Mobile Systems Researcher (Portland, OR)

Company: Volt Technical Resources
Job Title: Mobile Systems Researcher
Location: Portland, OR
Contact: Anthony Miller - amiller@volt.com

Our client is seeking a strong individual contributor to join our pioneering team in developing new wireless protocols and technologies for future mobile systems.

Major responsibilities of the position include:
Development of novel concepts and technologies that require in-depth understanding of communications systems, especially MAC and Layers 2-4 and detailed design with supporting analysis.

Ability to critique proposed standards submissions for technical merit.

Ability to prepare, present and successfully promote standards submissions to bodies such as 3GPP.

Development of high-value intellectual property and patent applications.

Demonstrated success working in a team-based environment.

Must have skills include:
Masters (PhD preferred) in a related field, with outstanding R&D credentials, along with the following:

Strong research background in wireless networking, with emphasis on protocols

Solid understanding of MAC protocols, Link Layer, TCP/IP, QoS and cross layer design

Ability to synthesize new patentable concepts

Motivated and flexible self starter with strong demonstrated communications skills

This is a fulltime contract position located in the Great Northwest in the Portland Oregon area.

To submit your resume, please email amiller@volt.com

Wireless Applications Architect (Alpharetta, GA)

Company: Cox Communications
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Job Title: Wireless Applications Architect
Contact: Trevor Harding: trevor.harding@cox.com

Wireless Applications Architect

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The ideal candidate will be responsible for the architectural design of various applications as well as working with the development teams to ensure architectural consistency across a variety of projects that would enable the Cox Communications wireless product. Applications would include: customer facing, system abstraction and back office.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Design of J2EE, J2ME applications and relational database models for the wireless product.

The candidate will work with various cross-organizational teams of developers on a variety of projects relating to the wireless product.
- Work with lead developers and development management to design and implement various products based on business and technical requirements.
- Oversee development standards and the software development lifecycle.
- Participate in standards bodies.
- Ability to design and articulate new directions relating to IT infrastructures in support of wireless initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:
- Seven to ten years J2EE experience
- Seven to ten years J2ME experience
- Seven to ten years experience in data modeling
- Ability to define and articulate style standards
- Work independently with development teams on multiple inter-related projects
- Five to seven years experience working in Unix environments, preferably Solaris
- Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of GoF and J2EE Design Patterns
- Deep subject matter expertise with the entire software development lifecycle
- Deep subject matter experience working with Jakarta products such as Ant, Log4j, STRUTS, Common taglibs, Xerces and Xalan
- Demonstrated UML modeling techniques
- Excellent communication and peoples skills required
- Masters degree or combination of undergraduate degree and equivalent work experience required

The Failed Job Interview

RecruitingBlogs.com: Best Recruiting Blogs of 2007

RecruitingBlogs.com has launched the 2007 Best Recruiting Blog Awards, and my WirelessJobs.com site has been nominated.

But really, there's some incredible blogs represented here, so if I don't win the grand prize (a trip to Vegas, sponsored by ZoomInfo.com) I won't be too disappointed.

Below is a final list of all of the Best Recruiting Blogs of 2007 that have been nominated.

Good luck to the bloggers, and a big thanks to RecruitingBlogs.com (Jason Davis) for pulling this together.

Gautam Ghosh
Your HR Guy
Recruiting Animal
The Chad
Instigator Blog
CollegeRecruiter Blog
CollegeRecruiter.com Insights by Employers Blog
Marketing Headhunter
Xtra Cheezhead
Sourcing Corner
Jeremy Langhans
Jobmatchbox
Secrets Of The Job Hunt
Good To Know
Diggings
Staffing Software Talk
HR Search Marketing
The Hire Sense
MNheadhunter
Hiring Revolution
Wired & Hired
Digital Recruiter
Digital Recruiting
Cheezhead
Jim Stroud
Talent In China
Six Degrees From Dave
CyberSleuthing
Job Search Marketing
Recruitomatic
Guerrilla Marketing For Job Hunters
Career Hub
Career Waymark
Penelope Trunk
JibberJobber
WirelessJobs.com
Utah Tech Jobs
Executive Restaurant Recruiter
Sitting Xlegged
Neil Hernandez
Recruiting Edge
HRM Direct
Systematic HR
Workfarce
Social Median
One Louder
I, Donato
Checkster Blog
SalesRepRecruiter
Amybeth Hale Blog

Application Developer (Wireless) - Madison, WI

A large wireless/telecom client in Madison, WI is searching for an Application Developer to join their development.

Face it...the wireless business is cool. And growing like crazy. And they need top developers to keeping pushing the envelope and developing applications that make the wireless junkies go wild.

Hard to resist, eh?

If you want to be part of this wireless craziness, and you've got a year or two of development experience, email me: smithtx@gmail.com (App Developer in subject line).

