In Brief

A Homeland Security Task Force is the newest committee formed by the Wireless Communications Association (WCA). Operating as a sub-group of WCA's Engineering Committee, it will look into security standards and innovations for fixed-wireless devices, and promote fixed wireless as an option for increased homeland security.

Most buildings today rely on a single (RBOC) carrier and one route of entry and exit for local telephone service, said Mark Ratchford, WCA director of industry affairs. Fixed wireless could offer a physically diverse route into and out of buildings for redundancy. It also provides a quickly deployed link in emergencies.

Gary Smith, WorldCom Broadband Solutions engineer, heads the committee.

The FCC approved Cingular's request to have up to 1.5MHz of 900MHz specialized mobile radio spectrum used by Cingular Interactive excluded from Cingular's spectrum cap. The carrier argued that with the data-network spectrum included, it could not obtain a second 10MHz broadband PCS license in non-rural markets where it already has spectrum.

Bell Mobility subscribers now can give their final answers. The carrier has partnered with ABC.com to offer the wireless version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Bell Mobility has eight gaming partners, and approximately 40% of its wireless-Internet traffic goes to gaming or entertainment sites.

CenturyTel's wireless revenues declined 4% in 3Q01, to $115.4 million compared with $120.2 million in 3Q00. The carrier's EBITDA decreased 10.4%, operating income fell 16.2%, and roaming revenue was down 20.8%. CenturyTel added 14,700 subscribers in the quarter, bringing the carrier's total base to 794,664 subscribers in its majority-owned markets.