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Vodafone Launches Phoneless 3G in Germany, Italy
By Boris Groendahl
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The world's largest mobile telecoms operator, Vodafone Group Plc, said on Tuesday it was launching new third-generation mobile services for choice German and Italian clients, but not for making phone calls.
Targeting company laptop users in need of high-speed mobile Internet links as its first customers, Vodafone is ignoring ordinary consumers, because the 3G phones offering features such as video telephony are still riddled with technical glitches.
"It's realistic to expect that we will bring handsets into the friendly user trials at some point, but we're now starting with PC cards and data calls only," said a Vodafone spokeswoman.
"You can read something into that," she added.
Operators had hoped to buy into a gold mine when they spent 100 billion euros ($123 billion) for licenses to bring fast Internet access and video calls to mobile phone users in Europe.
But most have missed several launch dates as the telecoms industry still grapples with bulky, expensive 3G handsets, short battery lives and calls that drop when users are on the move.
"The handsets will arrive next year, but until they can offer better services than at the moment, we will not sell them," said Vittorio Colao, head of Vodafone Italia.
Vodafone competes with Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile and units of KPN and mmO2 Plc in Germany, Europe's biggest telecoms market.
In phone-crazed Italy, it stands against Telecom Italia Mobile, Wind and Hutchison-owned 3 Italia, the only operator selling 3G services aggressively in Europe since earlier this year.
Hutchison's key British and Italian ventures said last week they would miss sales targets because of handset shortages. Motorola, the world's second-largest mobile phone maker, said on Monday it might ramp up production to meet 3's demands.
DATA CARDS ATTRACT TRAFFIC
Vodafone will offer selected corporate clients a credit card-sized data card that can be plugged into laptop computers and allow their users to connect to the Internet three times faster than with ISDN lines.
"This is a very interesting strategy from Vodafone to target corporate users with a distinct 3G mobile service. It puts its offering squarely against that of Hutchison's 3, whose strategy is centered around the consumer," said Ben Wood, analyst at consultancy Gartner Group.
Vodafone earlier this year struck a deal with Dutch wireless (news - web sites) technology firm Option International NV to supply the cards. Option has developed the cards with U.S. vendor Lucent, and it will also supply T-Mobile.
The dominant German mobile operator declined to give a new launch date until reliable handsets become available in bulk, but industry sources said it may copy Vodafone's move to get around the handset problem by launching with PC cards.
"It doesn't matter what the card looks like. Their size is fixed. You don't have the battery problem," the industry source said. "Given the state of the 3G handsets, it simply suggests itself to launch data cards first." (Additional reporting by Hendrik Sackmann, Lucas van Grinsven in Amsterdam and Antonella Ciancio in Milan)
Sharp Says Display Allows Mobile Documents Access
Tue Dec 9,12:51 AM ET Add Technology - Reuters to My Yahoo!
TOKYO (Reuters) - Consumer electronics maker Sharp Corp. said on Tuesday that it and Canadian software developer BitFlash had developed a type of electronic display system for viewing business documents on mobile phones.
Sharp, the world's largest maker of liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions, said the new technology allows word processing files, spreadsheets and presentations to be displayed on a mobile phone, complete with a zoom function.
"We want to make it possible to do things on mobile phones that had been limited to the personal computer," said Sharp spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama.
The Osaka-based electronics firm announced last month that it developed software that allowed users to adjust the width and length of characters on the display of mobile phones without distorting their shape.
In the past, mobile phones either did not allow users to adjust font size or would distort the shape of characters when they were made bigger or smaller.
Sharp holds a 13 percent market share for the global active matrix LCD screens for mobile phones, ranking behind Seiko Epson Corp and a joint venture from Toshiba Corp and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
In order to view the business documents on a mobile phone, they must be first converted by a server into scalable vector graphics-tiny (SVG-T) format.
Sharp said the new software was the first to use the SVG-T format in a mobile phone.
The technology will be incorporated into Sharp's V601SH two-megapixel, or two-million pixel, camera phone for Vodafone Group Plc's Japanese wireless (news - web sites) unit.
Sharp's shares were up 1.0 percent at 1,613 yen, as of 12:13 a.m. EST. The Nikkei average was up 0.58 percent.
JKJones - Wonderful summary! Thanks! EOM
InterDigital Announces New Independent Director Appointments to Board of Directors
Monday December 8, 5:18 pm ET
Board Adopts Comprehensive Corporate Governance Guidelines
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2003--InterDigital Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:IDCC - News), a leading architect, designer and provider of wireless technology and product platforms, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed two new independent members to the Company's Board of Directors, Robert W. Shaner, former President of Wireless Operations, Cingular Wireless LLC, and Alan P. Zabarsky, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Technology Consulting Associates, Inc. and former Corporate Vice President at Motorola, Inc. In addition, Joseph S. Colson, a Director of the Company since 1998, has stepped down as a member of InterDigital's Board of Directors. The Company's Board now includes seven Directors, five of whom are independent.
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"I am delighted to welcome two very accomplished individuals to InterDigital's Board of Directors," said Harry Campagna, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Robert Shaner and Alan Zabarsky are seasoned wireless industry veterans. They bring decades of product and market expertise from two very important business segments: equipment design, distribution and manufacturing, and cellular operations. I am confident they will provide unique insights and perspectives to the Board as we guide InterDigital toward continued growth and greater enterprise value.
"I also would like to thank Joe Colson for his dedicated service to InterDigital's shareholders. Joe has brought valuable industry experience and perspective to our Board over the past five years. We wish him continued success in his future endeavors," added Mr. Campagna.
Reflecting its commitment to strong corporate governance and leadership, InterDigital's Board of Directors has adopted a comprehensive set of corporate governance guidelines, and a new code of business conduct and ethics. The Board also has expanded the role of its Nominating and Search Committee to include corporate governance oversight functions and has changed the Committee's name to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
"Increasing the number of independent Directors, adopting new corporate governance principles and charging a Board committee with the corporate governance oversight role reflects our dedication to operate with integrity and the Board's desire to strengthen our leadership and oversight practices," concluded Mr. Campagna.
Mr. Shaner, former President of Wireless Operations at Cingular Wireless LLC, has more than thirty-two years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining Cingular Wireless in 2000, Mr. Shaner's career spanned three decades at SBC Communications (previously known as Southwestern Bell Telephone Company) where he held various executive positions overseeing operations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Mr. Shaner earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Methodist College and completed the Advanced Management Program at Stanford University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of REMEC Incorporated.
Mr. Zabarsky currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Technology Consulting Associates, Inc., a consulting firm he founded in 2002. With more than thirty-three years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Mr. Zabarsky has served in various executive, strategic, product engineering and operational capacities at Motorola, Inc. and at Bell Laboratories. Mr. Zabarsky earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnical Institute and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University.
