Page 1 2 3 Page 1 2 3 | FRIDAY - JANUARY 6, 2006 - ISSUE NO. 194 |
Dear friends of Wireless Messaging, Happy 2006!
Out with the old in and in with the new year. Here's wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2006. I would like to welcome two new advertisers to the newsletter this week:
Both of the new ads appear on this page. The advertisers that I have spoken to have all reported good results from their ads here in the newsletter. Just mentioning that you saw someone's ad helps build confidence in this wireless-messaging-community forum. Thanks. It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of Mr. Robert Edwards. He will be remembered by many as "the father of paging," the inventor of the numeric display pager, the inventor of the alphanumeric display pager, the owner/operator of Radiofone of New York, an executive at Metromedia, and as a brilliant business manager. He will be remembered by me as a friend, a mentor, and a genuinely kind human being. Please read the tribute to Bob Edwards on page three. UHF Nucleus paging transmitters are needed. Please let me know if you have any for sale. Location outside of the USA is not a problem. If you haven't made a New Year's Resolution yet, here is some good advice that has been around for about 2,000 years: Listen to the salutation to the dawn, —Ancient Sanskrit poem, attributed to Kálidása, Indian dramatist. I was encouraged to see that the US Patent Office has issued "non-final actions" rejecting claims for two NTP patents involved in the dispute with RIM. Typical government "doublespeak" but none the less encouraging. I am just sorry that some see this whole debacle a US vs. Canada thing. I don't think it is that at all. Greed doesn't have a nationality. Now on to the news and views. |
A new issue of The Wireless Messaging Newsletter gets posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the Internet. That way it doesn't fill up your incoming e-mail account. There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world's major Paging and Wireless Data companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers—so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It's all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology. I regularly get reader's comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Data communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it. NOTE: This newsletter is best viewed at screen resolutions of 800x600 (good) or 1024x768 (better). Any current revision of web browser should work fine. Please notify me of any problems with viewing. This site is compliant with XHTML 1.0 transitional coding for easy access from wireless devices. (XML 1.0/ISO 8859-1.) MORE PAGES
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| WIRELESS NEWS |
RIM cheered by new patent office ruling
NTP gets a double dose of rejection . . .
Published: Wednesday 4 January 2006
BlackBerry email service provider RIM said on Friday the US patent office has ruled against two more NTP patents in their fight over the popular service.
The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued "non-final actions" rejecting claims for two NTP patents involved in the dispute with RIM, which has faced a shutdown of its service in the US, RIM said.
Mark Guibert, RIM's vice president of corporate marketing, said in a statement: "The Patent Office's latest rulings corroborate RIM's long-standing contention that the NTP patents are invalid and the rulings also demonstrate that the Patent Office is acting with special dispatch to address the court's concern and the public interest."
Closely held NTP, a patent holding company, successfully sued RIM for patent infringement in 2002. It later won an injunction, stayed pending appeal, to halt sales of RIM's BlackBerry device and service in the US.
With the court appeal process largely exhausted, RIM has moved closer to a possible shutdown in the US. A US judge in Virginia is considering NTP's request to lift the stay, which would halt RIM's service in the country.
Attempts to reach an NTP representative on Friday evening were not immediately successful.
A lawyer for NTP has said the firm planned to see the full patent re-examination process through, which could take years, because it has the ability to appeal the decisions through the courts.
While the case has worked its way through the court system, the US Patent and Trademark Office has been re-examining the validity of NTP patents. So far the agency has rejected claims for seven of the eight patents in non-final actions, according to RIM.
RIM shares closed at $66.01 on Nasdaq, down almost 18.6 per cent year-to-date.
Source: Silicon.com
FCC Approves Space Data SkySite® Technology for Air-to-Ground Communications
Balloon-Borne “Towers in the Sky” for Aircraft
Chandler, Arizona; December 20, 2005—The Federal Communications Commission has approved Space Data Corporation’s SkySite® technology for use in air-to-ground (ATG) communications. The approval was included in the FCC’s release of an order clarifying new rules intended to increase competition in the air-to-ground services market. The order clears the way for Space Data to compete in both the ATG spectrum auction and the ATG services market.
