#TBT: Nextlink trials cell information; Dash PCS launches internet service; Audible, Motorola demo downloadable content material … this week in 1999

Editor’s Notice: RCR Wi-fi Information goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the highest headlines from the previous. Hearth up the time machine, placed on these sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and benefit from the recollections!

Nextlink begins cell information trial

BELLEVUE, Wash.-Nextlink Communications Inc. introduced it has begun a discipline take a look at of its broadband wi-fi know-how within the Los Angeles space. “That is one other vital step to offering an entire package deal of end-to-end, broadband communications providers to enterprise clients all through america,” stated Nextlink Chief Govt Officer Steve Hooper. In the course of the discipline take a look at, Nextlink will use gear by Ericsson Inc., SpectraPoint Wi-fi, Wavtrace Inc. and Digital Microwave Corp., Nextlink stated. … Learn extra

Dash PCS launches “Wi-fi Net”

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Dash PCS launched the Dash PCS Wi-fi Net, which permits Dash PCS clients to browse the Web from their wi-fi telephones. Dash PCS Wi-fi Net additionally gives the power to customise and obtain vital information, e-mail and … Learn extra

Location providers are doable, Lucent supervisor says

Wi-fi carriers might deploy industrial location providers upfront of the section II enhanced 911 providers deadlines mandated by the Federal Communications Fee. Gary Ritter, wi-fi supply supervisor, location providers, for Lucent Applied sciences Inc., stated many industrial providers could possibly be deployed right this moment as a result of they don’t require the extraordinarily correct location fixes required by the second section of the mandate. Ritter additionally stated section II E911 options might start ramping up by the tip of subsequent yr, properly upfront of the FCC’s unique October 2001 deadline for deploying such providers. “Many location functions might be put into place simply utilizing the change and cell-sector data that’s out there right this moment,” stated Ritter, who famous carriers may deploy industrial providers early after which migrate the providers to a extra granular degree when extra correct location fixes develop into out there. “I consider these providers might be deployed with cell-sector data, significantly in city areas the place there are many cell websites.” Industrial providers, like location-based billing and data providers, are candidates for early deployment in high-density areas, whereas E911 and emergency roadside help should await the extremely correct location fixes supplied for in section II. … Learn extra

Shoppers prepared to pay $2 per thirty days for location providers

LOS ANGELES-Driscoll-Wolfe Advertising & Analysis Consulting carried out a multiclient advertising analysis research on client curiosity in location-based cell communication providers, and recognized the location-based providers of biggest curiosity to shoppers and quantified their degree of curiosity and willingness to pay for these providers. The research coated client curiosity in a variety of providers, delivered to an in-vehicle unit, a wi-fi cellphone or different moveable gadget. The providers coated within the research embody emergency notification; data providers; computerized crash notification; location-based billing; roadside help; private safety service; stolen car monitoring; monitoring the placement of aged, handicapped, kids and pets; routing help; visitors alerts; cell Yellow Pages; and monitoring the placement of useful possessions. Two focus teams have been carried out in every of 5 main cities. Some key findings included: Shoppers are most all for security-related providers, resembling emergency notification and computerized crash notification. Greater than half the individuals can be prepared to pay a surcharge of $1-$2 on their month-to-month mobile invoice to have their location mechanically transmitted to the response company after they dial 911. … Learn extra

Motorola, Audible reveal content material downloads to a cell phone

NEW ORLEANS-Motorola Inc. and Audible, a supplier of Web-delivered spoken audio content material, demonstrated at Private Communications Showcase ’99 in New Orleans the direct downloading of spoken audio content material to digital wi-fi telephones. The demonstration showcased the power of Motorola’s i1000plus digital handset to obtain and play a choice of spoken media … Learn extra

Nokia merges with its Finnish subsidiary Nokiterra

HELSINKI-Nokia Corp. and Nokiterra Oy merged, giving Nokia roughly 64.3 million of its shares, equivalent to roughly 5.3 % of the full share capital and voting rights of Nokia, stated the corporate. The merger doesn’t have an effect on Nokia Corp.’s key figures or voting rights, as these shares have already been eradicated within the group’s revenue and loss accounts and different statements, Nokia stated. … Learn extra

Resolve.com lets client evaluate mobile plans and protection

SAN JOSE-Resolve.com launched the Resolve.com Web page, the place shoppers can determine, evaluate and buy telecommunications services based mostly on how they may use them. The corporate additionally introduced Wi-fi Take a look at Drive, a characteristic that lets shoppers really see the place mobile service name high quality reception is finest and worst of their space, and listen to the decision high quality of any supplier’s wi-fi service precisely the place they’ll be utilizing their cellphone. “At Resolve.com, we’re devoted to offering shoppers with the unbiased data and goal assist they should minimize by means of the noise and make the most effective choice doable,” stated Roy Prasad, president and chief govt officer of Resolve.com. … Learn extra

TIA’s 3GPP2 group works on 3G harmonization points

ARLINGTON, Va.-The Telecommunications Trade Affiliation introduced the Third-Technology Partnership Program 2 (3GPP2) has accomplished its worldwide harmonization workshop on international 3G and has moved nearer to resolving technical points associated to working cdma2000 know-how multicarrier techniques on World System for Cell communications MAP-based networks. Earlier this yr, the Operators Harmonization Group-an advert hoc group of carriers from across the world-reached a consensus on 3G requirements, opting to push ahead with a household of Code Division A number of Entry-based requirements that features cdma2000 and wideband-CDMA know-how based mostly on the GSM MAP community. Requirements teams have since been working to determine the hooks and extensions wanted to tie W-CDMA and ANSI-41 based mostly cdma2000 collectively. Greater than 100 wi-fi business representatives from 15 international locations lately met in El Segundo, Calif., to work on this subject. … Learn extra

DoJ sides with Nextel, helps stress-free antitrust decree

WASHINGTON-The Justice Division, already embroiled in controversy over a secret wi-fi licensing pact with Nextel Communications Inc. and the Federal Communications Fee, final week urged a federal courtroom right here to reject challenges to the proposed rest of the 1995 Nextel antitrust consent decree. Justice additionally continued efforts to dam the principle opponents of the DOJ-Nextel antitrust settlement from totally collaborating within the case. The division’s Sept. 14 courtroom submitting would have the impact of considerably muting main critics of proposed decree modifications. In final week’s submitting, Justice dismissed protests towards proposed decree modifications lodged by prime collectors of bankrupt Geo-tek Communications Inc. (Wilmington Belief Co. and Hughes Community Programs Inc.) and by the Alliance for Radio Competitors. ARC is a coalition of small- and medium-sized dispatch operators. DOJ desires Decide Thomas Hogan to approve adjustments to the 1995 decree that may give Nextel instant entry to beforehand prohibited 900 MHz frequencies and that may finish the decree on Oct. 30, 2000-five years forward of time. … Underneath the 1995 decree, Nextel was barred from holding 900 MHz dispatch licenses in main markets due to its dominance within the 800 MHz dispatch enterprise. Nextel wants extra spectrum to accommodate present demand and to have the ability to present next-generation, Web-friendly wi-fi providers. … Learn extra

Take a look at the RCR Wi-fi Information Archives for extra tales from the previous.