#TBT: Amdocs buys Qpass; MetroPC launches in Detroit; TV broadcasters make approach for MediaFlo … this week in 2006

Editor’s Be aware: 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!

Amdocs to purchase Qpass for cross-platform content material

ST. LOUIS—Software program developer and billing platform supplier Amdocs Ltd. plans to enter the digital transaction house with a $275 million buyout of Seattle-based Qpass Inc. Qpass’ know-how facilitates content material sourcing, merchandising, supply and billing throughout cell, VoIP and Wi-Fi networks. Amdocs stated the all-cash deal, which has been the topic of rumors for a number of weeks, will permit its prospects to create extra sources of income by promoting digital items throughout platforms and networks. “Service suppliers are working onerous to adapt their networks and enterprise fashions to make the most of the rising content material and companies market,” Amdocs Chief Govt Officer Dov Baharav stated in a ready assertion. “This transaction creates a singular mixture that may assist understand the transformation of service suppliers from carriers of voice and information companies to dynamic retailers of ubiquitous, converged companies and digital content material.” Amdocs develops and markets buyer relationship administration software program, and works with 150 service suppliers together with wi-fi operators. Qpass has relationships with greater than 300 content material suppliers, and the corporate’s prospects embody Cingular Wi-fi L.L.C., T-Cell Worldwide, Dash Nextel Corp. and Skype. … Learn extra

Motorola’s earnings drop, even with continued Razr enhance

SCHAUMBURG, In poor health.—Motorola Inc. reported sturdy gross sales of its wi-fi handsets within the first quarter and an almost 5-percent achieve in international market share over the year-ago quarter to 21 %. The corporate’s constructive handset information confirmed that it had achieved its acknowledged ambition to shut the market-share hole with rival and market chief Nokia Corp. Motorola’s excellent news was overshadowed by a drop in total earnings, precipitated partly by lackluster leads to the corporate’s community enterprise and, maybe sarcastically, dogged by the sturdy handset gross sales led by the corporate’s mega-hit Razr telephone. Regardless of record-setting first-quarter gross sales in handsets, the corporate reported a lower in internet earnings to $686 million from $692 million within the year-ago quarter. Requested what Motorola’s follow-up act to the Razr can be, Chief Govt Officer Ed Zander stated, “Razr Half II,” although it wasn’t instantly clear whether or not he meant tweaks to the Razr, or referred to the Razr because the slim telephone design that will govern succeeding fashions such because the just-released Slvr mannequin. Trade analysts are involved that regardless of the Razr’s long-lived gross sales two years after its launch, the handsets’ gross sales are prone to wane, inserting stress on Motorola to supply one other mega-hit handset mannequin. Milking the Razr’s reputation by tweaking its options or colours to proceed its gross sales success could make sense within the short-term, however the technique dangers reducing the corporate’s revenue margins because the handset is more and more sponsored by carriers in america and Motorola pursues a rise in unit quantity in extremely low-cost handsets with slim margins in rising markets. … Learn extra

Alltel provides cell e-mail

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Alltel Corp. is teaming with software program developer Seven Networks Inc. to supply cell e-mail and information to subscribers with Palm-powered and Microsoft Corp. Home windows Cell-based sensible telephones. The operator launched two variations of Workplace Sync, permitting customers to ship and obtain e-mail in actual time and consider calendars and contacts from cell units. One model is focused at shoppers and small companies, whereas an providing for bigger firms integrates Workplace Sync with a server working behind a safe firewall. Each variations are $40 a month together with limitless information. … Learn extra

