just a few weeks ago, a key milestone was reached in a process that has captured the attention of the entire wireless industry: the 802.11n task group voted to accept the joint proposal as the basis for draft one of the new IEEE next generation WiFi standard. This joint proposal includes features and performance benefits that will enable the industry to realize a host of emerging applications such as streaming video, audio and VIP.

The 802.11n standard has been the focus of intense scrutiny during the past several months due to the incredible benefits of the Airgo-based MIMI technology on which it is based. Acceptance of the joint proposal serves the best interests of both consumers and the industry because this proposal can now be evaluated and improved by all parties in the open IEEE forum. The vote was decided by a 184 to 0 margin and signals an end to the special interest group politics that disrupted the standards progress last fall. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Cellular/WiFi handset battery life is poor

2006-02-18T19:27:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- With all the hype surrounding the introduction of cellular/WiFi handsets, softswitch platform provider Netcentrex reminds us that battery life stinks, making fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) unattractive at this point. These handsets are burning up the battery power too fast, meaning users only have about four hours in standby time. So don't expect the FMC market to take off too quickly. Netcentrex reckons it will take about six months for handset makers to resolve the battery consumption problem. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Warner Bros. to move into off-portal content

2006-02-18T19:27:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Warner Brothers told 3GSM attendees that the company plans to begin its own mobile Internet site to distribute TV, video and even films to cell phone users. Off-portal, or direct-to-consumer, content is poised to grow in the U.S., with Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel embracing the concept as a way to grow revenues without having to do any of the heavy lifting. For Warner Bros., it doesn't mind sharing as much as 50 percent of the revenues with carriers for ringtones that are sold on carrier decks, but that revenue-sharing arrangement is not good enough for TV and movies if consumers watch movies on their phones instead of DVDs. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Motorola and Nokia could be Qualcomm customers

2006-02-18T19:27:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Qualcomm could be the benefactor of substantial business in light of some interesting developments in the industry. A research note from Caris & Company indicates Qualcomm could become the chip supplier for the latest generation of Motorola's HSDPA phones because Freescale Semiconductor, the spinoff from Motorola, can't make chips that are thin enough to accommodate its ultra-thin phones. Qualcomm could also get a boost from the planned JV between Nokia and Sanyo since Nokia, which has long stood steadfast in making its own chipsets, indicated it wouldn't be opposed to using chipsets from Qualcomm. Sanyo already uses Qualcomm chipsets. Qualcomm's stock was up slightly this morning. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEW: How to get a strong grip on new technology security

2006-02-15T21:39:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Mobility is so ubiquitous today that even consumers know what PDA stands for, and the basic wireless device, the cell phone, is morphing into a multi-tasking gadget in unprecedented fashion. While it's great that users are getting savvier about new tools and services, they're still committing the huge sin of deploying handhelds and device access without the permission, or even simple notification, of the IT department. That's exactly why you need to get a grip on everything in hand that's being used for business today--from camera phones to those cute portable data storage devices and, of course, wireless computing and emerging peer-to-peer technologies.

As one CIO explains, it's not a matter of getting around to it, it's a matter of doing it as soon as possible thanks to all the vulnerabilities created by the new wireless device army. Find out how to secure and manage each of the four technologies mentioned above, the unique aspects within security tied to each one, and why you also need to stay ahead of your users in learning what's coming next in wireless mobility functions and tools. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Symbian halves licensing fees

2006-02-14T21:39:00.009-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- In an effort to accelerate the adoption of the Symbian OS platform, Symbian cut its licensing fees. Under new pricing alternatives, Symbian OS royalties as low as $2.50 per unit are possible, down from the $7.25 per unit sold for the first 2 million and $5 per unit thereafter. The moves come as Linux- and Windows-based handsets are encroaching on Symbian's market share. New research from The Diffusion Group says the battle between mobile OS vendors is set to intensify with Symbian, today's market leader, gradually losing share to both Microsoft's Mobile Windows and Linux. Symbian had a market share of 51 percent last year. The firm expects Symbian's share to erode to 22 percent, behind both Windows and Linux, who will garner 29 percent and 26 percent respectively. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: WiFi iPod on the way?

