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‘Smartphone‘ Era To Start Next Year, Researcher Predicts
2004-11-29
Research firm also predicts that 80 percent of mobile workers will use wireless e-mail within the next three years.
By Mobile Pipeline News
Smartphones will become essential business tools next year and wireless e-mail will become so important that employees will eventually be evaluated on how well they use the technology, market research firm Gartner predicted Wednesday.
Specifically, the firm predicted that more smartphones, which can be used for cellular voice and data and to manage personal information, will be shipped in 2006 than PDAs. PDAs will continue to play a role in the enterprise for use with mobilized applications, according to Gartner, but smartphones will be the device that most mobile users will use from day to day, according to the report.
The study said that it expected 20 million smartphones to ship in 2006 compared to about 13 million PDAs.
The study said that remote access to e-mail is rapidly becoming essential to most businesses. Specifically, it predicted that 80 percent of mobile workers will use wireless e-mail access by 2008.
"The speed at which staff respond to e-mails has a direct impact on organizations‘ success, now that, on average, a tenth of the messages that arrive each day need immediate action," according to the report. Workers with wireless access to e-mail can have more time to delete spam and prioritize they can cut their response times in half."
The speed taken to respond to important e-mails is becoming so important that many companies will start including it as a factor in employee evaluations, according to the predictions. That will result in fewer automated "out of office" replies and increase reliance on mobile e-mail products.
In other predictions, Gartner said:
Mobile e-commerce for applications such as banking will be adopted slowly and will require use of new mobile phones that can work with smart cards. At that, much of the growth of this type of application will occur first in Asia, according to Gartner.
About 10 percent of mobile phone users will use their devices to streaming video players and to take pictures. That level of penetration won‘t occur, however, until 2008 and that there will be virtually no applications for streaming video applications in the enterprise.
Have a good week all,
Hydro_gen
Japan‘s number one carrier offers 3G/VoIP Linux phone
2004-11-24
(in a few years we will be able to purchase a similar device to run on WCDMA/VoIP in the US....imagine the possibilities)
NTT DoCoMo and its regional subsidiaries are now offering business subscribers a dual-network 3G/VoIP handset that works as a 3G mobile phone, VoIP (voice-over-IP) terminal, or both simultaneously. The N900iL is based on a Linux-based 3G mobile phone software platform developed jointly by NEC and Panasonic.
NTT DoCoMo says the N900iL uses its "passage duple" system for dual-network operation. It can operate as a 3G mobile phone under NTT‘s W-CDMA 3G network, or as a VoIP phone with SIP (session initiation protocol) control under wireless 802.11b networks. Or, it can be set up for dual-mode operation under both kinds of network simultaneously, NTT DoCoMo says.
NTT DoCoMo markets its 3G wireless network services under the brandname "FOMA," or "Freedom of Mobile-multimedia Access." 3G network services provide Internet access at broadband speeds. Although NTT DoCoMo is Japan‘s largest mobile carrier, the company has lagged in 3G subscriber uptake, possibly due to the high cost of the Symbian-based phones it has previously offered. NTT DoCoMo announced in December of 2003 that it would adopt Linux for its future 3G phones.
NTT DoCoMo has also looked at using Linux on the other end of its FOMA network. It evaluated a Carrier Grade Linux switch developed by NEC in September.
When used in wireless LAN mode, the N900iL supports call hold, call transfer, and other standard phone functions, the company says. N900iL users on the same LAN can send instant text messages to one another, and check one another‘s status with a "callee status function." Status information includes whether the callee is on- or off-line, in a meeting, out of the office, on a business trip, etc. Users can also browse lists of other local users.
When used in FOMA mode, the phone can tunnel through firewalls to access enterprise applications, using VPN (virtual private network) technology.
Hydro_gen
we are on.....
China urged to promote wider 3G competition
2004-11-12
A telecommunications policy think-tank is proposing the mainland build three separate third-generation (3G) mobile networks, each based on a different technological platform, to promote competition, China Radio International reported Thursday.
The China Academy of Telecommunications Research has also advised the government that it can afford to wait for the country‘s home-grown 3G technology - TD-SCDMA - to develop further before it issues 3G licences.
"There is plenty of time to mull over 3G questions and formulate policy," said Chen Jinqiao, the think-tank‘s director of the Institute of Telecommunication Policy.
The research body operates under the Ministry of Information Industry, which regulates the telecommunications sector.
Mr Chen said the development of TD-SCDMA would first require construction of a network large enough to generate the investment capital needed.
"From our experience in 2G, we‘ve seen that the competition among two nationwide GSM networks was ineffective," he said.
Mr Chen believed the best way to promote competition was to allow all three major 3G technologies to compete with each other on a nationwide scale.
"It was not until China Unicom built a nationwide CDMA network that the country‘s mobile service competition landscape improved. We should avoid the same mistake when it comes to 3G," he said.
His comments seemed to rule out the suggestion of some carriers that the relatively immature TD-SCDMA technology could supplement the core WCDMA or CDMA2000 networks on a regional basis.
Sources close to the ministry told the South China Morning Post that full-scale field trials on all three 3G technologies had been completed. Six operators and 12 vendors in different cities participated, submitting reports and suggestions to the ministry‘s 3G advisory group last month.
But officials of the research body publicly denied yesterday that the TD-SCDMA standard had been fully evaluated.
"It‘s only an experiment," an official told Associated Press in Beijing. "We can‘t make any conclusions right now."
Nonetheless, sources told the Post that the test results showed poor network reliability, patchy 2G-3G interoperability and other problems. Of the three platforms, WCDMA appeared to be the most mature, followed by CDMA2000.
Mr Chen admitted performance of certain parts of the mainland technology needed improvement. "The problem with TD-SCDMA is that vendor participation remains limited. I believe more foreign vendors with strong [research and development] capability will join in."
Alcatel Shanghai Bellwas has reportedly agreed to invest 150 million yuan in Datang Mobile - a TD-SCDMA advocate - to jointly develop handsets for the technology. Enditem
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/EN/news/see.asp?id=837
Hydro_gen
slodoc...the conference is a four day event. I do not understand your comment regarding their presentation on the "8th and 9th and not earlier."
Normally, Sunday the 7th is a 'get there, nice to meet ya, see ya tomorow' with the 8th and 9th being the 'givem' what ya got' days and the 10th being 'bye, look forward to doing business with ya wrap.' Earnings have already been partially preannounced and no additional material announcements can be made.
The earnings call is the 9th at 10PMEST so the 9th is not a 'bye' day for the presentation in the West coast at the Aea. Additional analysts will be able to 'extend' the conference call and ask additional questions to whatever the call contains and/or whatever questions arise to whomever is present from IDCC.
Astute members of this board can reach the AeA participants and direct any questions 'we' may have.
