Editor’s note: RCR Wireless News goes all out for “Throwback Thursdays”, tapping into our archives to revive the top headlines of the past. Set the time machine on fire, apply sepia-colored shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memory!
Looking for a wireless data hockey stick Increase
Armed with nearly 300 participants at the show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, a new way to count wireless data subscribers and strong evidence that Internet Protocol will be the backbone network for wireless data solutions, Wireless Data Forum board members say the industry is evolving. The Wireless Data Forum has previously published its first survey benchmarking the progress of the CDPD Forum-Wireless Data. This year the growth has more than doubled from 51,000 users in 1997 to 132,000 wireless data users this year. Show sponsors say they are satisfied with the number of people attending the show and the more than 500 people logged on to the company’s web. Site for accessing conferences. Vendors often point to a lack of ubiquitous wireless coverage because many people do not use wireless data services, while wireless carriers often point to a lack of applications, said Thomas Kippola, managing partner at Chassom Group, which consults with the top division. Technology companies develop marketing strategies. “If no team comes forward, no team will win. “Every year you look for a hockey stick, and every year it’s not there,” says Kippola, referring to a high customer growth chart that looks like a hockey stick. Read more
FCC Legal Items Stall
WASHINGTON – With the 105th Congress fast approaching, the Federal Communications Commission has not taken any action on its proposed legislation. In fact, the FCC’s Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLI) has not even asked for any legislation since FCC chairman William Kennard was sworn in late last autumn. This is despite the public outcry that the FCC could do its job better, especially with the default personal communications service licensees, if Congress helps. The FCC sent a legal package of 20 proposals to Congress in May 1997. These proposals, developed by former FCC chairman Reed Hundt, did not go anywhere quickly when Hundt announced that he was leaving the FCC. The other two proposals, sent in September, have met the same fate. Kennard has sought to pressure Congress to act on FCC proposals as he appears before an FCC re-approval hearing held by both the House and Senate subcommittees, including jurisdiction over the FCC. Read more
In the debate over W-CDMA, the US proposed four 3G technologies proposed by ITU
WASHINGTON মধ্যে The State Department will push for four standards for third-generation wireless technology, in a last-ditch move to withdraw U.S. support for high-level lobbying and European-based mobile phone technology used by carriers here and abroad. To the International Telecommunication Union this week. Spotlight has now shifted to ITU, the Geneva-based global telecom company that will inherit a politically explosive standard issue with billions of dollars on results. Many believe that ITU will approve a family of 3G wireless standards that do not include a wideband cdmaOne solution in a highly dynamic environment. The result could be a trade war between the United States and the European Union and possibly a vicious patent-infringement lawsuit. 3G wireless technology promises worldwide roaming, high-speed data and multimedia functionality far more sophisticated than anything available today. Gerald Peterson of Lucent Technologies Inc., chairman of the U.S. Wireless Standards-Setting Committee, was sharply critical of a meeting in Seattle last week after trying to cancel the 3G technology selection. That technology-wideband code division is based on the Global System for Multiple Access-Mobile Communications and is strongly supported by Sweden’s LM Ericsson, Finland’s Nokia Corporation and their US partners. Peterson’s proposal was rejected. Read more
Finding integration in 3G technology is not an easy task
The Singapore-International Telecommunication Union has some tough work ahead of it that will be submitted by various third-generation proposal standard companies around the world by tomorrow. Although most of the world’s standard companies and individual groups of companies have tried to bridge the gap between Wideband Code Division Multiple Access and W-cdmaOne, both proposals will be submitted separately to the ITU. The ITU has set a March deadline to reach a consensus and adjust the proposals to a standard as much as possible. “We do not know all the proposals that will come up by June 30,” said Michael Kalender, chairman of ITU-R Task Group 8/1 at the CDG World Congress in Singapore last week. “There are indications that some surprises are coming.” The United States could submit four proposals, including W-CDMA and W-cdmaOne, an evolution of the existing cdmaOne system based on the Global System for Mobile Communications platform. Japan plans to submit W-CDMA, but is keeping the door open for further negotiations to merge with W-cdmaOne. Korea is submitting both W-CDMA and W-cdmaOne. The European Institute of Telecommunications Standards has chosen W-CDMA for mobile applications and a TD-CDMA solution for less dynamic applications. It declined to discuss the conversion with the Telecommunications Industry Association or others. CdmaOne Champion Qualcomm Inc. ETSI has indicated that it holds the original patent for the W-CDMA technology and will not license them until uniformity is achieved. Read more
Crown Castle file for IPO
HOUSTON-Crown Castle International Corp. It recently filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of সাধারণ 300 million of its common stock, equivalent to 1 percent per share. The offer includes common shares sold by Bob Crown, CEO of CCIC’s domestic operating subsidiary Crown Communications Inc. CCIC said it expects Crown to be the largest private stockholder following the offer. Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse First Boston, Goldman, Sachs & Co. And Salomon Smith Barney Chief Underwriter. Castle Transmission Services (Holdings) Ltd. for CCIC CTS shares. CCIC will also exchange shares with some of its shareholders. Read more
Utilities test wireless water
U.S. utility companies could become key players in the wireless telecommunications industry in the coming years if they come up with the right strategies to enter the business. Analysts point out that utilities are seriously evaluating opportunities to branch out in the telecommunications arena in light of the deregulation in their industry. Although today only a few utility companies are involved in the wireless industry, the threat of new competition is forcing them to find ways to retain their customers. It remains to be seen how utility companies will enter the wireless industry. Glenn James, a telecommunications and media practice partner at Deloitte & Touch Consulting Inc., says most, reluctant to invest in new infrastructure, want to take advantage of their existing infrastructure to fit into the telecommunications industry. “Almost every major electric and gas company has a bunch of fiber contracts. Some have been successful in the field of radio, ”he said. “Most of the utilities that have been acquired [wireless] Operating 3 GHz microwave system. They had to relocate when PCS (Personal Communication Service) arrived, but they had the infrastructure that PCS boys needed… most of the activity was in equity infusion, right-of-way access, and sharing towers. Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power, an unregulated utility, took advantage of its existing infrastructure in 1996 and formed AEP Communications Inc. to provide fiber, wireless and information services to wholesale and retail customers. The company has ownership interests in PCS carriers in Virginia and West Virginia Read more
See the RCR Wireless News Archives for more stories from the past.