2006-02-14T21:39:00.008-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Investors are rubbing their hands over the prospect that Apple may be introducing an iPod capable of downloading music and video via WiFi. The speculation comes after chip vendor PortalPlayer and Bluetooth technology company CSR said they added WiFi and Bluetooth capability to chips used in personal media players. We don't know which media player, but it may be safe to assume that it's iPod since about 95 percent of PortalPlayer's business comes from iPod related sales. iPod to date has only made a wireless debut on a couple of Motorola phones. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS EVENTS: Quick 2006 Wireless Events Update

2006-02-14T21:39:00.007-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless Events Update.-

> Adobe at 3GSM - Feb 13-16, Barcelona
Experience Flash mobile technology on your handset. Visit the Adobe booth to learn how Flash enables mobile operators, OEMs, and content providers to protect and differentiate their brands and generate new revenue streams by engaging consumers with rich, easy-to-use mobile applications and services. You can even try it on your handset. Learn more.

> Hexia.net at 3GSM - Feb 13-17, Barcelona
Hexia.net will be showcasing our Mobile Music Community solutions at 3GSM this year. Stop by stand E50 in Hall 2 to experience what our users say is "overall the best community site geared towards unsigned artists." www.hexia.net/events

> Mobile Entertainment Outlook for the U.S. and Hollywood at 3GSM - Feb 15, Barcelona
For the first time in Europe: Lunch briefing hosted by iHollywood Forum, Wireless Week and others. Discuss the mobile outlook in the United States, network with international industry deal-makers and hear lively panel discussion. Speakers from HBO, EMI Music, MobiTV. Reserve your space now: www.ihollywoodforum.com/mobileentertainmentstrategies.htm

> The Premier MVNO Event at 3GSM - February 15, Barcelona
Come hear Blueslice CEO Stephan Ouaknine share his views on the MVNO market and moderate a panel of industry experts, including Ton aan de Stegge (former CEO, Telfort), Kevin Gillan (Carphone Warehouse) and Michael Padmanathan (Alcatel). Champagne and strawberries will flow freely. Space is limited. Reserve your spot and learn more at www.blueslice.com.

> ZigBee Alliance Open House - March 16, Milan
Press, analysts, and interested companies are invited to the ZigBee Alliance Open House, Thursday, March 16, 2006. Hear ZigBee experts and see Member Company Demonstrations. View details and registration. www.zigbee.org/en/events/openhouseannouncement_2006-03-16.asp

> IMS Asia - March 21-23, Singapore
Analyze and explore the opportunities presented by this rapidly developing technology. Hear 35 industry experts including 9 operators present their real life experiences. PLUS have your views heard and questions answered in the 5 interactive panel discussions. For further information and to register visit www.ibc-asia.com/IMSReg.htm.

> Profitability Assurance 2006 - March 22-23, San Diego
Learn how to build end-to-end mobile services that will drive new revenue streams and increase ARPU. In-depth sessions on mobile delivery of digital content, managing network usage, third-party content settlement, settlement interoperability, and more. Special low rate for service providers! Click for registration, agenda, speaker details and more.

> Billboard Magazine's MECCA 2006 - April 4, Las Vegas
MECCA is the official mobile entertainment event at CTIA Wireless. MECCA connects the music, film, & TV industry with the wireless world's investors, operators, & application providers to discuss issues in mobile music, games, animation, film & TV. Details at: www.billboardevents.com

> IMS Summit @ CTIA Wireless 2006 - April 5, Las Vegas
Designed specifically to address the issues central to the US market this high level one day forum will help you evaluate the business case justification for deployment of IMS. Including 8 service provider presentations this is a MUST ATTEND for any organization involved in the IMS arena. For further information and to register visit: www.imsvision.com/ims@ctia.

> MVNO Summit Europe & 3rd flagship WiMAX event - April, Berlin
Two high-level telco conferences that provide you with the ultimate platform to meet and network with your industry peers and high level speakers from the touted WiMAX market and the emerging MVNO market. Make sure you will not be left behind and book those events into your calendar! www.iqpc.de/cgi-bin/templates/fivecell.html?topic=620&newTop=620&rgn=3

> VentureWire presents Wireless Ventures - May 3-4, San Jose, CA
Learn firsthand which companies and strategies are poised to set the pace in the wireless industry at Wireless Ventures. Get expert insight on hot sectors like mobile content, communications, wireless messaging and more. Meet the key investors and companies shaping the environment in 2006. www.wireless-ventures.com/register.asp?s=WVFierce

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Wireless updates from the news apple tree...