InterDigital's Board of Directors currently includes the following individuals: Chairman Harry G. Campagna, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Qualitex Company; D. Ridgely Bolgiano, Vice President and Chief Scientist of InterDigital; Howard E. Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of InterDigital; Steven "Terry" Clontz, President and Chief Executive Officer of StarHub Pte., Limited; Robert S. Roath, former Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of RJR Nabisco Inc.; Robert W. Shaner, former President, Wireless Operations of Cingular Wireless LLC; and Alan P. Zabarsky, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Technology Consulting Associates. Mr. Shaner and Mr. Zabarsky, along with Mr. Roath, comprise the class of Directors slated to stand for election at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Board of Directors also announced new committee assignments. Mr. Clontz has been appointed to serve on the Compensation Committee along with current Committee members Mr. Campagna and Mr. Roath. Further committee assignments include the addition of Mr. Shaner to the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, and Mr. Zabarsky to the Audit Committee.
Investors are invited to learn more about InterDigital's corporate governance guidelines--as well as information on Board members, committees and charters, by-laws, and InterDigital's code of business conduct and ethics--by visiting www.interdigital.com. The Company's newly expanded corporate governance section can be accessed from the InterDigital home page, as well as from the Profile or Investing tabs located on the home page.
About InterDigital
InterDigital architects, designs and provides advanced wireless technologies and products that drive voice and data communications. The Company offers technology and product solutions for mainstream wireless applications that deliver cost and time-to-market advantages for its customers. InterDigital has a strong portfolio of patented technologies covering 2G, 2.5G and 3G standards, which it licenses worldwide. For more information, please visit InterDigital's web site: www.interdigital.com. InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital Communications Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective own
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
InterDigital Communications Corporation
Media:
Dawn Goldstein
e-mail: dawn.goldstein@interdigital.com
or
Investor:
Janet Point, 610-878-7800
e-mail: janet.point@interdigital.com
NTT DoCoMo Tests Superfast Mobile Phone
By Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer
December 7, 2003
TOKYO (AP)—Japan's top mobile carrier, NTT DoCoMo, has developed a test model of a cell phone that offers both its superfast third-generation mobile service and a wireless local area network Internet phone service.
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But the Tokyo-based company said Friday that no decision has been made on when the dual-functionality model will become available.
NTT DoCoMo 3G mobile phones can relay data at up to 40 times the speed of other 3G-enabled phones, allowing users to relay live video and facilitating services such as a videophone.
Wireless local area networks, or W-LANs, enable users to access the Internet through short-range radio transmitters in designated areas at speeds far faster than with dial-up modems.
With the new handset, users will be able to access the W-LAN—increasingly available in cafes and office buildings—to chat using Internet phone technology, otherwise known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VOIP, which is cheaper than other telephone services. They can then switch back to using 3G wireless elsewhere.
The test model is a folding handset that weighs 123 grams (4 ounces) and is 30 millimeters (1.2 inch) thick, NTT DoCoMo said in a statement.
But more work needs to be done to develop products and features, and ensure the dual-mode function works smoothly, NTT DoCoMo said in a statement.
The use of 3G phones has been gradually growing in Japan, which leads the world in Net-linking mobile phone use, but its spread to the rest of the world has been limited. NTT DoCoMo has drawn 1.6 million users to its 3G service called FOMA. KDDI Corp., the nation's second largest telecom, has more than 15 million customers using its slightly slower version of 3G.
Separately, a computer science laboratory affiliated with Japanese electronics and entertainment giant Sony Corp. is developing a similar dual-functionality model, Sony spokesman Shinji Obana said.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan's top business daily, reported Friday that a commercial product using that technology was planned for 2010, but Obana denied that as speculative.
The experimental handset uses either infrared or wireless LAN to enable the user to relay data from one personal computer to another, doing away with the hassle of carrying a laptop around.
JimLur - I haven't had time to look this up yet, but didn't the IDCC agreement with Qualcomm state that royalty from OEM's was only due to QCOM as long as the OEM bought their chips from QCOM. Who would the OEM pay royalties to if they bought their chips from anyone else? Or am I mistaken?
Half of U.S. consumers interested in home wireless networks
by Emily Motsay
Dec. 05, 2003 1:09 PM EST
Nearly half of U.S. online consumers are interested in installing wireless networks in their homes, and 11 percent, or 7 million, already have, according to a survey from the Consumer Electronics Association's eBrain Market Research group.
"Right now 83 percent of those consumers who have opted for the wireless network solution are satisfied with their networks," explained Sean Wargo, CEA's director of industry analysis. Wargo said another 12.4 million consumers plan to go wireless in the next year.
Security represents the biggest concern for consumers considering wireless networks for homes, according to CEA. The group said 48 percent of non-owners cited security as a concern in purchasing a wireless network. In addition, of those consumers who have purchased wireless networks, 48 percent said security was the area of least satisfaction, with 40 percent of them unsure of how their networks are protected.
Still, "once consumers learn more about the benefits of wireless networks and how to met security concerns to protect their privacy, I would expect a surge of interest in wireless networks and all forms of Wi-Fi applications," Wargo said.
Qualcomm-challenging cell phones to debut in 2004
Last modified: December 5, 2003, 12:47 PM PST
By Ben Charny
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Signaling a new challenge for chipmaker Qualcomm, handset manufacturers are planning an October or November debut of cell phones using chipsets created in tandem by Texas Instruments and STMicroelectronics, a TI executive said Friday.
The phones, based on the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard, will likely be sold in CDMA strongholds North America, Latin America and Korea, according to sources. About 20 percent of the world's 1.1 billion handsets currently use CDMA.
The cell phone chips from TI and STMicroelectronics represent a new market-wrinkle for San Diego-based Qualcomm, which for years has provided handset makers with the only CDMA silicon choice. In addition to the TI announcement, Samsung started producing its own CDMA chips this year. The Samsung chips, however, are only for Samsung phones.
"Twenty percent of the market is interesting enough to attack," said Tom Pollard, Texas Instruments' director of marketing for wireless chipsets. "Right now, our market share is zero. We will be grabbing market share."
For now, the tandem will produce chips with a version of CDMA called CDMA2000 1xrtt. The standard is used by U.S. carriers Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, plus others in Canada, Latin America and Korea. But Pollard said TI and STMicroelectronics are also at work producing chips using a standard called EV-DV, a high-speed standard included in many CDMA carriers' plans for the future.
A Qualcomm representative said the company had no comment on the chip competition, adding that the company recently raised forecasts for sales of CDMA phones worldwide this year to 110 million to 112 million, from an earlier prediction of 106 million to 108 million.
Motorola can't summon all parts of camera phones
Last modified: December 5, 2003, 6:40 AM PST
By Reuters
Motorola said Thursday that it was having trouble getting new mobile phones with cameras to customers during the holiday season because of parts shortages, but analysts said the problem was poor planning.
