Verizon Releases Open Device Requirements
By Teresa von Fuchs

As part of its Open Development Conference yesterday, Verizon Wireless explained the details of how it will open its network to handsets and other devices sold outside its stores or standard channels.

Making good on its promise last fall to open up its network to a wider selection of devices and allowing more applications to run on its network, Verizon yesterday said any device developer wishing to offer a handset or other wireless device can bring it to market as long as it meets the carrier’s minimum technical requirements. Verizon also said the technical standards would not be burdensome.

Device manufacturers will be responsible for marketing and distributing their creations; they can either allow customers to interact directly with Verizon or can buy wholesale voice minutes and data capacity from the carrier and re-sell them under their own brands.

Currently Verizon, like most carriers, will only support devices sold through its standard channels to work on its network, but the carrier said that the industry has called for openness and so it shifted its model to meet the demands of regulators and consumers.

Consumers who purchase third party devices won’t have to sign a service contract, which will most likely make the new devices more expensive, as carriers currently discount handset prices when customers sign a service agreement. Customers with third party devices will have an online portal to activate their devices and handle billing, the carrier will only offer “limited” telephone customer support.

Verizon said it expects the first wave of devices certified on the new open model to be available later this year.

FCC Investigates Possible Auction Impropriety
By Teresa von Fuchs

Due to the failure of the 700 MHz spectrum auction to name a successful bidder for the swath of spectrum set aside for a national, public safety network, members of Congress and nine organizations including the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union have asked the FCC to investigate the auction for possible fraud.

Several groups accused representatives of the public safety community of undermining the auction by demanding that any winner of the auction make additional payments to them.

The need for a national, interoperable public safety network was at the core of the 911 Commission Report; former Representative and Co-Chairman of the 9/11 panel Lee Hamilton said that the failure of the auction to create the groundwork for such a network is “a source of deep, deep disappointment.”

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that he is still committed to solving network interoperability issues of the public safety agencies and that he has asked the FCC inspector to investigate complaints of impropriety.

The FCC has said it will not release the winners of the other sections of spectrum until it decides what to do about the D-block.

Court Denies Qualcomm Request for Stay
By Teresa von Fuchs

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied Qualcomm's request to stay an injunction against sales of its mobile phone chips, while the company is still undergoing an appeal of the patent suit won by rival Broadcom. The court ruled this week that Qualcomm had not met its burden of proof to hold off to win a stay of the injunction.

A federal jury last year found that Qualcomm infringed on three Broadcom patents for various handset technology features; a U.S. district judge then placed an injunction on Qualcomm’s handset chips that use the infringing technology. Many of the affected products however, fall under a sunset provision that allows Qualcomm to continue selling certain products until January 2009, as long as it pays royalties to Broadcom.

Qualcomm said in a statement: “Although our motion for a stay was denied, the Federal Circuit has recognized the need for speedy resolution of the many issues raised by the verdict and remedy in this case, and has therefore granted Qualcomm's motion for an expedited schedule for briefings and oral argument.”

The appeals court also denied a request that Sprint Nextel be allowed to intervene in the case.

EMI to Join Nokia for Unlimited Music
By Teresa von Fuchs

Nokia and music label EMI are in talks about adding EMI’s catalog to Nokia’s unlimited music download service, “Comes with Music.”

EMI has reportedly said that the company wants to be a part of Nokia’s offering. Reuters reported Wemppa Koivumaki, head of EMI Finland, saying, “I believe strongly that when it launches we will be there, with a full offering.”

Nokia is expected to begin selling handsets designed for the unlimited listening service in the second half of this year. Unlike other subscription music models, Nokia’s will be free for the first 12 months, and users will be able to keep the downloaded tracks, though files will be DRM protected.

Nokia announced the program last December with music label Universal.

Motorola Announces $165 million WiMAX Deal
By Teresa von Fuchs

Motorola announced it won a $165 million WiMAX 802.16e infrastructure contract with Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication Company (Atheeb) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The WiMAX contract includes Motorola's new WAP 800 access point, featuring smart antenna technology, plus a comprehensive service package including end-to-end delivery of network planning, installation, optimization and support services.

With delivery of this network, Motorola says that it will enable Atheeb to deliver broadband to customers across the kingdom, including areas that until now have been underserved.