I am a relaxed long, just 'stirring' the pot.
Great day for college football. Lock of the day is TN -7.
Have a great day all!
Hydro_gen
I am really surprised that some of our bored (sic) members did not pick up on the timing of the AeA Classic Financial Conference next week and comment on the expense and timing. There were 10 press releases on the AeA website today and IDCC was not mentioned (yet we 'made' the list of presenting co's)? I am curious if we just signed up for this conference so person(s) can conveniently not be present on the 9th as pre registration for the AeA closed today at noon (3PM EST); prepay 4k for 3 executives vs. $1800 per head at the door. If we knew we were going to be there why did we announce it today? If we did not know we were going to be there why are we going this time?
Regarding the fees…..4K plus airfare (and $400 per extra head in attendance) is chicken scratch and an inexpensive dog and pony show, considering the attendees present, imho it is just the timing that is interesting. More theories to contemplate over the weekend.
ONE day there should be a movie made about IDCC and all the longs (and shorts) who suffered through the tumultuous times being an IDCC stockholder.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/aeaclassic2004/
Hydro_gen
NEC hopes to gain upper hand in China
2004-11-5
(NEC has a jv w/ Matsushita & Huawei....look forward to the MII field trial results next week 11/08-11/10 and a JPO ruling in 05')
Japan‘s communications giant, NEC, hopes its runaway success in the global 3G (third-generation) mobile communications market can be emulated in China, which is the world‘s most dynamic telecoms market.
NEC is reshuffling its business and preparing to beef up localization in China to ensure it will have a better position in the upcoming 3G market, said Ken Lu, executive vice-president of NEC Telecommunications (China) Co Ltd.
"We have scored big success in the global 3G market. There is no reason for us not to succeed in China."
NEC has integrated its telecoms units in Guilin, Xi‘an, Tianjin and Wuhan into a single entity.
"The reshuffle will help turn NEC into a market-driven company," Lu said.
NEC has also localized its management team in China.
Now, Lu Lei and Ken Lu, two Chinese natives, head NEC‘s team in China.
That is rare among Japanese multinationals in China, as Japanese tend to head their firms‘ management teams.
Before joining NEC, Lu Lei and Ken Lu were vice-president of Motorola China and vice-president of Motorola, Asia-Pacific, respectively.
"Our intensifying localization efforts will help NEC respond to customer needs in China more rapidly," Ken Lu said.
NEC has been the largest provider of both 3G WCDMA base stations and mobile phones in the world.
By August, NEC, in partnership with Germany-based Siemens, has signed WCDMA equipment supply orders with 31 3G operators in 16 countries.
NEC and Siemens provided 23,800 WCDMA base stations by August, with a 35.1-per-cent share, the largest, of the world‘s WCDMA base station market.
Its nearest rival in the WCDMA base station market, Ericsson, held a 22.8-per-cent share.
NEC controls more than 52 per cent of the global 3G WCDMA mobile phone market.
However, the firm‘s share of the 2G/2.5G mobile equipment and cellphones in China is much lower.
NEC held a mere 3-per-cent share of China‘s mobile phone market last year. Meanwhile, handset sales in China in 2003 grew about 9 per cent, to reach 60 million units.
Despite its underperformance in the current 2G market, NEC believes its rich experience, accumulated in the global 3G market, will help it gain the upper hand in China‘s 3G market, said Ken Lu.
"The 3G market is quite different from the 2G market," he said.
In the 2G market, particularly in China, mobile phones are sold directly to consumers. However, in the 3G era, operators usually ask manufacturers to tailor the phones and sell them, with the operators‘ brands, to customers.
One of NEC‘s key strategies in China will be partnering with operators and governments to jointly tap the local market, Ken Lu said.
NEC is already gaining recognition among Chinese operators and governments.
The firm is already one of the few cellphone makers that provide tailored mobile phones to China Mobile, the country‘s largest cellular operator.
Also, NEC has provided two 3G handset models for field tests, which were led by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII).
Other manufacturers provided only one model.
The field tests were completed in September. MII is expected to announce the results during a 3G forum, which is scheduled for November 8-10.
The Chinese Government has yet to award operators with the licences to build 3G networks. Industry observers widely expect the licensing will occur next year.
3G mobile phones are usually high-end products, but NEC will consider developing low-priced 3G phones in China, where customers are usually more price-sensitive, said Brian Holmes, vice-president in charge of NEC Telecommunications China‘s mobile phone development.
NEC has already provided a 3G phone to Hong Kong-based operator H3G. The model is being sold for less than HK$1,000.
The development of 3G WCDMA experienced some hiccups in the early days, due largely to the short battery life of mobile phones.
Lou Qinjian, MII‘s deputy chief, said last month, during the Shenzhen High-tech Fair, the lack of 3G mobile phones was one of the biggest barriers that curbed 3G development in China.
That situation is changing, Holmes said.
A new NEC handset model now boasts a 400-hour battery life, which is even better than a 2.5G phone, Holmes added.
To better serve the Chinese market, NEC has moved its supply chain, including its research and development (R&D) centre, to the country.
The firm has formed a joint venture with Japan‘s Matsushita and China‘s top telecoms equipment maker, Huawei Technologies, to develop 3G phones.
NEC now manufactures WCDMA mobile phones in China. Those models are exported to Asia, Europe and Oceania.
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/EN/news/see.asp?id=819
Have a great day and great weekend all. Preppin for smokin some boston butt, turkey and fish all day tomorrow.
Hydro_gen
Korea seeks 3G balance
2004-11-2
A report from ground zero in the competition between CDMA 2000 and WCDMA
Along with Japan, South Korea is on the cutting edge among nations when it comes to adoption of 3G cellular technology. However, the convoluted history of 3G in Korea demonstrates how standards selections can result in unintended consequences. Korea early adopted Qualcomm’s CDMA (code-division multiple-access) technology, but that choice is now hindering the country’s desire to also nurture the competing WCDMA (wideband-CDMA) technology, (which, despite the “CDMA” in its name, is actually related to GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)). Involving government agencies and corporate interests in Korea and elsewhere, not to mention consumers, the tale also has ramifications for the country’s role as a global handset manufacturer.
In December 1992, the MIC (Ministry of Information and Communication) selected Qualcomm’s CDMA as Korea’s telecom standard. Many critics insisted that GSM represented a better choice, but the MIC believed CDMA to be superior. The MIC cooperated with several large companies and R&D organizations, including Samsung Electronics and ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute), and, in January 1996, Korea became the first country to launch commercial CDMA services. In 2000, the first CDMA 2000 1xRTT service came online in Korea, and the faster CDMA 2000 1x EV-DO service followed in 2002.
