FierceMobileContent: Monetizing Mobile Content

July 25, 2012
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Editor's Corner: The best new apps of July 2012

Also Noted: Spotlight On... Inside News360's redesigned newsreader app for iPad
Bsquare launches development platform for tablets; Jump Games expands to PlayPhone and much more...

The 7 best iOS, Android apps for heading back to school
The back to school season is well underway in most parts of the country, and many consumers are stocking up on supplies and gadgets for a new year of learning. Whether you're finishing up grade school or rounding off a PhD, one thing bridges across all grade and education levels: Mobile technology is rapidly changing the way we learn, inside and outside of the classroom. FierceMobileContent has examined some of the best educational apps in mobile. These apps make use of advances in mobile software technologies or have otherwise changed the game in this increasingly important subsection of the industry. Back to School Apps

Toll-free data: The tech. details, the business model and the skeptics
It was as much a staple of the 1990s as grunge music and the Slinky: toll-free numbers. The numbers, usually of the 1-800 variety, allowed callers to place no-charge telephone calls to businesses and other entities. And now, the concept of toll-free connections is being revived, albeit haltingly, for the 21st century: enter the "toll-free" data plan. During the past six months especially, U.S. wireless carriers have increasingly batted around the concept. Will this strategy work? And more importantly, will carriers embrace it? Special Report

FierceMobileContent on Twitter
Check out our Twitter here. FierceMobiCo on Twitter: Faster. Shorter. Fierce.

The best new apps of July 2012

By Jason Ankeny

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The Fortune 500 may rule most segments of industry, but when it comes to mobile applications, small businesses are a very big deal.

Small businesses dominate mobile software development in the U.S., generating 78 percent of the top 800 apps in Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) App Store and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Play, according to a new study conducted by the Association for Competitive Technology, a trade group representing small and mid-sized technology startups. Small developers account for 87 percent of educational apps, 78 percent of mobile games and 78 percent of productivity tools, the ACT reports--the number falls to 71 percent of business apps, due largely to the popularity of services that connect subscribers to brands like PayPal, UPS and FedEx. "However, our polling of members suggests that many of the 'large business' apps were not built internally, but were built by small contract app development companies," the ACT adds.

Small businesses dominate mobile app development, but it's a big world, and the U.S. isn't the only seat of power. Foreign-based firms now account for 41 percent of the most successful mobile apps, a share that rises to 52 percent in the lucrative games category. At the same time, the U.S. is making greater inroads into the international market, with Americans representing 24 percent of the top app developers in China, now the world's second largest market for iOS downloads.

My selections for the best new mobile apps of July 2012 roughly parallel the ACT's findings. Small, unheralded developers contribute the majority of this month's picks, although there's one app from a well-known consumer brand, as well as one from a government agency and two connected to celebrated pop culture franchises. Most of the featured developers hail from the U.S., but one app was built in the U.K. and another comes from Finland. Regardless of who built each app or where it originates, they all share one thing in common: Quality.

Click here to get started.

--Jason

P.S. Looking for more must-have apps? Then check out the following:
The Best Apps of June 2012
The Best Apps of May 2012
The Best Apps of April 2012
The Best Android Apps of 2012 (so far)

Events

> Rutgers Mini MBA: Mobile Marketing - October 1 - New Brunswick, NJ
> Futurecom 2012 - October 8-11, 2012 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
> 4G World 2012 - October 29- November 1 - Chicago, IL
> The Open Mobile Summit and Appcelerate 2012 - November 7-9 - San Francisco, CA

Marketplace

> The New Standard in 4G Telecom Enclosures
> Whitepaper: Telco-OTT dynamics & use cases
> App Quality Alliance is new name for Unified Testing Initiative
> Whitepaper: Online Video Publishing Buying Tips
> Whitepaper: How to Master the Art of Content Marketing
> Whitepaper: Connected: Your Complete Guide to Home Networking
> Whitepaper: Leveraging Website Marketing: Top 10 Website Solution Capabilities
> Whitepaper: Improving Content Publishing Workflow Efficiency for Multi-Device Delivery
> Case Study: 4G Operator Maximizes Revenue with Flexibile, and Discovery-driven Audit Capabilities

Jobs

* Post a classified ad: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here

Today's Top News

1. Mobile app downloads expected to decline as markets mature

By Jason Ankeny

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The average number of mobile applications downloaded each year by consumers is set to fall in the years ahead as markets mature and the mobile web evolves, ABI Research forecasts.