The world's No. 2 maker of cell phones said those shortages were causing slower deliveries of the hot-selling items.
"We are doing everything possible to accelerate the supply of camera components," Tom Lynch, head of Motorola's cell phone business, said in a statement.
Investors and analysts said the parts shortage was no excuse, and that Motorola was not managing its supply chain well enough.
"You could say 'parts shortages,' and it sounds like something completely out of your control, but when you're designing your handsets, it's an execution issue," said Shawn Campbell, a principal with Chicago-based Campbell Asset Management, which owns Motorola preferred and common shares.
"You should have foreseen the (strong) demand," he added. "You should have foreseen potential parts shortages, and you should have taken steps months ago to ensure you didn't have those supply-chain issues."
Camera phones are hot
Camera phones--cell phones with integrated digital cameras that consumers can use to snap and send pictures to friends--are the hottest part of the global cell phone market.
On Thursday, Qualcomm, which makes mobile phone chips, credited demand for such phones with raising its quarterly profit outlook.
Motorola has introduced popular camera phones, but it has experienced delays in getting some of them to some customers, such as Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless.
"The supply constraint for integrated-camera components is an industrywide problem," Motorola Vice President Bob Perez said. "Motorola is feeling a larger impact because of the extremely limited supply of the smaller camera technology that we use for our handsets."
Rivals, including Finland's Nokia, Germany's Siemens, and Sony Ericsson, also have cited parts shortages as a problem. However, Nokia, the largest of the cell phone makers, seems to have been hurt less than the others.
"The one company that seems to be able to deliver right now is Nokia," said SoundView Technology Group analyst Matt Hoffman, who has an "outperform" rating on Motorola and who does not own shares in that company.
When it comes to the allocation of parts, Nokia stands at the front of the line, Hoffman said.
Motorola spokesman Alan Buddendeck said a shortage of lenses was the main culprit in the delays, although a smaller factor was a lack of CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors.
"We had a primary supplier (of lenses), and they just have not been able to deliver to the level that we needed," he told Reuters. "As a result, we brought on two additional suppliers and...they are pulling out all the stops to help get us components."
Motorola emphasized that the delays would not affect its fourth-quarter financial results. On Tuesday, it backed its previous fourth-quarter outlook at a Credit Suisse First Boston conference in Arizona.
However, analysts said a shortage of camera phones would likely mean lost sales for Motorola and ultimately could translate to lost market share.
"The reality is their handset business is really losing ground," said Sanford Bernstein analyst Paul Sagawa, who has an "underperform'' rating on the stock and does not own shares.
Executives with the Chicago area-based company said demand for the camera phones is strong in North America, Europe and Asia.
Motorola said that its V300 and V500 camera phones began shipping earlier in the quarter and are now available. The V600 will ship imminently, it said. The company now has 12 camera phones available.
Motorola's stock closed at $13.37, down 30 cents, or 2.2 percent, on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday.
Story Copyright © 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
China Pushes Network Encryption Standards
By Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer
December 4, 2003
My comment: Time for IDCC to tell China about 802.20
SHANGHAI, China (AP)—China has ordered equipment makers to use the country's own encryption standards for wireless networks, ensuring stronger government control and giving domestic manufacturers a slight respite from some foreign competition.
The new rules, which took effect Monday, apply to manufacturers at home and overseas. They cover the import and sale of all equipment used in wireless networks, the so-called Wi-Fi services increasingly used to provide Internet connections in public spaces such as hotels, cafes and airports.
Products contracted, imported or produced prior to the ban's effective date were given a six-month grace period, according to government notices posted on the Web site of the China Broadband Wireless IP Standard Workteam, the group that drew up the new standard.
The compulsory encryption standard lets regulators assert control over a telecommunications medium that by its very open nature is viewed as suspect, said Duncan Clark, managing director of BDA China Ltd., a Beijing-based Internet consulting firm.
"Maybe they're concerned that their own so-called secure government networks could be vulnerable," Clark said. "Wi-Fi is fundamentally hackable. They want to ensure some control."
The leading Wi-Fi encryption standard, Wired Equivalent Privacy, or WEP, is relatively weak, and tools are available for hackers to crack the encryption over some period of time.
The China Broadband Wireless IP Standard Workteam, a group of companies and researchers based in universities in the north-central city of Xi'an, drew up the standards in May. The National Standardization Commission issued the decree making them compulsory.
Exact details of the encryption standard were not immediately available.
The mandate could give Chinese wireless equipment makers at least a temporary advantage over established vendors that may need to retool or withdraw products from the market.
Chinese manufacturers lag behind in wireless technology, and the government could also be concerned about having to follow, or even pay patent royalties on, standards set overseas, said Robin Ji, sales manager of Network Associates Inc. (Shanghai), an Internet security company.
By mandating that everyone follow the Chinese standard, local wireless equipment suppliers "will save time on catching up with international makers of the same equipment," said Simon Shen, director of WinPro Information Engineering Co., a Shanghai-based sales agent for Lucent Technologies.
Still, Shen said he didn't expect the new standards to make a very big difference.
Others questioned whether the standards would actually be enforced.
In October 1999, importers were ordered to provide extensive information about Web servers and other computers with encryption technology, and to replace with Chinese products any software rejected by the government.
After several months of heated protests from foreign manufacturers, the government announced that telephones, Internet browsers or computer operating systems would be exempted. Mobile phone radiation standards were similarly loosened.
"We've seen this in the past, when the government tries to help domestic players. There'll be a sort of standoff and then later a settlement," Clark said. "Pragmatism typically prevails."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Ericy Settlement Question
As I recall, the IDCC / Ericy Settlement specifically excluded dual mode handsets. So a license now with Ericy that specified the royalty involved with a combination 2G / 3G would clarify issues with Nokia and should pull a trigger somewhere in that 1999 contract.
Wireless group offers code of conduct for mobile spam
by Mike Dano
Dec. 03, 2003 12:36 PM EST
The Mobile Marketing Association trade group announced its new code of conduct for wireless advertising campaigns, a move that comes shortly after the launch of universal short codes and on the heels of a bill in Washington designed to outlaw unwanted wireless spam.
“One of the most important issues facing the growth of mobile marketing today is the prevention of mobile spam,” said Jim Manis, chair of the MMA and vice president of mobile messaging management company M-Qube Inc. “This code of conduct represents the work of an entire industry coming together on behalf of consumers to insure a trusted and valued relationship in communicating with brands in North America.”
The MMA’s code of conduct includes guidelines advocating opt-in and opt-out rules, as well as limits on the number of messages sent. The MMA said it would follow the privacy guidelines set down by the TRUSTe initiative, which is a non-profit certification group formed to promote and protect Internet commerce.
“The Code of Conduct is a tremendous first step toward aligning the industry behind an aggressive, yet universal set of principles for mobile marketing that protects the consumer and the industry simultaneously,” said Cristy Swink of Cingular Wireless and an MMA member.