However, because the countries using GSM technology vastly outnumber those using CDMA, many people consider the GSM-based WCDMA technology to be the more global 3G standard. So, Korea’s MIC selected SKT (SK Telecom) and KTF as WCDMA service providers. However, over time, SKT and KTF have put their efforts into the existing CDMA 2000 1x EV-DO services and have shown little interest in constructing WCDMA base stations and networks. Last year, several markets, including Seoul, launched WCDMA service, but the success of the service is still in question. MIC has been pressing SKT and KTF to keep to the original plan for WCDMA deployment.
WCDMA has for many reasons experienced a slow roll-out. First, its functions overlap with the current EV-DO network. For SKT and KTF, which currently provide EV-DO service, investing in WCDMA represents redundant spending and great risk. Meanwhile, the video-telephone and TV services that WCDMA is expected to provide have begun to appear via EV-DO. Finally, mobile handsets targeting the WCDMA market are too expensive because they integrate more multimedia chips, larger displays, and more features.
The current price of a Samsung WCDMA phone, for example, is $800 to $1000, two to three times the price of a 2G handset. The government, therefore, recently announced that it would allow carriers to subsidize as much as 25% of the cost of WCDMA PDA phones and 40% of WCDMA handsets, on a conditional basis. Still, it’s unclear how many consumers would jump to WCDMA even if handset prices were to quickly drop.
The situation also impacts handset manufacturing. LG recently exported 3 million WCDMA dual-band phones to Hutchison, an aggressive supporter of WCDMA. However, the other manufacturers, Samsung and Pantech, are taking a passive stance. The prices of WCDMA phones seem unlikely to drop quickly.
In addition, WCDMA is reportedly experiencing some temporary technology problems: unusually long delays in handoffs between WCDMA and other networks. Experts expect manufacturers to eradicate the problem by year’s end. Another challenge is limited battery life; a WCDMA phone can use video communication for only about one hour.
Despite these delays, groups supporting WCDMA, including the MIC, believe that Korea should for several reasons develop WCDMA. First, the MIC believes investment in WCDMA will impact manufacturing. “Many communication equipment makers are in Korea, and MIC expects the investment in WCDMA will help them to increase their competitive power,” says Lee Won Hee, an analyst with market-research firm Mindbranch. On the other hand, several local manufacturers are demanding that MIC choose CDMA 2000 as the one 3G standard, believing that, because they lack technological experience with WCDMA, market leadership will move to foreign companies.
WCDMA supporters also argue that Korea should not isolate itself from the rest of the world by its choice of cellular technology. MIC wants mobile carriers to keep their promise and deploy WCDMA as scheduled—or give up their rights.
As you might expect, money also plays a role. Qualcomm levies a 5.25% royalty on the net selling price of local products. For exports, the rate is 5.75%. What’s more troubling for manufacturers is that the royalty is increasing rapidly as mobile-handset prices rise due to the incorporation of advanced features, such as cameras and MP3 players.
In addition to Qualcomm, other companies, including Motorola and Lucent, request royalty payments based on their CDMA patents. They even call for Korean handset providers to compensate them for past years’ usage. Moreover, Qualcomm’s chip sets are pricey—$10 to $15 more than GSM chip sets. Meanwhile, Qualcomm makes a distinction between Korea and China with regard to royalties. China’s royalty at 2.65% is half as much as Korea’s. Privately, handset manufacturers also complain about Qualcomm’s order fulfillment.
Taking all these concerns together, some view a move to WCDMA as an escape from Qualcomm’s monopoly-like practices. “We are always concerned about unexpected CDMA-royalty claims,” says an official from one handset maker. To avoid such distressing royalty pressure, the official says his company is mulling over whether to scrap CDMA and focus on GSM.
Many analysts believe that WCDMA services will launch in Korea in 2005. However, the future of this market—both in Korea and worldwide—remains unclear.
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/EN/news/see.asp?id=799
Hydro_gen
It would be Motorola's 'issue' not Cingular, or any other carrier for that matter. Besides, surely our BoD is working harder than ever (Shaner -ex Cingular Wireless and Zabarsky - ex Motorola etal) with the legal beagles because they are not there for altruistic reasons. We are all her to make $. Bottom line.
Let’s hope that the arbitration panel loads that last silver bullet in the IDCC 'smoking gun' and NOBODY will want to play Russian roulette with us. Sorry for the mixed metaphor.
Hydro_gen
What a birthday present! Being hungover after a 39th birthday bash, my head is still spinning a wee bit this am and trying to digest the news is a bit much.
THANKS to those who have attempted to clarify what this all means.
I look forward to the months ahead when we get some news that is easily understood....aka...NOK is resolved and agrees to pay X (or not), SAM, LGE, JPO, SNY/E sign 3G..etc.etc.
And I thought I just had a headache from overindulgence....{gg}
Hydro_gen
Mschere, why is Qualcomm listed as a "3G Standard" licensee on the IDCC website?? The following seems to be a contradiction??
"The Qualcomm license excludes, among other things, any rights under our patents as regards TDMA standards, any rights under any of our patent applications filed after March 7, 1995,......Based on these limitations, Qualcomm is not licensed under either all of our patents that we believe are essential to 3G, including cdma2000, or all of the inventions which we believe will be essential and which are contained in pending patent applications. The proportion of essential Company patents under which Qualcomm is licensed has diminished substantially over time as the Company has been inventing and acquiring technology at an accelerating rate since early 1995."
Did I miss something really simple here?
TIA,
Hydro_gen
Correct regarding GSM/GPSR/EDGE (those who are paying) yet 'our' money is bet on 3G. As I recall, NEC and Motorola were the two main handset vendors that Orange was launching with and I am curious if that was just a Chinese propaganda release, as I have not seen any negative reports regarding NEC having any current overheating issues. A delay would impact 4Q earnings. Have you heard of any rumblings on this issue? tia.
Hydro_gen
Fried eggs anyone?
(hopefully this does not effect any of our paying vendors)
Over heating handsets may delay Orange 3G launch
2004-10-13
Orange is unlikely to launch 3G service by Christmas unless it can remove glitches from 3G handsets by early November.
Chief Executive Sanjiv Ahuja said at a technology conference in Cannes that he would not hesitate to delay the launch.
"If the overall customer experience is not right, I would feel comfortable pushing the 3G launch to next year," he said.
Ahuja empathise concerns over the quality of 3G handsets, Orange hopes to solve technical problems such as overheating handsets and offer at least two models in time for Christmas. The Orange website indicated that the LG U8150 and SonyEricsson Z1010 handsets were coming out soon but have yet to put a price on the handsets.
"If you want to generate heat, you do not have to use cooking appliances," Ahuja said. "I say, use your mobile 3G phone for that. You can fry eggs on them."
