Verizon isn’t casting a wide net in its search for a packet optical networking platform, according to one Wall Street analyst. The carrier is believed to have issued a request for proposal (RFP) this summer for a platform that combines packet switching with optical networking. But only a select few vendors got a copy of the request.

By Ed Gubbins

Motorola Inc. subsidiaries filed a lawsuit against Aruba Networks Inc. alleging patent infringement related to wireless local area network communication technologies. Two of the patents in the lawsuit relate to WLAN switching architecture technology developed by Symbol, while another pair of patents cited in the suit relate to WLAN site planning and RF management, according to an announcement by Motorola.

By Matt Kapko

The California Assembly overwhelming voted to take all wireless devices out of the hands of drivers under the age of 18, a measure that builds on the state’s existing across-the-board ban on handheld phone use while behind the wheel.

Under the latest bill, California drivers under the age of 18 would be barred from using cellphones (including hands-free devices) or any mobile service devices including pagers, two-way messaging devices, PDAs and laptop computers while on the road.

By Jeffrey Silva

Google Inc. offered a glimpse into the operations of its free, municipal Wi-Fi effort, which the company launched earlier this year in its home base of Mountain View, Calif. Google reported that the network now covers 12 square miles and counts 15,000 unique users each month. The Wi-Fi network comprises over 400 mesh routers and carries 300 gigabytes of data each day and expects the numbers to grow around 10% each month.

By Mike Dano

Yahoo Inc. updated its e-mail service, adding a feature that enables users to send text messages to mobile phones. While sending texts from Yahoo Mail to mobile phones is free, mobile users will incur carrier messaging charges for receiving messages and responding via SMS.

By Colin Gibbs

Samsung revealed today that Sprint has awarded it the coveted New York City WiMAX contract — a market Sprint officials said it would give to the vendor with the best network performance. At its 4G Technology Summit in Seoul, South Korea, Samsung told local media — and Sprint confirmed — it would build out the New York network, along with networks in previously disclosed markets Baltimore; Boston; Philadelphia; Providence, R.I.; and Washington, D.C. While Sprint has gradually been revealing which of its three vendors — Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks and Samsung — will build out individual markets in its initial rollout covering 100 million people, it has kept the largest and most significant market in the U.S., New York, in reserve.

By Kevin Fitchard

Akamai Technologies’ customers are now delivering high-definition video over the Internet, the content delivery equipment vendor announced today. Web-delivered HD video would theoretically allow Web-based content companies to use the broadband networks of triple-play providers in competition against them.

Akamai’s announcement comes just days after its competitor, Limelight Networks, announced a partnership with Microsoft for the latter’s Xbox LIVE video game player.

By Ed Gubbins

Nearly two months after the phone's release, hackers have unlocked Apple's iPhone. Seventeen-year-old George Hotz of Glen Rock, N.J., posted on his blog last week the procedure for unlocking the most-talked about gadget of the year. According to reports by the Associated Press, Hotz brought in an unlocked iPhone to the AP's headquarters, placed a reporter's T-Mobile SIM card in the iPhone and the reporter was able to make calls over T-Mobile's network using the iPhone.

By Teresa von Fuchs

The world's largest mobile phone manufacturer announced its latest hands-free product, the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation kit. The 500 kit is the company's first hands-free personal navigation device for in-car navigation, including a Bluetooth hands-free system compatible with a user's mobile phone.

The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is expected to be available in selected channels in Europe in the fourth quarter at an estimated retail price of 300 euros. It will be available in other markets following this initial launch.

By Wireless Week Staff

Nokia announced yesterday, how it plans to extend a suite of Microsoft Windows Live services to the handset vendor’s S60 devices in 11 countries on a trial basis. Windows Live enables users to navigate among contacts, e-mail, phone calls, text messaging, imaging and browsing. The service will initially be free, then in select markets consumers will be asked to continue for a recurring monthly fee.

By Phil Carson