Smartphone owners across the globe will download about 36 billion mobile apps in 2012, an average of almost 37 native app installs per user--a 6 percent year-over-year increase, ABI reports. Even so, the firm expects download totals to modestly decrease over the coming years.

"When forecasting on app downloads one has to make a number of assumptions on, for instance, the device mix, developer activity, and the demographics of existing and future smartphone users," said ABI Senior Analyst Aapo Markkanen. "The next waves of smartphone subscribers in the more mature app markets of the United States, Western Europe and parts of Asia will be downloading quite notably fewer apps than, say, the first one-third of the mobile consumers who bought smartphones."

ABI also anticipates that many developers and content providers will eschew native applications in favor of the cross-platform possibilities inherent in mobile web technologies, citing as an example The Financial Times' decision to pull the plug on its news app for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS to focus on the HTML5 runtime.

"News and magazine apps are a segment where the momentum is likely to shift towards the web within the next two to three years," Markkanen said. "Since news and media content already account for a large share of smartphone usage and are likely to play an even bigger role in later adopters' usage, changes in this segment alone will make subscribers on average download fewer native apps." ABI acknowledged that some categories like games and utilities likely will remain dominated by native experiences.

Developer support for hybrid HTML5 apps combining elements of the runtime with native capabilities continues to grow, according to an appMobi survey issued last month. Among the 50,000 active developers building HTML5-based apps on the firm's platform, all have built at least one HTML5 hybrid app, and 25 percent have created at least three or more. Media-focused services represent 40 percent of these hybrid apps, followed by games (35 percent) and retail (15 percent).

For more:
- Read this release

Read more about: iOS
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2. Foursquare tests paid ads in push to monetize platform

By Jason Ankeny

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Foursquare is trialing Promoted Updates, a new paid advertising initiative that heralds a major step toward monetizing its location-based social networking platform.

Promoted Updates will spotlight deals from local merchants via the foursquare app's Explore recommendation engine. For example, users in downtown Chicago who search the Explore feature for "shopping" will pull up a $15 coupon for Old Navy, one of 20 national brands participating in the Promoted Updates trial. All deals will be plainly designated by a "Promoted" notice and will leverage context awareness and consumer preferences to guarantee an ad appears on users' mobile device screens only where and when it's appropriate.

Like Twitter's Promoted Tweets service, Promoted Updates will bill advertisers on a cost-per-action basis, with merchants paying foursquare only when consumers check into their business, unlock a special, or otherwise interact with their promotion. (Speaking to Fast Company, foursquare Chief Revenue Officer Steven Rosenblatt declined to specify how much it charges for each action.)

"We've created a suite of tools that we think will truly drive business and build loyalty for merchants," Rosenblatt told Bloomberg. "It's something that business owners have been asking of us for a long time."

The June release of foursquare version 5.0 for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android de-emphasized the mobile social networking app's signature virtual check-ins to focus on personalized recommendations and user interactions. In addition to the Explore feature, foursquare 5.0 introduced the new Friends tab, enabling users to identify their contacts' whereabouts, "like" their check-in status or mention them in a post, alongside the Me tab, which collects tips, check-in badges and to-do lists, also aggregating personal contacts and photos.

Foursquare now tops 20 million users worldwide, with check-ins at local venues eclipsing the 2 billion mark. Its network nevertheless pales in comparison to the likes of Facebook (901 million users worldwide, including 488 million active mobile users) or Instagram (50 million). Foursquare has raised about $71 million in venture financing; a $50 million round was completed in June 2011 and valued the startup at $600 million.

