#TBT: music downloads are hot; Mobile television moves; China braces for a domestic handset boom…this week in 2006

Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News is pulling out all the stops for Throwback Thursdays, drawing from our archives to resurrect top headlines from the past. Turn on the time machine, put on the sepia hues, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!

Verizon adds full music downloads to VCast

Verizon Wireless is set to make headlines again at the International Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, unveiling a comprehensive mobile music download service. The carrier, which launched its Vcast offering at CES last year, is looking to expand the service with a dual-download service that delivers tracks to both PCs and mobile phones. Verizon has scheduled a Thursday morning press conference with CEO Denny Strigl and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and will host a reception that evening at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with live music from Maroon 5 and Yellowcard. While company officials declined to discuss specifics, spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said Verizon would unveil “a revolutionary step in wireless entertainment” at the show. Sprint Nextel Corp. launched the first comprehensive service for wireless users in November; Verizon appears to be the second US carrier to offer full song downloads. … Read more

Amp’d Mobile MVNO targets music lovers

If Amp’d Mobile Inc.’s low-cost full-featured music download service was designed to grab attention, it works. The recently launched mobile virtual network operator made headlines a few weeks ago when it said it would match the price of Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes service, selling full songs for 99 cents per download. . The announcement was a jab at the front of Sprint Nextel Corp., which offers chunks at the potentially prohibitive price of $2.50 each, and a preemptive strike against other U.S. carriers that have yet to roll out services. complete. But whether Amp’d’s opening volley signals the start of a long-term strategy or just a publicity stunt remains to be seen. The company, which declined interview requests from RCR Wireless News for this story, said it would stick to 99-cent downloads to compete with Apple, even though it is losing around 25 cents per transaction to homes. discs. The operator comes out of the gate with an impressive music portfolio: EMI Group, Warner Music Group and Vivendi Universal’s Universal Music Group have all reportedly signed on, leaving Sony BMG – which reportedly balked at Amp’d’s pricing structure – as the only major label on the sidelines. … Read more

Crown Castle subsidiary plans mobile TV network

HOUSTON-Crown Castle International Corp.’s subsidiary, Crown Castle Mobile Media LLC, said it plans to use its tower network and unencumbered spectrum rights to launch live mobile TV in the world’s top 30 markets. country. The company also said it plans to provide video and audio services to a wide range of mobile devices, including cars. Along with the new offerings, Crown Castle Mobile Media has also announced that it is changing its name to Modeo LLC. 2007. Modeo said its portable digital video streaming mobile broadcast network can provide live video and audio channels and will allow subscribers to download dozens of video podcasts and hundreds of audio podcasts to their mobile devices on a weekly basis . “Our marketing campaign, ‘Modeo: For the Love of Television’, emphasizes our goal of providing a fun, easy-to-use service that delivers popular news, sports, music and entertainment on a wide range of mobile devices, including cell phones, laptops, portable media players, personal digital assistants and more,” said Michael Schueppert, president of Modeo. Verizon Wireless recently announced plans to use the exclusive MediaFlo mobile TV offer from Qualcomm Inc. … Read more

San Francisco calls for tenders for a Wi-Fi network

After collecting and reviewing 26 industry proposals and nearly 300 public comments in a series of RFIs for a citywide Wi-Fi network, San Francisco has released an official RFP for the project on December 22. In a statement, the city said it intended to select a proposal and begin negotiations in early 2006. The city explained that issuing the request for proposals begins a 60-day process to determine how the city plans to get affordable wireless broadband across its borders for its approximately 750,000 residents. “We are committed to bringing universal and affordable wireless high-speed Internet access to all San Francisco residents and businesses, and today we are one step closer to achieving that commitment,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. The statement also explained that the RFP sets out the specifications for the broadband network, addressing issues such as the network’s business model and services; coverage area; open access policies; network infrastructure; customer service; security and confidentiality; as well as the contributions the network provider will make regarding other important elements of the city’s technology strategy. … Read more

Consumer electronics sales hit a new high

ARLINGTON, Va.-Factory sales of consumer electronics will hit a new high of $135.4 billion this year in the United States, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, with wireless handset sales accounting for $16 billion of this number. Last year, the CEA said US consumers purchased some 104 million wireless handsets worth a total of $13.5 billion. “The numbers say it all: the consumer electronics industry is booming,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “Sales exceeded our expectations in 2005, totaling $125.9 billion, and we expect 8% growth in 2006. Consumer electronics sales are growing steadily, breaking records every year, as our industry continues to evolve. to provide products that consumers love and can’t live without.… Read More

China poised for 3G handset boom

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As China continues to export growing numbers of cellphones, new research also shows the country’s domestic market is poised to explode. According to electronics research firm iSuppli Corp., China exported 45.5 million mobile phones during the third quarter, an increase of 26.1 percent from the 36.1 million units exported during the past quarter. second trimester. The number of manufacturers in China is also on the rise, with 15 new companies receiving government approval to manufacture and sell handsets in China. About 40 companies previously held licenses to sell phones in the country. However, iSuppli said some of the newly licensed manufacturers are likely to fail, while others are not considered serious players. Unlike most countries, China licenses handset makers. Meanwhile, iSuppli said that wireless will contribute significantly to China’s economic growth in the near future, especially as third-generation licenses are expected to be issued in 2006. … Read more

Motorola teams up with Kodak for a camera phone imaging and printing

LAS VEGAS-Motorola Inc. announced a broad agreement with camera company Eastman Kodak Co. that calls for the two players to collaborate on mobile imaging and printing. Specifically, Motorola announced that it will use Kodak’s CMOS sensors in its future camera phones and will include software in its phones that support Kodak’s various imaging programs and services. “It’s a natural partnership,” said Ed Zander, President and CEO of Motorla. “By working together to simplify and improve the quality of virtually every aspect of developing and delivering the mobile imaging experience, we will be able to bring new value and revenue opportunities to our carrier customers while Helping consumers by seamlessly releasing billions of photos stuck inside camera phones Motorola said it will install software in its new camera phones that will allow users to interact with printers Kodak domestic, retail kiosks and the Kodak Easyshare Gallery.… Read More

Check out the RCR Wireless News Archive for more stories from the past.