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/news/see.asp?id=728
Hydro_gen
InterDigital unveils management products for cellular devices
2004-10-12
('old' news via a new outlet)
InterDigital Communications, a architect, designer and provider of wireless technology product platforms and product solutions, unveiled its initial Adaptive Interference Management (AIM) product suite at Antenna Systems 2004, a wireless industry conference focused on the latest technological advancements in antenna systems and short-range wireless technology.
InterDigital‘s AIM product suite includes AIM ANTENNA products for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and cellular devices. AIM ANTENNA is a high performance product that provides equipment manufacturers and semiconductor suppliers with a cost-effective smart antenna solution to differentiate their WLAN device offerings. The solution can be easily incorporated in client devices, including PC cards, USB sticks and dongles, as well as full integration in mobile devices. Incorporating proprietary smart antenna technologies, AIM ANTENNA is designed to significantly reduce wireless interference, enhance network capacity and coverage, deliver higher average data rates and extend battery life - all of which contribute to a higher quality of service experience for both business users and consumers.
Applicable to 2G, 2.5G and 3G cellular terminals and WLAN devices, the proprietary AIM ANTENNA product solutions include patented antenna designs and patented antenna steering software. Using a high gain steerable beam, InterDigital‘s AIM ANTENNA products significantly enhance signal quality by allowing terminal devices to transmit and receive signals directionally, toward the desired signal and away from interference.
"InterDigital‘s AIM ANTENNA products are a very cost-effective differentiator for Wireless Local Area Network devices," stated Mark Lemmo, Senior Business Development Officer. "They substantially improve performance of WLAN devices in home and office settings, where interference, signal fading and poor quality of service are very real problems.
"The AIM ANTENNA solution for WLAN devices has generated strong results in field tests showing substantial performance improvements. In a crowded wireless indoor environment where coverage holes frequently exist, AIM ANTENNA products can typically eliminate fade situations with demonstrated throughput rate increases of more than 100 percent. Field tests conducted at the outer edge of the access point coverage area have also shown performance improvements greater than 80 percent," concluded Mr. Lemmo.
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/news/see.asp?id=725
Hydro_gen
Intellectual property faces perils in China, study warns
2004-10-9
Companies need a game plan to protect intellectual property before investing in China, or risk being stripped of their ideas and opportunities, says a report released today by Boston Consulting Group.
"China is home to a tangle of IP issues, with large sums of money and future strategic positions at stake," says the report, Facing the China Challenge, by BCG consultants David Michael, based in Beijing and Kevin Rivette, in San Francisco.
It addresses a major fear of Canadian companies as they consider expanding into the huge but difficult China market. The country‘s intellectual property protection, while improving, is still undeveloped, leaving newcomers exposed to having their knowledge stolen.
"The question is, how do you plug your IP into China‘s market without having someone seize it and become your competitor, not only in China but in traditional markets as well?" the BCG report observes.
In building the case for a China IP strategy, the consulting firm underlines the need for Western firms to participate in Chinese standards development, as the country evolves from being a "taker" of existing standards to being a "shaper" of emerging standards.
It cites several examples, including China‘s advance of a mobile communications standard, called TD-SCDMA, and the recent effort to impose its own security standard on all wireless local-area-network chips sold in China.
China backed down on its demand regarding wireless LAN standards, under U.S. corporate and government pressure. But its general assertiveness will alter the competitive playing field, Jim Hemerling, BCG‘s managing director in China, warns in a press release.
Mr. Hemerling, a Canadian formerly based in Toronto, says companies that forgo a decision on their involvement in Chinese standards-setting will find "it‘s game over in one of the world‘s largest and fastest-growing markets."
The report urges action to "ward off the threat of Chinese competitors illegitimately harnessing your IP to their low-cost production machines or to prevent your company from being boxed out of key standards by faster Western competitors."
The report says too many companies address their IP issues only after making their investment in China. That means they surrender a major part of their leverage with Chinese partners and governments even before they enter the market.
"Keep IP assets ‘on the table‘ as an explicit bargaining chip in any kind of partnership discussion," the authors advise.
BCG, which operates in 37 countries, says the development of IP policy is so important that it must be taken up by senior executives, and not delegated to the legal affairs department.
The management of intellectual property issues must be closely linked to the company‘s overall business strategy, it says. For example, using customs or anti-dumping sanctions to protect markets in North America or Europe could spur "soft reprisals" in China, including slowing down factory permits and investment approvals.
The report lists a variety of barriers that have to be overcome for China to provide effective IP protection. For example, patent registration is still arduous, and protection laws do not apply equally to domestic and foreign parties.
While laws are being created and the courts can enforce them, many judges need more training. Foreign companies cannot initiate action on IP violations; they must persuade the courts to pursue a case.
The paper points out that cultural traditions work against effective enforcement. "Many Chinese have traditionally viewed IP as a common good, to be tried by all for free," it says.
"Licensing is sometimes seen as a ‘sale with instalment payments‘ leading to outright ownership and thus the right to resell. Domestic competitors frequently copy each other with impunity and foreign companies from wealthier nations are expected to exchange knowledge for market access."
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/news/see.asp?id=708
Hydro_gen
China‘s Ministry of Information Industry (MII) is allocating 700 million yuan (US$84.58 million) in funds to TD-SCDMA developers, including Datang Mobile, ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies, in a move to speed up commercialization of TD-SCDMA technologies, according to the MII.
This will help developers keep pace with the plan for full TD-SCDMA commercialization by mid-year 2005, said Zhang Qi, a senior official at the Ministry of Information Industry, earlier this year.
TD-SCDMA is China‘s home-grown 3G standard jointly developed by state-owned Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd and Germany‘s Siemens AG. Datang Mobile was allocated 200 million yuan, ZTE Corp and Huawai Technologies each received 100 million yuan, with various funds going to less established companies and academic institutions.
Although 700 million yuan is seen as insufficient to resolve key problems in the 3G field, it does signify strengthen support by the government for China‘s home-grown 3G standard, the newspaper said. Datang Mobile has already successfully developed its own TD-SCDMA handsets in March which were used in second stage field trials.
The company said it expects to launch mass production of the TD-SCDMA handsets in the first half of next year. Datang Mobile said its TD-SCDMA handsets have all the functions of mobile handsets including SMS service (short message service) and even 3G multi-media functions such as inbuilt digital cameras and Internet surfing capability.
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/news/see.asp?id=549
Hydro_gen
“Chinese chip” impels the development of 3G communication
2004-8-24
(MO, Spreadtrum is another infringer)
On August 22, 2004, the electron & information product management department of MII held the achievement report conference of “Chinese chip”in Great Hall of the People in Beijing——the research achievement report of TD-SCDMA core chip.
