Subscriber Content

2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE

Dec. 29, 2011 - 12:01 AM PDT Dec. 29, 2011 - 12:01 AM PDT

The past year in mobile has been even more eventful than most of us would have predicted. Our appetite for mobile data grew dramatically; Google’s Android continued its march to worldwide dominance; Amazon joined the tablet bandwagon; and AT&T tried and failed to acquire T-Mobile USA, among many other things. All of that activity lays the groundwork for a very promising — and very challenging — 2012. This research note serves both as a review of the major trends and events of 2011 as well as a forecast for the coming year. Companies mentioned in this report include Millennial Media, Quattro Wireless and Samsung. For a full list of companies, and to read the full research note, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »

AT&T's Consolation Prize? Deal Approved For Qualcomm's Wireless Spectrum

By Tom Krazit

Dec. 23, 2011 - 4:21 PM PDT Dec. 23, 2011 - 4:21 PM PDT

AT&T (NYSE: T) finally won a round with the U.S. government, but only because T-Mobile wasn’t involved. The carrier got the go-ahead to purc… Read more at paidContent »

Without FCC approval, bankruptcy looms for LightSquared

By Kevin Fitchard

Dec. 20, 2011 - 10:07 AM PDT Dec. 20, 2011 - 10:07 AM PDT

LightSquared isn’t just fighting the government and the GPS industry for the right to build its nationwide LTE network; it’s also fighting the clock. In a financial statement released to Reuters, LightSquared revealed it may run out of cash early next year. Read more »

Signal Failed: Winners And Losers From The Death Of AT&T's T-Mobile Deal

By Tom Krazit

Dec. 20, 2011 - 9:00 AM PDT Dec. 20, 2011 - 9:00 AM PDT

One of the most audacious and controversial mergers in mobile history is dead, and give AT&T (NYSE: T) at least a little credit for understa… Read more at paidContent »

Subscriber Content

Confused about the wireless markets? Here’s a breakdown

By Stacey Higginbotham

Dec. 17, 2011 - 12:04 AM PDT Dec. 17, 2011 - 12:04 AM PDT

Between the collapse of AT&T’s proposed $39 billion merger with T-Mobile and the death throes of a proposed wholesale 4G network created by a satellite company and now-broke hedge fund, the wireless industry has generated a lot of stories but no real change in the past ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »

AT&T awfully picky about the spectrum it claims to need

By Kevin Fitchard

Dec. 15, 2011 - 10:52 AM PDT Dec. 15, 2011 - 10:52 AM PDT

AT&T-Mo may be stalled, but Ma Bell is aiming for a consolation prize: Qualcomm’s 700 MHz spectrum. Regulators, however, may impose restrictions on the deal making it easier for small operators to get new smartphones and strike roaming agreements. AT&T is threatening to scrap the deal. Read more »

LightSquared makes more concessions to save LTE plans

By Kevin Fitchard

Dec. 14, 2011 - 4:51 PM PDT Dec. 14, 2011 - 4:51 PM PDT

Will LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja have any network left to run?

LightSquared is giving up more of its network ambitions in hopes of winning FCC approval to launch LTE, but if it concedes too much it may find itself with no network left to build. That would be just fine with LightSquared’s critics in the GPS industry. Read more »

Congress, please don’t kill white spaces

By Stacey Higginbotham

Dec. 14, 2011 - 4:00 PM PDT Dec. 14, 2011 - 4:00 PM PDT

The spectrum bill that passed the House last night will make any technologist weep. I know the tech community is upset over the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), but this bill represents a somewhat geekier threat–killing more unlicensed spectrum. Read more »

AT&T, Deutsche Telekom Ask For More Time To Evaluate T-Mobile Deal

By Tom Krazit

Dec. 12, 2011 - 5:44 PM PDT Dec. 12, 2011 - 5:44 PM PDT

AT&T’s attempt to remake the U.S. wireless landscape with its huge $39 billion deal for T-Mobile may have finally reached the breaking point… Read more at paidContent »

