Chance to Design Unique Version of New V60i Mobile Phone
(Back to News Reports)

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced a new auction on the company's eBay store providing consumers the ability to design their own Motorola V60i -- an enhanced version of one of the nation's top selling phones, the Motorola V60. Each day for a month, beginning August 1, three phones will be placed for a three-day auction on the eBay marketplace at www.motorola.com/makemymoto . Approximately 100 phones will be auctioned off in total. Winning bidders will receive the exclusive opportunity to customize the exterior and interior of their phone, creating a mobile phone that best reflects their individual style and taste.

Consumers will choose from a rainbow of anodized aluminum covers for the front and back of the phone, as well as select from multiple designs for the front lens containing the Motorola V60i's exterior caller ID. Motorola will also personalize each handset with the winner's name and program the customer's phone book entries and date book reminders. All auction winners will receive a Vehicle Power adapter and one-touch headset as part of their exclusive package.

The Motorola V60i mobile phone builds upon the strengths of the original model V60 incorporating the same sleek design and adding three new embedded games, composable ring tones, calculator, expanded phonebook, along with five interchangeable anodized gloss and matte aluminum clamshell housings. Consumers who are not lucky enough to place a winning bid can purchase the new Motorola V60i with interchangeable faceplates at retail outlets later this summer.

The full range of communication features of the Motorola V60i includes SMS text messaging*, Internet access*, voice-activated dialing, external caller ID, date book, multi-language support, LED backlighting, conference calling and the ability to sync with most popular PIMs, PDAs and other wireless devices. Additionally, a variety of mobile accessories will also be available for purchase including a speakerphone attachment, MP3 Player, FM Radio Stereo Headset, retractable easy-install car kit and desktop charger.

For more information about Motorola V60i availability in your area, please visit www.motorola.com/v60i .

SOURCE Motorola Press Release Back to News Reports

UK regulator says calls-to-mobile charges too high
(Back to News Reports)

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) - Britain's competition watchdog ruled on Tuesday that charges for receiving calls on mobile phones were uncompetitive, and floated possible solutions condemned by the wireless industry as bad for future investment.

Though no final decision has to be made until next January, the Competition Commission said it was looking at ways to impose a price cap on mobile termination charges for all four British mobile network operators -- Orange SA , Vodafone Group Plc , T-Mobile and mmO2 Plc .

Industry regulator Oftel referred the issue to the commission earlier this year after operators objected to its proposed cuts, which would knock about four pence per minute off calls to mobiles over four years -- costing the operators an estimated 800 million pounds ($1.25 billion) a year.

Despite a very competitive retail market for mobile phones, Britain's competition body said call termination charges were not subject to effective competitive pressure and were unlikely to face any within the foreseeable future.

"This is because the (operators) are monopolists in relation to the supply of termination services on their own network," the commission said in a letter sent to the operators and Oftel.

Shares in mmO2 rose two percent in afternoon London trade, while Orange and Vodafone added around one percent.

Operators have said in the past the resulting fall in revenue from Oftel's proposed cuts would threaten their ability to invest in next generation mobile networks.

Orange said it was "disappointed" at the commission's comments, but noted that it had not reached any conclusion. "Orange will continue to discuss with the commission its views on the issues raised in this inquiry," a spokesman said. "In particular, to highlight to the commission our reasons for insisting that there is no need for regulation of the kind proposed by Oftel."

Vodafone declined to comment on Tuesday, while T-Mobile and O2 UK said they were still considering their response.

The commission also found that fixed-line network operators had been indirectly subsidising mobile operators because termination charges appeared to be set "well above" costs while regulation had driven fixed-line prices down to near-cost.

Cable & Wireless , one of Britain's leading fixed-line network operators, said it fully supported the commission's "interim view" that calls to mobile phones were too high.

"We look forward to the commission's final statement, which we now expect will result in termination charges being cut," C&W said. "Such a reduction would be a clear benefit to consumers and also stimulate usage, leading to much more growth."

A group of fixed-line operators, including C&W, COLT Telecom , Kingston Communications and Thus , said in December the lack of competition in termination charges led to "inefficiency and distortion" in UK network investment.

SOURCE Wireles Review Back to News Reports

SkyTower – telecommunications platform of the future (Back to News Reports)

24 July 2002 - In collaboration with the CRL/TAO divisions of the Japan Post & Telecommunications Ministry and NASA, SkyTower has successfully tested the world’s first digital high definition TV (HDTV) broadcast transmission from over 60,000 feet in the stratosphere. This is the first in a series of tests to be completed this summer over Kauai, Hawaii.

The next test will be IMT-2000 (third-generation) mobile services including video-phone calls and Internet surfing, using off-the-shelf NTT DoCoMo handsets which are similar in size to conventional cell phones. Future tests by SkyTower next year will demonstrate fixed broadband capabilities such as high-speed Internet access at user speeds of up to 50 Megabits/second or more.

AeroVironment has been flying solar-electric airplanes successfully for over two decades and is recognised as the world leader in the field.

