Sprint to Launch Music Download Service: Personal Tech Pipeline, 8/17
The newly-merged Sprint Nextel will launch a mobile music download service before the end of the year, the company told the Reuters news service Tuesday. The company's chief operating officer, Len Lauer, indicated that the company could charge $2 per downloaded song. That's twice as much as Apple's iTunes service charges. In addition, subscription services such as those from Napster and Yahoo! are available that enable virtually unlimited downloads for a fixed amount per month. "Customers are paying $2 for a shortened version of a song for a ringtone," Lauer told Reuters. "Will they pay the same for a full song, having the convenience of having it on (a cellphone)? I think they will."
http://www.personaltechpipeline.com/players/169300265
http://www.personaltechpipeline.com/players/169300265
# of Internet Phone Subscribers Soars: Herald Sun, 8/17
The number of consumers bypassing the traditional phone network and opting for Internet voice service is soaring beyond expectations. An analysis by the TeleGeography research group found 2.7 million subscribers nationwide in the second quarter, compared with just 440,000 a year earlier. The technology, known as Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, requires a broadband Internet line but generally offers inexpensive calling plans and novel features such as the ability to manage voice mail on a Web page.
http://www.herald-sun.com/business/21-637472.html
Sprint Nextel Braces for Affiliate Fight: WSJ, 8/18
Newly merged Sprint Nextel Corp. is gearing up for a bitter fight with an affiliated wireless operator that intends to exercise its right to make Sprint Nextel buy it out for billions of dollars. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday Sprint Nextel began building a case for paying far less for the nearly 69% of Nextel Partners Inc. that it doesn't already own than the affiliate and some investors might expect. Nextel Partners, based in Kirkland, Wash., has a market capitalization of $7.1 billion and some investors have been expecting a premium on top of the current share price. Under an agreement originally signed with Nextel, Nextel Partners has an option that gives it the right to force Sprint Nextel to buy it out. Nextel Partners, a so-called affiliate operator of Nextel, provides wireless service to 1.8 million customers in smaller cities and towns using Nextel's brand name and airwaves.
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112429808949315728,00.html?mod=home_whats_news_us
Brightpoint Wins Cingular Deal: Wireless Week, 8/17
Brightpoint has scored another win. The distributor says its Wireless Fulfillment Services subsidiary has been designated a master agent for provisioning Cingular Wireless products and services to enterprises and small/medium businesses. The deal means Brightpoint will market Cingular's products and services to value added resellers (VARs) and systems integrators, allowing them to select from Brightpoint's catalog of wireless devices, voice and data plans, wireless accessories and mobile content. The VAR or system integrator can then provide its customers with bundled wireless solutions.
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA635691.html
Events
Growing Your Small Business;Raleigh, 8/31 6 PM
http://www.herald-sun.com/business/21-637472.html
Sprint Nextel Braces for Affiliate Fight: WSJ, 8/18
Newly merged Sprint Nextel Corp. is gearing up for a bitter fight with an affiliated wireless operator that intends to exercise its right to make Sprint Nextel buy it out for billions of dollars. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday Sprint Nextel began building a case for paying far less for the nearly 69% of Nextel Partners Inc. that it doesn't already own than the affiliate and some investors might expect. Nextel Partners, based in Kirkland, Wash., has a market capitalization of $7.1 billion and some investors have been expecting a premium on top of the current share price. Under an agreement originally signed with Nextel, Nextel Partners has an option that gives it the right to force Sprint Nextel to buy it out. Nextel Partners, a so-called affiliate operator of Nextel, provides wireless service to 1.8 million customers in smaller cities and towns using Nextel's brand name and airwaves.
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112429808949315728,00.html?mod=home_whats_news_us
Brightpoint Wins Cingular Deal: Wireless Week, 8/17
Brightpoint has scored another win. The distributor says its Wireless Fulfillment Services subsidiary has been designated a master agent for provisioning Cingular Wireless products and services to enterprises and small/medium businesses. The deal means Brightpoint will market Cingular's products and services to value added resellers (VARs) and systems integrators, allowing them to select from Brightpoint's catalog of wireless devices, voice and data plans, wireless accessories and mobile content. The VAR or system integrator can then provide its customers with bundled wireless solutions.
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA635691.html
Events
Growing Your Small Business;Raleigh, 8/31 6 PM
Do you have a successful small business? Are you headed into the next phase of growth, unsure of which path to take? Have you thought about franchising your concept? Kim Bayless, an attorney with Poyner & Spruill LLP, will answer those questions and point out other items you should consider, at this free seminar. You may pre-register by calling (919) 783-1120 or by e-mailing your name, address, and phone number to jspivey@poynerspruill.com.