2006-02-14T21:39:00.006-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.-

> BenQ Mobile says it's deciding which mobile OS to support. Article

> Russia's second-largest mobile phone operator OAO Vimpel Communications makes a $5 billion offer to purchase Ukraine's Kyivstar, the largest mobile operator in Ukraine. Article

> Sprint Nextel reaches an agreement with a key labor union over the spin-off of its local phone business. Article

> As many as four more rival bidders may emerge for Portugal Telecom following Sonae's $12.85 billion hostile takeover bid for the carrier. Article

> Two workers in Mexico agree to play guinea pig to have themselves embedded with tiny silicon chips so their bosses can track their movements. They must be looking for promotions.

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Nokia has introduced a slim flip phone

2006-02-14T21:39:00.005-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- When it comes to handsets, thin is in this year, thanks to Motorola's RAZR phone. Nokia has introduced a slim flip phone that some say could effectively compete with Motorola's popular RAZR phone. The 6131 camera phone has 8x digital zoom, a digital music player, an FM stereo radio, audio messaging and push-to-talk capability. It's a quadband phone, which means it can operate on four of the major standards in use around the world. Meanwhile, both Sony Ericsson and NEC introduced thin phones. NEC claims its model is the world's thinnest clamshell handset, measuring in at a meager 90.8 x 47.9 x 11.9 mm and 94 g. Sony Ericsson says its K610 would be the smallest and lightest 3G handset on the market. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: International operators push global IM service

2006-02-14T21:39:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Several of the globe's largest operators are pushing initiatives to make instant messaging as pervasive as SMS. Vodafone, China Mobile, Telefonica Moviles, Orange and T-Mobile International are part of 15 operators trying to create a parallel value stream to their lucrative SMS businesses. Unlike text messaging, mobile IM offers a familiar messaging platform because it's commonly used on PCs. In addition, mobile IM allows users to manage a list of contacts, check their availability online and send one message to groups of users. Operators believe customers will be willing to pay for these features in a mobile environment, even though IM is free on PC connections. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Ericsson: HSDPA to drive 3G growth

2006-02-14T21:39:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- I thought WCDMA was supposed to drive 3G to the mass market. Now Ericsson is saying IMS and HSDPA, which delivers three to four times the data capacity and access speeds than WCDMA, will help drive 3G adoption into mass market during 2006. Of course, as a vendor, you have to say that the next generation of technology will drive usage.

But we're finding carriers need to do a lot more than offer the latest technology to drive usage. A new study from In-Stat finds a lack of perceived value for 3G bandwidth, which will put some pressure on 3G pricing. Neither WiFi nor 3G operators have found the perfect balance of speed, coverage and price, says In-Stat analyst Allyn Hall. A poll commissioned by Netonomy, a customer service solutions provider, and conducted by research firm YouGov, found that 79 percent of respondents believe mobile phone services are getting more complicated to understand and configure. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Microsoft puts the heat on BlackBerry

2006-02-14T21:39:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Microsoft is trying to put the heat on RIM's BlackBerry, which dominates the mobile email space. The software company announced that three mobile operators will use its kit to introduce push email to the SME market. Vodafone, T-Mobile and Cingular are opting to use the complete solution, which is available to customers who use Windows Mobile-enabled 5.0 devices and who are connected to Exchange 2003 servers.

The advantage over other email solutions is the fact that the kit doesn't require additional middleware to connect the device and the Exchange server. That makes the solution a lot cheaper. But I suspect this market to play out like the cellular push-to-talk market where Nextel's many years of perfecting P2T services have boxed out competitors trying to launch similar services. Likewise, RIM has been in the enterprise email market for seven years and has pretty advanced and mature technology. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Microsoft, BT, Virgin Mobile team for mobile TV

2006-02-14T21:39:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Virgin Mobile confirmed recent rumors that Microsoft, the MVNO and BT Group plan to launch a nationwide mobile TV service in the U.K. The deal grants Virgin Mobile exclusive rights to the service, dubbed BT Movio, for an unspecified, but reportedly limited, span of time. BT Movio will piggyback on the Digital Audio Broadcasting network already in place in the U.K. Although the partners have yet to set a price for the service, most expect a monthly fee of £8. The service will launch with five television channels and about 350 radio stations. News of the deal leaked over the weekend and rumors then percolated on the Internet leading up to today's confirmation. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Live from 3GSM: "X" steals the show in Barcelona

2006-02-14T21:39:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- The folks here in Barcelona are getting anxious to see what shakes out of this conference once the smoke clears. The rampant use of fog machines sure isn't helping things much either. How did those make a comeback?

The Mobile Entertainment Forum's party last night was off the chain, as they say in the industry, with movers and shakers from across the mobile content sector. I particularly enjoyed chatting with MobiTV CEO Dr. Phillip Alvelda about MobiTV's role in the Sprint/Cable MSOs consortium. Phil said part of his role includes launching a sling-like offering that transports the digital TV service in your living room to your handset. There was also talk of Sling Media running into some legal issues for their distribution methods... more on that later this week.

