Clearwire selects Cisco for 4G mobile Wimax network (USA) May 14, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 4G, Cisco, Clearwire, Mobile, North America, USA, WiMAX.Tags: 4G, Cisco, Clearwire, Mobile, North America, USA, WiMAX
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Clearwire and Cisco will enhance and expand Clear 4G mobile Wimax services throughout the US. Under terms of an agreement, Clearwire has selected Cisco as its national core infrastructure provider, and Cisco has announced plans to build new mobile Wimax devices for the Clear 4G mobile Wimax service for the consumer, small office or home office (SOHO) and small and medium-sized business (SMB) markets. The Clear 4G will be available in major metropolitan areas across the US. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides substantive network capacity to deliver broadband access. In addition, Cisco is aiming to introduce its first mobile Wimax device later this year.
Virgin Mobile USA Q1 net income up 301% May 13, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Financial, North America, USA, Virgin Mobile.Tags: Financial, North America, USA, Virgin Mobile
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Virgin Mobile USA has posted a net income of $19.1m for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, an increase of 301%, compared to a net income of $4.7m for the same period in 2008. The company posted total operating revenue of $337.28m for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to $330.01m in the first quarter of 2008. Operating income for the first quarter of 2009 increased to $36.20m from $16.60m in the same quarter of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 increased to $49.54m from $28.70m in the comparable period of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2009 was 15.6% compared to 9.3% in the first quarter of 2008.Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA, said: “We are pleased with our first quarter results and the initial success of our new offers focused on high-quality customer additions. Gross customer additions on hybrid plans grew to 55% of the total in the first quarter. Because of our strong performance in the first quarter, we are increasing our guidance for adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow for 2009. Adjusted EBITDA excluding transition and restructuring expenses is expected to be $127 to $142m, and free cash flow is expected to be $45 to $55m for the full year 2009.”
Sprint Nextel Hires Wireless Veteran Bob Johnson To Head CDMA Business (USA) May 13, 2009
Posted by aikservices in AT&T, CDMA, McCaw Cellular, Mobile, North America, Sprint Nextel, USA.Tags: AT&T, CDMA, McCaw Cellular, Mobile, North America, Sprint Nextel, USA
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Sprint Nextel has appointed Bob Johnson to the position of president of its CDMA business unit, which continues to lose subscribers despite having a strong restructuring plan in place. Johnson replaces Keith Cowan, who was serving as interim president of Sprint’s CDMA business unit. Cowan will now be president of Spring’s strategy and corporate development, and lead the company’s overall strategic planning.Johnson, 55, will be in charge of Sprint’s postpaid consumer marketing and sales, including acquisition, growth and marketing, as well as the more than 11,000 retail locations. Johnson most recently served as COO of Sotto Wireless, a Bellevue, Wash.-based company he co-founded. The company focused on offering wireless phones as a replacement for landline phones for small businesses. The company shut down earlier this year after it failed to get enough traction. Before that, he served 16 years as a key executive at AT&T Wireless, including as EVP of the company’s marketing, sales and customer service functions. Prior to joining AT&T, Johnson worked at McCaw Cellular Communications. Johnson will start on May 20, and will likely be easily confused with another Bob Johnson, who currently serves as Chief Service Officer.
Verizon CFO to Retire in Mid-2009 February 9, 2009
Posted by aikservices in North America, USA, Verizon Wireless.Tags: North America, USA, Verizon Wireless
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Verizon’s Chief Financial Officer, Doreen A. Toben has announced her intention to retire around the middle of this year. As CFO since 2002, Toben has been involved in virtually all of Verizon’s strategic initiatives and significant decisions. The company said that a successor to Toben will be named shortly.Verizon CEO Ivan G. Seidenberg said: Doreen’s contributions as CFO throughout Verizon’s history as a company will make a profound and positive difference for many years to come. She has been an outstanding executive, helping Verizon integrate multiple acquisitions, demonstrate financial discipline, improve execution and strengthen our balance sheet for the benefit of investors. We are grateful for her dedication throughout her career and are pleased that she will stay to assist during the transition period.
Since April 2002, Toben has been responsible for Verizon’s finance and financial planning efforts. Prior to being CFO, Toben was senior vice president and chief financial officer for Verizon’s Domestic Telecom group, with responsibility for finance and strategic planning.
T-Mobile USA Offering Motorola’s Carbon-Neutral Mobile Phone February 5, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Motorola, T-Mobile, USA.Tags: Motorola, T-Mobile, USA
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T-Mobile USA says that it has secured exclusive rights to the Motorola W233 Renew mobile phone – the plastics of which are made from recycled water bottles. Through an alliance with Carbonfund, Motorola also offsets the carbon dioxide required to manufacture, distribute and operate the phone through investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation, making it the first carbon-neutral mobile phone. We know that many of our customers are concerned about the environmental impact of the products they choose, and we share that concern, said Glenn Zaccara, senior manager of corporate responsibility, T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile is working to find ways to make it easier for our customers to limit their impact on the environment, and our partnership with Motorola to exclusively offer the Renew is a positive step along this journey.
