Wireless applications connectivity provider RF Monolithics has appointed Jay Stone & Associates to handle sales in northern California and northern Nevada. The sales firm will cover all of RFM’s channels, which range from OEM direct through distribution. Jay Stone & Associates specializes in the sale of wireless, RF, fiber optics and semiconductor assembly products. The firm also has technical expertise in RFM wireless components, short-range radios, and RF module products.

Cincinnati Bell has refinanced its debt and extended its due date to August 2012. In addition, the company nearly doubled its line of credit by amending its revolving credit facility to provide an additional $210 million of funding capacity. Prior to the company’s amendment, the credit facility provided $250 million of funding capacity and was set to expire in February 2010. Bell CFO Gary Wojtaszek said the amendments were needed in part to fund seasonal working capital requirements.

Voltree Power announced the successful trial demonstration of a wireless climate sensor network that can be powered by energy harvested from living trees. The network works as a forest fire detection system, and uses sensors and low-power radio transceivers to generate alerts in the event a fire breaks out. The network was developed with United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management and employs a wireless mesh network and satellite microwave uplink to share information with government agencies.

Taoglas, an M2M antenna provider, launched the first smart meter embedded antennas with over 60 percent efficiency designed specifically for the utility market. Called the FXP “Freedom” series, this range of six off-the-shelf flexible circuit antennas, works on three Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands; 868 MHz, 915 MHz and 2.4 GHz. This range of antennas will enable metering companies to read smart meters in remote locations where wireless antennas previously did not work, such as basements, car parks and underground cavities. The FXP freedom series antennas will be able to withstand extreme temperature and humidity and have lifetimes of up to 20 years. They will also enable consumers and organizations to both conserve and cut energy costs.

Media Breakaway, which provides mobile content under the business name “Ringaza”, has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit that alleges the company issued unauthorized mobile content charges on subscriber’s cell phone bills. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed but entitles wireless customers to receive refunds for the content. The settlement received preliminary approval by the U.S. District Court in Miami last week.

Strategy Analytics reports that 48 percent of Americans would drop their mobile data plan completely if they had to cut any technology service from their household budget. The survey of 1,110 household decision makers also found that 56 percent of respondents said they would make no changes to their home fixed voice service, compared to 51 percent for mobile voice. The firm says the survey indicates that mobile data is viewed as a disposable service by consumers.