• Novatel Wireless has successfully completed the first data transmission over dual-carrier HSPA+ using Qualcomm's MDM822 chipset. Novatel Wireless is working with operators and plans to launch commercial data devices based on the MDM8220 in the second half of 2010.
• Strategy Analytics says a survey of U.S. and U.K. consumers found that comfort, sound quality and ease of use were the most important assets of Bluetooth headsets. The research firm also said the best opportunity for Bluetooth headset manufacturers will be to target mobile phone-specific physical retail stores to advertise and market their headsets, as this was the most common acquisition location for headset owners.
• Cox Communications has chosen Syniverse Technologies to support the operator's CDMA mobile voice network. Syniverse will provide Cox with mobile messaging, roaming and network solutions. Syniverse also will continue to support Cox's SS7 class services.
• Touch screen technology company Nissha has signed a $1.4 million licensing agreement to use Peratech's Quantum Tunnelling Composites (QTC) to create next-generation touch screens with 3D input for mobile phones and portable electronic devices. The licensing agreement gives Nissha exclusive worldwide rights to use the technology for screens smaller than 3.5 by 5.5 inches for an initial period of one year.
• Fitch Ratings believes the national broadband plan that the FCC is expected to deliver to Congress in March could resolve issues around Universal Service Funding (USF) reform and wireless spectrum inventory. Fitch also expects that the national broadband plan will focus on broadband issues associated with education, energy, health care and civic participation, which could lead to further consolidation or a strategic change in the magnitude or direction of investment for the industry.
• NetMotion Wireless has received its 11th U.S. patent related to its Mobile VPN software. The patent covers technology for maintaining continuous, secure mobile connections over mixed IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
• Interop Technologies has named José Antonio (Tony) Mijares to the newly created position of senior vice president of International Sales, where he will focus on business development in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) and Asia regions. Mijares comes to Interop from Airvana, a mobile broadband technology provider, where he served six years as vice president of CALA Sales.
• Miyowa, which aggregates social networks on mobile phones, has appointed Mike Kaul as its chief marketing officer. He will develop marketing strategies to build Miyowa's leadership in the mobile social networking market. Prior to Miyowa, he was the CEO of several venture funded companies, including diCarta, a provider of contract management software applications.