The MMA comprises several major U.S. wireless carriers, device makers, wireless technology companies and consumer brands.
The MMA’s code of conduct comes just a few months after the wireless industry introduced a universal short code program. The program allows businesses to purchase five-digit codes, and wireless users can register to receive text-based information and content by sending messages to the short codes. Advertising is one of the primary uses of the short code program.
Also, the Senate just last week passed the Can Spam Act, which includes a provision seeking a ban on unsolicited commercial e-mail to mobile phones without prior consent of subscribers.
“What I tried to do with my provision on cell phones was to do today what we were going to be forced to do in two or three years anyway,” said Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) last week.
The Markey amendment advocates an opt-in approach to mobile spam, but still gives the Federal Communications Commission the discretion of setting an opt-out rule. In contrast, e-mail users would be restricted to having to opt out of unwanted electronic advertising.
The bill must go to the House for final approval. President Bush is expected to sign it. This should all happen before the end of the month, and the bill is expected to be effective Jan. 1.
mantai1 - Regarding Nokia and delays
IMHO - If the Dollar had been raising against the Euro rather than declining to an all time low, Nokia would have already settled. The difference in exchange rate has already offset the loss of the cash discount to IDCC (assuming that the discount was lost per an Arbitrator decision). JMHO
OT: Teecee
That line of thinking leads to a "cell phone virus" that shuts down the handset if it is not in full compliance by have all royalties paid in full. While we are at it, let's hit the basestations in the same way to get the operators attention.
Siemens Presents Survey: Women Are Receptive to UMTS
Tuesday December 2, 5:30 am ET
MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2003--Coffee mornings are out, mobile communication is in: Women are already the world champions when it comes to messaging. They view technology in terms of the functionality it offers and are favorably predisposed to UMTS. That is the result of a survey of 3,000 consumers in Germany, France and Great Britain conducted by Europressedienst on behalf of the mobile communication group at Siemens AG - Siemens mobile for short.
For men, technology is an emotive subject. But not for women. As far as owning a mobile phone is concerned, they in no way lag behind the men, and even register higher than them when it comes to sending SMS messages. The survey results show that women are also open to the idea of UMTS. Like their male counterparts, half of the female interviewees are convinced that UMTS will be a market success. Compared to French and British women, Germans are particularly optimistic about UMTS's future. They occupy third place behind the British and French men. And guess what: In Germany, it is primarily high-ranking female civil servants who believe in UMTS. It is precisely the public sector that it is most in need of modern, mobile communications.
European women are particularly interested in mobile services such as e-mail. In all three countries, women are more interested than men in the possibility of sending photos and videos (MMS). However, location-based services and traffic information are also frequently cited as attractive applications. In particular, women employed in managerial positions are upbeat in their appraisal of UMTS which they hope will simplify their professional lives in many situations. Women are also more rational when it comes to deciding to buy. For them, it is usefulness that counts - and here much more information on UMTS is required. Some women want to wait and see what the new technology has to offer in everyday use. However, the majority of interviewees say they want to acquire a UMTS mobile telephone.
Rudi Lamprecht, member of the managing board at Siemens AG, says: "The results show that women will play an important role in UMTS's future. We expect to tap into the UMTS mass market in 2005. The third generation of mobile communication equipment already accounts for 15 percent of our business. This proportion will continue to rise, making UMTS a major source of income. We are the world leaders in this business field and have a lead of three to six months over our competitors in terms of the construction of UMTS networks."
Siemens mobile and its Japanese partner NEC have so far supplied a record-breaking 25,000 of the base stations that are required for the operation of UMTS networks. The majority of the base stations are manufactured in Durach, Bavaria, with further units coming from the new factory in Shanghai. Currently approximately 1.3 mobile telephone users worldwide make their calls over the two partners' UMTS networks. Overall, seven of the world's twelve commercial UMTS networks have been constructed by Siemens mobile/NEC. No other equipment supplier can as yet match this number of networks.
The UMTS study to this press release can be found on the Internet:
http://www.siemens-mobile.com/press/umtsstudy
Pictures about UMTS by Siemens mobile can be found on the Internet:
http://www.siemens.com/icm-pictures/umts
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Microsoft Aims for Software in Every Car
By Associated Press
December 1, 2003
REDMOND, Wash. (AP)--First Microsoft set out to put a computer in every home. Now the software giant hopes to put one in every vehicle, too.
"We'd like to have one of our operating systems in every car on Earth," said Dick Brass, vice-president of Microsoft's automotive business unit. "It's a lofty goal."
Cars with the Microsoft software will speak up when it's time for an oil change. They'll warn drivers about wrecks on the road ahead and scout alternative routes. They'll pay freeway tolls automatically. The software running their brakes will upgrade itself wirelessly.
The Microsoft platform already is in 23 different car models, including the BMW 7 series, Citroen, Daimler, Fiat, Volvo, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Toyota.
Brass made his remarks last week at a technology, tolls and transportation conference held at Microsoft and sponsored by the Discovery Institute's Cascadia Project.
Globally, there are 650 million cars, and 50 million new vehicles are produced every year, Brass said--comparable to the market for desktop computers.
To read a Baseline report on how computers in cars can go very, very wrong, click here.
Microprocessors already control major vehicle functions. And for years, Microsoft has been making inroads in automotive telematics, a combination of computers and telecommunications.
Brass said drivers spend millions of hours commuting and are distracted by myriad gadgets, including hand-held viewers that offer traffic reports from the state Department of Transportation.
Microsoft's "TBox," which he said will be available in 12 to 36 months, can connect them all and make them hands-free.
"The idea is to make it easy to bring phones and laptops into the car ... and connect to networks around it," Brass said.
The device has a processor, memory and a hard drive with no moving parts, said Peter Wengert, marketing manager for Microsoft's automotive unit.
At the conference, Brass showed on-the-street interviews asking what gadgets future cars should carry.
"I don't want Ford making PDAs, and I don't want Microsoft making cars," one man said.
But bringing the two together seems inevitable.
Brass said drivers could use the system to create 21st century vanpools and help reduce congestion.
"It's possible to imagine setting a system in place with 5,000 to 10,000 vans and have a dramatic reduction in traffic," he said. "With GPS and TBox, we have the tools we would need to put this all together."
Doug Klunder, director of the Privacy Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, asked Brass how Microsoft plans to protect individual information.
"We really, really, really understand the need for security and privacy," Brass said, suggesting that encrypting and not storing the information are two ways to address some concerns.
Call Forwarding Question
I would see value in being able to forward my cell phone calls to my laptop. Has anyone seen progress in this area? I would think that Dell and Apple might like to explore this option.
Ericsson, Alcatel aim to boost 3G gear efficiencies
by Sandra Wendelken
Dec. 01, 2003 12:31 PM EST
Two mobile infrastructure suppliers last week made announcements aimed at furthering their third-generation infrastructure product lines.
