Wireless carrier Arch Wireless has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection but insists its reorganisation will not disrupt services
for its nine million users.
The company recently completed a deal with Microsoft to provide
e-mail and Internet services for Microsoft's MSN branded two-way
pager that allows subscribers of the free e-mail service Hotmail to
send and receive messages while away from home or office.
The two companies released a MSN-branded version of Motorola
Talkabout T900 in November after announcing the partnership in
March.
Arch Wireless also released its own branded Motorola Talkabout
T900, called the Arch Webster. The device allows users to receive
e-mails sent to accounts with certain dial-up Internet service
providers and to Web-based e-mail accounts, including accounts on
AOL, Yahoo and Hotmail.
Motient, another US wireless network provider has also filed a
voluntary petition for reorganisation under Chapter 11. The company
provides a wireless service for users of Research in Motion's
Blackberry device and developed the MobileModem which enables user
of Palm's Palm V series handhelds to access e-mail and the Internet
through its wireless network.
Motient said its reorganisation plan would rid the company of $40m
(£27m) in annual interest payments. It will continue to deliver
uninterrupted service on its wireless data network and support
250,000 subscribers until it completes the restructuring in the
first half of 2002, the company said.