For more:
- Read this Fast Company article
- Read this Bloomberg article

Read more about: Mobile Advertising
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3. Big Fish offers mobile gamers unlimited access to casual games via cloud service

By Jason Ankeny

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Big Fish unveiled a cloud-based gaming service enabling subscribers to access more than 100 HTML5-based casual titles via devices including smartphones, tablets, PCs and connected televisions.

The new Big Fish Unlimited service leverages interactive streaming video technology to deliver on-demand access to games from 42 developer partners, with more titles in the pipeline--according to Big Fish, most of the 2,500 games in its existing library do not need to be updated or tweaked to run on the cloud service. All game progress is saved remotely, enabling consumers to begin a session on one device and continue it on another. All-you-can-eat subscriptions are $7.99 per month; Big Fish also will offer access to a rotating catalog of up to 20 free, ad-supported games.

Big Fish Unlimited will roll out to mobile devices and the desktop during the current quarter. Big Fish will team with streaming media firm Roku to extend the platform to connected TVs during the fourth quarter. Big Fish also plans to export the streaming service to international markets throughout 2013, adding it currently offers games in 10 different languages.

Late last year, Big Fish launched cloud-based Play Instantly!, a cloud-based subscription service for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad tablet. Apple unceremoniously removed the application from its App Store within a matter of hours but never publicly disclosed the reasons behind its ouster. Building Big Fish Unlimited for HTML5 enables Big Fish to reach iOS device users while sidestepping the restrictions imposed by Apple on native iOS apps.

For more:
- Read this release

Read more about: Roku, Big Fish
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4. PopCap: Half of gamers favor mobile devices for playing games at home

By Jason Ankeny

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Half of mobile gamers in the U.S. and U.K. favor their smartphone or tablet as their primary home gaming platform, according to a new survey conducted by research firm Information Solutions Group on behalf of Electronic Arts' PopCap Games division.

Sixty-nine percent of all mobile gamers play at home on the couch, 57 percent play in bed and 41 percent play while watching television, PopCap reports. Sixty-three percent play as a passenger in a car, bus or train, and 55 percent kill time while waiting for an appointment. Among respondents who play mobile games exclusively on tablets, 78 percent play on the couch and 52 percent play while watching TV--conversely, consumers who play solely on smartphones are more likely to play in situations that required waiting, like sitting in a doctor's office or standing in line at a store.

PopCap adds that a combined 10 percent of respondents confessed to playing mobile games either in church or other place of worship, while driving a car or while watching a movie in a theater. Nine percent have played at a live sporting event, 8 percent admitted to playing mobile games in school, 6 percent have played at work during a meeting or conference call, and 4 percent have played at the gym. In addition, 9 percent of respondents said they have been late or missed an appointment, class, ride or flight because they were engrossed in a mobile game.

Gamers who tend to play in unorthodox environments tend to skew male (60 percent), younger than 35 years of age (69 percent) and access mobile games daily (78 percent). Seventy-five percent of gamers in this demographic have spent money on mobile titles in the last year, compared to 51 percent of the overall mobile gamer population, and plan to spend an average of about $49 on mobile games, in-game virtual currency or content in 2012.

For more:
-read this release

Also Noted

SPOTLIGHT ON... Inside News360's redesigned newsreader app for iPad

Finding news online is no problem. Finding news that's actually relevant to you is a huge challenge. News360 delivers all the news that fits each individual: The aggregator app leverages artificial intelligence based on Russian government media monitoring technology alongside social data and behavioral analysis to deliver a personalized feed combining both the biggest news stories of the day, as well as updates on the user's niche interests and passions. Earlier this month, News360 unveiled a redesigned version of its free iPad app adding a new, sleeker user interface, an integrated home feed and caching for offline access. FierceDeveloper spoke to News360 CEO Roman Karachinsky about personalizing news consumption, the iPad revamp and why it's so important to get each app release right. Developer Workshop

@FierceMobiCo: Interesting analysis on how much mobile app developers spend to acquire more customers. Article | Follow@FierceMobiCo

> Bsquare launches development platform for tablets. Release

> Jump Games expands to PlayPhone network. Release

Wireless News

> Apple sells 26 million iPhones, but fails to meet analyst expectations. Article

> Google: Motorola's patents worth $5.5 billion. Article

And finally… RIP Sherman Hemsley. Article

Events

* Post listing: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here.