In April 2004, Spreadtrum developed the first TD-SCDMA dual-mode multi-frequency core chip in the world. This chip is based on TD-SCDMA and it can be used in SoC TD-SCDMA (LCR) and GSM/GPRS. Spreadtrum has mastered the core 3G phone technology and obtained its intellectual property right. This chip has apparent advantages in size, integrity, power consumption and related software system compared with the same type of foreign products. This 3G core chip has the highest integration level in the world at present.
In terms of the cooperation in TD-SCDMA industry chain, Spreadtrum and Datang Mobile have researched the core software for TD-SCDMA phone together. Spreadrum will develop operation system for 3G phone with Datang Mobile and Koretide Shanghai company. Furthermore, Spreadtrum has signed agreement with Bird, Amoi, Hisense and Lenovo to develop TD-SCDMA commercial phone together. And they will produce the real “Made in China” phone by using “Chinese Chip”. And before this, Spreadtrum has produced the TD-SCDMA phone based on its chip with Amoi. Spreatrum said that although this phone is almost the same as GSM phone in shape, it is the minimum and comprehensive terminal in all 3G phones at present. Spreadtrum predicts that they will produce TD-SCDMA terminal commercially in this second half year. The mass commercial production will be realized in the first half year next year.
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/news/see.asp?id=548
Off to the links for some abuse.
HAve a great day all.
Hydro_gen
China Mobile to spend $7B on 3G network
The giant carrier has confirmed an analyst report saying it expects to spend more than $7 billion in the next two years on 3G networks.
China Mobile reported its first-half earnings earlier this week, with profits up about 8% as subscribers increased by nearly a quarter. It earned 18.83 billion yuan (about $2.3 billion) on revenues of revenues of 86.42 billion yuan ($10.4 billion) in the first half of the year, and now has 159 million subscribers, more than any other carrier in the world.
But the company confirmed a report that it will spend 60 billion yuan ($7.25 billion) on 3G over the next two years, even though it doesn't yet have a 3G license and the Chinese goverment hasn't decided which 3G technology it will mandate. China Mobile operates a GSM network (unlike its smaller rival China Unicom, which operates both GSM and CDMA), so it's certainly hoping the government backs WCDMA. The carrier said it will exceed its projected 2004 capital expenditure of $5.8 billion by 15%, and may exceed its 2005 projected capex of $4.3 billion.
The confirmation would indicate that the Chinese Ministry of Information Ministry should soon award 3G licenses, and also appears to indicate that WCDMA will be selected alongside TD-SCDMA, since both can be set up over a GSM core network. Forcing a shift to CDMA2000 would put China Mobile at a distinct disadvantage, as well as close off the country's GSM legacy networks from future evolution.
It also underlines the importance of China to the mobile infrastructure equipment market. A report last week said a total of $9 billion was spent on network gear in the second quarter, so China Mobile's plans to spend $7.5 billion -- and it appears that's only on 3G, not on 2G or 2.5G equipment -- could provide a significant boost.
The network infrastructure vendors are getting understandably anxious for the government to move the situation forward, but China Mobile looks to be comfortable waiting a bit longer. Its chairman, Wang Xiaochu, said, "Many European companies will carry out trials on 3G in the second half year, and this should help us determine our future direction on 3G," perhaps revealing the company is more concerned about being the right mover, rather than the first mover.
http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=100994&ref=2589750
Hydro_gen
I am suprised that it had not been discussed here, after all, this is the BEST forum for discussion regarding the world of wireless, that is when we all stay on subject.
I am thinking that the hardware vendors cringe at the thought of ANY possible side step that could be taken to reduce CAPEX, especially with a $48B debt that Cingular is merging into.
Perhaps it could be that we are not being properly paid that it somehow flew under the radar? ;^)
Regardless, have a great weekend all, I am off to play a round of that funny game golf.
Hydro_gen
The recent whitepaper from 3G Americas, seemingly lays out the direction that the GSM carriers in the US are going to take regarding their deployment of 3G services, by utilizing IMS subsystems and the eventual replacement of infrastructure and RANs (radio Access Networks). It seems that Cingular/AT&T will migrate to WCDMA using the IMS standards as set fort by 3G Americas. Of interest is the statement on page 13, “Specifically, an IMS deployment does not require a 3G RAN. IMS like services are currently being offered which use GPRS and EDGE.” I wonder what impact this might have on our hardware vendors and if there might be any impact on national WCDMA deployment in the US? The timetables will be interesting as Cingular/AT&T have already announced their test with LU in Atlanta regarding WCDMA and HSDPA. T-Mobile has been relatively quite yet DT has them in their fold.
Comments?
http://www.3gamericas.org/pdfs/ims_july2004.pdf
Someone had to change the subject.
Hydro_gen
from the cc...Rip...main focus FFD and smart antenna services...interference management soultions
strong acceleration in handset market for these products...
emerging rapid growth of 3G transport solutions, WCDMA and FDD protocol stack, embedded on Infenion's protocol stack, HSDPA - targeting 10+ meg thruput...
targeting complete solution in late 05' early 06' via partnerships...
smart antennae...wireless lan...software is the focus...ref designs..target for 05' early field tests encouraging...
Large group of engineers working on long range OFDM...could deliver 100+meg thruput
Iterated "good prospects" regarding aditional agreements before years end..
Q&A time....
Hydro_gen
maybe I am a fool, but me too....also bought 10 Jan 07' 25's (a bit pricey @ $3.4 now lol)
patience.
Hydro_gen
Huawei Isn‘t in the Clear Yet
2004-8-2
Although Cisco dropped its intellectual-property suit, the Chinese outfit now faces possible charges of trade-show snooping
For China-based networking giant Huawei Technologies, it‘s out of the frying pan and into the fire. Ever since it was sued by Cisco Systems (CSCO ) in early 2003 for a slew of alleged intellectual-property violations, the Chinese company has been out to prove that it can be trusted to follow global norms for intellectual-property protection. Huawei got a major stamp of approval on July 28 when Cisco agreed to dismiss the lawsuit, but its problems may not be over.
On July 21, the general counsel of Fujitsu Network Communications sent a letter to Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei, informing him that a Huawei employee had been caught allegedly trying to filch information on rivals‘ products at a recent trade show.
On June 23, Yi Bin Zhu was discovered after hours at the SuperComm show in Fujitsu‘s booth removing the casing from a $1 million piece of networking gear and taking photos of the circuit boards inside. According to a July 21 letter sent by Melanie Scofield, the Fujitsu unit‘s chief counsel, a security guard was summoned and confiscated the photo card in Zhu‘s digital camera along with a notebook containing notes and diagrams of other suppliers‘ gear.
