Page 1 2 Page 1 2| FRIDAY - AUGUST 25, 2006 - ISSUE NO. 226 |
Dear friends of Wireless Messaging, AAPC’s fall event this year is Enterprise Wireless 2006 September 26–28 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Early registration has been extended to September 4th. Please see the AAPC Bulletin below for the event schedule. I am planning to be there with my camera to report on the events and make you feel really sorry for all the great sessions that you missed—that is if you are not able to attend. Orlando, Florida has more things to do than any city that I can think of—even not counting Disney World. If you make your airline reservations now, there are some good deals available. Fred Pakosta of Advanced RF in Quincy —a friend, a paging colleague, and a long-time supporter of this newsletter— has shared some encouraging news with me from his oncologists. After eight chemotherapy treatments, a bone marrow biopsy performed recently could not detect ANY lymphoma AT ALL! There had been a 20% involvement. If you are a praying person, please remember Fred. There is a lot of "industry buzz" this week about Abrams Capital Partners (David C. Abrams) and the shares of USA Mobility that they have been buying lately. Here are some of the articles; decide for yourself what all this means.
Don't miss the two articles on page 2 about the NTP/RIM patent issues—new information has surfaced about Telefind and Andy Andros. Paging ”old-timers” will surely remember them. Now on to more 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.) | |||||||||||
Radio Van—Mobile Antenna Tower 1974 International Harvester Load Star 1600 4x6 (all-wheel-drive) — 304 gasoline engine rebuilt in 2002. Has a 100 foot extendable tower which nests atop vehicle that can be swung back and electrically extended. Has walk in "shack" for radio equipment and unit contains small generator for power—120 volt Onan—produces 2,500 watts. Has a powered nose winch 15,000 lb Broden AMUS-12F, with 650 feet 3/8" cable. Also has outriggers to stabilize the unit while in operation. Asking
This truck and generator would make a great addition to any wireless company wanting to increase their emergency backup ability for storms and other catastrophic events. Stanley Stann | Mobile Radio Van With 100-Foot Tower
Ideal for deploying a repeater to a remote site in an emergency. Perfect for a Ham Radio Club and/or RACES. |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PAGING CARRIERS |
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| WIRELESS MESSAGING NEWS |
Motorola: No case for US$30 handset
US handset manufacturer Motorola believes it can target Brazil's low-income sector with a model retailing at 110-149 reais (US$51-70) rather than the US$30 handsets the company is making for the GSM Association, local press quoted Motorola Brasil president Enrique Ussher as saying.
The GSM Association commissioned Motorola to make two cheap handset models as the centerpiece of an initiative to bridge the digital divide with the aim of getting mobile phones into the hands of 80% of the world's population by 2010.
However, a US$30 price tag would only be possible if the phone is offered with less of a guarantee, simpler packaging and without delivery, Ussher said, adding that Brazilian consumers would not accept these restrictions.
Instead, Motorola will target Brazil's C and D socio-economic classes with the Motofone model, even more eye-catching than the 14mm-thick Razr with a body only 9mm thick. The company's assembly plant in Jaguariúna, São Paulo state, is expected to start production in September with the model available in stores in November.
The company announced in March that it plans to expand production at the Jaguariúna plant by 40% this year and aims to double the export revenue of Brazilian-made handsets from the US$1.06bn billed in 2005.
WIMAX
Motorola is waiting in the wings as Brazilian authorities argue about which telcos can bid for 3.5GHz and 10GHz WiMax bands on September 18. The sector regulator Anatel wants to exclude Brazil's main fixed line companies from competing for licenses in their existing operating areas, but the government is threatening to override this restriction.
Whatever the case, Motorola chairman and CEO Edward Zander visited Brazil this week to seek operators interested in running trials of this technology and the group's CTO Padmasree Warrior suggested WiMax could leapfrog UMTS/WCDMA since the technology is equally available.
