• ZTE USA announced that Smart PCS, an unlimited, no-contract prepaid carrier, selected ZTE USA as the key CDMA infrastructure and device vendor partner to support its initial service launch. Initial markets include northwest Georgia and Tennessee. Smart PCS also will use ZTE USA’s data cards and handsets to offer its new subscribers.
• Alvarion said it won a $6 million contract for WiMAX technology from Costa Rica’s incumbent operator ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad). Alvarion will build a turnkey project to provide advanced broadband services.
• NetScout Systems announced a mobile option for its nGenius K2 service management software. The software gives IT staff and business managers mobile access to the health of their applications, network and service delivery environment, officials said.
• ABI Research put out a somewhat lighthearted new report about what will not happen in 2009 in the mobile business. Selections include: mobile marketing will not hit the big time; IPTV will not replace broadcast TV; and the location niche will not get lost.