Microsoft launched its much anticipated push email service to take on RIM et al, while folks like Action Engine and Roundbox launched interactive apps "beyond mobile TV" like offline paid content teasers. In the M&A slot: NMS announced that it is set to acquire Openera for $16.4 million.

Ubiquity also unleashed SIP app clients for music and video sharing. The idea builds on long held suspicions that viral distribution is key for mobile content's success, so it connects users in VoIP conferences with buddy lists and a slick interface. Lucent also announced that it plans to carry Ubiquity's SIP app client alongside its own as part of its overall SIP solution. IMS.

"X leads 3GSM conference." A quick scan at the day's headlines indicates that there's either a plethora of big news coming out of 3GSM or each media outlook just wants to have a unique hook. My "X"? MoCo and its enabling infrastructure leads the show at 3GSM. A broad swathe of the industry? Indeed. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Hotspot finder boasts good security feature

2006-02-13T21:39:00.006-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- If your mobile warriors are harping on you for help in finding secure hotspots as they do business on the road, you might want to check out the Canarywireless Hotspotter, a digital scanner that actually tells the user up front whether a discovered hotspot is open or secure. Another great aspect is that the scanner won't kill the wireless budget; it's priced just above $50. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Another Wireless Updates in the Air...

2006-02-13T21:39:00.005-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.-

> Samsung is cooperating with Telecom Italia to jointly launch a mobile WiMax service in Italy in 2007. Article

> Venture capital deals made with wireless companies in the fourth quarter of 2005 totaled $366 million. Article

> IPWireless announced that Sprint will be the first operator globally to test the next generation of IPWireless' mobile broadband technology. Article

> Hewlett-Packard has created a new business unit for iPaq handhelds. Article

> Sharp says it will unveil a new cell phone at this week's 3GSM World Congress that boasts a screen resolution about four times that of existing high-end phones. Article

> Sensor chips could one day be embedded into underwear to send laundry-related text or voice alerts to cell phones, such as clean me. Let's hope no one needs to hear that message.

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Big chip players give legitimacy to WiFi/cellular devices

2006-02-13T21:39:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- The two biggest chip players in the cellular and WiFi worlds are teaming up on a reference design for dual-mode mobile and WiFi phones. QUALCOMM is combining its chipsets for both GSM and CDMA technology families with Atheros' single-chip WiFi client. The vendors expect to ship the reference design in June, with handset vendors expected to offer handsets based on the design by the end of the year. Analysts say having these two silicon vendors on board will pave the way for a quick and cheaper deployment of integrated WiFi/cellular services since both chip makers have economies of scale on their side. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Alcatel announces mobile WiMax base station

2006-02-13T21:39:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Alcatel boldly announced that it will offer its WiMax base station based on the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard, the mobile WiMax standard, by mid-2006 despite the fact that the IEEE only ratified the standard in December. Just like the 802.11x market, we'll likely begin to see several vendors coming out of the gate as soon as they can with mobile WiMax equipment they say is compatible with the standard in order to grab market share. While other vendors such as Nokia are taking a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to WiMax, Alcatel has moved aggressively with mobile WiMax. The vendor teamed with Korea's KT in December to accelerate the development of WiMax, beginning with the establishment of an interoperability testing center in Seoul. It also has demonstrated IMS over WiMax and is winning WiMax contracts for trials and roll outs in Europe. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Hutchison changes mind on 3 Italia IPO

2006-02-13T21:39:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Hutchison Whampoa decided over the weekend to defer the spin-off of its Italian 3G business, 3 Italia, despite approvals from Italian regulators. Instead, it is selling 10 percent of the unit to Goldman Sachs for roughly $500 million through a private placement. It's simply a bad time for European telecom stocks as a host of major operators across Europe issue profit warnings. Even though 3 Italia is garnering high-margin customers, Hutchison fears it will be lumped in with all of the other poor performers. Still, Hutchison appears anxious to list 3 Italia so that it can obtain a benchmark for its entire 3G business. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: China pushes for TD-SCDMA

2006-02-13T21:39:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- In a move to give China's homegrown TD-SCDMA standard a head start, China's telecom regulators have ordered the country's operators to stop work on WCDMA trial networks. Apparently that doesn't mean WCDMA will be shut out, but regulators will likely issue TD-SCDMA licenses first to allow these licensees to mature the TD-SCDMA standard and follow later with a WCDMA license. Interestingly, the WCDMA trial networks can't even sit dormant until then. Regulators want them dismantled. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Live from 3GSM in Barcelona

2006-02-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- This is Brian reporting live from the jam-packed 3GSM conference in Barcelona. As the show gets situated in its new home (no longer the balmy Cannes of yesteryear), the chaotic environment is nonetheless charged with much positive energy and a fire hose-like spray of unending news. Here's a short wrap-up of my day.