“From the 100,000 foot vantage point of our SkySite Platforms, a 757 or A320 full of passengers at 30,000 feet looks more or less like a bus full of passengers on the ground. Our SkySite technology can provide airline passengers with a wider range of communications options than they have today,” explained Gerald Knoblach, Space Data’s Chairman and CEO.
The Space Data constellation of balloon-borne communications equipment, known collectively as the SkySite Network, operates in “near space” over 20 miles above the earth—miles above air traffic or weather systems. The company has been providing 24/7 communications service throughout the south-central United States for more than a year under a FCC waiver for Narrowband Personal Communications Service. The ATG FCC decision marks the first time that near space communications platform use has been approved as part of the standard regulations for a commercial wireless service. “We applaud the FCC for recognizing the potential of this important new class of proven communications platforms by crafting regulations with the flexibility to leverage its unique advantages for wide area coverage and low cost,” said Knoblach. Space Data is the only company currently using a near space-based network to provide commercial wireless services.
Space Data’s SkySite technology offers distinct advantages over satellite-based technology, including significantly lower start-up and operating costs and enhanced flexibility. “We’re able to adopt and implement technological advances as soon as they become available. This capability is in favorable contrast to satellites which are stuck with existing technology for ten years or more,” noted Knoblach.
In addition to its commercial deployment, Space Data’s technology has been applied to Department of Defense applications. This past year the Air Force Space BattleLab conducted a series of successful tests using Space Data platforms to extend voice communications from 10 miles to over 400 miles for troops on the ground using standard handheld radios, while improving the battery life of the handheld radios and allowing inter-operation between the handheld FM radios and AM radios on board fighter aircraft. The company now seeks to leverage the ATG capability demonstrated to the Air Force, in order to bring a similar capability to the commercial marketplace.
For additional information on Space Data Corporation, please visit www.spacedata.net.
Source: Space Data Press Release
Moto Blasts iRadio
Despite its ROKR iTunes failure, Motorola is convinced its second attempt at portable music will be a hit.
January 3, 2006
Motorola on Tuesday unveiled more details of its plan to take on two hot industries with one product: its iRadio cell phone-based radio service.
With iRadio, the world’s second-largest cell phone maker will challenge the rapidly changing radio industry, along with the booming market for MP3 players led by Apple’s iPod device and its iTunes music catalog.
This is not Motorola’s first attempt at taking a chunk of the portable digital market. Back in September, the Schaumberg, Illinois-based company launched its iTunes-enabled ROKR cell phone in conjunction with MP3 market leader Apple Computer.
The iTunes-enabled ROKR met with only modest market success despite a high-profile launch. The Motorola/Apple relationship seemed to fizzle in the face of less-than-stellar reviews of the product (see ROKR Marriage Rocky).
But with 700 million cell phones sold worldwide in 2005, portable music remains very attractive to Motorola. At the International Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, Motorola will demonstrate its iRadio service on a number of cell phones, including the recently announced ROKR E2.
| "iRadio is not going to be warmly embraced by Cingular, Verizon, or T-Mobile if it’s only available to their customers with Motorola phones." —Charles Golvin, Forrester Research |
Shares of Motorola climbed $0.27 to $22.86 in recent trading.
A Giant Musical Step
“We've taken a giant leap beyond traditional and Internet-delivered radio by introducing a single service that incorporates incredible choice, the discovery of new music, impulse acquisition, and seamless portability,” said Mike Gaumond, vice president and general manager of Motorola Digital Media Services.
Motorola’s iRadio will look a lot like a fit for the MP3 market with the ability to download songs off the Internet for later play. But with 435 commercial-free radio channels and a monthly subscription fee, iRadio also looks a lot more like satellite radio.
And with the emergence of high-definition radio, which adds multiple digital channels to traditional terrestrial radio, iRadio can be compared to traditional radio.
Like satellite radio subscribers, iRadio subscribers can listen to radio programs on their home stereos and car stereos using iRadio and Bluetooth wireless technology. When the phone receives a call, the music automatically pauses, resuming only after the call has been completed.
Motorola offers optional Bluetooth accessories for home stereos and a wireless compatible kit for car stereos from manufacturers such as Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, and Kenwood.