BNAmericas.com
Source: Cellular-News.com
Teletouch Completes Sale of Paging Assets
August 18, 2006 03:22 PM US Eastern Timezone
FORT WORTH, Texas—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 18, 2006—Teletouch Communications, Inc. (AMEX:TLL), a leading U.S. wireless communications services company, announced today that on August 14, 2006, it completed the previously announced sale of it paging assets. Subsequent to and as a result of the recent receipt of 100% of the stock of Progressive Concepts, Inc., as reported by Teletouch in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 17, 2006, the paging business no longer met the statutory threshold of a sale of all or substantially all assets of the company as contemplated under Delaware corporate laws and therefore no longer required the approval of Teletouch's shareholders.
Subject to the monthly paging net cash flow purchase price reductions provided for in the original Asset Purchase Agreement (APA), gross cash proceeds from the sale were approximately $3.1 million, subject to a working capital adjustment as also provided for in the APA, currently estimated to be approximately $0.2 million. Therefore, the net proceeds are estimated to be approximately $2.9 million. Any potential future adjustments to the purchase price are related to completion of the working capital and cash flow calculations of the paging business and the performance of the accounts receivable that was transferred to the Buyer at closing. Teletouch does not anticipate that these subsequent adjustments to the purchase price will materially impact the total consideration received for the Acquired Assets.
More detailed information relating to the sale of the paging assets and the related contractual arrangements executed in connection therewith may be found in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Teletouch on August 18, 2006.
About Teletouch Communications
For over 40-years, Teletouch has offered a comprehensive suite of telecommunications services, including cellular, two-way radio communications, GPS-telemetry and wireless messaging services throughout the United States. TLL acquires, bills and supports a large, primarily commercial business and government base of subscribers, under its own network of FCC licensed spectrum in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Progressive Concepts, Inc. (PCI), the Company is a leading U.S. provider of wireless cellular voice, data, and entertainment products and branded wireless services to individuals, businesses, and government agencies through its chain of retail stores (Hawk Electronics), branded sub-agents and direct sales force in Texas and Arkansas. PCI also operates a significant wholesale distribution business serving smaller cellular and automotive retailers, car dealers and cellular service providers throughout the country. Teletouch's common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under stock symbol: TLL. Additional information about Teletouch can be found at: www.teletouch.com.
All statements in this news release that are not based on historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth under the caption "Additional Factors That May Affect Our Business" in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q filings, and amendments thereto. In addition, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We disclaim any intention to, and undertake no obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Contact
Teletouch Communications, Inc., Fort Worth
Amy Gossett, 800-232-3888
investors@teletouch.com
Source: BusinessWire.com
Ericsson wins $1B managed services deal in India
August 24, 2006
India's largest mobile-phone operator Bharti Airtel agreed to pay Ericsson $1 billion during the next three years to manage the expansion of its national network. Ericsson will manage the design and development of Bharti's network upgrade. Ericsson's highlights the growing importance of network management contracts in equipment deals. Many equipment deals are now wrapped up with managed services agreements, and it appears Ericsson is capitalizing. Network management contracts are good for operators but are leading to some brutal price wars for vendors as the managed services portion of any sale becomes the main selling point while actual hardware is sold at dirt cheap prices.
Source: Fierce Wireless
Keeping BlackBerry Juiced
RIM hopes its new Pearl wireless pager will appeal to tech-savvy consumers as well as corporate types
AUGUST 24, 2006
Technology
By Cliff Edwards and Roger Crockett
For years, Research In Motion's BlackBerry wireless pager inspired unrivaled loyalty among business folk on the move. Clipped conspicuously to an executive's belt holster, it was a symbol of upper-rung status in corporate hierarchy. Increasingly, however, e-mail and entertainment devices like Motorola's (MOT) Q, Palm's (PALM) Treo, and Nokia's (NOK) E61 have stolen the limelight from BlackBerry's all-work, no-play models.
RIM (RIMM) is preparing to regain some of the glow. The company plans to launch an ultra-thin, phone-like device dubbed BlackBerry Pearl in mid-September with Deutsche Telekom's (DT) U.S. wireless unit T-Mobile. Another version, with Cingular Wireless, is due later in the fall.
In a major revamp of its business model, Waterloo (Ont.)-based RIM will pitch the new Pearl to regular, gadget-loving consumers as well as harried executives. About the same size as Motorola's popular RAZR phone, the Pearl will have a built-in digital camera, Bluetooth wireless capability, and a memory card expansion slot to handle music and video.
GROWING MARKET. With Pearl, RIM is jumping from one increasingly crowded arena into one that's even more competitive. Wireless carriers, noting that even soccer moms now are managing their personal lives by mobile e-mail and text messaging, have been pushing RIM to create products that are more consumer-friendly. "We see demand for a good e-mail device that does consumer multimedia services," says Jeff Bradley, vice-president of business data services at Cingular Wireless, the biggest seller of BlackBerry handsets. "That's something we're committed to providing."
RIM executives declined to comment, but at several wireless conferences this year, co-CEO Jim Balsillie has vowed to put multimedia features into BlackBerrys by the end of the year. RIM has to branch out if it's going to meet its goal of adding 10 million subscribers to a current roster of about 6 million. "There's lots of competition, but this sector is dramatically expanding," Balsillie said in San Francisco earlier this month.
RIM is betting the best defense of its lucrative e-mail niche is a strong offense against Motorola, Nokia, and other cell-phone making giants. The trick is mapping the right strategy. Traditionally, the company has focused on corporate customers who wanted the most secure way for executives to use e-mail and business applications using wireless.
MULTITASKING. RIM was the first to offer such services, and it appealed to corporate tech managers by providing a "closed" platform—meaning individual users couldn't easily install software that might contain viruses, pornography, or other troublesome content.
Palm and Nokia then beat RIM into the multimedia realms of music, pictures, and video. But corporate clients mostly stuck with RIM because "they weren't asking for multimedia," says Christopher Callender, group manager for smart devices at Sprint Nextel (S). "They were still concerned about how to contain their data and keep it secure."
Since January, however, RIM has seen its market share of corporate e-mail activations slip five percentage points, to 59%, even as the overall market continues to grow, says analyst Clifford Raskin at Strategy Analytics. That's because products such as Motorola's Q and Palm's Treo, which already let users take pictures and listen to music, are attracting users who want a fashionable device they can use both professionally and personally. "RIM has to play in that arena, and for those businesses that aren't concerned about bulletproof security, the [new] device will find a welcome home," Raskin says.
SWEATING IT OUT. Cellular companies that don't have deals with RIM doubt the BlackBerry can expand its sphere of popularity. Nearly two-thirds of BlackBerry's current customers opt for a second, regular cell phone, according to surveys. In other words, users don't really see BlackBerrys as do-everything gadgets. RIM's detractors note that the new Pearl has neither the touch screen nor the full-size keyboard consumers seem to prefer for navigation. Instead, it uses a technology RIM calls SureType, which squeezes two letters on one key and uses predictive software to determine which letter a user actually wants. It's fairly accurate but takes some getting used to.
If RIM was starting to feel the heat in the corporate market, the consumer market may seem sweltering. With far more players selling consumer gadgets, price pressure is intense and the pace of innovation is swift. Stefane Maes, director of product development at Palm, says the company will begin selling a revamped version of its Treo this fall.
More software choices from Palm will put even more pressure on the BlackBerry. Says Maes: "While RIM has done a fantastic job in the e-mail space, it has played second fiddle in the phone market." Now, if RIM doesn't watch out, BlackBerry could feel the big squeeze.
Edwards is a correspondent in BusinessWeek's Silicon Valley bureau and Crockett is deputy chief of BusinessWeek's Chicago bureau
Source: BusinessWeek
Executives say they’re too connected
LOS ANGELES
August 24, 2006 11:40am
The semi-surreptitious tap-tap-tapping on Blackberries between the appetizer and the main course has become commonplace in restaurants. So has the ubiquitous cell phone, to the point where not only theaters but also even bank lobbies sport signs asking patrons to turn the blasted things off.
A new survey shows that a vast majority (81 percent) of more than 2,300 global executives say they are connected to work through mobile devices (cell phone, PDA, laptop or pager) all of the time, according to a survey from Korn/Ferry International (NYSE: KFY) of Los Angeles.
The management recruiting firm says more than one-third (38 percent) of executives surveyed say they spend too much time staying in touch.
However, more than three-quarters (77 percent) of respondents believe that mobile communications devices primarily enhance work/life balance rather than impede it.
The survey also examined how executives feel about the rate at which children adapt to technology developments. An overwhelming 86 percent of respondents believe that children have an advantage over adults in incorporating new technology into their lives.
"Communications devices have become an increasingly ubiquitous part of our daily lives," says Richard Spitz, global managing director of Korn/Ferry's Technology Market. "Given the countless number of gadgets available now and in recent years, it is also not surprising that younger generations embrace new technologies more quickly than adults."
Source: CVBT (Central Valley Business Times)
Duke Energy offers customers incentives to reduce air-conditioning use
August 23, 2006
Duke Energy is offering to pay its residential customers to reduce their air-conditioning use. The company's Power Manager Program provides financial incentives to customers who participate. The program helps the company delay the need to build new power plants, which helps lower electricity costs for all customers.
Duke Energy will install a free load management switch on a customer's outside central air conditioning compressor unit. This switch will allow the company to remotely cycle the customer's air-conditioning system off a few minutes every half hour on days when demand for electricity is critical. If the unit is cycled off and on, it would most likely be from mid-morning through early evening. Duke Energy may cycle off the air conditioner once or twice a month, or, in the case of mild weather, not at all. The program's season runs from May 1 through Sept. 30.
To be eligible for the program, customers must: +Own their own home +Have a functional central air conditioning unit with an outside air compressor +Live in an area with commercial paging coverage (which enables remote cycling).
Depending on the option chosen, participating customers receive a one-time credit of $25 or $35 for allowing installation of the switch as well as additional electric bill credits each day Duke Energy cycles off their air conditioning system.
"The Power Manager program helps lower costs without sacrificing comfort," said Deanna Bowden, project manager for the program. "Air-conditioning units are switched on and off in small increments so that customers notice very little temperature difference. The program is part of our overall efforts that help delay the need for new power plants."
Customers interested in signing up or learning more can call toll free, 877-392-4848.
Source: Carroll County Comet
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GTES has recently made the strategic decision to expanding its development activities to include wireless location technologies; a market that researchers forecast could reach $3.6 billion by 2010. In support of this new strategic direction, GTES has developed SHERLOC™ a complete one-stop wireless location service, providing the flexibility of being protocol neutral and network agnostic. Targeted at business customers who need to track their high-value shipments or better manage their service or delivery fleets, SHERLOC™ is a hosted application that combines configuration flexibility with ease of use. GTES is offering SHERLOC™ services both directly and through authorized resellers. If your company has an interest in finding out how location services can enhance your revenue stream, and has the contacts and expertise to make you successful in the location marketplace, please contact us for further information at www.sherlocgps.com and select “Reseller Opportunities,” or call us at 770-754-1666 for more information. www.gtesinc.com GTES is the only Glenayre authorized software support provider in the Paging industry. With over 200 years of combined experience in Glenayre hardware and software support, GTES offers the industry the most professional support and engineering development staff available. Continued Support Programs CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR SUPPORT NEEDS
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Teletouch acquires Hawk Electronics vendor
By Kristen Beckman
Aug 18, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas—Teletouch Communications Inc. said it has acquired Progressive Concepts Inc., a Cingular Wireless L.L.S. master distributor, reseller and mobile virtual network operator in Texas and Arkansas.
PCI primarily operates under the Hawk Electronics brand name.
All of PCI’s outstanding securities were contributed to Teletouch by TLL Partners L.L.C., which holds 82 percent of Teletouch’s outstanding common stock. Teletouch did not pay cash or stock considerations for the contribution, said the company.
Teletouch provides paging and two-way wireless services.
“The company will now serve approximately 100,000 cellular, wireless messaging and two-way radio subscribers, agents and independent retailers throughout our region and the country,” said T.A. “Kip” Hyde Jr., chief executive officer of Teletouch.
Teletouch recently hired Masur & Associates to assist it with strategic business opportunities including potential acquisitions.
Source: RCR Wireless News
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