D.C.: We’ll see your 1 Gig, raise you 100 Gig

By Craig Settles, Gigabit Nation

Dec. 12, 2011 - 5:00 PM PDT Dec. 12, 2011 - 5:00 PM PDT

One of the benefits of D.C.’s 100 gigabit network is that it should open eyes to the importance of middle mile infrastructure, but it’s not clear how many last mile projects will spring up to connect to it. How DC-CAN resolves this could influence federal policy. Read more »

LightSquared struggles to save network after leaked GPS report

By Kevin Fitchard

Dec. 12, 2011 - 12:46 PM PDT Dec. 12, 2011 - 12:46 PM PDT

LightSquared is fighting for the life of its LTE network, as a government report emerging later this week questions if there’s any way its 4G network can coexist with millions of GPS devices. If the report’s findings stand, the repercussions could be felt throughout the industry. Read more »

AT&T-Mo deal on hold for the holidays

By Stacey Higginbotham

Dec. 12, 2011 - 10:50 AM PDT Dec. 12, 2011 - 10:50 AM PDT

The judge hearing the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against AT&T’s planned takeover of T-Mobile has agreed to give the two parties a month to figure out if they can salvage the $39 billion deal. The court will revisit the case on Jan 18. Read more »

DOJ to AT&T: No FCC petition, no merger

By Kevin Fitchard

Dec. 9, 2011 - 10:07 AM PDT Dec. 9, 2011 - 10:07 AM PDT

The Justice Department has sent a clear signal to AT&T that it doesn’t like its tactics as the operator tries to buy T-Mobile. The DOJ is seeking a halt all court proceedings until AT&T resubmits its FCC merger application, potentially putting the deal in limbo. Read more »

Subscriber Content

Facebook’s tactical retreat on privacy

By Paul Sweeting

Dec. 2, 2011 - 4:55 PM PDT Dec. 2, 2011 - 4:55 PM PDT

In all probability Facebook did not agree to implement any procedures in its deal with the FTC that it wasn’t already going to face significant pressure to implement — not from any U.S. authority but instead from the European ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »

Verizon’s spectrum deal with cable is the end of broadband competition

By Stacey Higginbotham

Dec. 2, 2011 - 2:10 PM PDT Dec. 2, 2011 - 2:10 PM PDT

The spectrum deal that Verizon signed to buy the unused airwaves from the nation’s top cable providers signals the moment that the consumer benefits of the convergence of voice, video and data hit the wall. It’s a deal that’s great for Verizon and bad for consumers. Read more »

Verizon to AT&T: Want more spectrum? Here’s how you get it.

By Stacey Higginbotham

Dec. 2, 2011 - 10:13 AM PDT Dec. 2, 2011 - 10:13 AM PDT

Verizon has offered three cable companies a total of $3.6 billion for spectrum that Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks were planning to use for their own mobile play, and it’s unlikely that the Federal Communications Commission will do anything to stop it. Read more »

Verizon building a spectrum empire with cable deal

By Kevin Fitchard

Dec. 2, 2011 - 8:18 AM PDT Dec. 2, 2011 - 8:18 AM PDT

Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks are selling off the spectrum remnants of their stillborn wireless venture, SpectrumCo, to Verizon Wireless for $3.6 billion. The deal allows Verizon to double up on its LTE network, while creating a new alliance between Verizon and cable. Read more »

AT&T: Can You Believe Those Guys At The Freaking FCC?

By Tom Krazit

Dec. 1, 2011 - 6:30 PM PDT Dec. 1, 2011 - 6:30 PM PDT

AT&T (NYSE: T) issued a strongly worded point-by-point critique of the report released earlier this week by the Federal Communications Commi… Read more at paidContent »

AT&T, Deutsche Telekom Down To Brainstorming: How About A Joint Venture?