“Motorola is delighted to be working side by side with Atheeb to address the appetite of Saudi customers for high-speed communications,” said Ali Amer, vice president of the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan for Motorola Home and Networks Mobility division, in a statement. “This will be delivered utilizing Motorola's leading, cost-effective, and proven WiMAX 802.16e technology and services.”

Motorola currently has 19 WiMAX contracts and more than 75 engagements in 44 countries worldwide.

Boost Mobile Launches Mobile Ad Platform
By Teresa von Fuchs

Boost Mobile announced the launch of a new mobile advertising platform for mobile phones, and that Acura and Fox Searchlight Pictures will be among the first companies to advertise on the platform.

Wireless advertising solution provider Amobee is Boost’s advertising partner for the new platform. Under the terms of the partnership Boost Mobile and Amobee will work together to deliver ads to Boost Mobile’s 4.6 million consumers. The first ads, which are expected to appear today, will feature information on Fox Searchlight Pictures’ release of “Street Kings,” and Acura’s new 2009 TSX. Boost customers are not charged for viewing the advertisements, and they may opt-out from receiving advertisements by calling Boost customer service at 1-888-BOOST-4U.

Mobile advertising will appear initially on Boost Mobile’s BoostLIVE and Web Home. BoostLIVE is Boost Mobile’s handset storefront where customers can purchase digital content such as ringtones, wallpapers, music, and games. Boost plans to expand advertising content to include messaging and key applications in the near future.

“Mobile advertising is an excellent vehicle for reaching a growing segment of younger consumers who are drifting away from traditional mediums such as TV and print,” said Neil Lindsay, vice president of product development for Boost Mobile, in a statement.

According to Zohar Levkovitz, CEO of Amobee, “The Boost-Amobee relationship aims to show the power of Boost as a media company. Boost has an influence on the mobile media habits of the under-30 demographic in the United States.”

Emriates Air Launches In-Flight Telephony
By Teresa von Fuchs

In-flight connectivity solution provider AeroMobile announced that Emirates Airline has successfully completed its first flight offering in-air cellular service.

After receiving full approval from aviation authorities, passengers on flight EK751 from Dubai to Casablanca were able to place and receive calls from their own mobile phones. AeroMobile’s in-flight solutions allows passengers to safely use their personal mobile phones during flights; according to AeroMobile, the solution has been rigorously tested during the approvals process in the past year.

The Dubai-based international airline offered guidelines for the appropriate use of phones on board, including requesting passengers to have their phones switched to “silent” mode during the flights. The system automatically came into operation as the Airbus A340-300 reached cruise altitude. Passengers wanting to use the service received a text message welcoming them to the AeroMobile system when they first switched on their phones, and then were able to make and receive voice calls as well as use text messaging.

Emirates and AeroMobile say that will continue working to add features to the service offering, including the compatability of BlackBerry e-mail and other GPRS data applications later in 2008 and also to integrate the AeroMobile aircraft system with Emirates’ in-flight entertainment system.

A second Emirates aircraft, a Boeing 777-300, has already been outfitted with the AeroMobile system and will be in operation shortly.

Australian airline Qantas also announced plans to roll out in-flight messaging service later this year, in a partnership with AeroMobile. The airline said passengers on domestic flights will be able to send and receive e-mail and SMS messages on their mobile phones or other electronic devices before the end of the year. Although voice calls are possible with the technology, the airline said it will not activate that feature at the launch of service.

CellularONE Taps Ceragon Networks for Navajo Network
By Teresa von Fuchs

As part of Cellular One’s service expansion into the Navajo Nation, the carrier has placed a follow-on order to Ceragon Networks to enable flexible data and voice services to new subscribers.

Ceragon Networks says the deal was valued at more than $1 million, and includes future-proof network design.

“Taking advantage of Ceragon’s wireless backhaul solutions, we are able to achieve rapid deployment, making our network operational in a very short time,” said Richard Watkins, COO of Cellular One, in a statement. “Ceragon’s future-proof, high-capacity solutions will enable us to further enhance the quality of the services we offer and bring our residential and business customers greatly expanded opportunities for economic and social development.”

In November 2007, Cellular One announced a partnership with Conterra Ultra Broadband and the Navajo Nation to deliver the largest broadband wireless data transport network across tribal lands. Watkins said the partnership will permit the Navajo Nation to reach the next level telecommunications.