In addition to Renew, T-Mobile also offers customers the option to sign up for paperless billing. In 2008, T-Mobile partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees for customers who signed up for this option and, to date, has planted more than 500,000 trees.
Motorola losses widen as Q4 phone sales tumble 51% February 4, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Financial, Motorola, USA.Tags: Financial, Motorola, USA
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Motorola reported a net loss of USD 3.6 billion for the fourth quarter as a continued slump in its mobile phone sales caused heavy writedowns and restructuring charges at the company. The net loss of USD 1.57 per share includes USD 1.56 in charges, most of which are non-cash writedowns of goodwill and investments. In the year-earlier period the company had a net profit of USD 100 million or USD 0.05 per share, Quarterly revenues fell to USD 7.14 billion from USD 9.65 billion, and the operating loss widened to USD 1.68 billion from USD 19 million. The mobile phone division saw quarterly sales fall 51 percent year-on-year to USD 2.35 billion, while the operating loss widened to USD 595 million from USD 388 million. Motorola shipped 19.2 million handsets in the quarter, down from 40.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The Home and Networks Mobility division also saw a decline in sales, down 5 percent to USD 2.6 billion, but improved operating profit to USD 257 million from USD 192 million in the year-earlier period. Sales at Enterprise Mobility Solutions rose 4 percent year-on-year to USD 2.2 billion, while operating profit rose to USD 466 million from USD 451 million. Motorola reiterated a target for USD 1.5 billion in cost reductions this year. For the first quarter the company forecast a net loss of USD 0.10-0.12 per share, excluding any one-time charges. Motorola also announced a suspension in its quarterly dividend payments. The company reported positive cash flow in Q4 of USD 201 million, and finished the year with USD 7.4 billion in cash. Finally, the company said its CFO Paul Liska is leaving the company. Edward Fitzpatrick, senior vice president and corporate controller, has been named acting CFO while the company searches for a replacement.
Consumers Want Citywide Wi-Fi – And Are Willing to Pay for It January 30, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 3G, Google, iPhone, Mobile, Nokia, Telecom, UK, USA, Wi-Fi, Wireless.Tags: 3G, Google, iPhone, Mobile, Nokia, Telecom, UK, USA, Wi-Fi, Wireless
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A report commissioned by Wi-Fi application vendor, Devicescape has found that most respondents want citywide Wi-Fi (84%) and, surprisingly, many are willing to pay for it (56%) as they would a utility. The report also found that an overwhelming number of Wi-Fi users expect Wi-Fi while on the road (91%) and when traveling, the most-often used device for accessing Wi-Fi was the smartphone, such as an iPhone (vs. laptops). The overwhelming majority of smartphone users (81%) prefer using Wi-Fi over 3G for browsing Web sites, downloading data, Google searches and sending e-mail. Also, 86% of respondents want OEMs to build Wi-Fi into their handsets and 82% of respondents want the service provider to provide an overall 3G/Wi-Fi data package.Many of the statistics within the UK and mainland Europe were similar to the US, but one significant difference is that Nokia is the most used device tapping into Wi-Fi, more than laptops and iPhone users.
Deutsche Telekom Substantially Increased its Customer Numbers in 2008 January 30, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 3G, Apple, Deutsche Telekom, Europe, Germany, iPhone, T-Mobile, USA.Tags: 3G, Apple, Deutsche Telekom, Europe, Germany, iPhone, T-Mobile, USA
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Deutsche Telekom has issued a trading statement and says that it saw encouraging developments in its mobile communications markets during last year. The number of customers with the companies in Europe and the United States totaled 128.3 million. This means that the number of customers increased organically by 7.6 million. The contract customer segment accounts for 5 million of this growth with a current customer base of 65.9 million.
T-Mobile Deutschland also defended its leading position in Germany. With over 950,000 new contract customers, the high level of the previous year was reached once again. The successful introduction of the Apple iPhone 3G and the attractive range of calling plans were the main reasons for this development.
Earnings Preview: AT&T to report 4Q results January 28, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Apple, AT&T, BlackBerry, Financial, iPhone, USA.Tags: Apple, AT&T, BlackBerry, Financial, iPhone, USA
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AT&T Inc. reports its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.As the largest telecommunications company in the country, AT&T has been something of a haven in a dismal economy. But its stock is down 24 percent from a year ago, compared with a 37 percent decline for the S&P 500.AT&T’s wireless unit has kept posting healthy growth, helped in particular by the July release of Apple’s second-generation iPhone. Analysts expect that growth to have slowed down in the fourth quarter, even though AT&T did launch another high-profile smart phone, the BlackBerry Bold, in November.Paradoxically, fewer iPhone sales help the company in the short term, because AT&T subsidizes each unit by hundreds of dollars, which it then recoups through service fees. AT&T is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone.