Look forward to talking,

Dennis Smith
Director, Talent Strategy
WorldLink, Inc.
Editor, WirelessJobs.com


*Here's the full techie lowdown on the skills:

Software Engineering: C, PL-SQL, SQL Plus, K Shell

eSkills: HTML/CSS, Java/JSP, J2EE, XML

Databases: Oracle

Senior RF / PA Device Design Engineer (Austin, TX)

Job Title: Senior RF/PA Device Design Engineer
Location: Austin, TX
Compensation: Very competitive, based on experience, and full benefits
How to apply: email Dennis@WorldLink-US.com

Heavily funded company in Austin, Texas is set to bring it's breakthrough technology products to market in 2008, which will optimize costs for wireless OEM's by digitizing RF signals and amplifying them in the digital domain.

They are searching for a Senior RF / PA Device Design Engineer to lead growing team responsible for IC Circuit Design of high power and high frequency RF power devices (transistors).

Requirements:
MSEE + 10 years (or equivalent) RF / MMIC semiconductor circuit design
experience.

Proven experience in MMIC device design in LDMOS or GaAs.

Device power levels of at least 2 watts and operating frequencies of 900MHz
or higher.

Solid working knowledge of associated semiconductor process engineering.

Familiar with semiconductor device failure analysis techniques.

Knowledge of high frequency and high reliability semiconductor packaging.

Knowledge of applicable air interface standards - e.g. IS95 CDMA, W-CDMA.

Skilled in RF measurement techniques such as - IP3, 1dB compression, ACPR,
EVM, etc. and using RF development tools such as ADS.

Proven record of several completed RF device designs from implementation
through production.

Experience in engineering validation, testing, and debugging. 

WinMobile Application Developer - Mountain View, CA

WinMobile Application Developer 
Location: Mountain View, Ca
Email Resume to:  dennis@worldlink-us.com
Subject line:  WinMobile App Dev

Venture-backed startup is out to change the world. Sure, lots of people make
that claim, but they mean it. Their mission is to fundamentally alter the way
people use their mobile devices. They will be moving to downtown Mountain
View with great access to public transport, food and lively fun.

Skills: Win Mobile(5 or 6), OOD, Visual Studio 2005, Visual C++

Job Description:
This is a terrific opportunity to participate in the development of an application
platform to deliver rich media web services to millions of mobile customers.

Job Responsibility:
1.Design and develop cross platform mobile application to support Windows
Mobile.

2.Collaborate with external teams to port the application layers to various
devices and other open mobile operating systems

3.Utilize and evangelize best of breed programming techniques including
design patterns, re-usable and modular development

Required Skills:
Demonstrated track record of developing, shipping and supporting
application/services on mobile devices

Demonstrated and consistent track record as a significant contributor through
the development career

Ability to quickly master new technologies and push the envelope for
performance and reliability

Defensive coding ability accompanies with strong analytical and problem
solving skills

In-depth debugging skills; ability to reach out and use team strengths to
solve problems

Good sense of humor and can-do spirit

Required Experience:
3-5 years experience in mobile application development in C++ on Windows
Mobile platform. Demonstrable use of object oriented development, application
frameworks, memory management, file I/O, network & socket programming,
concurrency and multi-threading. Experience with Industry standards and device
porting knowledge is very desirable.

Education:
BS/MS in Computer Science, Engineering or relevant discipline and experience

Rich UI Engineer (Contract) - Dallas, TX

Rich UI Engineer - Dallas, TX (Contract)

Self-driven person with good software architecture background in C/C++, COM, .NET, or JAVA-middleware and/or UI frameworks. The perfect candidate will have Browser framework experience (Mozilla for example)

Experience required:

Strong C/C++ background;

Microsoft COM (Component Object Model) and/or CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture);

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

ECMA (Java Script)

Record of architecting and/or leading middleware projects based on the technologies above;

Frosting on the cake:

XUL (XML User-interface Language)

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

XBL (XML binding language)

RDF (Resource Description Framework)

JAVA

Embedded devices experience

Interested? Please forward your resume to Dennis@WorldLink-US.com

T-Mobile Jobs - the recruiter's chat

T-mobile Jobs - the recruiters chat

Listen to the recruiters of T-Mobile’s Engineering/Operations team discuss their jobs and find out from them why T-Mobile is a great place to work. You’ll hear regional recruiters Dennis Smith, Jen Hinkle, Ryan Pothoven, Mattea Cirrincionne, Kristen Kunath & Sherri Howe. Some of the jobs discussed are RF Engineers, Field Technicians , Real Estate & Zoning Manager and Construction Manager. To apply visit tmobile.com/jobs

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RF Plasma Generators offer power levels up to 1,250 W

News Story:

Housed in half rack package, the XX Series RF Plasma Generator can be controlled manually or via computer-controlled, rear panel analog or digital interfaces.

RF stability of output power circuitry gives user control accuracies down to 1 W scales. Featuring ac inputs with Power Factor Correction, generators meet Safety Standards EN/UL 61010-1.

Multiple units can be installed side by side in any enclosure or 19 in. equipment rack.

source: ThomasNet.com

PNA VNAs Add Embedded LO Capability

Agilent Technologies has announced the availability of an embedded local oscillator (LO) measurement capability for its PNA Series of vector network analyzers (VNAs). This arms the VNAs with the ability to test frequency converters and mixers without having to directly access a common reference signal.

