this issue>wireless

Wireless in Brief

ESPN Mobile and Brightpoint North America L.P. have reached an agreement calling for Brightpoint to provide ESPN Mobile with a full range of integrated logistics services such as inventory management, custom packaging, reverse logistics, and fulfillment services enabling ESPN Mobile to deliver their wireless devices to its customers in North America.
Brightpoint – www.brightpoint.com

Sprint and Nextel Communications Inc. have received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for the companies’ pending merger transaction. This completes all required regulatory approvals for the merger, and the companies expect to close the merger shortly. The proposed merger-of-equals between Sprint and Nextel was announced on Dec. 15, 2004 with a commitment to create Sprint Nextel -- a leading communications provider that will offer a comprehensive range of innovative wireless and wireline products and services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel common stock will trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “S.”
Sprint – www.sprint.com
Nextel – www.nextel.com

Court TV has inked a deal with mobile video provider SmartVideo, which provides live, full motion TV to cellular phones. The deal will provide four kinds of content on four different channels on this subscriber-based service. Viewers will have access to Court TV News’ content live from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Video-On-Demand of Court TV’s Seriously Entertaining primetime programming, access to online content including web clips and trial coverage, and the live network feed directly from the satellite. This deal is a key component to reaching a younger demographic, which is one of the networks new re-branding goals.
SmartVideo – www.smartvideo.com
Court TV – www.courttv.com

Alltel has completed its $6.5 billion merger with Western Wireless Corporation, further expanding its 850 MHz wireless business to serve 10 million domestic customers in 34 states. The merger increases Alltel’s wireless revenue mix to nearly 70 percent and expands the company’s wireless operations into nine new states. In aggregate, Alltel will issue approximately 54.3 million shares of common stock and pay $933.4 million in cash for Western Wireless. Alltel also will assume estimated net debt of $2.1 billion.
Alltel – www.alltel.com

Stratos Global Corp., a provider of Inmarsat mobile satellite services, and SMS Global, Ltd., have introduced SMSCrewMail, a new prepaid short message system (SMS) and text e-mail service for maritime crewmembers seeking a cost-effective way to stay in touch with family and friends while at sea. If the phone receiving an SMS message is powered off or out of range, messages are stored in the network and are delivered at the next opportunity. SMSCrewMail also allows maritime crews to send text e-mails up to 460 characters.
Stratos – www.stratosglobal.com