Verizon Wireless Continues Indiana Investment January 20, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Mobile, Telecom, USA, Verizon Wireless, Wireless.Tags: Mobile, Telecom, USA, Verizon Wireless, Wireless
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Verizon Wireless announced today it invested more than $106.5 million in 2008 to enhance its digital network in Indiana. The enhancements included building new—and upgrading existing cell sites, increasing new coverage area and capacity within existing coverage area, and completing its high-speed wireless broadband network expansion across its Indiana coverage area.
“Customers can expect Verizon Wireless to continue investing in our Indiana network in 2009,” said Greg Haller, president–Indiana/Kentucky/Michigan Region, Verizon Wireless. “We’re very focused on building out new coverage areas and increasing capacity where we already have service, so that our 83 million customers across the state and nation can rely on their wireless devices to keep in touch and stay connected.”
Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $976.5 million on improvements to its network in Indiana, including the following upgrades made in 2008:
Sixty-four new cell sites were activated statewide to improve network coverage and capacity, enabling more customers to use their phones concurrently to make voice calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
Equipment on 122 existing cell sites throughout the state was upgraded, which further improved network capacity.
Permanent backup generators were installed at 23 existing Indiana cell sites to ensure network functionality during times of crisis.
The company expanded its high-speed wireless broadband network to 72 cell sites across Indiana, including those in Kokomo and many rural communities across the state. With the upgraded network, Verizon Wireless customers are enjoying two prime services:
Mobile Broadband, the enhanced high-speed wireless service that equips Verizon Wireless’ business customers with a truly untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, the Internet, email and critical business information residing behind their companies’ firewalls; and V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that gives customers access to the most comprehensive selection of downloadable music, high-quality videos and the coolest 3D games found anywhere.
US Patent Firms Seeks Ban on Imports of Nokia, HTC Mobile Phones January 20, 2009
Posted by aikservices in AMD, HTC, Mobile, Nokia, Palm, Panasonic, RIM, Telecom, USA, Wireless.Tags: AMD, HTC, Mobile, Nokia, Palm, Panasonic, RIM, Telecom, USA, Wireless
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Following a complaint late last year by patent holdings firm, Saxon Innovations, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain electronic devices, including handheld wireless communications devices. The products at issue in this investigation are handheld devices such as smart phones, cellular telephones, and television remote controls.
The ITC has named Nokia, RIM, HTC, Palm, Panasonic and AVC Networks as affected by the investigation – which has the power to block the imports of products made by these firms.The Saxon Innovations patent portfolio is comprised of over 180 US patents covering technology that originated from AMD and its spin off Legerity.
AT&T pay USD2 million to settle dispute January 16, 2009
Posted by aikservices in AT&T, Mobile, North America, Telecom, USA, Wireless.Tags: AT&T, Mobile, Telecom, USA, Wireless
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AT&T will pay the Department of Justice more than USD2 million to settle allegations it violated the terms of its USD2.8 billion acquisition of Dobson Communications in 2007. To obtain approval for the deal AT&T were ordered to divest from two rural markets in Kentucky and one in Oklahoma, but although the company did this, customer information was retained and used to poach customers back from the divested businesses.
Californian Girl Sent Over 14,500 Text Messages in December January 13, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Mobile, SMS, Telecom, USA, Wireless.Tags: Mobile, SMS, Telecom, USA, Wireless
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A 13-year old girl in California sent 484 text messages every day in December – an average of one message every 2 minutes during the waking hours. The father, Greg Hardesty told the New York Post his 440-page mobile phone bill revealed his daughter Reina had sent an astonishing 14,528 text messages.The average monthly usage of SMS services for a 13- to 17-year-old teen is 1,742, according to a Nielsen report.First, I laughed. I thought, ‘That’s insane, that’s impossible,'” said Hardesty, 45, a reporter for The Orange County Register. “And I immediately whipped out the calculator to see if it was humanly possible.
His daughter had core of four “obsessive texters,” all female teenagers. Fortunately for him, he had signed up to a tariff which offered unlimited text messaging – otherwise the bill could have come in at nearly US$3,000.The parents have now decided to restrict their daughter’s use of the mobile phone and she cannot send text messages after the evening meal.
T-Mobile launches YouTube channel for G1 January 8, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Android, G1, Google, Mobile, T-Mobile, Telecom, UK, USA, Wireless.Tags: Android, G1, Google, Mobile, T-Mobile, Telecom, Wireless
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T-Mobile is launching a channel on YouTube for its G1 Android mobile phone. The new channel allows customers to post questions about their phone and receive written and video answers from both T-Mobile’s experts and other customers. The G1 was launched last year in the US and UK.
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