SENT TO THE FBI. Executives from AT&T (T ), Cisco, Lucent (LU ), Nortel (NT ), and Tellabs (TLAB ) also received copies of the letter, suggesting Zhu may have had information on some of their products as well. Zhu was wearing a badge saying he worked for an unknown company called "Weihua" (Huawei, with the syllables in reverse order). But a source tells BusinessWeek Zhu gave the guard a Huawei business card as well.
Zhu couldn‘t be reached by BusinessWeek, but he told the online trade magazine Light Reading that it was the first time he had attended a U.S. trade show, and that he did not know photography was verboten. He denied removing circuit boards from the systems, according to Light Reading.
Fujitsu has given the photo card and notebook to the FBI. "Because of the potentially sensitive nature of this information, the only logical conclusion that one can draw is that the employee in question was engaged in unlawful activities that may have been a violation of the Economic Espionage Act of 1996," reads Scofield‘s letter. "By this letter you are hereby put on notice that such behavior will not be tolerated by FNC or any other companies that have potentially been affected by your employee‘s actions."
TARNISHED REPUTATION. Scofield was on vacation and couldn‘t be reached for comment, but a company source says Fujitsu has decided not to press any charges against Huawei. The FBI declined comment. Other companies say they haven‘t heard from the Feds. Huawei says the FBI hasn‘t gotten in touch. It calls the incident "an unfortunate misunderstanding" and is trying to determine if disciplinary action is needed. Zhu is still working, but with reduced pay.
Regardless of legal events that may or may not occur, the incident will surely hurt Huawei‘s effort to rehabilitate its reputation as a law-abiding corporate citizen. It claims to have gone to great lengths in recent years to adopt Western standards of intellectual-property protections -- especially after admitting in the course of the Cisco trial that a Huawei contractor had indeed introduced some Cisco source code into Huawei‘s own software.
The dismissal of the Cisco case suggests that Huawei has made headway in that regard, but reputations die hard. An executive from one of the companies that received Scofield‘s letter says, "I‘m not surprised by any of this. That‘s Huawei‘s mode of business. They take what other people have done and build on it -- and sometimes improve on it!"
The Zhu incident surely isn‘t the worst thing that has ever happened on a trade-show floor, where checking out the competition‘s new gear under the guise of a friend‘s badge is a time-honored tradition. But given Huawei‘s circumstances, it‘s certainly bad for the company. Kevin Mitchell, an analyst with Infonetics Research, says, "Huawei doesn‘t have the best reputation in terms of intellectual property integrity, and this certainly doesn‘t help."
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/index.asp
Hydro_gen
IDCC has 1895 contributions on file with the ETSI ranking them number three behind Q and NOK.
Here is a summary (sorry for the table - we all have decoder rings from KoP :^)
UMTS UMTS/CDMA GSM GSM/TDMA 3GPP ALL
ITC 1220 80 454 141 0 1895
QCOM 1583 0 0 0 0 1911
NOK 1395 0 1192 0 75 2770
SAM 1 0 12 0 543 556
MOT 420 0 379 0 406 1336
Siemens 253 0 50 0 0 398
Ericcson 263 0 829 0 0 1610
Panasonic 1 0 0 0 0 1
NEC 1 0 7 0 0 14
Alcatel 118 0 85 0 0 274
Mitsibishi 17 0 18 0 0 36
Robert Bosch 2 0 21 0 0 25
Tantivity 5 0 0 0 0 5
This week will be interseting.
Hydro_gen
This link, page three shows Compal regarding RF but I cannot find the GKR representations....
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=3356053
Hydro_gen
Lastchoice....I thought we discussed that the 6315 was NOT a HTC device per olddogg's diggin and therefore would NOT be of benefit directly to IDCC. Is that correct?
Hydro_gen
TT...not new news, yet, I did not see much discussion regarding these sales. Now that REAL 3G handsets are available (cdma2000 is NOT true 3G as defined by the standard bodies) in the United States, granted only in FOUR cities, it is only a matter of time for these sales to become significant and relative to our legal situation with LU. The AT&T/Cingular merger and the announcement to already trial WCDMA and HSDPA using LU is of interest regarding the lawsuit with LU.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040526/nyw135_1.html
What is interesting (besides EVERYTHING else recently discussed) to me is the LU lawsuit was filed 7 weeks before the Cingular announcement awarding LU the UMTS trial. Evidently, one of our new BoD members still has his Clift notes handy. It is also why we do not have NVTL signed on the dotted line.
Welcome to IDCC where the saga is better than any SI/FI or Dan Brown books. LOL
Motorola A845 specs....
Motorola A845 to Enable Mobile Broadband for North America
Motorola, along with AT&T Wireless, to bring faster speeds for richer mobile experiences to the US
ATLANTA, CTIA booth #3525 – March 22, 2004 – Today, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT), a global leader in broadband, wireless and automotive technologies, makes history with the introduction of its first dual-mode UMTS/WCDMA handset for the North America market – the Motorola A845. Motorola introduced the world’s first dual-mode UMTS/WCDMA handset for Europe and Asia in 2002. Today, the company leads the industry with six feature packed designs, including the new A845.
For the consumer, the Motorola A845’s advanced 3G technology means that each of the phone’s benefits, including two-way video calling, GPS location services, high-speed Internet access, downloadable applications, multi-media messaging, MP3 downloading, and more – will be faster and more efficient, giving you more fun time and less wait time.
“A 3G/UMTS network, like the one AT&T Wireless is currently deploying, affords the Motorola A845 with such an incredibly fast connection that it rivals today’s broadband services,” says James Burke, senior director product operations, Motorola, Inc. “These turbo speeds enable powerful new wireless experiences like video conferencing, new location-based services and downloadable entertainment – things the US market has not yet experienced in wireless.”
The Motorola A845 will be one of the first devices on the UMTS network being deployed by AT&T Wireless in the second half of 2004.
A lot more than a mobile handset
Fueled by turbo data speeds, the Motorola A845’s two-way video calling feature brings you face-to-face with family, friends, and colleagues. Conversation is now about much more than talking. With the push of a button, gestures, smiles, and eyes all become part of the mix. It’s interactive wireless communications at an entirely new level.
The model A845 includes all the information that a sophisticated entertainment suite can offer – including an integrated MP3 player, video and still camera, one-touch video, composable and downloadable ringer tones, wallpaper, screensavers, downloadable games and more*. Video clips, news, sports, and pictures look fantastic on the Motorola A845’s extra-large, vibrant color screen. And tunes and voices never sounded as crisp, and crystal clear.
Equipped with 64 MB of embedded memory to store your favorite MP3, picture, and video files, the sleek Motorola A845’s capabilities let you optimize your capacity for work, play, and everything in between.