Results for the embedded LO measurement capability essentially match those from phase locking two independent LO sources. On measurements performed on a Ka-band satellite communications frequency converter, for example, delay accuracy as small as 125 ps has been measured.

For more information on the embedded LO measurement capability, visit Agilent Technologies.

source: Microwaves & RF

Sr. MMS Engineer (Snoqualmie, WA) - $1,000 Referral Bonus!

Not only is Jodi Lovegrove the T-Mobile Recruiter with the coolest last name, she's also the one responsible for the nationwide recruiting activity that supports our National Engineering Operations team.

Wow, it's hard to say all that in one small breath.

Anyway, Jodi just opened an H3 campaign for one of her positions:

Sr. MMS Engineer, Snoqualmie, WA

If you are interested in this position, or, know somebody who is, please access Jodi's campaign by following the link HERE.

Please note: all T-Mobile Employees will follow the standard process (Employee Referral Program) for referring candidates. And, yes, they'll still get their big chunk of change if we make the hire.

However, everybody else can use Jodi's H3 campaign to refer someone for the job.

Did I just hear somebody say,

"Hey, what's in it for me?"

Well, if you refer the candidate that gets the job, Jodi's got a $1,000 dollar bill with your picture on it. And Jodi loves to give away money

So, c'mon, let's make Lovegrove happy,

Click on the campaign and let's get crankin'!

The Scoop On Cellphones

The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Soyia Ellison says there's so many flavors of cellphones available for the mobile connoisseur, that Baskin Robbin's should be ashamed for only offering up 31 flavors.

Want a phone to call home from the grocery store and ask your wife if you're out of milk? You got it.

Want one that'll capture video of that amazing back flip your cat does off the kitchen table when she thinks no one is looking? You got it.

Want a cellphone that will let you sync your home and work e-mail — and view it all on one tiny screen? You can have that, too.

Check out Soyia Ellison's AJC article HERE to see which phone she says is like

"Coffee (Ice Cream) with Chocolate Chunks!"

Taking Wireless to the WiMax

Sprint Nextel to launch network in Chicago that will offer Internet on the go with broadband-like speed

From the Chicago Tribune:

With the digital age increasingly going wireless, Chicago soon will become one of the first cities in the country to have access to the next generation of computer communication, in which people will keep connected to the Internet wherever they go.

The new network, constructed by Motorola Inc., will be operated by Sprint Nextel Corp. and will envelop the region in a digital signal as powerful as the broadband service used by many homes and businesses.

Get the complete read HERE.

HOT JOBS: Director, Engineering - RF (Parsippany, NJ) T-Mobile

Director, Engineering - RF

Manage a regional team that consists of the following core functions:

Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP), BSS Engineering, Capacity Planning, Data Engineering and TDOA.

The job duties include but are not limited to:

Frequency Planning, BSC/TCU/PCUSN dimensioning and forecasting, Radio Access Capacity planning, New technology rollouts, TDOA Administration including Network dimensioning, New deployments and KPI monitoring.

Director will play a key role in developing and managing regional markets network performance and KPI targets, serving as the subject matter experts to the local markets.

Requirements:
High level of competency in all aspects of Radio Network Design and optimization. Includes but not limited to: Antenna theory, GSM Call processing, RF propagation theory, Field based measurement systems and interpretation, understanding of GSM Radio based call statistics such as dropped calls, BER, and Handover.

The candidate must posses a strong financial understanding, be able to create and manage departmental budgets, prepare and adjudicate business cases, as well as manage large technical projects.

This candidate will have strong leadership skills, with the ability to conceive, communicate, and implement design and operation concepts that improve the performance of the network and the efficiency of the RF teams.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, BSEE is preferred.

8+ years Cellular/PCS industry experience.

5+ years RF Management experience in heading a team of engineers and/or technicians.

Hands on experience with GSM technology strongly preferred.

Please send your resume to Dennis @ wirelessheadhunter@gmail.com.

The Father of Wireless (and Wireless Jobs)

Martin Cooper. Just an average genius working for the man at Motorola .

But on April 3, 1973, Dr. Martin Cooper placed a call to rival Joel Engel, head of research at AT&T's Bell Labs, while walking the streets of New York City talking on the first Motorola DynaTAC prototype.

And so the levers of cell phone obsession began to turn.

10 years later, the Brick was born, and those who had the cash dropped almost $4,000 for the 10-inch, 28-ounce anchor created by Coop and his team of engineers at Moto.

The differences between Cooper's Brick and today's phone? Can you say, calendar, calculator, alarm clock, gps, video, web browser, and MP3 Player?

Dahl's article offers up a bit of history that I find seriously amusing:

Analysts in 1983 predicted that by 2000, there would be 900,000 wireless users in the United States.

Reality?

There were more than 100 million wireless users by the end of 2000, and 229 million at the end of last year. My family alone accounts for four of the 229 million (I'll be adding three more in the not-to-distant future).

Yes, my Blackberry is never far from reach. I exchange text messages with my team late at night and early in the morning (cut it out, Jen!) ; )

On the chance that I've misplaced it (along with my keys), I'm irritated 'til it's safely back in my front pocket.

