Following on Sprint’s launch of their employee-only WiMAX/XOHM trial network , the struggling national wireless carrier has announced their plans to roll-out NFC (Near Field Communication) trials in the San Francisco Bay Area. NFC technology basically allows users to pay for goods and services with a simple swipe of the handset near an NFC-enabled payment terminal. NFC has been in use in other countries (think Japan and South Korea) for quite some time now, and has found a fairy strong following in mobile phone-users that want the convenience of combining their handset with their wallet. Sprint has teamed up with the San Francisco’s Bay Area Transit Authority and “Jack in the Box” to offer NFC payments for train-fare and burgers. The NFC-trial will run from January through May of 2008, and will presumably use already-released Sprint handsets, modified with NFC technology, of course. Any BART-riders willing to participate in Sprint’s NFC trial? Sign-up and let us know how you like it! Source ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:GSM Association picks Motorola to lead its Pay-Buy-Mobile initiativeSprint expands unlimited data bundle trialLimeJuice launches mobile social network for flirting; Singles rejoice!London begins trials of payments via NFC equipped mobile phonesTexas to be among the first to try out Sprint Nextel's WiMAX network

We’ve been whining about Sprint’s seeming lack of focus on its WiMAX ( XOHM ) network, and all that complaining may have paid off. Actually, our incessant goading probably had little nothing to do with Sprint’s newest announcement, but it’s nice to think we had some sort of influence. Sprint’s WiMAX network is slated to go live this week in a limited trial-run. The 4G (well, it’s officially a 3G standard , but we think it qualifies as 4G) WiMAX network will be rolled out this week for Sprint employees only - in an effort to get its network ready for prime-time trials in Q1 of 2008. As it stands, Sprint will be flipping the WiMAX-switch on the downtown centers of Chicago, Baltimore and Washington - expanding to other US cities based on wireless data demand. Clearwire is out of the picture , but we’re assuming that Sprint’s leaving the door open to other investors to help with the nationwide network launch. The trial-run launch of Sprint’s WiMAX network this week barely makes the carrier’s self-imposed deadline for the launch of its 4G network by year’s end. We’ve heard rumor after rumor that put the entire WiMAX venture in doubt, so it’s good to see that Sprint is still committed to bringing their mobile broadband 4G network online in-time for a 2008 commercial roll-out. The full commercial launch should cement Sprint’s position as the premier high-speed wireless data provider in the States - Verizon and AT&T ’s LTE network won’t even see the light of day until 2009. All your financial woes may take a turn for the better, Sprint. Keep on keepin’ on! [Via: Telephony Online ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Sprint considering WiMAX network optionsSamsung signs on to build WiMAX network for Sprint in New York Metropolitan areaTexas to be among the first to try out Sprint Nextel's WiMAX networkLebanon gets its WiMAX onSprint and Clearwire team up for US WiMAX network - 4G in 2008

Qualcomm’s been on something of a legal-victory tip recently. With a couple patent infringement cases thrown out and a US-trade victory against Nokia, it looks like Qualcomm’s future is looking a little brighter. Regardless, Qualcomm is still embroiled in a handful of legal battles around the globe - the latest of which is the company’s patent infringement lawsuit against none other than Nokia. Nokia and Qualcomm have been duking it out for (almost) longer than we can remember , and today marks the official start of the UK trial. A British High Court will be determining whether Nokia is indeed infringing on Qualcomm’s patents. The two patents in question relate to the use of GPRS (a GSM data protocol) in GSM mobile phones. One of the patents concerns the regulation of power to the radio-receiver, and the second patent helps decrease power consumption and increase battery life on GSM handsets. Nokia contends that the patents are invalid and has not infringed on Qualcomm’s intellectual property. This trial, set to last three weeks, is tasked with determining whether or not the two patents are valid and have been infringed. Should the court find the patents valid, a second trial will be required for the rest of the case. Qualcomm is seeking an injunction against Nokia to stop selling handsets that use the patents in question. We can’t wait for the day when Qualcomm resolves all their legal disputes. This whole situation is starting to get a bit tired. [Via: Yahoo ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Qualcomm gets a win against NokiaDutch court dismisses Nokia patent case against QualcommNokia: ITC starts Qualcomm investigationQualcomm accuses Nokia of GSM patent infringement - U.S. International Trade Commission opens investigationQualcomm being investigated by European Union for abusing its market position