> Rutgers Mini MBA: Mobile Marketing - October 1 - New Brunswick, NJ

The Rutgers Mini-MBA™: Mobile Marketing program’s groundbreaking 360-degree curriculum exposes participants to the full range of mobile tools, technologies, best practices, and marketing strategies – enabling them to track ROI and optimize content for mobile environments. One week accelerated program begins Oct 1 and nine-week evening program begins October 2. Learn more here. Call 732-640-1853 or e-mail marketing@cmd.rutgers.edu.

> Futurecom 2012 - October 8-11, 2012 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If you're interested in Brazil and Latin America, this is a must go! The largest Telecom event in Latin America: 14000 attendees, 43 countries, 20000sqm exhibition, International Keynotes, 250+ speakers. Most worldwide ICT companies exhibit at Futurecom, as well as all Brazilian Operators. Register now.

> 4G World 2012 - October 29- November 1 - Chicago, IL

4G World 2012 focuses on the most challenging issues and obstacles facing mobile broadband operators as they try to manage the cost of unbridled traffic growth and exploit opportunities to capture sufficient revenues and generate a return on their 4G infrastructure investments. Learn more.

> The Open Mobile Summit and Appcelerate 2012 - November 7-9 - San Francisco, CA

Meet mobile and Internet world-leaders at The Open Mobile Summit. Identify the next growth markets in mobile Internet, commerce, media, cloud, big data, 4G and beyond. Plus, meet the leaders of the mobile app economy at Appcelerate – November 9th. “The is THE event in mobile right now”. Registration is now open – book now and save $500 (Ends September 21)

Marketplace

* Post listing: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here.

> The New Standard in 4G Telecom Enclosures

The LTEE Series Enclosure from DDB Unlimited, Inc. is the newest standard in 4G Telecommunications equipment cabinets. Available in either Direct-Air or Closed-Loop cooling, this enclosure is engineered to meet the rigorous specifications of today's LTE Networks. The adaptive design, non-corrosive AlumiflexTM construction, and ready availability of this model are what customers have come to expect from DDB Unlimited enclosures. For more information on our full telecom enclosure product line, click here.

> Whitepaper: Telco-OTT dynamics & use cases

The objective of this white paper is to present "OTT is a viable alternative" for telecom operators. It will demonstrate that network providers threatened by competition, from both peers and Internet companies, can themselves exploit the ubiquity of broadband connections, smartphones or laptops, and downloadable apps. Download Today.

> App Quality Alliance is new name for Unified Testing Initiative

We’ve changed our name to more closely reflect our commitment to helping developers further-improve the quality of their mobile apps. Visit our site and follow us on Twitter @AppQuality. AQuA is funded and run by AT&T, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Oracle, Orange, Samsung and Sony Mobile.

> Whitepaper: Online Video Publishing Buying Tips

Technology in the online video publishing industry is changing quickly and figuring out which features you need and don't need can be challenging. Help your solution grow by reading this checklist of the top 10 things you must consider before buying an online video platform. Download now.

> Whitepaper: How to Master the Art of Content Marketing

"How to Master the Art of Content Marketing" discusses how to create a sustainable content marketing program with the flexibility to adjust to changing market dynamics. Gain the keys to excite audiences and drive business results. Download Now.

> Whitepaper: Connected: Your Complete Guide to Home Networking

Network is a broad topic, but this 20 page guide will focus specifically on home networking... Request Now!

> Whitepaper: Leveraging Website Marketing: Top 10 Website Solution Capabilities

In this report you will learn how today's WCM platforms are fusing the best marketing automation practices with content management, allowing marketers to leverage content in new and innovative ways. Discover 10 of the top capabilities you should be considering for your website. Download Now.

