********************************
PricewaterhouseCoopers Presents
The TelecomDirect News Daily Update
For January 31, 2006
********************************
North Dakota to Test Balloons for Cellular Service
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/140/16462?11228
BISMARCK, N.D. -- Why put up costly cell phone towers in thinly
populated areas, when a few balloons would do? In North Dakota, former
Gov. Ed Schafer is backing a plan to loft wireless network repeaters
on balloons high above the state to fill gaps in cellular coverage.
"I know it sounds crazy," said Schafer, who now heads...
EU Backs Spain's Move To Open Up Mobile Phone Market
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/100/16459?11228
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Commission backed Spain's move
to open up its mobile phone market on Tuesday, saying lower
prices could result from giving three new players access to
networks run by Telefonica, Vodafone and France Telecom's Amena.
The cost of using mobile phones in Spain was well above the EU
average, it said,...
Earthlink Finalizes Wireless Deal in Pennsylvania
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/120/16457?11228
PHILADELPHIA -- Earthlink Inc. has finalized a 10-year contract
to provide wireless Internet service across Philadelphia, a city
official said Monday. Philadelphia was the first large city to
announce plans to build a wireless Internet network and provide
low-cost access to residents as a way to span the digital
divide. Smaller...
TeliaSonera Launches One Number for Two Phones
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/150/16453?11228
TeliaSonera's Finnish unit, Sonera, has announced that it will
commence its Multi-SIM service from 1 February 2005. The service
allows a customer to use one mobile number on two phones, without
swapping SIM cards between phones. A company press release says
that the caller ID remains the same, irrespective of whether the
main...
Alltel Intros New Prepaid Service
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/150/16451?11228
Alltel is introducing a new prepaid wireless service that offers
an expanded phone selection, plans and features. The company
says the service is designed for customers "who want to customize
a wireless plan to their needs and tastes." "U personalized
prepaid is flexible, hip, user-friendly and built around what
customers want...
Ericsson Reports 52% Profit Boost
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/120/16449?11228
Ericsson, the world's leading wireless network manufacturer, has
announced 52% growth in earnings for the fourth quarter of 2005.
According to a company press release, net profit rose to 8.5
billion kroner (US$1.18 billion) from 5.6 billion kroner for the
same period in 2004. Its full-year net profit was up 39% to 24.3
billion kroner....
Customer Churn = MVNO Butter
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/120/16441?11228
Brand loyalty is rare among cellular subscribers, according to a
study released this morning by In-Stat/MDR -- a finding that
could have profound future implications for mobile virtual
network operators (MVNOs) targeting enterprise customers.
According to the new In-Stat survey, entitled "MVNOs: Current and
Planned Wireless Subscriber...
TIA Urges House To Mop Up DTV Bill
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/150/16439?11228
As the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes this week, the
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is imploring
federal lawmakers to pass the Senate-amended version of
deficit-reduction/-spending legislation as early as possible in
the hopes of mopping up details on the digital television (DTV)
transition bill. The deficit...
C&W Says Ciao to Caio
http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/120/16437?11228
Cable & Wireless plc (NYSE: CWP - message board) today showed how
tough it is for traditional telecom operators to revamp
themselves by announcing a corporate reorganization that sent its
share price plummeting by 15 percent. (See C&W Splits, Ditches
CEO.) Its latest move is to split its operations into two units
-- one for its...
Copyright (C) 2005 PricewaterhouseCoopers.