No-Fuss Music
All the digital music distributors are targeting this kind of continuous, no-fuss entertainment experience. Subscribers to iRadio will also be able to take stored entertainment with them to listen on their cell phones.
Motorola has aggregated hundreds of channels of content through agreements with major labels and other producers, including Universal Music Group, with which it signed a deal in October (see Moto Tunes to iRadio).
There are drawbacks, however. Forrester Research analyst Charles Golvin wonders what happens when a potential subscriber insists on using a non-Motorola music-enabled phone.
Motorola also will need cooperation from competitors such as Nokia and from various carriers such as Cingular, with which it has a good relationship, and Verizon Wireless, with which it reportedly has a less-than-spectacular business relationship.
“iRadio is not going to be warmly embraced by Cingular, Verizon, or T-Mobile if it’s only available to their customers with Motorola phones,” said Mr. Golvin.
Motorola did not announce its all-important subscription price, which the company has hinted in the past will be less than $10.00 a month for the service. The fee heard most often is $7.99.
Source: Red Herring
Making Airwaves
Dan Frommer, 01.04.06, 6:00 AM ET
NEW YORK—American wireless carriers should soon have some more elbow room for high-speed Internet access and mobile video. The U.S. government's plan to vacate 90 megahertz of the wireless spectrum is moving forward and may cost the government less money than previously estimated.
The U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said last Wednesday that moving federal users out of the 1710-1755 megahertz band will cost about $935 million--less expensive than previous industry estimates that topped $2 billion. Bands that are thereby freed up will be auctioned for commercial purposes starting as soon as this June, providing new air space for advanced wireless services.
"We found a way to open up 'beach front' spectrum for key economic activity without jeopardizing our national security," said Michael D. Gallagher, assistant secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, in a statement. "With 90 megahertz of additional spectrum, today's cellular carriers will be tomorrow's next-generation broadband providers," Gallagher said.
The new bands are prime real estate for 3G--third generation—wireless technologies, which supply significantly more bandwidth than earlier cellular infrastructures. These advanced networks and 3G-enabled phones—made by familiar companies, from Nokia (nyse: NOK - news - people ) and Motorola (nyse: MOT - news - people ) to Kyocera (nyse: KYO - news - people ) and LG--provide the ability to transfer both voice and non-voice data simultaneously. Current and future applications range from fast Internet access to richer mobile gaming, streaming television and wireless video-conferencing. And for purists, the devices can still make phone calls, too.
Many wireless providers in the U.S. already offer 3G-like services in some or all of their coverage areas. These carriers include Cingular Wireless, a joint venture of AT&T (nyse: T - news - people ) and BellSouth (nyse: BLS - news - people ); Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications (nyse: VZ - news - people ) and Vodafone (nyse: VOD - news - people ); and Sprint Nextel (nyse: S - news - people ).
But with more air space becoming available, the time is ripe for wireless companies currently lacking 3G networks to bolster their offerings. T-Mobile USA, owned by Deutsche Telekom (nyse: DT - news - people ), is America's largest carrier without a commercially available 3G deployment.
T-Mobile representatives were not immediately available for an interview regarding their 3G position but later issued a statement via e-mail supporting the spectrum relocation initiative. Officials from Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel did not immediately return calls for reaction, and a Cingular spokesman declined to comment noting that the company does not typically comment on spectrum issues.
The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, whose members include many of America's mobile carriers as well as cellular phone manufacturers and wireless-communication-related companies, applauds the government's move, and officials say the spectrum relocation will allow more carriers to offer advanced wireless services.
"Spectrum is the life blood of wireless, and by putting it to its highest and best use we are creating enormous economic opportunity because we are allowing the American consumer to access the most innovative and modern wireless services," said Steve Largent, CTIA's chief executive.
The spectrum available to mobile carriers is significantly narrower in the U.S. than in many other countries, says Paul Garnett, CTIA's assistant vice president for regulatory affairs. Garnett says about 200 million American wireless customers can access 196 megahertz of the spectrum, whereas carriers for 63 million British mobile users can utilize 350 megahertz. Furthermore, he says, Americans use their wireless phones more than four times as much as their British counterparts—an average of 680 minutes per month in the U.S. versus about 150 minutes per month in the U.K.