I glance at my messages while driving to work (just kidding, Mr. State Farm Insurance Man!). I send my wife and children secret messages throughout the day. I am always connected.

Geez, thanks Mr. Cooper. No, really, thanks! We complain about being overly-connected, but if we're honest, most of us wouldn't have it any other way.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying it's healthy. But it's our reality (and I like it).

Reality also says that about one-fourth of all wireless calls have at least one problem (2006 study by J.D. Power and Associates). Whether it's dropped calls, disconnected calls, static, or interference, the problems exist. And if we're grumpy when we can't find our Blackberry, we're even grumpier when we drop a call.

Why?

Because we can't stand not being connected! Like I said, I'm not proud of this particular mental illness, but I'm not about to change. Even if that means I have to crawl on my roof line at midnight in the middle of a thunder storm, I'm going to make that phone call, by golly!

Even the Father of Wireless (Cooper) agrees with us. He's now 79 years old, owns six cell phones, carries three and pays the bills for 20. He was even talking on his cell phone for his interview with Dahl, explaining that he understands our obsession, our need, to have a signal:

"When you've got that phone, you feel connected, you feel part of a group,"

says Cooper.

"Who's the group? It's everyone in the world, on your cell phone."

Yep, Dr. Cooper still gets it.

Because the most important thing is being able to stay connected to the most important people in our lives.

Thanks Father Cooper Wireless.

Here's to 30 more years of wireless connectivity and the jobs that make it happen.


source: McClatchy Newspapers, Melissa Dahl

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Dennis

MetroPCS hoping to raise USD1 billion from IPO

I have some buddies at MetroPCS who used to ply their engineering wares at AT&T Wireless.

For their sakes, I hope their IPO just goes bananas.

Then, maybe they'll take me out to lunch, or send me a couple of Texas Lotto tickets.

Here's the story about their hopes for bringing in 1B in the IPO (courtesy of WirelessNews).

20 Most Interesting Wireless Startups

Paul D. Kretkowski (DailyWireless) brings us a nice post today:

20 Most Interesting Wireless Startups

I'll list the 20 Wireless Startups here, and you can check out DailyWireless for the specifics on each HERE.

1) Admob

2) Blyk
The first free mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).

3) FON
A HotSpot in every pot.

4) Futuretxt

5) I'minlikewithyou
Interesting concept, just won't apply to me.

6) Jajah
I'm liking this one - make VoIP calls from your PC or landline w/o downloads or plug-ins - even w/o having broadband.

7) Jaiku Mobile

8) Jott
Dictation turned in to email?

9) Medio
Mobile search

10) Mozes
Send and receive mobile messages to and from your fave bands, social groups, friends.

11) MyGADS

12) myMobileMedia
Giving mobile subscribers access to their PC (music, pictures, video).

13) Obopay
This just might be my fave of the 20...will allow me to make $$ transfers alarmingly ez (backed/secured by MasterCard).

4 words: Money on your phone.

14) Radar
Instant picture conversations with your favorite people and no one else.

15) Streamverse

16) Teleflip
Email on your cell phone ... for free.

17) Twitter
If you don't know what Twitter is yet, I can't explain it to you. Well, yes I can. Twitter answers the question, "What are you doing?"

Assuming somebody cares.

18) Thrrum

19) VoiceThread
Create a voicethread and collect the stories behind your pictures.

20) ZenZui
Stop surfing. Start Zooming.

RFBlog.com

RF Jobs via Fisssh.com

Search Engine Watch pointed me toward a new meta search engine, fisssh!, which aggregates search results for queries across different types of search -- web, news, blogs, videos, podcasts, info, jobs, social, and shopping.

It then spits it all out in a more "editorial" format.

Check it out - in fact, click the link above...it will go to a search I performed on RF Jobs.

Thumbs-Up for Microtune's 3-in-1 Tuner

source: WirelessDesignAsia.com

Microtune Inc's 3-in-1 tuner, the MicroTuner MT2131, exceeds the RF performance requirements specified by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in its recently issued final rule for the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program.

Read the complete story at WirelessDesignAsia.

RFblog.com

Slugging through the War for Talent

Take heart job seekers!

The chips are stacked on your side of the table, and in the war for talent, employers think they know what you want.

But most are still found wanting.

According to a study released today by Development Dimensions International (DDI), and Monster^®, today's job market is increasingly in the hands of the candidate.

The study, titled “Slugging Through the War for Talent: Selection Forecast 2006-2007,” reveals that 73 percent of staffing directors report competition for talent has increased since 2005, while 79 percent expect it to further intensify in 2007.

“Candidates are in a very powerful position—organizations need to think about hiring as a competitive practice if they want to attract the best people,”

said Scott Erker, senior vice president of DDI’s Selection Solutions.

“Right now, there is a significant gap between what candidates want and what employers think they want. That’s dangerous for organizations, because many don’t understand the motivations of the candidate sitting right in front of them.”

This is DDI’s third study of hiring and recruiting practice since 1999, providing perspective on the changing shape of the hiring market over the last eight years.