AeroVironment's high-altitude unmanned solar-electric airplane development is jointly sponsored by NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. The aircraft developed under this program have proven the viability of solar-electric aircraft for high-altitude flight. Within two years, solar-electric airplanes incorporating energy storage for nighttime flight, will be capable of continuous flight for up to six months at a time at altitudes of 60,000 feet or more. Applications for such aircraft include telecommunications, remote sensing and atmospheric measurement.

AeroVironment has formed a new company, SkyTower Inc., to pursue high-potential telecommunications applications, such as fixed and mobile broadband internet access, enabled by AeroVironment's proprietary solar-electric aircraft technology. To learn more about SkyTower, please refer to www.skytowerglobal.com.

The first unmanned solar airplane developed under the NASA program, the Pathfinder, flew to 71,500 feet in 1997. A modified Pathfinder, known as Pathfinder-Plus, flew to 82,000 feet, higher than any other propeller-driven aircraft. This record flight was the 39th consecutive successful flight test of the Pathfinder platform.

Building on Pathfinder’s success, AeroVironment built a next-generation aircraft with a 206-foot wingspan, called the Centurion, which was test flown in 1998 at Edwards Air Force Base. The wingspan was then further extended to 247 feet, and the aircraft was renamed the Helios Prototype. The Helios Prototype, which successfully completed initial low altitude flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in 1999, was then equipped with high efficiency solar cells and underwent high-altitude flight testing in the summer of 2001 in Hawaii at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai. On August 13, 2001 on its second high altitude flight, Helios flew to 96,863 feet, shattering the world altitude record for both propeller and jet-powered aircraft (the SR-71 spy plane was the previous record holder, having flown to 85,068 feet in July 1976).

The commercial version of Helios, which is the ultimate evolution of the Pathfinder and Helios Prototype will incorporate a fuel cell energy storage systems to provide power for flying through the night. It will be capable of continuous flight for months at a time at altitudes of 50,000 to 70,000 feet. A full-size fuel cell and electrolyzer energy storage system for the Helios Prototype is now operating in AeroVironment's test facility. As part of the NASA ERAST program, a reduced weight version of this system will be integrated into the Helios aircraft to enable continuous multi-day flight operation.

SOURCE Aerovironment.com Press Release Back to News Reports

NTT DoCoMo to Establish Holding Company in London (Back to News Reports)

TOKYO, JAPAN, 24 July 2002 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that it will restructure its European subsidiaries to improve its effectiveness and to integrate the company's European operations, especially in regard to promoting its i-mode and 3G services.

The present London-based wholly owned subsidiary, DoCoMo Europe (UK) Ltd., will be changed to a holding company, named DoCoMo Europe Ltd., wholly owned by NTT DoCoMo, Inc. The other three existing subsidiaries in Europe will become wholly owned subsidiaries of this holding company. The restructure is scheduled for September 2002.

London-based DoCoMo Europe Ltd. will serve also as DoCoMo's European headquarters. It will promote i-mode and 3G services throughout Europe, working in cooperation with its three subsidiaries. DoCoMo Europe Ltd. will be responsible for PR/IR activities in Europe, and building connections with European companies. It will also provide technical support to DoCoMo's existing partners, as is done at present by DoCoMo Europe (UK) Ltd.

Mr. Kunihiko Adachi, the former president of DoCoMo's domestic subsidiary, NTT DoCoMo Tokai, Inc., will head DoCoMo Europe Ltd. as its Managing Director.

SOURCE NTT DoCoMo Press Release Back to News Reports

Yopy comes to Europe (Back to News Reports)

The Linux PDA finally arrives in localised European versions, after a long and difficult history. It may help bring Linux to a wider audience

Having survived a tumultuous development and rollout process, Yopy, which was arguably the first Linux PDA, has arrived in Europe.

The handheld, which was originally supposed to appear under the Samsung brand, existed as little more than a rumour during 2000 and 2001. In early 2002, when Samsung rolled out a Windows CE-based handheld, the Yopy project appeared to have dissolved. But at around this time, Yopy developer G.Mate began selling Yopy itself via its Korean Web site. Yopy is manufactured by Samsung Electro-Mechanics.

Since then, Yopy has ceded the handheld Linux spotlight to the high-profile Zaurus SL-5500, Sharp's bid to re-enter the US PDA market.

Now, however, G.Mate is getting European support for its Yopy distribution efforts, as sites in France and Austria have sprung up to sell the device to local users. Tuxmedia, a French start-up launched by Yopy and Linux enthusiasts, will sell the device for 500 euros exc. VAT. The Austrian site, yopy.at, sells the PDA for 559 euros for an English edition and 609 euros for a German-language version.

Tuxmedia is targeting French users, but the devices it is selling use Yopy's English-language operating system and keyboard, and the company can ship to the UK on demand. The company hopes to be selling Yopy in French retail outlets by the end of this year.