L.M. Ericsson said it will merge its W-CDMA and CDMA2000 product offerings into one portfolio based on the same software and hardware platforms. Ericsson said the common 3G portfolio will enable it to further focus its research and development resources and achieve higher efficiency and productivity.
As part of its ongoing reorganization, Ericsson has closed or consolidated numerous R&D facilities around the globe.
Ericsson said its W-CDMA and CDMA2000 products are currently built on the same 3G technology core platforms for radio and packet networks, switching and applications/control. Further alignment of development efforts will allow one common product for both technologies.
"We will be able to offer the same industry-leading 3G products to any operator, no matter what 3G technology they select," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, chief executive officer of Ericsson. "This enables us to increase our economies of scale and maximize the effectiveness of our R&D."
In addition, Alcatel Corp. signed an agreement with Italian company Pirelli to integrate Pirelli Labs and Telecom Italia Lab's optoelectronic module into Alcatel's Evolium remote radio units. Alcatel said the technology will reduce the deployment costs of 3G networks while taking into account the electromagnetic environment.
Alcatel said the Pirelli module will allow a smooth physical split between the central unit and multiple remote radio access heads by re-using existing optical fiber transmission.
Alcatel also said it opened its latest 3G Reality Center in Milan, Italy, to offer an open network environment to operators and content and service providers for developing, validating and testing 3G applications and services.
EDGE Question Continued
Do you think that IDCC included EDGE enabled products in it's Nokia + Samsung royalty estimates that were included in the ERICY 2G resolution press release?
EDGE Question
Would it not be to IDCC's advantage to have EDGE defined as a 3G technology? I would assume it would have a higher rate applied to EDGE products.
Samsung may join Nokia in Interdigital battle
by Mike Dano
Nov. 26, 2003 1:02 PM EST
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is looking to join Nokia Corp. in its legal disagreement with wireless technology company InterDigital Communications Corp. Samsung is requesting international arbitration in its fight against InterDigital and that its case be combined with that of Nokia.
InterDigital outlined the legal proceedings in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company’s stock was down slightly after the news to about $19.57 per share.
Nokia in July asked for mediation through the International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration in its disagreement with InterDigital. Nokia argued that it owes InterDigital no royalties, an argument it based on the deal InterDigital struck with L.M. Ericsson and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications in March. Under the deal, Ericsson must pay InterDigital an annual fee of $6 million for sales of infrastructure equipment, and Sony Ericsson will pay a royalty on each licensed product sold. Nokia is seeking an order requiring InterDigital to provide Nokia with access to various documents related to previous litigation, negotiations and arbitration with other parties. Pending access to the requested documents, Nokia is also seeking to prevent arbitration proceedings that would determine royalty amounts it potentially owes to InterDigital.
According to InterDigital’s SEC filing, Samsung is essentially asking for the same things. Samsung is seeking to have the ICC determine its obligations to InterDigital and to access documents related to the now-settled Ericsson litigation.
InterDigital said it would contest Samsung’s claims.
http://rcrnews.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?newsId=16082
loophole73
You comment: "Enough time has expired that 2g is no longer the power in the evaluation process. It is nice, but not as determinative as the 3g progress that we will hopefully experience at the end of this year and years to come."
In my mind, 2G still has one last (pleasant) surprise that will benefit IDCC's 3G efforts. After everyone is paying IDCC for the 2G benefits that they have had for free in the past, it will make the profit margin in the 2G "food chain" become (close to) negative if they try to extend the longevity of their old 2G investment. This should hasten their adoption of a 3G environment that will benefit IDCC sooner rather than later. JMHO.
IDCC negotiating leverage with Nokia and (now) Samsung has never been greater. Judge Lynn’s conclusion is precisely the result IDCC needed which is to have the decision making process exclusively controlled by the Arbitrators. So the Arbitrators have now been endowed with the ability to request any sealed documents the THEY feel are necessary to construe the NOK/IDCC 1999 contract.
From Nokia’s original court request (July 22, 2003), … , Nokia is seeking an order requiring ITC to provide Nokia with access to various documents related to previous litigations, negotiations, and arbitrations with other parties. Pending access to the requested documents, Nokia is seeking to prevent the commencement of arbitration proceedings that would determine royalty amounts owed to ITC for the period starting January 1, 2002.
Judge Lynn’s decision forces Nokia to enter into that stage of the arbitration process that would determine the royalty rate in order to grant any possible access to any sealed documents. This is precisely what Nokia stated they wanted to prevent in their original request.
When was it that Nokia or Samsung was in a weaker position to negotiate a royalty rate with IDCC?
My congratulations to “mschere” who has correctly analyzed the correct role of the Arbitrators and their correct authority over the arbitration proceeding. Special thanks to "jaykayjones", "Ghors", and "chartex" for their efforts to provide a perspective from the vantage point that counts the most. I appreciate everyone that contributes to this IDCC community.
OT: Jaykay, Ghors and Chart
Please take special note of anything spoken in Finnish or Korean. But then I believe that "OUCH" sounds pretty much the same in any language! LOL
OT: "Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity." - Christopher Morley
Pre-Market: 30,100 shares traded before 9 AM Eastern time (of none traded on Island)
Best of luck to the Undercover Trio in Dallas!
United States Patent 6,651,883
Schilling November 25, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removable card for use in a radio unit
Abstract
A removable card is used in radio units. The card comprises a memory for storing telephone numbers associated with an owner of the card. One of the telephone numbers is a telephone number of the owner. The memory is configured so that upon insertion of the card in a radio unit, that radio unit receives calls associated with the owner telephone number stored on the card.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventors: Schilling; Donald L. (Stands Point, NY)
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation (Wilmington, DE)
Filed: February 11, 2002
Current U.S. Class: 235/380; 235/382; 379/144.01
United States Patent 6,654,407
Moore, III November 25, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noise shaping technique for spread spectrum communications
Abstract
A spread spectrum noise shaper uses a modulation technique to achieve a greater signal-to-noise or signal-to-interference ratio (SNR or SIR). The technique doubles the system SIR, in principle. This doubling yields a doubling in system capacity. SNR is increased by receiving the spread spectrum signal in the presence of less noise near the edge of the spread spectrum bandwidth. The technique requires only small additions to a conventional spread spectrum system, in the form of an extra modulator at the transmitter, and an extra demodulator and filter at the receiver.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventors: Moore, III; Timothy F. (Port Washington, NY)
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation (Wilmington, DE)
Filed: December 21, 2001
Current U.S. Class: 375/141; 375/146
Wireless Bureau reorganized
Nov. 24, 2003 1:31 PM EST
WASHINGTON--The Federal Communications Commission today said the Wireless Bureau has been reorganized to more effectively support strategic goals regarding broadband, competition, spectrum, media, homeland security and agency modernization.