The report, which reflects responses from staffing directors, hiring managers and job seekers across five global regions, examines recruitment, selection and retention practices and reveals that a tightening labor market has subsequently led to a power shift toward job seekers.

In order to lure top talent in this increasingly competitive environment, the
findings suggest that employers must identify, understand
and respond to job seekers’ motivations and desires.

The study also outlines the tactics and strategies organizations can implement to improve their hiring systems and better meet job seekers’ needs.

“The recruiting industry has acknowledged for several years that retiring Baby Boomers, coupled with a tightening labor market, would eventually bring about an acute labor shortage. However, the survey findings indicate that this eventuality is already upon us,”

said Neal Bruce, vice president of alliances, Monster. “

Select Survey Highlights

• It’s a buyer’s market.

• There is a gap between employer perceptions and candidate realities.

• Turnover is rapid.
  

• Interviews can be dealmakers or deal breakers.

The executive summary, "Selection Forecast 2006-2007" is is currently available online from DDI HERE and the Monster Intelligence web site, HERE.

Check out the complete article on PRWeb.com.

Posted also on WirelessJobs.com

Google Kicks Mobi Search in High Gear

Google, in response to Yahoo's oneSearch, has upgraded its WAP-based search to incorporate more data and information into results.

Check out Google's Blog where Yael Shacham gives the 411 on mobile search (HERE). Yael is the Product Mgr for Google's Mobile team).

Starting today, they've made the new mobile search openly available - take it for a spin here.

The Carnival of the Job Search @ WirelessJobs.com

I'm really not a fan of the carnival. Guess I get a little freaked out by the sideshow acts. I just can't figure giving my hard-earned money to see a woman with lots of facial hair.

Howevuh...I've been diggin' the idea of the blog carnival lately. I got my first invite a few months back to participate in a blog carnival by our good buddy Jason Alba at JibberJobber.

Of course, I was too lazy to participate (or I forgot), but I liked the idea nonetheless.

So, I decided it was time to do a "Carnival of the Job Search."

Two reasons why I like this idea:

1) It has the opportunity of connecting me with other people I might never have the chance to meet. Yep, this is really the only reason.

2) It's a lot easier than asking people to write a post. All that's required is that they send me a job posting that they'd like me to reference in my weekly "carnival of the job search" post.

So, what is the carnival of the job search? It's simply a weekly post on WirelessJobs.com that includes job postings and links from various recruiters around the planet. Well, at least those who decide to participate in the carnival.

The important stuff:

So, how do you, Recruiter, participate? Simply submit a job posting via the "Submit an Article Form" no later than Thursday @ 3:00PM CT of each week.

I will compile each of the job postings and submit in one posting on Friday afternoon of each week.

I will post at least one job from each requester, depending on the total number of submissions for that week's carnival.

Job Posting Format:

Job Posting should be in this format (no job descriptions!):

Manager, RF Engineering - Atlanta, GA,

T-Mobile USA

For more information, please email Dennis @ wirelessheadhunter@gmail.com

Note: the link to the job description is in the job title.

If the job is already posted on a blog or career site, please provide the link so that I can reference within the post.

I will preface each job posting by naming the person that submitted the job, and will reference appropriate links to their blog - company - agency - etc.

Here's the biggie:

I will provide additional love and accolades for all requests that are heavily laden with humor. Yes, yes, we've got to keep it professional.

If you've managed to miss the previous links that will take you to the carnival of the job search, click HERE.

So, it's time to get your blog on, Recruiters.

I look forward to the carnival.

Hot Jobs @ T-Mobile

Here's a few of our hot jobs to peruse while you're killin' time this weekend:

Manager 3, Engineering - PM (Chicago, IL) #150341

Manager 4, Engineering - RF (Concord, CA) #149121

Manager 4, Engineering - Dev (Concord, CA) #149132

Director, Engineering - Development (Parsippany, NJ) #144327

Check out our career site @ T-Mobile.com.

Send me an email @ jobluv@gmail.com.



Checkout Las Vegas jobs at NVJobSearch.

Inc. 500 Telecom Company Merges with Wireless Firm

Tangoe, an Orange, Conn.-based expense management company, has merged with TRAQ Wireless, an Austin, Tex.-based mobile-services management firm, the companies announced Thursday.

The new company, which will operate under the name Tangoe, will provide corporate technology-based software and services for voice, data, and wireless communications, the companies said.

source: Inc.com

Wireless Call Quality Declines, Thanks 3G

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Wireless Call Quality Problems Continue to Decline as the Transition to 3G Networks Takes Hold

Verizon Wireless Ranks Highest in Five of the Six Regions in Call Quality Performance

As the number of reported wireless problems reaches historically low levels, the overall rate of customers experiencing a wireless call quality problem has declined for a third consecutive reporting wave, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study(SM)-Volume 1 released today.

source: TechWhack.com

California Cingular Customers Get Refund

Cingular Wireless will refund $18.5 million to thousands of former California customers who were penalized for canceling their mobile phone service because they had trouble making and receiving calls.