Multiply those numbers, Garnett says, and you see the need for increased air space even for existing services. "But then when you start to talk about the deployment of wireless broadband, the need for additional spectrum becomes even more apparent."
The relocation process involves 2,240 frequency moves for 12 federal agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense and Justice, with affected bureaus ranging from the Secret Service to NASA. Air space between 2110-2155 megahertz will also be made available for possible auction, bringing the total to 90 megahertz—almost half again the magnitude of the currently available spectrum.
The push to open the spectrum began in 2002 when the NTIA identified 90 megahertz that could be allocated for 3G services.
In 2004, President George W. Bush signed into law the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act, which established the funding mechanism for federal agencies to recover costs associated with relocating their radio communications. One clause dictates that auctions must raise at least 110% of the estimated relocation cost for each transfer—in all, about $1.03 billion.
According to a current time line, the complete relocation could take more than four years.
Source: Forbes.com
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| CONVERGENCE NEWS |
Roam Where You Want To! New Motorola Technologies Break the Barrier Between Home and Wireless Phone Services LAS VEGAS – 3 Jan. 2006 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today broke down the barrier between traditional home and wireless phone service. The innovative new Motorola Residential Seamless Mobility Gateway (RSG) lets consumers use the same mobile device – and the same number – as they roam in and out of their homes1. Creating an Innovative Home Communications Experience The Motorola RSG family of products packs powerful communication features for your home. The product includes an 802.11b/g wireless access point, a four-port router, and a built-in Voice-over-IP adapter. This technology allows the RSG to run your home network, power standard telephones, and act as a hotspot for your mobile phone. Further, the Motorola RSG can seamlessly transfer voice calls between the home wireless network (WLAN) and the cellular network without interrupting the call, when paired with a dual-mode handset (DMH) and connected to a network and service that supports this feature. Dual-mode handsets are mobile devices that can access both cellular and in-home wireless networks. Motorola RSG products give consumers freedom for personal communications: The products eliminate the hassle of finding a good reception zone in the home, and of managing separate bills, individual calling plans, or “bonus” minutes. Consumers can simply dial a number, and the intelligence in the gateway will automatically route the call to the best available network or service option. Motorola is showcasing the RSG series of products this week at the 2006 International CES trade show (Las Vegas, NV), Central Hall, Booth #8545. Additional features of the Motorola RSG Series include:
There are two products in the Motorola RSG family: the RSG2500, expected availability Winter 2006, and the RSG3500, expected availability Summer 2006, which adds the ability to power two lines of primary VoIP telephone service within the home. “Consumers today want the flexibility of a single number and handset that can be used both in and out of the home, and a solution that can bridge landline, cellular and digital phone services. This latest Motorola innovation breaks traditional concepts of personal communication without sacrificing ease of use or functionality,” said Charles Dougherty, Motorola corporate vice president and general manager, Connected Home Solutions. “The Motorola RSG creates one integrated system for communicating in and out of the home, helping consumers realize the economical advantage of simplified billing and improved service.” Introducing an All-In-One Cable Modem Gateway Motorola today also introduced the SVG2500 Wireless VoIP Cable Modem Gateway, an all-in-one home communications hub that integrates digital phone service and a wireless access point with a reliable Motorola cable modem. Soon, the SVG family will support the fixed-mobile convergence features of the RSG service mentioned above, offering service providers an integrated product for delivering ‘quadruple play’ offering of voice, video, data, and wireless services to customers. The Motorola SVG2500 enables the simultaneous use of digital phone and high-speed data services, and also supports a variety of popular phone services including caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and more. The product’s advanced routing features allow for multiple PCs to be connected without the need for a stand-alone hub or router – reducing both cost and clutter. The SVG2500 is easy to set-up and use, featuring plug-and-play installation and an intuitive Web-based diagnostic function for quick troubleshooting. The product is expected to be available in Spring 2006. Editors Note: For high-resolution images of Motorola’s consumer solutions, please visit: www.motorola.com/ces. 1Network dependent feature, not available in all areas. Airtime, data charges, and/or additional charges may apply. About Motorola # # # Media Contact: Motorola MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2006. Source: Motorola News Release |
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