IMS, IMS, IMS is on everyone's lips at the show today with the fixed/mobile convergence (FMC) bandwagon driving the network overhaul initiative. Along those lines, Nokia spearheaded the IMS trend with a UMA-enabled handset that allows end users to make calls via the Internet when in range of a WiFi hotspot and switch over to carriers' cellular networks where WiFi is not available.

Since the Nor'easter that slammed the U.S. prevented my luggage from joining me here in the Mediterranean clime, Nortel was kind enough to provide me with a dress shirt. On a completely unrelated note, Nortel is making some big announcements here in Spain with live demos of their commercial HSDPA services at 3.6 Mbps; unveiling their lobbying efforts here in Europe to grant carriers deploying HSDPA and UMTS spectrum on the 900 Mhz band; demos of HSUPA and HSDA calls; and a push for "HSODA," a broadband mobility solution that brings MIMO and OFDM as the underlying technology for UMTS, CDMA and WiMax.

The folks at Glenayre gave me a look at their active messaging solution, which brings impressive ease of use mobile content apps, enabling end users to receive carrier sent and approved video teasers for music videos, songs, films, etc. Glenayre's messaging muscle should push the feature onto handsets in the near future. They were also skeptical of claims that ad-supported mobile content will gain traction moving forward. It will be a slow transition into a tiny section of the market. More on that later. Slated for tonight is the Sony Ericsson party at Danzarama along with the Mobile Entertainment Forum party at Carpe Diem. Stay tuned for more news from the front lines tomorrow. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Something you worht knowing

2006-02-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.-

> Bluetooth a vulnerability factor in Sony mobile phones. Article

> New IBM chip promises faster wireless networking capability. Article

> Why car makers are speeding to get wireless into their products. Article

> The inherent privacy issues in wireless "follow them" technologies. Article

> Vendors ready a new WiMax network in Texas. Article

> Some big tech players put their money on new WiFi startup. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS EVENTS: Wireless events for February and up coming months...

2006-02-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Current wireless events for this and up coming months...

> Adobe at 3GSM - Feb 13-16, Barcelona
Experience Flash mobile technology on your handset. Visit the Adobe booth to learn how Flash enables mobile operators, OEMs, and content providers to protect and differentiate their brands and generate new revenue streams by engaging consumers with rich, easy-to-use mobile applications and services. You can even try it on your handset. Learn more.

> Hexia.net at 3GSM - Feb 13-17, Barcelona
Hexia.net will be showcasing our Mobile Music Community solutions at 3GSM this year. Stop by stand E50 in Hall 2 to experience what our users say is "overall the best community site geared towards unsigned artists." www.hexia.net/events

> Mobile Entertainment Outlook for the U.S. and Hollywood at 3GSM - Feb 15, Barcelona
For the first time in Europe: Lunch briefing hosted by iHollywood Forum, Wireless Week and others. Discuss the mobile outlook in the United States, network with international industry deal-makers and hear lively panel discussion. Speakers from HBO, EMI Music, MobiTV. Reserve your space now: www.ihollywoodforum.com/mobileentertainmentstrategies.htm

> The Premier MVNO Event at 3GSM - February 15, Barcelona
Come hear Blueslice CEO Stephan Ouaknine share his views on the MVNO market and moderate a panel of industry experts, including Ton aan de Stegge (former CEO, Telfort), Kevin Gillan (Carphone Warehouse) and Michael Padmanathan (Alcatel). Champagne and strawberries will flow freely. Space is limited. Reserve your spot and learn more at www.blueslice.com.