The settlement announced Thursday with the California Public Utilities Commission ends a lengthy battle revolving around Cingular's treatment of dissatisfied subscribers from January 2000 through April 2002.

About 115,000 customers who left Cingular during that time will receive average refund checks of $160 to cover the fees that they were charged for prematurely ending their contracts. The refunds include interest.

source: DailyReportOnline

Telecommunications Predictions 2007 (Deloitte)

Deloitte's recent study examines 10 emerging developments sure to make 2007 another eventful year for the telecommunications industry:

Reaching the limits of cyberspace—growth in video traffic on the "superhighway" means the Internet is approaching gridlock. (Haven't we heard this one before? Is Deloitte saying that we are approaching gridlock in 2007 or that we'll reach gridlock?).

The net neutrality debate needs resolution—the Internet, fundamental freedom for all or a tiered, toll-based enterprise? (Agree - this one's not going away).

The broadband appliance unlocks the Internet for everyone—sidestepping the PC via new, small devices will promote future growth in Internet penetration.

Long live mobile video (just forget the television)—moving video content from the phone and onto bigger screens is far more likely to reap profits than trying to squeeze television onto mobile phones (I'm guessing Verizon's not backing this prediction).

It’s mobile, but not as we knew it—network operators need to shake things up as mobile moves indoors.

The case for innovation, not imitation, in IPTV—IPTV needs to develop an original offer of television, not be a pale imitation of what currently exists.

The kilobyte is the killer application—bigger is not always better, as kilobyte-sized applications show.

The double-edged sword of triple play—failure to deliver a consistent quality of service across all their bundled offerings could cost operators dearly.

The connectivity chasms deepen—in the expanding digital divide, if you do not have voice, you may not have a voice.

The rising cost of free telecommunications—the "free lunch" in telecommunications may cause indigestion for some.

The report includes recommendations from the Technology, Media & Telecommunications industry group on how to take advantage of these emerging trends.

Read the full report in the PDF file attachment HERE.

15 Top .mobi Domains to be Auctioned in March

Washington (DC) - To help fund upcoming projects, the dotMobi group is auctioning off 15 of the top .mobi domains next month.

Singles.mobi, casinos.mobi, and pizza.mobi are just some of the names that will be up for bids.

The other domains, all ending in .mobi, are airfare, areacodes, cam, creditscore, directions, eat, libre, loancalculator, models, newmusic, pics, and realestate.

Last year, the group held a similar auction that raised nearly $400,000.

The auction will be held on March 7 at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. expo in Las Vegas, which is an event for domain name developers. Part of the proceeds will go to furthering dotMobi projects.

The sale of these 15 highly desirable names allows dotMobi to fund ongoing initiatives for the web developer and content provider communities such as the developer forum, and the free mobile readiness testing and reporting tool,”

said dotMobi CEO Neil Edwards.

source: The Mobi Blog

Alcatel Launching Mobile Phones in North America

It looks like my buddies over at Alcatel (now Alcatel-Lucent) will be getting in to the handset biz.

Wow - just sounds strange to think about Alcatel being in the handset business (hey, John-Boy, let's have lunch and take mobile handsets!)

Here's the scoop:

Alcatel Mobile will be launching its presence in the North American market later this month at the CTIA Wireless trade show with partner Cellatel.

Their lineup of GSM/EDGE phones falls in the lower and mid range end of the mobile spectrum. Cellatel trialled several of its "E Series" phones with Cingular last summer, but so far there has been no word if Cingular chose to carry any of the handsets.

Based on information from its web site, Alcatel Mobile / Cellatel is targeting the MVNO market and will offer branding/customization services, as well as logistics, support and marketing.

source: PhoneScoop.com

5 I'd work for, 5 I wouldn't!

My new friends at wirelessisfun.com just posted an interesting piece called, "5 I'd word for, 5 I wouldn't!"

Well, to be specific, it wasn't the whole crew, just Dan.

Here's the post:

Getting a job in the Internet era is trivial if you’re serious about your skills and really want to go the next mile. It’s a personal matter to choose fun over paycheck, relocation over your home town or country, alternative crew or 9-5 army.

Since I deal with the following companies in various ways, I’ve settled on which I’d say yes or no to if they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Not all of them are in the wireless field, but they are all Internet players.

The beloved-

1. Skype, because they preserve identity and stimulate individual development, while managing to hold a functional team. Plus, working for Skype is fun.
2. Moo, because they use Macs, are innovative and have a good sense of humor.
3. Meraki, because they’re still young and I could get there in time to make them work.
4. Apple Inc., only if i took Steve’s job. It’s the only decent/thrilling job in Cupertino.
5. A Chinese OEM. I bet that’s fun! :)

The ‘no so much’-

1. Google, because they’re big and matte. Individual identity? What’s that?? So what if they pay, give you free candy and loundry? The paycheck should cover that plenty anyway.
2. Yahoo!, oh no! These guys have lost touch with the 21st century realm.
3. T-Mobile, too big and slow moving, lost in the incumbment’s junkyard. I’d say yes only if they gave me an innovation team to work with and took us seriously.
4. Fon, because they’re only cool on paper. I’m into really changing the WiFi world!
5. Cisco, because only the Japs know the secret of the do-it-all company.
# Dell, nope! Don’t ask!
# Boingo. Nope! Innovation??? Ring a bell?
# Vodafone and the like. No way! Clock tickin for you guys! ;)

I’m off to my favorite caffe downtown to sip on a latte! Which employer would let me out of the cubicle before 5pm?