> Whitepaper: Improving Content Publishing Workflow Efficiency for Multi-Device Delivery

Discover how choosing a solution to provide multi-screen delivery of your content can have a major impact on the efficiency of your publishing workflow and bottom line. Download Now.

> Case Study: 4G Operator Maximizes Revenue with Flexibile, and Discovery-driven Audit Capabilities

A US 4G operator was perfectly suited to handle the predicted annual doubling of global mobile data traffic. But as the company faced exponential subscriber and network usage growth, they realized they needed to better monitor that usage. Learn how this US 4G operator realized 13x ROI for its retail business in the first six months. Download Today!

Jobs

* Post listing: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here.

> Mobile and Online Client Experience Designer - H&R Block in Kansas City, MO

By utilizing an enterprise "client centric" approach you will be responsible for identifying high impact points of engagement where mobile and/or online solutions can increase client retention and acquisition. You will partner with several lines of business through multiple contact points to evaluate existing solutions, business strategies, processes, and procedures to identify, prioritize and determine critical areas of impact. Learn More!

> LTE Project Manager II Job - Bellevue, WA, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a contract opportunity for an LTE Project Manager II to join our client in Bellevue, WA. Responsibilities include executing the move within budget stated in TPR/BCR for site engineering of sites, writing of scripts needed to move eNBs to the new switch. Three to five years minimal of LTE experience required...Learn more.

> Telecom Project Administrator Job - Plano, TX, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Telecom Project Administrator to join our client in Plano, TX. This position will provide general project support for one or more managers, to include assistance with project tracking, cost analysis, project reporting, contract deliverables, and other project related tasks. Must be organized, creative, independent and self-motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, detail oriented, as well as flexible in scheduling and prioritization...Learn more.

> Telecom Site Acquisition Manager Job - Plano, TX, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Telecom Site Acquisition Manager to join our client in Plano, TX. Responsibilities include to assess and control charges to the agreed site design and ensure only customer's approved materials are installed on the project. Minimum seven years of practical field experience working with 700+ site builds and/or site acquisition, with demonstrated capabilities in both areas of civil work...Learn more.

> Project Coordinator Job - Overland Park, KS, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Project Coordinator to join our client in Overland Park, KS. This position will be responsible for creating and maintaining program / project reports as well as supporting ad-hoc reporting requests of multiple organizations. Ability to analyze data trends Wireless network experience desired...Learn more.

> Business Solution Representative - Chinle, Arizona - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

This position will report to the General Manager and will be responsible for selling advanced fiber optic, microwave, data center and other wireless network solutions. 1+ years of direct sales experience in telecommunications or other related industry...Learn more.

> Sales Engineer - Chinle, Arizona - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

NTUA-Wireless is seeking talented, motivated & visionary individuals to fill the Sales Engineer position. This position Reports to Director of Network Operation and must possess strong presentation skills. Minimum 2 years of experience in Education/Health care IT, or Sales Engineering...Learn more.

> Telecom Supervisor - Ft. Defiance, Arizona - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

This position works closely with division and customers to identify needs, align strategies, develop plans and execute to meet these needs and expectations. 4 - 6 years' experience in fiber telecommunications, construction and engineering required...Learn more.

> Senior Wireless System Technician - Shiprock, New Mexico - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

This position works with field technicians in maintaining ZTE LTE, CDMA 1X, EvDO, GSM, UMTS sites and must have advanced knowledge of ZTE Core products, MME, P/S-GW, IMS, MSCe, MGW. 4 years' work experience in telecommunications or data networking required...Learn more.

> Wireless System Technician - Shiprock, New Mexico - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

This position must have knowledge of ZTE Core products, MME, P/S-GW, IMS, MSCe, MGW and signaling interface knowledge of Diameter, SIP, RTP, S1-MME, Gx. Bachelors, Technical Degree or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience required...Learn more.