> ZigBee Alliance Open House - March 16, Milan
Press, analysts, and interested companies are invited to the ZigBee Alliance Open House, Thursday, March 16, 2006. Hear ZigBee experts and see Member Company Demonstrations. View details and registration. www.zigbee.org/en/events/openhouseannouncement_2006-03-16.asp

> GDC Mobile - March 20-21, San Jose, CA
Don't miss the definitive mobile game industry event! Attend GDC Mobile at GDC:06 and get a first-hand glimpse of What's Next… Debate the future of your medium with leading executives in the mobile industry. Register by Feb 15 and save up to 35% on your pass. www.gdcmobile.com

> IMS Asia - March 21-23, Singapore
Analyze and explore the opportunities presented by this rapidly developing technology. Hear 35 industry experts including 9 operators present their real life experiences. PLUS have your views heard and questions answered in the 5 interactive panel discussions. For further information and to register visit www.ibc-asia.com/IMSReg.htm.

> Billboard Magazine's MECCA 2006 - April 4, Las Vegas
MECCA is the official mobile entertainment event at CTIA Wireless. MECCA connects the music, film, & TV industry with the wireless world's investors, operators, & application providers to discuss issues in mobile music, games, animation, film & TV. Details at: www.billboardevents.com

> IMS Summit @ CTIA Wireless 2006 - April 5, Las Vegas
Designed specifically to address the issues central to the US market this high level one day forum will help you evaluate the business case justification for deployment of IMS. Including 8 service provider presentations this is a MUST ATTEND for any organization involved in the IMS arena. For further information and to register visit: www.imsvision.com/ims@ctia.

> 2nd Annual ENUM Summit 2006 - April 19-20, Boston
The ENUM Summit 2006 assembles all of the key players in the ENUM space - regulators; standards bodies; international governments; telecom, wireless and cable operators, ISPs, VoIP service providers, ENUM and DNS solutions providers to discuss business models, regulation, ENUM trial results, numbering administration, security, privacy and more.

> VentureWire presents Wireless Ventures - May 3-4, San Jose, CA
Learn firsthand which companies and strategies are poised to set the pace in the wireless industry at Wireless Ventures. Get expert insight on hot sectors like mobile content, communications, wireless messaging and more. Meet the key investors and companies shaping the environment in 2006. http://lists.fiercemarkets.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=69l,i56b,8mg,9i7v,1z6o,c9du,ddg9

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Quick street to top Wireless updates...

2006-02-11T22:37:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Indonesian carriers Indosat, Excelcomindo and Telkomsel secure licenses to operate 3G networks. Article

> Nokia announces new LBS services and a GPS module for lower-end phones. Article

> Sprint Nextel gives restricted stock units valued at about $5.7 million and 637,755 stock options to president and CEO Gary D. Forsee. Article

> NBC MOBILE will offer MobiTV's mobile television subscribers highlights of the 2006 Winter Games. Press release

> Standard & Poor's Equity Research lowers its target price on France Telecom to $24 from $31, citing concerns about wireless growth. Article

> Wireless comes to the most remote place on earth: Timbuktu. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Cities cannot be world-class without WiFi

2006-02-11T22:30:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- You can't be a world-class city if you don't have WiFi. Boston, which has long resisted efforts to create a muni-WiFi network, announced a task force that Mayor Thomas Menino said would "make Boston a world leader in wireless Internet access." Apparently, many business and academic folks have been unhappy with Boston's previous lack of enthusiasm for WiFi and negatively compared Boston with cities that are more aggressive in deploying WiFi, such as Philadelphia and San Francisco. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Telstra feels heat over financial information

2006-02-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Shareholders in Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company, have launched a $221.8 million lawsuit against the company claiming it withheld important financial information. About 100 shareholders are suing Telstra for privately informing senior government ministers that it had to borrow from its reserves to pay shareholder dividends and that 14 percent of its phone lines were faulty, before it released the information to the public. Meanwhile, profits are dropping at the company, prompting the Australian government to wait until its share price is better before it sells out. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Is RIM's work-around solution too vague?

2006-02-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- While Research In Motion is doing its best to allay market fears surrounding the potential shut down of its BlackBerry mobile email service by announcing a work-around solution that it says doesn't impede on NTP's patents, the industry still has doubts because of the lack of technical information released. RIM doesn't want to release technical details because it doesn't want NTP to know what it's up to. A federal judge has set a hearing date for February 24, after which he could choose to issue an injunction to shut down the BlackBerry service as it stands. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: EC cries foul on European roaming charges

2006-02-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Europe's operators have long seen roaming between countries as a source of big revenue given the fact that pricing competition and market saturation has pushed per-minute pricing down in their home markets. Despite the outcry from mobile-phone customers, operators have not budged on the issue, pushing the European Commission to consider legislation to cap roaming fees. In fact, the average cost per minute in Europe is more than three times the rate in Asia, according to research conducted over the past year by Telecoms Management Group. Asian operators can charge less for roaming because their usage is so high, the firm concluded. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: More cookies for the wireless jar