The FCC said the scope and size of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's larger divisions have been reduced to improve managerial oversight, and that organizational substructures, such as separate branches under the division level, have been eliminated.
The agency said the reorganization does not add or remove functions from the bureau's portfolio and has been accomplished through the redeployment of existing positions.
"This reorganization provides the Wireless Bureau with a structure to address the dynamic challenges facing a 21st century regulatory agency," stated John Muleta, chief of the WTB. "The result is a mission-driven team that will be innovative in its approach to regulatory policies and customer service."
As part of the reorganization, the Bureau now includes the following six Divisions:
Auctions and Spectrum Access Division--Promotes transparent, efficient and effective access to spectrum, through the development of policy initiatives and legal analysis, as well as procedures and administrative capability, to implement the FCC's competitive bidding authority and the transition of spectrum to new and innovative uses. Addresses issues relating to statutory authority and objectives, Commission rules and policies, and the planning, design, and conduct of spectrum auctions. Margaret Wiener, formerly Chief of the Auctions and Industry Analysis Division, will be the Division Chief.
Broadband Division--Facilitates the rapid, widespread deployment of wireless broadband services to rural and metropolitan areas. Consolidates the policy, regulatory and licensing functions for wireless broadband services, excluding public safety and critical infrastructure services. Joel Taubenblatt, formerly Deputy Chief of the Policy Division, will be the Division Chief.
Mobility Division--Promotes competitive and innovative mobile radio services and maximizes efficient use of the mobile radio spectrum. Consolidates the policy, regulatory and licensing functions for wireless mobile services, excluding public safety and critical infrastructure services. Roger Noel, formerly Deputy Chief of the Commercial Wireless Division, will be the Division Chief.
Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division--Consolidates wireless homeland security and public safety issues and outreach within one Division, including E911 and interoperability issues, as well as policy, regulatory and licensing functions for both public safety entities and the nation's critical infrastructure industries. D'Wana Terry, formerly Chief of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, will be the Division Chief.
Spectrum and Competition Policy Division--Formulates and implements innovative spectrum, competition, and infrastructure policies that promote access to and efficient use of radio spectrum for wireless telecommunications and encourage competition in the communications marketplace. Issues include Spectrum Policy Task Force implementation, wireless/wireline convergence, secondary markets, wireless consumer policy, competition reporting, facilities and tower siting, and broad policy guidance for future technological developments. William Kunze, formerly Chief of the Commercial Wireless Division, will be the Division Chief.
Spectrum Management Resources and Technologies Division--Combines the bureau's information technology, licensing support, and auctions support and outreach functions (currently divided between two Divisions) in order to improve planning and implementation of the Bureau's unique and highly integrated system needs. John Chudovan, formerly Chief of the Data Management Division, will be the Division Chief.
The FCC said the reorganization of the bureau was approved by the commission on November 13.
OT: Survey: 31 Percent of U.S. Tech-Savvy
By Brian Bergstein, AP Technology Writer
November 23, 2003
NEW YORK (AP)—Technology geeks, unite. There are more of you than you might have realized. A study released Sunday found that 31 percent of Americans are "highly tech-savvy" people for whom the Internet, cell phones and handheld organizers are more indispensable than TVs and old-fashioned wired phones.
John Horrigan, author of the report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, said the size of this "tech elite" was somewhat surprising. And while this group is predominantly young, the Pew researchers found plenty of baby boomers and seniors who are equally ardent about using technology.
The difference, though, is that techies in their late teens and 20s are more likely to create online content, like Web logs, or "blogs." Generation Xers are more likely to pay for content on the Web, while wired boomers and seniors generally plumb the Internet for news or to do work-related research.
So are you part of the "tech elite"? Consider these other Pew findings about how they live:
They spend, on average, a total of $169 a month on broadband Internet service, satellite or cable TV, cell phones and Web content. That is 39 percent higher than the national average, $122.
Some 29 percent of them have broadband connections, compared with 17 percent of everyone else.
About 7 percent of technology aficionados have canceled their landline phone and gone all-wireless. Only 2 percent of nontechies have done that.
Despite being plugged in to the Internet and other sources of data more often, only 13 percent of the tech-savvy crowd feels overwhelmed by information. By contrast, a sense of information overload plagues 25 percent of the rest of the population.
So why do the people who immerse themselves in information feel less besieged by it?
It could be that technology helps some people organize or take control of their lives, Horrigan said. Or others are simply better at knowing "what to do and how to cope with the information that is flooding at them," he said.
Pew produced the report after surveying 1,677 American adults in October. It has a margin of error of two percentage points.
Cingular eyes consolidation in 2004
by Dan Meyer
Nov. 21, 2003 12:21 PM EST
With the blessing of its parent companies SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp., Cingular Wireless L.L.C. is reportedly set to acquire one of its competitors as early as next year, according to a Business Week report.
The report cited unnamed company officials who said the deal would be substantial and could help the current second-largest nationwide operator with more than 23 million subscribers take over the top spot currently held by Verizon Wireless, which currently serves more than 36 million customers.
"What is Cingular going to do? Bet on a Texas-size acquisition," Business Week reported. "The two parent companies have discussed the prospect of a deal sometime in mid-2004."
Adding credibility to the rumor was SBC Communications Inc. Chief Executive Officer Edward Whiteacre, who was quoted in the story as saying he would like to be a bigger player in the wireless space and that something could happen "over the next number of months."
Merger rumors have been circulating for years concerning the nation's three GSM-based carriers--Cingular, AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and T-Mobile USA Inc., with many analysts noting a deal between two if not all three would help alleviate competitive pressure in the market.
T-Mobile USA was often regarded as the most likely to be acquired due to its smallest player position, but recent comments by its parent company Deutsche Telekom AG and strong quarterly performance has quelled that possibility. The most recent industry buzz has Cingular acquiring AT&T Wireless, which would result in a strong nationwide presence with both cellular and PCS licenses serving more than 40 million subscribers.
Symbian 3Q results show continued positive progress
by Mike Dano
Nov. 20, 2003 12:58 PM EST
Mobile-phone operating system company Symbian Ltd. offered a positive outlook on its third-quarter results, showing more than 1 million Symbian phones shipping in the quarter and total revenues of about $16 million.
"Symbian has continued to make good progress in Q3 2003," said David Levin, the company's chief executive officer. "This is the third consecutive quarter in which Symbian OS licensees have shipped more than 1 million phones based on Symbian OS to network operators worldwide. Almost 4 million Symbian OS-based phones have shipped in the year to date. At the end of Q3 2003, 10 phones from four Symbian OS licensees were shipping worldwide."
Symbian, however, said its most important quarter this year will be its last, as analysts are expecting 2 to 3 million Symbian handsets will sell in the fourth quarter. Those numbers will likely bring the company's total handset shipments for 2003 to about 6 to 7 million. Symbian needs to sell between 15 and 20 million Symbian-based handsets per year to reach financial break even. The company earns about $6 per handset shipped.