With Bluetooth® wireless technology you can talk on the go because there are no wires to tie you down. Bluetooth wireless technology allows you to make calls, beam video or audio to your PC; and sync e-mail, address book info and scheduling from your PDA wherever you are, whenever you want. With Motorola Bluetooth technology, you can be both hands-free and hassle-free.
The Motorola A845 is compatible with Motorola’s full portfolio with Bluetooth wireless technology solutions. For example, the handset leverages Motorola’s premium wireless headset, the HS810, to provide hands-free convenience for up to five hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby time. The exclusively designed microphone flips open to provide a simple way to quickly answer and end calls. In addition, the A845 takes advantage of the HF800 wireless speakerphone which allows you to start a conversation in the car and enjoy crisp sound quality as you continue on your way home, to the office or wherever life’s taking you. .
The Motorola A845 is expected to be available in the second half of 2004.
About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were U.S. $27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it does business. For more information: www.motorola.com.
http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,,4021_3382_23,00.html
http://www.motorola.com/mot/doc/1/1109_MotDoc.pdf
Hydro_gen
Nokia now delivering third generation UMTS Nokia 6651 handset to AT&T Wireless
July 20, 2004
Nokia to support AT&T Wireless' groundbreaking launch of third generation UMTS networks in the United States
IRVING, Texas - AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced the immediate availability of the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) Nokia 6651 imaging phone (GSM/GPRS/UMTS 1900MHz). Designed to operate on AT&T Wireless' first-to-market high-speed UMTS network, the Nokia 6651 imaging phone features full-motion video capture, Bluetooth connectivity, and the unique ability to simultaneously send images while on a voice call. The Nokia 6651 phone can reach average data speeds of 220-320kbps, with peak burst speeds up to 384kbps.
The ability of the Nokia 6651 phone to send images while on a voice call is only one example of the simultaneous voice and data streams that AT&T Wireless' new UMTS network enables. Additionally, the advanced XHTML browser can be used to access the wide range of content available through AT&T Wireless' mMode(TM) service while simultaneously engaged in a voice call. In this scenario, an AT&T Wireless UMTS subscriber could use their mobile browser to watch a movie trailer, look up a movie time, check the weather, and decide on dinner plans, all while on the phone with a friend.
"Starting with the original 'Digital One Rate Plan' that changed the nature of wireless service in the United States to today's introduction of true third-generation services, Nokia and AT&T Wireless have a long history of working together to introduce valuable, innovative products to American consumers," said Tim Eckersley, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nokia. "We are confident that in much the same way that mobile voice changed how people thought of voice communications, third-generation services, such as those being unveiled by AT&T Wireless today, will change the way people think of data communications."
Other features of the Nokia 6651 imaging phone include an integrated VGA (640 x 480 pixels) camera, advanced voice features including voice dialing for up to 50 names, a voice recorder and handsfree speaker, and a video recorder capable of capturing up to 10 frames per second. Multiple connectivity options such as infrared and Bluetooth technology allow the Nokia 6651 phone to be easily connected to a PC for personal information synchronization or for connecting to Internet and intranet information at true broadband speeds.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.
Media Enquiries:
Nokia Americas
Communications
Tel. +1 972 894 4573
E-mail: communication.corp@nokia.com
Nokia
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
E-mail: press.releases@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
http://press.nokia.com/PR/200407/953214_5.html
Hydro_gen
Let the US Sales begin with MotA845 and Nok 6651..........
AT&T Wireless began offering customers in Detroit, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle broadband mobile wireless services with its launch of the first commercially-available true 3G UMTS network in the United States. The company said it is also deploying UMTS technology in Dallas and San Diego, and expects to offer service in these markets before the end of this year.
AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service turns these markets into "metropolitan hotspots," offering customers continuous, high-speed wireless connections. Customers can now use a handset, PDA or laptop to receive streaming audio and video services; create and share video clips; experience richer and more visually compelling content; and connect to critical business information, in most areas throughout these cities. The company also noted that it launched commercial service in these four cities in fulfillment of NTT DoCoMo‘s shareholder rights agreement.
"We‘re delivering on our promise to offer 3G wireless services in the U.S., and bring the benefits to American consumers and businesses," said John Zeglis, AT&T Wireless Chairman and CEO. "In a few short years, we‘ve increased wireless data speeds more than tenfold across the country. Today‘s announcement enables our customers to access information, video, and audio on their wireless device faster than most people do from their wired computer at home," he added.
The company said it now offers the fastest nationwide wireless data service with EDGE, and provides true 3G service in more U.S. markets than any other company. In addition, AT&T Wireless noted that its customers can use most of its GSM devices for voice services in more than 140 countries and data services in more than 60 countries, which is a significant advantage compared to the more limited reach of services from its competitors.
The commercial launch of UMTS by AT&T Wireless, and the expanded spectrum position that will result from the pending merger of AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless, will enable the new combined company to offer customers a more expansive portfolio of wireless data solutions in North America. With the completion of the merger targeted before the end of the year, the new combined company will be better positioned to deploy UMTS nationally. Cingular recently disclosed plans for UMTS deployment, which it said will include trials in Atlanta this summer and could begin rolling out in 2005.
AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service provides customers with average wireless data speeds between 220 and 320 kilobits-per-second (kbps), with bursts up to 384kbps. In the future, the company noted that UMTS can be easily and cost-effectively upgraded to HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which is estimated to attain peak data rates up to 14.4 megabits-per-second (mbps).
Starting today, AT&T Wireless said its customers can access the new wireless broadband service using either the Motorola A845 ($299.99) or Nokia 6651 ($299.99) handsets. In addition to providing access to high-speed wireless data connections and enhanced content through AT&T Wireless‘ mMode in the four markets announced today, the company said the handsets can be used to make voice calls or access wireless data connections at speeds equivalent to standard wired dial up service, when customers travel outside the four initial markets. The company said it is also offering a UMTS modem developed jointly by Lucent and Novatel ($149.99 with rebate), in addition to the handsets.
For consumers, mMode offers a host of high-speed, premium steaming and downloadable video and audio entertainment services. Premium entertainment services provided by RealNetworks give mMode customers the ability to enjoy hours of new, fun and informative content every day, including: ABC News, NPR News, CBS Marketwatch, FOX Sports, Sporting News Radio, The Weather Channel, as well as, prime time TV and soap opera recaps, movie reviews and trailers, horoscopes, book reviews and more.
"We congratulate AT&T Wireless on the successful launch of the first commercially-available true 3G UMTS network in the US market - an undertaking that will transform the face of mobile communications for U.S. consumers," said Carla Stratfold, senior vice president North America, RealNetworks. "Leveraging Real‘s relationships with 3G operators in other parts of the world, we have created mobile content services able to fully leverage the throughput of high-speed data networks such as UMTS and EDGE to deliver power, convenience and of course, full-speed, fun and valuable content to customers‘ handsets."