By Tom Krazit

Nov. 30, 2011 - 8:55 PM PDT Nov. 30, 2011 - 8:55 PM PDT

Could AT&T (NYSE: T) want T-Mobile’s spectrum and network assets so badly as to contemplate arranging a joint venture between it and T-Mobil… Read more at paidContent »

Subscriber Content

AT&T’s loss with T-Mo likely to be another bidder’s big gain

By Colin Gibbs

Nov. 30, 2011 - 2:00 PM PDT Nov. 30, 2011 - 2:00 PM PDT

AT&T is scrambling to make huge concessions to gain approval of its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA. Approval now looks highly unlikely, and the fallout could change the mobile landscape in a big way. Here’s who might ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »

FCC Disses AT&T, But Lets It Drop Its T-Mobile Merger Application

By Ingrid Lunden

Nov. 30, 2011 - 12:01 PM PDT Nov. 30, 2011 - 12:01 PM PDT

Call this one a not-so-sweet release for AT&T (NYSE: T). The Federal Communications Commission has said has let AT&T drop its FCC applicatio… Read more at paidContent »

FCC inches toward the broadband future with USF reform

By Stacey Higginbotham

Nov. 29, 2011 - 5:00 PM PDT Nov. 29, 2011 - 5:00 PM PDT

Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible screengrab

The FCC’s plan to take the funding program that provides telephone service to rural areas and upgrade it for the 21st century will soon become law, as universal service fund reform hits the Federal Register. Here’s what the plan means for consumers, telcos and innovation. Read more »

FCC lets AT&T off the hook, but still releases damning merger report

By Kevin Fitchard

Nov. 29, 2011 - 2:48 PM PDT Nov. 29, 2011 - 2:48 PM PDT

The FCC has accepted AT&T’s request to withdraw its T-Mobile merger petition, allowing it to resubmit its application if it can overcome the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit. But the FCC didn’t let AT&T get off without releasing its report condemning the merger for all to see. Read more »

Who wins and who loses if AT&T-Mo fails?

By Kevin Fitchard

Nov. 28, 2011 - 5:18 PM PDT Nov. 28, 2011 - 5:18 PM PDT

AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile seems all but dead. If the deal falls through mobile operators stand to gain or lose depending on which of side of the battle lines the stand. The biggest losers, however, aren’t necessarily AT&T and T-Mobile. Read more »

AT&T Scrambling For Cover As T-Mobile Deal Wilts Under Government Scrutiny

By Tom Krazit

Nov. 28, 2011 - 9:00 AM PDT Nov. 28, 2011 - 9:00 AM PDT

Nobody likes uncertainty heading into two of the most important months of the mobile calendar: the December holiday shopping season and the… Read more at paidContent »

Thanksgiving Turkey: AT&T, T-Mobile Pull Merger Application From The FCC

By Ingrid Lunden

Nov. 24, 2011 - 10:31 AM PDT Nov. 24, 2011 - 10:31 AM PDT

Today, on a public holiday in the U.S., AT&T (NYSE: T) and Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT) issued a statement saying they would be withdrawing t… Read more at paidContent »

AT&T backs off the T-Mobile fight

By Stacey Higginbotham

Nov. 24, 2011 - 6:23 AM PDT Nov. 24, 2011 - 6:23 AM PDT

Following the FCC’s decision to send the $39-billion proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA to an administrative hearing, AT&T has withdrawn its application to combine its spectrum with T-Mobile’s from the regulatory agency. Additionally, it said it will take a $4 billion charge against earnings. Read more »

Why Verizon needs AT&T-Mo to just disappear

By Kevin Fitchard

Nov. 23, 2011 - 12:37 PM PDT Nov. 23, 2011 - 12:37 PM PDT

Verizon dodged a bullet on Tuesday when the FCC denounced AT&T-Mo. No conditional approval means no new regulations to haunt Verizon’s own consolidation plans in the future. Now Verizon needs its archival AT&T to throw in the towel before it can do any more damage. Read more »

FCC Will Not Bless AT&T/T-Mobile, Asks For Hearing On Merger

By Tom Krazit

Nov. 22, 2011 - 8:12 PM PDT Nov. 22, 2011 - 8:12 PM PDT

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission does not like what it sees in the proposed mega-merger between AT&T (NYSE: T) and T-Mobile. It ha… Read more at paidContent »

AT&T-Mo what happens next?