2006-02-10T21:39:00.005-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.-

> President Bush signed a bill that will open up the 700 MHz spectrum to mobile broadband operators and public safety. Article

> Vonage, the nation's largest independent provider of Internet-based home phone service, filed for a public offering. Article

> 3G Americas and Informa Telecoms & Media report that UMTS supports close to 50 million customers. Article

> Cingular will begin selling the Pantech PG-C120, a sleek, black candy bar phone. Article

> STMicroelectronics announces wireless LAN chip for WiFi Enabled mobile phones. Release

> Rumor Mill: Nokia is expected to release the Nokia E61, aka the Nokiaberry, next week. It is Nokia's response to the BlackBerry and Motorola's Q. Article

> Chinese mobile-phone users sent some 12.6 billion messages during the eight days of the Lunar New Year holiday. Article

For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: The 10th Anniversary of the Telecom Act 1996

2006-02-10T21:39:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Happy 10th Anniversary to the Telecommunications Act of 1996! It's a day late, but I bet we're still the first. Yesterday, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, former FCC commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth, former Sen. Larry Pressler and former Rep. Thomas Bliley got together to discuss the Act, which they said was 62 years in the making. When asked what telecom event spurred by the Act's passage surprised him the most, Bliley said the big mergers last year. Pressler explained that Congress will make very little headway, if any, on upgrading the Act because Congress gains little and stands to lose a lot from doing so. Pressler added that the public is not engaged in the details of telecom law: If they cared about spectrum auctions, the auctions would have happened a long time ago. Furchtgott-Roth said he doesn't believe that every time technology changes, the laws need to change: A good law is one that stands the test of time. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Philips: U.S. carrier to launch voice WiFi this year

2006-02-10T21:39:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Chip maker Royal Philips Electronics said a U.S. cellular carrier will launch voice-over-WiFi this year using Philips' Nexperio 6120 chipset. Philips wouldn't identify the carrier, but it's probably safe to assume the customer is T-Mobile USA, the owner of a significant number of WiFi hotspots throughout the nation, and the nationwide operator that is behind the rest of its competitors in the 3G game. Nexperia's UMA technology allows calls to tunnel from WiFi access points through the Internet and onto a cellular network. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Gizmondo struggles in the U.S. market

2006-02-10T21:39:00.002-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Gizmondo, a handheld video game player whose creators hoped to take on the likes of PlayStation Portable and Nintendo, is floundering. Just three months after the product's American introduction, a bankruptcy court in London ordered the maker, Tiger Telematics, to liquidate its European operations after a lender failed to make enough operating funds available. Tiger says it's trying to negotiate an additional $30 million loan from a Swiss equity group that will allow it to keep operating in the U.S. The Gizmondo not only plays games, but is also a satellite navigation unit, a text-messaging device, and a movie and music player. In addition to hardware and game sales, revenue was to come from advertising delivered to customers each time they turned on the device, but sales have been dismal. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Samsung to sue Asian handset makers

2006-02-10T21:39:00.001-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- South Korea's Samsung Electronics plans to file lawsuits against several mobile phone makers in Taiwan, mainland China and Hong Kong, alleging these vendors have copied its products and breached its patents. The lawsuits will claim that the companies copy the designs and functions of Samsung mobile phones and leak secret Samsung documents. The suits will target phone designs from Taiwan's Taung, Sampo and DNET, as well as Hitachi from Japan. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: RIM tries to ease concerns about messaging workaround solution

2006-02-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Research In Motion said it has successfully trialed a software workaround solution it can implement to keep the BlackBerry system running if a District Court judge issues an injunction later this month in the NTP vs. RIM patent dispute. Analysts have been skeptical of such a solution, questioning the software's stability and whether it will actually circumvent NTP's patent claims. RIM, however, says it has been able to modify its BlackBerry message delivery system to work around the NTP patent claims and has received a legal opinion confirming that.

