Signal:noise

Finding Fido

Thanks to a new offering from Location Based Technologies, pet owners may find it easier to heed advice to “neuter, spay, don’t let them stray.” PocketFinder Pets is a small GPS device that attaches to an animal’s collar, enabling owners to pinpoint a pet’s location via PC, cell phone or other browser-equipped device. It also can send an alarm if the pet leaves a prescribed area. Should cut down on the number of doggy paternity suits the TV judges have to mediate.

Does he speak for all wireless operators?

“We want to encourage the inclusion or merging of WiMAX into [long-term evolution]. The issue is sharing valuable R&D engineering; we can’t afford to make this split.”
— Arun Sarin, CEO of Vodafone, addressing the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 12.

1099

That’s how many licenses of valuable 700 MHz spectrum the FCC sought to sell in its auction that commenced earlier this year. Read our ongoing coverage — including why Google is happy no matter who gets the licenses — at telephonyonline.com/wireless.

Tipping Point

Here’s some news that could turn the tables on intracorporate rivalries. Wireless service revenues will surpass landline revenues in 2009 and exceed them by more than 25% by 2011, according to a new forecast from the Telecommunications Industry Association. What was it Mom and Dad said about being nice to the people you meet on the way up — something about them being the same people you meet on the way down?