LG Electronics announced the launch of its third LG Black Label Series handset, the LG Secret. The handset maker says the Secret is its slimmest 5-megapixel slider phone. The handset begins its launch in Europe followed by availability in Asia, South America and on to the rest of the world.
State-owned Libya Telecom & Technology (LTT) has awarded a $56 million contract to Alcatel-Lucent for a WiMAX network. The project is expected to initially cover the cities of Tripoli, Benghazi, Sebha, Syrte, M useratha, Khoms, Jdabia, Beidha, Garyane, Beni Welid, Zouara, Tarhouna, Briga, Ho un, Zlitin, Zaouia, Gadhames and Ras Lanouf. Capacity should reach 300,000 customers.
An Appellate Court has ruled that New York City’s Department of Education has the right to ban cell phones in schools. For years, parents have fought the no cell phone rules, claiming that it violated constitutional rights and threatened the safety of their children. In its ruling, the court said: “Nothing about the cell phone policy forbids or prevents parents and their children from communicating with each other before or after school.”
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced it has opened a new Wireless Cyber Security Center to enable testing of wireless communications systems in a classified environment. The lab says its enables defense and intelligence agencies to test and evaluate wireless systems like 802.11 Wi-Fi or broadband satellite links on a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) network.
The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) released its comprehensive report summarizing the 700 MHz auction. “U.S. 700 MHz Spectrum and Auction 73 Results with Conclusions and Observations” summarizes the background of the sale, what spectrum was offered, license rules and requirements, auction results and provides key conclusions and observations. The report is free to download at http://www.gsacom.com/gsm_3g/info_papers.php4.
Leap Wireless International appointed Colin Holland to senior vice president of engineering and technical operations, and Jeff Nachbor to senior vice president of financial operations. The operator also promoted Greg Post to senior vice president of field sales and field operations.
With the NFL draft kicking into gear tomorrow, Quattro Wireless is ready to feed sports enthusiasts with the latest data via its mobile version of the NFL Draft site. The site will update real-time as the college players are drafted to NFL teams. The site is in-depth and handles complex logic to ensure that all player, team and draft pages update real-time with the draft. Currently, the site features photo galleries, articles, draft prospects page, player analysis and a full draft page.
Mobile widget service provider Plusmo announced support for widgets on S60 devices. Plusmo’s S60 Web Run Time widgets enable instant access to the latest news, sports scores and other Web-based information. Plusmo widgets offer a simple user interface, 1-click access to content and automatic updates, eliminating the need for constant Web page refreshes and long waits.
Anritsu’s Board of Directors appointed Wade Hulon to vice president and general manager of the Americas sales region. The 21-year T&M veteran will be responsible for all sales, marketing, technical support, customer support and business operations for Anritsu’s wireless, optical, microwave/RF and digital test solutions in North America and Latin America.
Mark Howell, co-COO of Brightpoint, and president of Brightpoint Americas, was named Chairman of CTIA’s Wireless Foundation and will fulfill the post through the end of 2008. The Wireless Foundation initiates and oversees philanthropic programs that use wireless technology to help American communities. A non-profit organization established by the membership of CTIA in 1991, The Wireless Foundation coordinates the following national programs: Call To Protect, VITA, Wireless AMBER Alerts, The Amy Fund and Get Wise About Wireless.
The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) released its global Mobile Advertising Guidelines. This first set of global guidelines is designed to encourage the uptake of mobile advertising by brands worldwide and enhance the customer experience, by creating a framework for brands and media companies to deliver mobile advertising in a positive and consistent way. The guidelines provide improved formats around mobile Web and have added new guidelines for messaging (including SMS and MMS) and downloadables. The MMA also introduced a publication called “Mobile Advertising Overview,” which include recommended aspect ratios and banner dimensions, maximum file sizes, file formats and other technical specifications. The MMA EMEA Mobile Advertising Guidelines can be downloaded from www.mmaglobal.com/mobileadvertising.pdf.