According to UBS Investment Research, RIM and NTP appear willing to settle, but they are at odds over the settlement amount (of course). With the workaround solution and the USPTO indicating that it will reject NTP's patent claims, RIM looks ready to go to court if it finds NTP's offers unreasonable. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Cingular launches made-for-mobile concert series

2006-02-09T19:38:00.007-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- While it doesn't offer a wireless music download service, Cingular Wireless wants to remind us that it does indeed have a successful music strategy. The carrier introduced Cingular Sounds Live, a concert series that is designed to generate exclusive content for mobile phones. Cingular said it plans to create, produce and host a series of regular music events throughout the country in which the taped footage from each event will be used as part of the company's exclusive video offering, which will stream over Cingular's soon-to-be-launched on-demand streaming video service via its 3G network. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Verizon testing advertising on phones

2006-02-09T19:38:00.006-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Further validating that wireless advertising is on its way, Verizon Wireless, typically the most conservative operator when opening up its network to this stuff, says it is testing a program to open up its phones to advertising through a two-tier payment model. Currently, advertising has been limited on the cell phone primarily to text messaging and short code promotions. Verizon predicts that as much as 25 percent to 30 percent of the $100 billion spent each year on brand advertising will find its way onto the phone. Video on handsets looks to be the primary enabler here as marketers are now taking a closer look at this medium. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: La Vida loca with WiMAx...

2006-02-09T19:38:00.005-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- According to a new report from analyst firm TelecomView, WiMax gives a better ROI than 3G. The firm says those greenfield operators deploying WiMax will be in a superior position, while existing carriers will push its adoption to remain competitive as well as to lower costs. The firm also believes WiMax will capture 16 percent of the subscribers and account for 16 percent of CAPEX in high-speed mobile networks in 2011.

I'm not sure what the assumptions are here, but there seems to be a lot assumed. First, when are we going to see the mobile version of WiMax actually in the market and working? WiMax certainly has gained momentum with the IEEE finalizing the 802.16e mobile WiMax standard in December and the WiMax Forum unveiling the first equipment certified for fixed WiMax in January. But mobile broadband technologies such as EV-DO and HSDPA are on a rapid deployment pace, which means coverage and economies of scale advantages are kicking in.

WiMax proponents are counting on Intel to fulfill its promise of integrating mobile WiMax into laptops by 2007, translating into a potential competitive advantage that leads to deployments in the 2008 time frame. But that still gives mobile operators a two year advantage with 3G.
Then there is competition from other IP-based broadband competitors, such as QUALCOMM's Flash-OFDM, 802.20, TD-CDMA and the Chinese standard TD-SCDMA. Flarion, which QUALCOMM recently purchased, is the only company to show that it can make OFDM work in a commercial mobile environment. TD-CDMA is already deployed in several countries.

Meanwhile, the power of the Chinese market means TD-SCDMA premise equipment shipments could easily dwarf WiMax equipment shipments in the next few years. All of these competing technologies create a fragmented market.

WiMax is not DOA. It certainly has all of the ingredients for market success: a solid standardization map, marketing muscle from Intel, backing from hundreds of vendors and interest from a broad range of telecom players. But whether it provides a significantly better business case than 3G is highly speculative given the head start of 3G and other IP-based technologies. And we all know very few new technologies make their commercial market debut on time. Next week we'll be providing updates about the conferrence in Barcelona. For more telecom news go to: Telecommunicate and Daily WiFi News.

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WIRELESS NEWS: Philips: U.S. carrier to launch voice WiFi this year

2006-02-09T19:38:00.004-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Chip maker Royal Philips Electronics said a U.S. cellular carrier will launch voice-over-WiFi this year using Philips' Nexperio 6120 chipset. Philips wouldn't identify the carrier, but it's probably safe to assume the customer is T-Mobile USA, the owner of a significant number of WiFi hotspots throughout the nation, and the nationwide operator that is behind the rest of its competitors in the 3G game. Nexperia's UMA technology allows calls to tunnel from WiFi access points through the Internet and onto a cellular network. For more wireless news go to: Telecommunicate.

Presented to you by Cash Back Cell Phones
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WIRELESS NEWS: Gizmondo struggles in the U.S. market

2006-02-09T19:38:00.003-05:00

By Daily Wireless Updates, Power by Cogni360

Daily Wireless News & Updates.- Gizmondo, a handheld video game player whose creators hoped to take on the likes of PlayStation Portable and Nintendo, is floundering. Just three months after the product's American introduction, a bankruptcy court in London ordered the maker, Tiger Telematics, to liquidate its European operations after a lender failed to make enough operating funds available. Tiger says it's trying to negotiate an additional $30 million loan from a Swiss equity group that will allow it to keep operating in the U.S. The Gizmondo not only plays games, but is also a satellite navigation unit, a text-messaging device, and a movie and music player. In addition to hardware and game sales, revenue was to come from advertising delivered to customers each time they turned on the device, but sales have been dismal.. For more wireless news go to: Telecommunicate.

Presented to you by Cash Back Cell Phones
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