The company said, signs are looking good for that to happen. In the third quarter of last year, there were 16 Symbian handsets in development. In this quarter, that number almost doubled to 31 products in development.
"There's a big pipeline going forward," said Peter Bancroft, the company's vice president of communications.
Symbian is a joint venture among many of the world's major handset manufacturers, including Nokia Corp. and Sony Ericsson. The company is viewed as the main competitor to Microsoft Corp., which is working to sell its Smartphone operating system worldwide.
RealNetworks blasts video to AT&T handsets
By Stefanie Olsen
CNET News.com
November 20, 2003, 8:54 AM PT
URL: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-5109944.html
RealNetworks announced a deal Thursday to provide AT&T Wireless with technology to stream digital video to cell phones.
As reported earlier, the Seattle-based digital media services company said it will provide the infrastructure to deliver streaming video to AT&T Wireless cellular service subscribers in the United States.
"RealOne for mMode not only gives AT&T Wireless customers advanced streaming video experience, it also gives customers a great way to catch the latest news, entertainment and sports, regardless of where they are and when they want," Sam Hall, vice president of mMode services at AT&T Wireless, said in a statement.
AT&T Wireless has more than 22 million U.S. cell phone subscribers, making it a prime company to offer new streaming video and audio services in the wireless market. It is developing a next-generation cell phone network in the United States with the backing of Japan's NTT DoCoMo, which holds a 17 percent stake in the carrier. In Japan, DoCoMo is considered a pioneer in delivering streaming video and audio to wireless service customers.
The new service, which provides full-motion video and audio, is now available on mMode-enabled Nokia 3650 handsets and the Nokia N-Gage, RealNetworks said. The service costs $4.95 per month plus usage fees.
The deal gives RealNetworks another large partner in the mobile market. In October, it teamed with Motorola, which is building the RealOne Player into certain handsets scheduled for release early next year.
In addition, RealNetworks introduced a streaming media subscription package in August for Sprint's 2.1 million PCS users and was chosen by Vodafone Group this summer to deliver audio and video on its mobile phones. Nokia has also expanded its agreement with RealNetworks for next-generation cell phones.
RealNetworks has earmarked the wireless market as a key area for growth. The market is important, because the company can reach a new set of subscribers for its RealOne audio-video entertainment service and can sell the back-end infrastructure to deliver that service. It is especially crucial for system sales, because RealNetworks has seen its share of the market for PC-based technology dwindle, a result of Microsoft's ability to promote its Windows Media through its operating system dominance.
Wireless technology is becoming more important for companies like RealNetworks, especially as many wired phone lines are being disconnected in favor of cell phones, said Richard Doherty, president of The Envisioneering Group, an Internet research firm.
However, video services demand more wireless bandwidth than cell phone carriers have been able to deliver. But AT&T recently flipped the switch on a new wireless Internet network it claims is the fastest in the United States. It did this by using a cell phone standard called EDGE, or Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution.
AT&T Wireless joins race for speed
Fastest wireless Internet network in U.S., company claims
By Ben Charny
Nov. 18 — AT&T Wireless on Tuesday flipped the switch on a wireless Internet network it claims is the fastest in the United States. The carrier said subscribers can now surf the Web or download games at speeds averaging 100kbps to 130kbps, about two times faster than any nationally launched wireless Internet network. A carrier spokesman said subscribers won’t be charged extra for the faster service, but they will have to buy new cell phones or modems.
AT&T WIRELESS is the second major U.S. carrier to recently increase its network speed. Nextel Communications has begun quadrupling speed of its Internet service, from the current 15kbps to somewhere between 60kbps and 80kbps, chief executive Tim Donahue told investors Monday.
Cell phone service providers are spending billions of dollars on faster network equipment, hoping to both increase voice calling coverage and make data-oriented services speedier. Selling downloadable games, ring tones and other Web-based features is a big part of most cell phone providers’ plans to recoup revenues lost because of intense competition that has slashed the cost of cell phone calls.
”(We’re) providing data speeds dramatically faster than ‘so-called’ 3G (third generation) services offered by other wireless companies,” AT&T Wireless chief executive John Zeglis said in prepared remarks.
AT&T Wireless is one of 60 carriers worldwide building faster networks using a cell phone standard called EDGE, or Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution. The company already sells one EDGE-capable phone, the Nokia 6200. On Tuesday it introduced a $150 EDGE laptop modem made by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications that’s available only if a customer signs up for a two-year contract. The carrier plans to introduce other EDGE devices made by Motorola, NEC, Siemens, PalmOne, Research In Motion, Samsung and Siemens.
Cingular Wireless is also using EDGE in its network, but AT&T Wireless executives said its own network uses the technology much more extensively. A Cingular Wireless representative was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.
Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless have deployed a technology from Qualcomm called CDMA20001xrtt, which usually operates at about 60kbps to 70kbps.
Copyright © 1995-2003 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved
Vodafone Gives 3G Timetable; Says Limited Offering In Apr
Tuesday November 18, 7:40 am ET
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Vodafone Group PLC (NYSE:VOD - News) Tuesday gave its most detailed rollout plan for third-generation, or 3G, mobile services.
In a presentation for journalists, the company said it would first start internal user trials, then "friendly" user trials in December.
It said it would have "3G-powered services available on a limited basis" in April 2004, with "enhanced 3G-powered services and handsets available in volume" in the middle of 2004.
The presentation stated the company is "developing an attractive portfolio with manufacturers to underpin (its) service offering," although it said initial handset costs will be higher than the so-called 2.5G handsets that are today's upmarket phones.
It said in the longer term handsets costs would come down, but didn't give a timetable.
The company's timetable mapped the launch of "3G-powered services" rather than the launch of 3G technology itself, opening the possibility that it may offer services in which the underlying technology isn't immediately obvious to the consumer.
Company Web site: http://www.vodafone.com
-By Gren Manuel, Dow Jones Newswires; 44 20 7842 9279; gren.manuel@dowjones.com
According to the presentation, Vodafone believes 3G could lead to a sharp increase in the number of minutes of voice traffic carried.
The company will target 3G services at laptop-toting mobile professionals.
A mock-up of a 3G handset showed a screen similar to the Vodafone Live! service offered on current mobile technology, but with more visually attractive icons and a rolling news ticker across the top of the screen.
Company website: http://www.vodafone.com
-By Gren Manuel, Dow Jones Newswires; 44 20 7842 9279; gren.manuel@dowjones.com
New research: Base station sales up, EV-DO trumps W-CDMA
by Sam Omatseye
Nov. 18, 2003 1:20 PM EST
Research firm Allied Business Intelligence has revised its projections for third-generation base stations sales for 2003, noting that it expects 35,000 unit sales as against 32,500 as earlier predicted.