Dan notes a few good points on the companies for which he'd rather choose unemployment. However, I feel it's my duty to defend at least two companies that made it to his "naughty" list:

Google:
Hey, you can't please everybody, but most likely the #1 company on Fortune's Best Place to Work list isn't going to fool this many people. And we recently posted this video that showed its share of smart, happy, energetic employees, many of whom I'd wager leave the office at 5pm each day for a caffe. And I don't think they're all just drinking the Google Kool-Aid.

I could be crazy, but something makes me think that the folks at Google have "individual identity" to spare. I mean, c'mon, isn't Jason the epitome of individual identity? Just look at that mug!

T-Mobile:
I know, I'm slightly partial here. I left a comment on Dan's post and questioned whether he had the right company. Anybody that's ever had reason to work with, or for, T-Mobile USA, would not use the words "big and slow-moving" to describe the company.

Hey, we're not perfect, but big and slow-moving are absolutely inaccurate. We might be big (employee-wise) compared to Alltel or U.S. Cellular, but certainly not when compared to the likes of Verizon and the new AT&T.

Big and slow-moving? Wow, I don't put in many 80 hour work/weeks, but I'm no slouch. And neither I, nor my colleagues are what I'd call slow-moving.

In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that, I believe it would be difficult in the United States to be a big, slow-moving company and still receive the highest customer service rating by J.D. Power and Associates for six consecutive years (among wireless carriers).

But like I said, I'm partial.

Okay, Dan, I'm officially stepping off of the soap-box now.

But just for the record, I still like you and your motley wireless crew. And to prove it, I'll officially leave the office at 4:00pm CST tomorrow. Your ears will probably be itching as I say a lil' toast to my good buddy Dan and, in his honor, sip my Caffe Latte.

Cheers, my friend. And thanks for keeping wireless "fun."

Wi-Fi TV to Launch InternetWeddingTV.com

Wi-Fi TV Enters $72 Billion U.S. Wedding Business With Launch of InternetWeddingTV.com (which lets newlyweds post their wedding videos and photos for free).

Weddings are a $72 billion a year business in the U.S., and Wi-Fi TV Inc. announced today that it will be a leader in the American marketplace for bringing weddings online, with the intro of InternetWeddingTV.com, as part of its Social Internet TV™ platform.

"Social Internet TV is all about people getting together, so this is a natural for Wi-Fi TV and the next phase of what will happen with a modern marriage,"

stated Lisa Pahl, Director, Wi-Fi TV Inc.

This was bound to happen. But I've still found that the only wedding pic's I'm interested in viewing more than once are my own.

Am I alone?

Or, maybe I'm just being "a man."

source: marketwire.com

T-Mobile Named A Service Champ

It's my horn, so I'm gonna blow it:

T-Mobile USA is the only cell phone company named by BusinessWeek magazine as one of the 25 top customer service companies in the United States.

We will now return to our regularly scheduled broadcast.

GotZapp (mobile social network)

Wireless Duniya posted today about a new mobile social network site called GotZapp.

GotZapp lets users create mini-websites with the "Ziranda" mobile content creator. The "Zapps" (images, text, music) can then be rated, commented on and downloaded by other users.

Cool stuff.

Maybe we'll see some mini job search sites pop up soon.

Yep, Wireless is Fun

Hey Dan! I absolutely had you in mind when I was writing this post - and I knew you wouldn't disappoint.

Thanks for your comment.

And, yes, I do plan on taking your offer on my next trip to Romania!

Dennis

Sr. Manager, Engineering Development - TMobile Nashville, TN

At T-Mobile, we're looking for the next big idea. Yours.

Our job search is on, and we're looking for an extraordinary leader to join us in Nashville, TN as a Senior Manager of Engineering Development (click title for extended job description).

Check out the link, or send me an email expressing your interest.

Geeked-out-slamdunkin-engineering folks only need apply.

Dennis Smith
Sr. Manager, Recruiting
wirelessheadhunter@gmail.com
T-Mobile USA
WirelessJobs.com (Blog)

Job Hunters Pound the Job Search Pavement

Those that know say job-seekers have been slammin' the job boards big-time as 2007 gets under way. Maybe it's the recovery from the year 2000 slump, or, maybe the ice-cream man is collecting on our holiday purchases.

Either way, the job-hunt is on as job-seekers appear to be looking for opportunities to increase the cash flow.

According to Hitwise, market share for visits to the job boards rose 31% for the week ending January 6th, 2007, as compared to the prior week.