MetroPCS launches limitless wi-fi service in Detroit

DETROIT—MetroPCS Communications Inc. launched wi-fi service right now in Detroit, providing flat fee plans with limitless native and home lengthy distance and not using a contract. MetroPCS is providing 4 calling plans, with limitless native calling for $30 or $35 monthly and limitless native and lengthy distance calling for $40 or $45 a month. For an extra $3 month-to-month, prospects can ship and obtain limitless textual content messages. Companies reminiscent of voice mail and caller identification can be found for an extra cost with the $35 and $40 monthly plans. The $45 monthly plan contains voice mail, caller ID and name ready and a number of other different options, together with limitless textual content messaging. MetroPCS picked up 10 megahertz of spectrum in Detroit from Cingular Wi-fi L.L.C. in late 2004 as a part of required divestitures following Cingular’s acquisition of AT&T Wi-fi Companies Inc. … Learn extra

Cell web utilization will increase

NEW YORK-Wi-fi telephones are poised to overhaul pocket book PCs because the dominant Web platform in some markets, in line with a brand new examine from Ipsos Perception. The market analysis agency’s annual examine of Web developments discovered that 28 % of cell phone house owners worldwide have browsed the Internet on their handsets, up from 25 % one 12 months in the past. Uptake is strongest in France, Japan and the UK, the agency stated, and far of the expansion stems from older users-indicating the wi-fi Internet is gaining mass-market traction. “Accessing the Web on a wi-fi handheld system is not a novelty for shoppers within the main international economies,” stated Brian Cruikshank, managing director of Ipsos’ Know-how & Communications apply. “It’s turning into a typical, on a regular basis prevalence for many individuals.” … Learn extra

Qualcomm will get spectrum entry for MediaFlo video service

WASHINGTON-Two TV broadcasters agreed to maneuver out of the 700 MHz band early underneath a take care of Qualcomm Inc., making approach for the corporate to maneuver ahead with its plans to stream TV content material on its MediaFlo service. The Federal Communications Fee stated it permitted agreements between Qualcomm and Paxson Communications Corp. allowing Qualcomm early entry in Chicago and Milwaukee, and between Qualcomm and Northwest Indiana Public Broadcasting Inc. for early entry in Gary, Ind. Qualcomm is utilizing the nationwide license for TV channel 55 to construct a one-way streaming video community to supply cell TV companies based mostly on its proprietary MediaFlo know-how. The chipmaker hopes to permit carriers a method to offload data-heavy video companies onto a devoted community, preserving mobile infrastructure for different on-demand video, voice calls and Web entry. Verizon Wi-fi has introduced plans to make use of MediaFlo, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Co. Ltd. just lately introduced plans to construct telephones for the providing. … Learn extra

US Mobile challenges Alltel’s Midwest Wi-fi purchase

WASHINGTON-The Justice Division requested the Federal Communications Fee for delicate numbering information-including native quantity portability data-from Alltel Corp. and Midwest Wi-fi Holdings L.L.C. in reference to Alltel’s proposed $1 billion acquisition of Midwest that’s being opposed by U.S. Mobile Corp. Whereas the FCC stated it has authority to share data with one other authorities company, the fee April 17 gave the events 10 days to oppose giving the Justice Division extremely labeled carrier-specific numbering useful resource utilization and forecast data and LNP information in any other case underneath the jurisdiction of the North American Numbering Plan. The request for wi-fi numbering data by the Justice Division, which together with the FCC is scrutinizing the Alltel-Midwest deal, will not be essentially uncommon. Justice antitrust legal professionals final 12 months sought entry to wi-fi provider numbering information of their investigation of the ultimately-approved Dash Corp. acquisition of Nextel Communications Inc. and Alltel’s acquisition of Western Wi-fi Corp. On the identical time, the Justice Division request may sign its curiosity in aggressive issues raised by U.S. Mobile and should foreshadow the likelihood Alltel and Midwest could possibly be compelled to shed some wi-fi property as a situation for presidency approval of the transaction. The Justice Division required divestitures of wi-fi licenses as a prerequisite to consenting to the Alltel-Western Wi-fi deal in addition to Cingular Wi-fi L.L.C. acquisition of AT&T Wi-fi Companies Inc. in late 2004. … Learn extra

Try the RCR Wi-fi Information Archives for extra tales from the previous.