The report said although contract awards dipped in August and September, it has revived the positive trend of earlier this year.
One-third of the contracts were awarded in Asia-Pacific, a quarter in the Americas, less than a quarter in Europe, and 15 percent in the Middle East and Africa.
"Though contract wins are on the rise, the overall market will not reach its previous highs any time soon," said the report.
The market high was more than $20 billion in annual revenue a few years ago, said the report, a height that may not be replicated in the near future. The revenue mark this year is $17 billion, said ABI.
"Due to increasing pricing pressure, revenue growth will lag unit growth as deployments accelerate," stated Edward A. Rerisi, ABI's director of research.
In a different report, research firm Alexander Resources claimed CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology is superior to both W-CDMA and Wi-Fi technology.
In the research report, "CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Opportunities, Challenges and Competitive Strategies," Alexander Resources said EV-DO requires less spectrum to deploy, delivers higher average and peak throughput, and is less expensive than the other technologies.
The independent report also noted that Wi-Fi hot spots will not eliminate the need for 3G services.
"Wi-Fi hot spots are best suited to serving notebook PC users in select airport, hotel and restaurant locations," said the report.
The report said EV-DO frees carriers from the "false dilemma of charging data users for the equivalent resources consumed," adding that its success will reduce demand for current CDMA "data-voice."
New cellphone offers big shots eavesdrop-proof call
Tuesday November 18, 10:17 am ET
By Lucas van Grinsven, European Technology Correspondent
AMSTERDAM, Nov 18 (Reuters) - A German company launched a new mobile handset on Tuesday targeted at business executives that secures lines are free from eavesdroppers, sparking criticism that it could also make criminals harder to catch.
Berlin-based Cryptophone, a unit of privately held GSMK, developed the phone by inserting an encryption software inside a standard handheld computer phone. This ensures that calls can only be decoded by a similar handset or a computer running the software.
But the phone is seen as a mixed blessing in some European countries. While the benefits for business managers exchanging sensitive information are obvious, such a device could potentially have the side effect of helping criminals.
Security specialists in the Netherlands said the device could threaten criminal investigation by the Dutch police, which is one of the world's most active phone tappers, listening in to 12,000 phone numbers every year.
But privacy lobbyists say the new handset is a "freedomphone" much more than a "terrorphone".
"It's a tremendous step forward, because the level of surveillance by authorities is breathtaking," said Simon Davies, director of Privacy International in Britain.
Cryptohone says unlike rivals such as Sweden's Sectra (Stockholm:SECTb.ST - News), Swiss Crypto AG and Germany's Rohde & Schwarz, it has no ties to national security and defence organisations and that there is no back door for government agencies.
"We allow everyone to check the security for themselves, because we're the only ones who publish the source code," said Rop Gonggrijp at Amsterdam-based NAH6. Gonggrijp, who helped develop the software, owns a stake in Germany's GSMK.
The Microsoft-based (NasdaqNM:MSFT - News) XDA handheld computer phone made by Taiwan's High Tech Computer (Taiwan:2498.TW - News) is selling for 3,499 euros ($4,121) per two handsets.
At that price it is targeting executives, lawyers and bankers who regularly swap market sensitive information on mergers and lawsuits, and for whom privacy is worth paying for.
Eavesdropping equipment, available for around 100,000 euros, is officially only available to government agencies, but suspected criminals have also been able to obtain it, Gonggrijp said.
The strong encryption standards used by Cryptophone can already be applied in e-mails and other computer applications. The advent of more powerful handheld devices such as the Microsoft-based handheld computer phones has allowed Cryptophone to offer the same level of security on mobile phones.
But the high price of the device means few will be able to buy it.
"Not many average consumers will pay that kind of money. The people who will be using it are in businesses," said Ian Brown, director of the Foundation for Information Policy Research in Britain.
If the high security phones become popular, however, governments could well clamp down on them, Privacy International's Davies said. "I would not trust governments to leave it alone."
Cryptophone says on its website (http://www.cryptophone.de) that exports of the device were unlimited within Europe and to several large economies around the world, but that customer credentials would be checked for a criminal records.
China Approves 3Com's Huawei Joint Venture
Times Headlines
China Approves 3Com's Huawei Joint Venture
FCC Is Expected to Reject 'Dual Must-Carry'
From Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO -- Network equipment maker 3Com Corp. said Monday that it had received approval from the Chinese government for a joint venture with Huawei Technologies Co. that analysts expect to challenge No. 1 network gear maker Cisco Systems Inc. especially in China.
Huawei-3Com Co. would be based in Hong Kong, have its principal operations in Hangzhou, China, and have sales offices throughout China and Japan for marketing networking gear such as routers and local-area-network switches, according to Marlborough, Mass.-based 3Com.
Analysts said the joint venture's goal was to grab some of San Jose-based Cisco's large share of the network equipment market by offering resellers better margins.
"The whole idea behind the 3Com-Huawei partnership is to develop a product line attractive to resellers," said William Becklean of Oppenheimer & Co.
"Cisco owns the market," Becklean said. "They have a 70% share."
The joint venture, announced in March, would sell its own and 3Com products in China and Japan; 3Com has rights to market and support the joint venture's products under its brand in other countries.
Shares of 3Com fell 12 cents to $7.11 on Nasdaq
PalmSource Takes Aim at Wireless Operators
By Carmen Nobel
November 17, 2003
LAS VEGAS—Palm OS vendor PalmSource on Monday announced here at Comdex Las Vegas 2003 a new program aimed at bringing wireless operators into the operating system's development mix.
The Palm Powered MobileWorld program gives operators the opportunity to collaborate with Palmsource to make sure their feedback is integral in developing the Palm OS platform.
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The program also formalizes the process by which operators work with Palmsource to develop software applications that can be delivered over-the-air to Palm OS-based smart phones.
Sprint PCS Group is the first carrier partner in the program.
Check out the latest news, views and happenings at Comdex Las Vegas 2003 in eWEEK.com's special report.
Separately, Palmsource announced a new licensee. Percomm Inc. plans to build paging devices that run Palm OS Version 5.0 over ReFLEX, GSM and CDMA networks.
OT: Ricochet network goes dark in San Diego
Nov. 17, 2003 12:54 PM EST
DENVER--Ricochet Networks Inc.'s high-speed wireless network may be down for the count, following last week's statement the company was "actively evaluating a number of options relative to its business prospects" and rumors that most of its staff had been fired.
The company's server in San Diego went black on Friday, according to a source. The Denver server, however, is still up and running, according to a Denver-based Ricochet agent.
Calls to the company's Denver headquarters were directed immediately to a recording instructing customers to leave a message or call customer support. Subsequent calls to customer support are met with a message reading "we are experiencing technical difficulties at the present time," and directing callers to place all inquiries via email to customer@ricochet.com.
Ricochet failed to respond to multiple inquiries Monday morning.