With its most recent announcement, Cellular One says Ceragon Networks solution will help it continue to provide advanced digital broadband services to a region that lacked voice and high speed communication access points.

Reports: iPhone Changing Use of Mobile Web
By Teresa von Fuchs

Two new reports have come out about the iPhone’s place in the wireless marketplace. One from M:Metrics cites Apple’s handset as the most popular device for accessing news and information on the mobile Web, with 85% of iPhone users accessing news and information from the device. The other is Gartner’s new approval of the handset for the enterprise.

“The iPhone has certainly delivered on its hype,” said Mark Donovan, senior analyst at M:Metrics, in a statement. “Beyond a doubt, this device is compelling consumers to interact with the mobile Web, delivering off-the-charts usage from everything to text messaging to mobile video.”

M:Metrics found that 31% of iPhone owners watched mobile TV or video, versus a 5% market average, and more than double the rate for all smartphone users. Usage of social networking is also popular among iPhone users: 50% accessed a social networking site in January, nearly 12 times the market average. 20% of iPhone owners accessed Facebook, one of the first Web properties to customize its content for the iPhone, versus 1.5% of the total mobile market.

“Another important factor to consider is the fact that all iPhones on AT&T are attached to an unlimited data plan,” Donovan’s statement continued. “Our data shows that once the fear of surprise data charges is eliminated, mobile content consumption increases dramatically, regardless of device.”

The iPhone is also getting a stamp of approval for use in the enterprise from Gartner. The research firm has changed its recommendations for the handset to “appliance-level” support status once the enterprise-friendly version of firmware and security enhancements are released.

Garter analysts expressed concern about using the device in the enterprise when it was first launched, but Apple’s recently announced upgrades, which should be delivered in June 2008, have changed Gartner’s tune.

The new “appliance-level” status OKs the device to be used for PIM, e-mail, telephony and browsing applications within the enterprise. This change in status is due in part to the release of the handsets SDK, which will allow third parties, including enterprises, to create applications that are not browser based.

News Briefs for March 20, 2008
Companies in today’s briefs include: Verizon Wireless, Konami Digital Entertainment, SanDisk, SpinVox, Crisp Wireless, AT&T, Alltel Wireless, Samsung

• Verizon Wireless and Konami Digital Entertainment announced that Metal Gear Solid Mobile is now available exclusively through Verizon Wireless.  Metal Gear Solid Mobile is an award-winning game, having recently received the Grand Prix and Operator’s Choice awards at the 2008 International Mobile Gaming Awards. 

• SanDisk plans to promote DRM-free music from more than 50 new and emerging artists on a Micro SD card in the United States. SanDisk says this program is the first of its kind to use Micro SD cards, and the launch is in conjunction with the company’s new 8GB Sansa Fuze MP3 player.

• SpinVox, creator of a solution that converts voicemails into text messages for operators, has secured more than $100 million in a new funding round. The funds will be devoted to further building the global business of the U.K.-based company that already operates on four continents and has signed deals with 12 carrier networks and intends to double that number during the next year. Goldman Sachs International acted as exclusive financial adviser to SpinVox on the transaction.

• Crisp Wireless is partnering with AT&T to offer its subscribers a dedicated mobile content portal devoted exclusively to the NCAA Men's Division I Tournament. The Crisp-powered NCAA March Madness mobile portal will feature access to scores of all games, statistics, results and bracket updates. For users with 3G-enabled phones, they will be able to view video highlights of the tournament. The AT&T Bracket Challenge will give wireless users the power to make, track and manage their tournament bracket entirely from their wireless handsets. Customers who participate in the AT&T Bracket Challenge will compete against each other for a chance to win prizes from AT&T, including a grand prize of $10,000.

• Samsung’s Muse is now available in Alltel Wireless retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. The Samsung Muse flip-phone offers high-quality sound and up to 64MB of internal memory.  The Muse has a dedicated music key, which provides users with immediate access to an MP3 player, music library, ringtones, and a free trial offer to preview 20 popular satellite music channels on Alltel’s XM Radio Mobile service.  Additionally, the Muse features Alltel’s Axcess TV, GPS-based Axcess Mobile Guide, a 2.0-megapixel camera with video and stereo Bluetooth technology for customers wanting a total multimedia experience.