Companies in today’s briefs include: Research In Motion, Facebook, Ericsson, Far EasTone Telecommunications, Alcatel-Lucent, Craig Wireless

Research In Motion announced that more than one million customers have downloaded the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphone application, since its launch last October. With the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Facebook users can wirelessly send and view messages, photos, pokes and Wall posts. The Facebook application goes beyond browser-based access, automatically pushing notifications to the user’s BlackBerry smartphone as friends and colleagues send notes, Wall posts or pokes. The application allows users to take a photo, upload it to the site with captions and tags; quickly and easily invite friends; manage events; manage photo albums; and manage their status while on the go.

Ericsson announced it has won a network expansion contract with leading Taiwanese operator Far EasTone Telecommunications (Far EasTone) for its HSPA network. Under the terms of the deal Ericsson will be responsible for spare parts management service as well as support services. Ericsson said that network deployment and integration have already started.

Alcatel-Lucent announced it has been selected by Craig Wireless to build a new WiMAX network in Palm Springs, California. This is the first commercial deployment of Alcatel-Lucent’s WiMAX technology in North America. Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide its end-to-end WiMAX Rev-e solution, including base stations, wireless access controllers and an operation and maintenance center (OMC). Alcatel-Lucent also will provide network design, planning, installation and optimization for end-to-end integration of the network, which will operate in the 2.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band.