AT&T Wireless said mobile professionals will be able to the use the modem or the handsets‘ Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly enable Internet and e-mail access using HP handhelds and notebook PCs. Customers using Microsoft‘s Exchange Server 2003 with products in their work environment will receive a familiar and much-enhanced wireless connectivity solution for accessing their e-mail, contacts and calendar.
"Business professionals today understand the value of seamless and enhanced wireless access, and its ability to boost their productivity in the workplace," said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "AT&T Wireless‘ experience in high-speed data networks and services - combined with the power of Microsoft software and joint planning - makes the vision of mobile access to information a reality."
AT&T Wireless also said business customers who use IBM‘s Websphere Everyplace Connection Manager (WECM) will have a mobile-specific Virtual Private Network (VPN) that encrypts data and optimizes performance for ultra-fast mobile access, and SAP‘s mySAP Mobile Business customers will also benefit from the wireless broadband speeds. Intel has also formally endorsed UMTS technology and plans to work with AT&T Wireless on developing and co-marketing UMTS services in the future. In addition, AT&T Wireless also said companies such as Perseus Wireless will offer specialized solutions like remote monitoring of existing security camera systems using UMTS handsets.
Customers can select from any of AT&T Wireless GSM calling plans for voice services and can receive a monthly unlimited enhanced mMode plan for $24.99. Businesses can purchase unlimited data access for $79.99 monthly.
http://www.tdscdma-forum.org/en/news/see.asp?id=407
Hydro_gen
L2V, from Tom Carpenter's report today, page 2 addresses the "prudent application" of free cash you cite in your third investment criteria:
• InterDigital’s response to our question about the share buyback was that the current share price represents a “good value.” Given the firm’s $125.4 million cash hoard (approximately $2 per share) at the end of 1Q04, the one million-share buyback barely dents its strong cash position. Additionally, the Sanyo deal calls for IDCC to receive a $27 million payment over the next six-to-nine months, further strengthening the balance sheet.
I will be curious as to their take on IDCC and what, btw, is their track record? tia
Hydro_gen
http://vertikalgroup.net/idccjuly2004.pdf
OT re fuel cell phones: MKTY is one of the players worth taking a look at as one day, maybe in my lifetime, Hydrogen will become the renewable fuel for the planet. When 'they' figure how to tax H20 and the air, we will see a faster roll out of fuel cell technology. In the meantime, LI battery tech has just about maxed itself out and FC tech is the future. One day. I LOVE to dream so that must be why I love IDCC.
Have a great day all.
Hydro_gen
Dish...good point. No, I did not attempt to seperate GSM/CDMA sales. In fact , we also do not get paid on the iDEN units either. It is a WAG as we have no idea what the royalty rate is. Point is, WE will get additional $$ from each incremental quarterly addition AND that RIM has shifted their product mix to devices we will get paid on (one day on all devices). 70% of the Blackberry clients are GSM so reduce my WAG by 30% and it is going to be an interesting quarter.
Hydro_gen
RIM should add 1.35M to our bottom line. Their product mix has shifted from two products, the 950 & 957, operating on the Mobitex network (NOT a flex/reflex pager system) that created the company, to seven wireless devices for GSM and CDMA carriers globally (and yes, even one for MOT and ther iDEN network for NExtel).
http://www.rim.com/products/handhelds/index.shtml
From todays news..."Analysts had expected an adjusted profit of 32 cents a share, on revenues of $263.23 million, according to Reuters Estimates. Revenues in the quarter rose to $269.6 million from $104.5 million in the same quarter of last year. The total number of BlackBerry subscribers increased by about 270,000 from the prior quarter to about 1,340,000."
270,000 NEW subscribers @ $500 for each device creates 135M in revenue (HALF of the quarter and growing). IF we have a 1% royalty then we will pick up 1.35M.
Incremental increases are good.
Hydro_gen
iPAQ 6300 specs and it is NOT an HTC product ;^( but as Olddogg stated, Compal.
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=423743&native_or_pdf=...
Hydro_gen
teecee, there is NOTHING better on the market than what the 6300 portends to offer. Not the RIMM 7280 (the BEST GSM has currently) nor the Treo 600. RIMM is proprietary, Treo is Palm OS and the 6300 is Microsoft 2003.
http://www.blackberry.com/products/handhelds/blackberry7280.shtml
No brainer - this WILL sell IF is makes it to the US. I wish HTC was the manufacturer (seems Olddogg dug up a Compal bone) as when these pass the GSM carriers testing they WILL sell like mad. Cingular's deal is 850mhz and T-Mobile is price point (this will cost the consumer regardless of the subsidy) so this will sell. What, better than a Blackberry? I am sure you have figured out that you can set up a VPN using a SSL cert on a GSM network and push email out as often as you desire. Why buy a BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) for $5000 (20 licenses) and $450 per year upgrade fees and $50 per each additional user when a SSL is only $200-$450 depending on what you want and you only pay one time? All jmho.
Hydro_gen
The iPAQ 6300 series should create revenues for IDCC IF HTC is the base manufacturer. Can anyone confirm? I would see big uptake in Corporate America over the next year with the specs this baby has.
http://www.mtekk.com.au/browse/page777.html
Hydro_gen
Wireless service really depends on what you want out of your "cell phone" and where you live as not all carriers are in all places. The current landscape pits GSM (Cingular/AT&T and T-Mobile) vs. CDMA (Verizon, Sprint and Alltel). They all have their strengths/weaknesses. Domestically, Verizon currently has more "total" coverage than any other carrier. With the merger in the works the GSM side will catch up quickly. Cingular has rollover and true National plans with NO roaming. You give up a little coverage for a steady bill and wherever you have GSM you have access to GPRS/EDGE unlike the CDMA camp with a different data map.
CDMA is currently faster with DATA and has good coverage but internationally you run into a mess. The great irony is that ALL carriers will end up using W-CDMA eventually. The alphabet soup of wireless will finally loose a few acroynms like AMPS and TDMA and yes, even iDEN and the PTT from Motorola will ultimately become assimilated. BTW, I just left the business two weeks ago after 5 years with Cingular as a Key Account Manager. I had the title "Wireless Guru" till a new manager decided to show his authoriti! (south park poke)
Hope this helps.
Hydro_gen
HAve a great weekend ALL.
If I may clarify why Cingular desires for you to upgrade from your old TDMA or TDMA/AMPS handset: Cingular converted their TDMA networks into GSM networks by using the 850mhz spectrum in their TDMA properties from the SBC/BellSouth merger. ALL handsets that Cingular now sells are at least dual band 850/1900mhz. Good for OEM's and maybe one day IP holders. ;^)
Have a swelll weekend ALL and thank you veterans one and ALL!
Hydro_gen