In spite of the built-in WiFi, the touch-screen that lets users manipulate data and an accelerometer that allows the on-screen image to rotate with the device, the reality is, without a network that allows users to fully realize its capabilities, the iPhone is only achieving a portion of its potential.

With each new release of the iPod, Apple's loyal, often fanatical, customer base was quick to abandon their perfectly good music players for the one with the latest and greatest features. But will a freshly updated iPhone inspire the same kind of upgrade frenzy? Yes and no.

The release of Apple's next-generation, 3G mobile device will usher in a new chapter of big-time growth for the company.

Verizon is deep in talks to acquire Alltel, the nation's fifth largest wireless carrier, for roughly $27 billion, people close to the talks have told CNBC.

As companies slash travel budgets in the face of higher travel costs and a softer economy, they're increasingly adopting technology that enables employees to collaborate face-to-face without boarding a plane.

Arun Sarin, the chief executive who safeguarded Vodafone's dominance among mobile operators by expanding into emerging markets, announced his departure on Tuesday, saying he had achieved all he had set out to do.

Research In Motion is launching a new high-end version of the BlackBerry aimed at its core base of business users, but it hopes the sleek device will also catch on in the broad retail market.

Sprint Nextel and Clearwire are close to announcing a $12 billion joint venture with major cable operators for high speed wireless Internet access for mobile phones and laptops, a source said.

Airports and hotels are looking for new ways to pay for the wireless networks that their customers are demanding.

Sprint Nextel is considering spinning off or selling its Nextel unit, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, quoting people familiar with the situation.

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson posted sharply lower profits on Wednesday as a slowdown in consumer spending hit its business, but earnings were at the high end of the firm's range and exceeded market expectations.

A weaker economy is forcing U.S. consumers to find ways to lower their telephone bills, likely limiting profit growth for phone companies like AT&T and Verizon Communications.

AT&T said Friday it would cut its work force by 1.5 percent, or 4,600 jobs, primarily affecting management-level employees, resulting in a first-quarter pre-tax charge of $374 million.

Motorola said Monday it has settled all litigation with billionaire investor Carl Icahn ahead of the cellphone maker's annual meeting and agreed to name two of Icahn's nominees to its board of directors.

The European Union on Monday opened the way for air travelers to use mobile phones to talk, text or send e-mails on planes throughout Europe's airspace.