Tuxmedia says it will offer French-language applications for Yopy directly from its Web site beginning this summer. Tuxmedia suggested it would be porting some desktop Linux applications to G.Mate's Linupy distribution of Linux. "Generic Linux applications can be easily ported to the Yopy within a couple of hours, sometimes less," the company said in a statement.

Applications already on Yopy include a personal information manager, Web browser, MP3 player and notepad. Yopy synchronises with Outlook and Lotus Notes, the company said.

Tuxmedia said it would initially be marketing the PDA to programmers, Linux enthusiasts and those curious about open source.

Yopy is based on a 206MHz StrongARM processor from Intel, the standard in Microsoft's Pocket PC devices until recently. It uses a 3.5-inch, 240 x 320, 16-bit colour display. The clamshell case measures 101.6mm x 68.58mm x 15.24mm and weighs 168 grams.

The battery last 16 hours with normal use, but to achieve this the screen has no backlight -- a decision that takes after Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. Input-output ports include serial, USB, infrared and a MMC (multimedia card) slot.

One of the device's more unusual features is its keyboard, which uses a standard Qwerty layout, but divides the keyboard into two halves that are placed one over the other, rather than side by side. The layout may be easier to use, because it allows the keys to be larger.

Linux has begun to make its way into a range of new PDAs from manufacturers as diverse as Sharp, Samsung and Royal Consumer Information Products -- which has announced a low-cost device to be offered alongside Royal's shredders and laminators. Because the operating system is developed on an open-source model, requiring the code and its improvements to be freely available to any developer, devices based on Linux can be much cheaper to make than those which must license an operating system.

Linux also has the advantage that it can scale up to the server level, where it has become popular for serving Web pages. It is seen as one of the main potential competitors to Windows on all platforms.

Yopy was one of the first Linux PDAs to be announced, and development devices shipped last year. However, since the developer model shipped the device was redesigned into its current clamshell form.

G.Mate began taking orders for Yopy late last year, after a long wait. The company said it hopes to begin selling Yopy through retail channels in the US and elsewhere this year.

SOURCE ZDNet UK News Back to News Reports

Nokia sets date for 3G phone launch (Back to News Reports)

20 July2002 - Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is to unveil its first 3G phone in September, according to the company. The device will not go on sale until next year, though.

Nokia set the date on Thursday, when it also released its second-quarter financial results. Jorma Ollila, chairman and chief executive of Nokia, said that several other big product launches were scheduled to take place before the end of the year.

"Nokia is preparing for a string of new product launches for the remainder of the year, including a major step in September with the introduction of our first dual-mode WCDMA/GSM phone," said Ollila.

Few precise details about the product are yet available, but it will work on existing GSM networks as well as the forthcoming high-speed third-generation networks that should go live in the UK by the end of this year. A colour screen should allow users to view video clips and picture emails, and surf the Internet at high speeds.

However, Ollila said that the 3G handset would not go on sale until early 2003, reflecting the fact that only one UK 3G licence-holder -- Hutchison 3G -- is expected to launch its 3G network in 2002.

Nokia has already released several new handsets in 2002, including the Nokia 7650 -- a Symbian-based phone that includes PDA and digital camera functionality. According to Ollila, the initial feedback from customers has been "extremely positive".

SOURCE ZDNet UK News Back to News Reports

Wi-Fi to arrive at UK's railway stations (Back to News Reports)

19 July 2002 - Railtrack is to try its hand running a different type of network, with a new deal to create 15 Wi-Fi hot spots at some of Britain's busiest stations

Laptop and PDA users will soon be offered wireless high-speed Internet access at 15 of Britain's major railway stations.

Megabeam, a European wireless ISP, said on Monday it has reached agreement with Railtrack -- which currently owns the UK's railway infrastructure -- to install Wi-Fi hot spots based on 802.11b at nine London terminals and six regional stations.

The service will be targeted at business customers who need access to corporate information and the Internet while traveling in the UK. It follows a trial at Paddington station, in which Megabeam worked with Intel to build and test a Wi-Fi hot spot based on 802.11b.

The 15 stations involved in the trial are Waterloo, Kings Cross, Euston, Paddington, Victoria, London Bridge, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, Charing Cross, Gatwick, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds Central, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley. According to Railtrack, some 650 million customers use these stations each year.

Megabeam already operates Wi-Fi hot spots at 20 locations throughout Europe, including Rome airport and Milan airport. According to Megabeam, 20 companies have already signed up to its service. Cisco Systems is also setting up hot spots in airports across Europe.

BT has already announced ambitious plans for Wi-Fi in the UK. It is trialling several hot spots ahead of a commercial launch of its BT Openzone service, due in August. By summer 2003 it plans to have built at least 400 hot spots in locations such as hotels, shopping centres and coffee shops.

There has been concern that BT would effectively monopolise the UK's Wi-Fi market, but Megabeam's tie-up with Railtrack indicates that BT could face stiff competition.

SOURCE ZDNet UK News Back to News Reports