By Stacey Higginbotham

Nov. 22, 2011 - 2:24 PM PDT Nov. 22, 2011 - 2:24 PM PDT

AT&T and T Mobile announce merger in New York

The Federal Communications Commission put up a roadblock to the AT&T and T-Mobile merger when it referred the merger to an administrative hearing, and even AT&T seems a bit daunted by the opposition lined up against the $39 billion deal. Read more »

AT&T-Mo fails FCC test but has one more shot

By Kevin Fitchard

Nov. 22, 2011 - 2:13 PM PDT Nov. 22, 2011 - 2:13 PM PDT

The FCC condemned AT&T-Mo in every way it could think of short of denying the actual merger. Instead it passed it along to an administrative law judge, where telecom deals go to die. But first AT&T has to face down the DOJ. Read more »

Does AT&T need more spectrum? It’s complicated

By Kevin Fitchard

Nov. 16, 2011 - 6:09 PM PDT Nov. 16, 2011 - 6:09 PM PDT

Sprint is calling foul on AT&T’s attempt to sell off mobile broadband licenses while simultaneously arguing the need to acquire T-Mobile’s spectrum. Sprint’s been plenty right in its criticisms of the AT&T-Mo deal in the past, but this time Sprint’s wrong. Read more »

Net neutrality vote shows Washington is off the rails

By Stacey Higginbotham

Nov. 10, 2011 - 1:05 PM PDT Nov. 10, 2011 - 1:05 PM PDT

The Senate failed to stop the network neutrality rules enacted by the FCC. But for anyone who watched the hearings or sees how the vote split completely along partisan lines, the vote is a reminder of how easily the folks in D.C. can stymie innovation. Read more »

Coming to America: China Telecom launching U.S. service

By Ryan Kim

Nov. 9, 2011 - 10:00 AM PDT Nov. 9, 2011 - 10:00 AM PDT

China Telecom is moving ahead with plans to pursue an MVNO service in the U.S. starting next year. A China Telecom executive said the branded cellular service will start early next year and will target tourists and travelers who fly between China and the U.S. frequently. Read more »

America! Stop whining and get online!

By Stacey Higginbotham

Nov. 9, 2011 - 8:48 AM PDT Nov. 9, 2011 - 8:48 AM PDT

Almost a third of U.S. households don’t subscribe to broadband, and it’s driving the government nuts. According to an report out today 71 percent of Americans are online, and the rest don’t want it or find it too expensive. And yes, 3 percent can’t get it. Read more »

The Morning Lowdown 10-28-11

By David Kaplan

Oct. 28, 2011 - 10:43 AM PDT Oct. 28, 2011 - 10:43 AM PDT

» Emily Gould And The Rise Of The Indie E-Bookseller (paidContent)

» Mobile Ad Company 4INFO Raises $14 Million, Spin… Read more at paidContent »

FCC questions AT&T on T-Mo claims

By Stacey Higginbotham

Oct. 13, 2011 - 12:58 PM PDT Oct. 13, 2011 - 12:58 PM PDT

The Federal Communications Commission has joined those questioning Ma Bell about its stated benefits of its purchase of T-Mobile. The agency on Thursday sent AT&t letter inquiring about the number of jobs AT&T said would be created by the merger. Read more »

OpenRange bankruptcy will leave taxpayers on the hook

By Stacey Higginbotham

Oct. 7, 2011 - 8:09 AM PDT Oct. 7, 2011 - 8:09 AM PDT

OpenRange Communications, the company that scored a $267 million federal loan to build out a rural mobile broadband network, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday leaving the U.S. government holding the bag on a $73.5 million in unpaid loans. Read more »

Verizon wins first battle in network neutrality fight

By Stacey Higginbotham

Oct. 6, 2011 - 1:43 PM PDT Oct. 6, 2011 - 1:43 PM PDT

Even as the FCC moves to dimiss Verizon’s lawsuit against its network neutrality rules, Big Red gained a victory as the the courts consolidated the lawsuits at the same court that gutted the FCC’s authority in the Comcast P2P case. Read more »

Apple under Jobs set off a policy maelstrom

By Stacey Higginbotham

Oct. 6, 2011 - 9:04 AM PDT Oct. 6, 2011 - 9:04 AM PDT

In bringing the geekiest tech to mainstream consumers, Steve Jobs also helped bring it to Washington, D.C. With the launch of the iPhone, Apple forced Washington legislators to address issues such as spectrum policy and mobile privacy and even got regulators involved in app development. Read more »

newer1 234 5…13page 3 of 13older

Comment with your social network:

Comment as guest: