ROW International News Briefs

DoCoMo to sell stake in AT&TJapanese wireless operator NTT DoCoMo is selling its 16% stake in AT&T Wireless to Cingular, following the latter’s acquisition of AT&T Wireless. DoCoMo entered the American wireless industry three years ago when it purchased the 16% interest for US$10 billion. Analysts speculate that DoCoMo will be able to sell its stake for approximately US$7 billion, losing nearly US$3 billion of its original investment. Nextel not looking for suitorsThe head of Nextel Communications says the company is content to remain the way it is - a stand alone operation. Tim Donahue, Nextel’s CEO, says: "We are more than comfortable as a stand alone company but will look at all (consolidation) opportunities when they avail themselves," referring to growing indications of consolidation within the U.S. wireless industry. The company is safe from Vodafone Group after that company indicated it will not pursue American cell phone companies. Vodafone plans to hold on to its 45% in Verizon Wireless for the foreseeable future. Sprint and Verizon next targets?Many wireless industry analysts believe that Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless could be the next to be swallowed by a rival. Some say that Vodafone could increase its stake in Verizon to 100%, thus solidifying its U.S. presence. Sprint could also get scooped up, but such a move would be more difficult given the tight integration of its wireline and wireless businesses. Target different user base for PTT: reportWireless service providers offering push-to-talk (PTT or P2T) services shouldn’t look to steal business subscribers from Nextel Communications, according to high-tech market research firm In-Stat/MDR. It writes: "wireless service providers new to offering P2T may want to go after a different user base than the one that Nextel currently controls, as current user satisfaction is extremely high and it will, therefore, likely be difficult to lure Nextel’s customers away. The one factor current users are less satisfied with is price, and this represents an area where other providers could potentially compete." A survey of In-Stat’s wireless panel reveals that only 8% of respondents use PTT, but of those not using the service, half expressed an interest in using the service. In the U.S., Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS and Alltel are offering walkie-talkie type services in competition with Nextel. European operators are only now getting into the PTT game, having recently announced their intentions to do so. In Canada, Bell Mobility and Rogers Wireless have said they will launch the services this year to compete against Telus Mobility’s Mike service. In response, Telus Mobility has also indicated that it will launch a service on its PCS network to compete against Bell and Rogers. VeriWave closes financing, targets WLAN testing marketPortland OR-based VeriWave Inc. has closed its first round of institutional financing led by U.S. Ventures Partners and TL Ventures. The company will use the unspecified amount of money to address the burgeoning 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN) testing market. VeriWave was founded by a team experienced in networking protocols, verification and testing. The core team came from PMC-Sierra Inc., a British Columbia networking semiconductor company with an office in Portland. The company expects to release its first products later this year. Heading up the firm are Christopher DeMonico as CEO and Thomas Alexander as CTO. Both men have many years experience in the semiconductor and networking industries. Motorola inks deals for public safety gearMotorola Inc. continues to expand the reach of its mission critical public safety communications systems. This month the District of Columbia selected Motorola and Flarion Technologies to build a broadband wireless data network that will for example link hospitals and ambulances with real-time video, and allow police officers to download mug shots in the field. A related announcement saw Motorola release a mobile digital video system. The Mobile Video Enforcer will enhance officer safety and provide valuable evidence collection and management capabilities.

ROW International News Briefs

News | 02/25/2004 5:00 am EST

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