CareerBuilder took 14 percent of the job board traffic, followed by Monster at 11.5 percent, and Yahoo's HotJobs at 5 percent.

source: WirelessJobs.com

On Cell Phones and Wireless Payments

After seeing the demonstration that Visa just gave me at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I'm pretty sure it won't be too long before many of us will be paying for everything from our groceries to our Dunkin Donuts wirelessly with our cell phones. Visa had a "pod" in the Near Field Communications [...]

CES: Wireless payments at the register with your cell phone are around the corner

by ZDNet's David Berlind --

iPhone Engineering Jobs @ Apple

I got an email from Paul Galli at Apple asking for help to spread the word about iPhone engineering jobs at Apple .

Click HERE to check out the link.


source: WirelessJobs.com

Need a Job? Don't Call 1-800-SPRINTJOBS

Sprint Nextel, the third-largest wireless carrier in the United States, plans to lay off about

5, 000 employees in the coming months, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The company suffered a net loss of about 300,000 wireless subscribers in the last quarter of 2006, said company officials on Monday. They projected lower sales for 2007 than analysts has anticipated.

Most of the planned layoffs will be completed by early April, they said, and will be spread throughout the company, whose total employees are about 64,600.

Sprint and Nextel Communications merged in 2005 with the hope that the two wireless companies would become a vibrant force offering attractive new products and services. But the firm has struggled to manage its networks, and customers have increasingly turned to such rivals as Cingular and Verizon Wireless.

The company also said it plans to eliminate 300 retail stores and kiosks as well as one million square feet of leased space by the end of the year. Last year it relinquished two million square feet of office space.

source: People's Daily Online

10 Predictions for Wireless in 2007

Dean Bubley (Disruptive Wireless) put together a nice list revealing his 10 predictions for wireless in 2007.

Get the complete list with his commentary HERE (from Wireless.SeekingAlpha.com).

Here's a quick run-down:

1) Increased focus on manufacturers selling multiple "diverged" devices to users.

It only makes sense that Nokia (NOK), Apple (AAPL), Motorola (MOT) would want to offer multiple, simple, well-designed devices....strong margins should follow.

2) A lot of noise about VoIP over 3G.

Sure to steal much of the spotlight in '07.

3) Emergence of corporate-focused MVNOs

Dean says that he's waited forever, but that this could finally happen in '07.

4) Continued uptake of various dual-mode services & handsets, but they won't change the world

Dean posted last week about UMA/non-UMA developments and gave his predictions (I hope he's wrong). But he's predicting that this is still too much of a niche game.

5) Spectrum lobbying noise, regulation momentum and lawsuits ratchet up several notches.

Dean predicts that the lawyers will stay busy (2.5GHz licenses - spectrum neutrality - getting 900Mhz GSM ready for UMTS, etc....)

6) IMS confounds both its critics and its evangelists, but needs to improve integration ASAP.

The key lesson for IMS advocates to learn during 2007 will be integration - come down from your ivory towers & learn how to blend IMS with non-IMS - the real Internet, enterprise networks, SDP's, music & TV platforms and so forth. If the IMS community doesn't wholeheartedly embrace these areas of integration, in both the network and on devices, it will stagnate in 2008 and die in 2009. Isolation and "purity" is doom.

7) Navigation becomes rather more important on mobiles. Mobile search doesn't.

Handset-based navigation will become more prevalent (I agree).

Mobile search is going to take some time.

8) The City WiFi bubble bursts

Deano's not a fan of the muni-wifi. Seeing how I'm a fan of the T-Mo Hotspot, I guess I'm not either.

9) Flat-rate data becomes the norm, with browsing the killer app, driven by high-res screens

All Dean comments in numbers 9 and 10 - too interesting to summarize:

I'm still waiting for my trial X-Series phone, but I've been increasingly impressed with browsing experience recently. While cheap data tariffs are one critical driver, another has been largely overlooked - increasing screen resolution. The standard for mid-to-high end phones is now QVGA (320x240 pixels). This will increase, either with Nokia's weird 416x352 (or something like that) or more standardized full VGA (640x480). I'm a firm believer that there is no "Mobile Web," and that most people would much prefer a mobile broadband ISP experience, accessing the one, real, Internet. And of course, that means their favorite web brands & downloadable add-on client software too. The signs are already there at the end of 2006, but 2007 will be the year the mobile industry stops fantasizing about beating Google and Yahoo and Skype, and instead just gets on with optimizing their performance for their customers. Long live the Smart Pipe strategy . . .

10) No, No, No, No, No

OK, this post is already long enough, so I don't have time to detail my reasons for all of these, but I'm sure they'll crop up on the blog in coming months. Mobile IM won't replace SMS (sorry VoIP fans . . . ). Laptops with built-in HSDPA won't sell much (and even where they do, the cellular bit won't be activated by most owners). WiMAX will get a few more major operator advocates, but still won't be seen as a threat to "normal cellular." Mobile TV won't make much headway. Web 2.0 stuff like social networking really won't be a big deal in mobile outside Japan, Korea & maybe the US, unless carriers work out a way to give decent Internet access & capable devices to prepay users.

Oh, and maybe Apple's Phone-i (hey, Linksys got the iPhone brand . . . won't play music at all, but will be "just a phone." See point 1.