> Media Consultant I - Macon, GA – Cox Communications

Cox Media is expanding their elite sales team to include a Media Consultant responsible for increasing revenue and Cox Media market share for existing mid-level accounts. Reporting to the Sales Manager, the Media Consultant is accountable for assessing assigned clients ongoing digital media and marketing needs and then creating Cox Media solutions to support these plans. 1 year successful business-to-business field sales experience with quotas required...Learn more.

> Inside Retention Rep - Cox Business - Pensacola, FL – Cox Communications

Cox Business is looking to grow our elite sales team responsible for selling telephony (business phone services, toll-free services), data (Internet access), wireless, and video solutions to new and existing small to medium size business customers. Reporting to the Sales Manager, Cox Business, the Inside Retention Representative (Retail) is responsible for retaining valuable small to medium business customers by minimizing controllable churn and ensuring quality customer service in a fast paced environment...Learn more.

> FT (Bi-lingual) Solutions Specialist - Garden City, KS - Cox Communications

Cox Communications is looking for a customer-focused Solutions Specialist to be the primary point of contact for both new and existing customers. As a Solutions Specialist, this individual will be working in a Cox Solutions Store guiding customers through the purchase decision and activation process of Cox product offerings (cable, data, voice, and wireless). Minimum of 1 year of retail or sales experience required...Learn more.

> FT Solutions Specialist - Topeka, KS - Cox Communications

> Universal Home Tech-In Train - Macon, GA -Cox Communications

This role will support the growth of the system by assuring the quality performance of the installation and technical services of all Cox Communication products and ensure the quality of services provided to end users meets or exceeds established standards. 5-7years of experience in related area of responsibility required...Learn more.

> Media Consultant-Generalist - Gainesville, FL -Cox Communications

Cox Media is growing their elite sales team responsible for selling local commercial advertising on 50+ cable and/or broadcast networks and other media to new and existing clients. Reporting to the Local Sales Manager or General Sales Manager, the Media Consultant is accountable for effectively managing the entire sales cycle. This includes identifying and makes cold calls on prospective clients, meeting sales goals, servicing accounts after the sale is made, and maintaining an up-to-date client database. 1 year or more of media advertising sales experience required...Learn more.

> Customer Service Representative - Technical Support - Omaha, NE-Cox Communications

The purpose of this position is to respond to customer requests in a Technical Support call center environment. Troubleshoot problems with Telephone, Cable and Internet services, attempting to resolve problems over the phone in order to prevent unnecessary service calls. If appropriate, schedule service technician visit. Consistently mention other Cox products and services that are available for customers to purchase...Learn more.

> Media Consultant-Generalist - Fort Walton Beach, FL- Cox Communications

Cox Media is growing their elite sales team responsible for selling local commercial advertising on 50+ cable and/or broadcast networks and other media to new and existing clients. Reporting to the Local Sales Manager or General Sales Manager, the Media Consultant is accountable for effectively managing the entire sales cycle. This includes identifying and makes cold calls on prospective clients, meeting sales goals, servicing accounts after the sale is made, and maintaining an up-to-date client database. 1 year or more of successful business-to-business sales experience with quotas...Learn more.

> Media Sales Services Coord - Pensacola, FL - Cox Communications

Cox Media is looking for an efficient and detail-oriented individual to provide support to Media Sales Services. The Media Sales Services Coordinator, reporting to the Sales Services Manager, provides data entry and general sales services assistance to Cox Media sales and fulfillment processes, including order entry and revisions as well as other aspects of the fulfillment process that require minimal or no client interaction. Bachelors degree preferred...Learn more.

> Solution Educator - Fairview Park, OH, OK - Cox Communications

Cox Communications is looking for a technically knowledgeable Solutions Educator to support product sales efforts by serving as the store expert on the latest product features, services, and accessories. As part of this critical role, the Solutions Educator will be provided learning opportunities to maintain their expertise and must be able to translate how product capabilities address various customer needs. This individual will also have responsibility to sell accessories and add-on features while supplementing new customer solutions or satisfying existing customer requests....Learn more.

> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs

Announcing FierceWirelessJobs, the new FierceMarkets careers site. Find the perfect job or post your openings at http://www.fiercewireless.com/jobs.