It used to be that we chose our mobile network first, and then the device. But a shift is gradually emerging where device choice is becoming more important than the fastest network, the best coverage and even the amount of mobile broadband we can use monthly. Read more »
Clearwire, the wireless broadband company, on Wednesday announced that it is trying out a new LTE-Advanced-based network that would allow it to offer a network with speeds of 120 Mbps. The question is when will they switch over to it and sunset the WiMAX network? Read more »
After building a WiMAX network in the U.S., Clearwire plans to leverage its current infrastructure and roll out an LTE-Advanced mobile broadband service. The new network has shown 120 Mbps wireless downloads in trials, and will be targeted in areas where Clearwire already has WiMAX equipment. Read more »
Sprint reported record low churn rates and its highest average revenue per user yet, but lost $847 million. Why? Although 1.1 million new subscribers were added, all were from wholesale and pre-paid customers. Postpaid subscriber numbers may turn around in the future though, thanks to LTE. Read more »
Google is bringing Samsung’s Nexus S smartphone to AT&T’s network on July 24 for $99 with a two-year contract. Customers can preorder the handset today online or in a Best Buy store. Why launch a handset that’s a bit behind current hardware? Google Wallet comes to mind. Read more »
Carriers are struggling to address the gap between mobile data usage and revenues even as their networks approach capacity. Here’s how they can innovate to better monetize in the era of the ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Carriers are struggling to address the gap between mobile data usage and revenues even as their networks approach capacity. But those willing to embrace new business models and innovative services still have a chance to thrive in the era of the superphone. Read more »
NextWave, a wireless spectrum holding company, warned it may be heading to bankruptcy. But NextWave has spectrum that could be used for mobile broadband that it has been trying to sell since November 2009. Its financial woes explain why the U.S. spectrum policy is so difficult. Read more »
Sprint today introduced the Motorola Photon 4G, the company’s first WiMAX handset with international support, and will launch the smartphone on July 31. Featuring a 960×540 high-resolution display and dual-core Tegra 2 processor, the Android smartphone works across borders, but sadly leaves the 4G behind. Read more »
Trying to use green marketing to sell cell phones is a misplaced effort by the phone companies. There, I said it. I’m not even going to do a light-hearted lead into the thesis of this post. Read more »
The worldwide mobile industry should bring in $1.3 trillion in 2011 and will represent about 2 percent of global gross domestic product, according to data released today by analyst Chetan Sharma. But despite rocketing growth, carriers are having to keep an eye on their margins. Read more »
Verizon stops offering unlimited plans on Thursday for new customers, and much like when AT&T halted its unlimited plans last June, the world will not end. However, it will get more confusing for both consumers and developers. What else could Verizon have done? Read more »
LightSquared, the company betting it all on a wholesale 4G wireless broadband network, said Tuesday it has raised $265 million from existing and new investors. None of the investors were named, but it brings LightSquared’s total funding to $2.3 billion just in the last year. Read more »
There are 17.7 million WiMAX subscribers around the world, and the WiMAX Forum estimates there will be 45 million by 2013, but the future of the technology is bleak. The forum pitches smart grid and airports as potential saviors but neither option looks promising. Read more »
Allied Fiber may be able to do something the FCC can’t: help make American broadband just a bit more competitive. In a few weeks it will begin construction on its new type of optical network. It’s six months late, but better late than never. Read more »
LightSquared, the company trying to build a wholesale 4G wireless network using a mix of FCC waivers, satellite spectrum, a to-be-built terrestrial network and a helluva lot of gumption may have signed a deal with Sprint. Read more »
Sprint’s EVO 3D built by HTC arrives in stores next week, but we have an early look at that Android 2.3.3 smartphone. While it’s similar to the Sensation 4G, a few features standout: glasses-free 3-D video and still images and support for Sprint’s WiMAX network. Read more »
Apple may be on the verge of offering a factory-unlocked iPhone 4 for sale in the U.S., according to a new report Sunday. Apple already offers the iPhone 4 for sale unlocked in some other countries, but in those locations the value proposition is much clearer. Read more »
Motorola and Sprint, both in the midst of fighting bigger competition, have banded together with the Photon 4G, a new Android flagship device that supports international service. The Photon 4G provides a big punch for Sprint and Motorola and strengthens the relationship between the two. Read more »
Comcast unveiled a home security product in six markets on Wednesday in what I expect will become a larger effort for Comcast as well as other Internet Service Providers that want to avoid becoming just a broadband delivery pipe. Read more »
Sprint stores will begin carrying a 3-D smartphone and a 7-inch tablet on June 24, both of which run Google Android and use the operator’s WiMAX network. The $199 HTC Evo 3D boasts two camera sensors to create 3-D images which can be seen without glasses. Read more »
Third-place U.S. cellular carrier Sprint filed a petition with the FCC today formally requesting a block of the AT&T-T-Mobile merger saying it would harm consumers, competition and the broadband economy and would produce little to no tangible public interest benefits. How will AT&T respond? Read more »
Google launched its big push into mobile payments with the introduction of a new payment platform called Google Wallet based NFC technology. The company said it will pair contactless payments with Google Offers to help retailers and merchants strengthen their ties to consumers. Read more »
Cox Cable says it plans to shut down its wireless network according to Fierce Wireless, which published a story this afternoon citing Cox spokesman David Deliman who said the cable company will “soon” decommission its 3G network and use Sprint for its service. Read more »
Apple’s next iPhone will be called the 4S, and won’t offer much beyond minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, an A5 dual-core processor and HSPA+ support, according to Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek. The info comes from industry checks performed by the investment banking firm. Read more »
The iPhone’s debut on Verizon Wireless in January was one of the most anticipated moments for many consumers and wireless lovers. But it turns out the launch wasn’t bad news for most rival carriers. Take a look at how they fared in Q1. Read more »
T-Mobile’s latest quarterly earnings aren’t pretty, and there’s a chance its acquisition by AT&T won’t survive the federal scrutiny that begins this week with congressional hearings. So what should the nation’s fourth-largest carrier do if the deal is scuttled? Here are a few ideas. Read more »
Sprint has quietly hiked its text messaging rates for businesses that send text alerts over its cellular network. But ESPN, The Weather Channel and MSNBC have all opted to cease sending free messages to Sprint users altogether rather than pay the new fee. Read more »
At a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on AT&T’s proposed purchase of T-Mobile, support was tepid for the merger. And most support associated with the deal was conditioned to a point where the FCC would be put in charge of regulating prices, speeds and perhaps access to devices. Read more »
The AT&T and T-Mo merger will be decided by a DoJ and an FCC playing by the old rules that don’t take into account the future needs of the mobile industry, nor how the relationship between the players in that industry have changed. That’s a problem. Read more »
Comcast today announced that it will offer a 4G MiFi device, but what I found curious was that in the release about the device and Comcast’s Xfinity Wireless2Go product there’s no mention of the WiMAX protocol, an omission that’s becoming more common. Read more »
MetroPCS recently met with the FCC about wireless competition, presumably in response to AT&T’s proposal to buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. Industry groups, average consumers and Sprint have come out against the proposed merger, and MetroPCS also offered up this slide showing industry consolidation. Read more »
For those who thought that Verizon getting the iPhone would be too much of a blow to Sprint’s numbers this quarter, the number-three mobile… Read more at paidContent »
Despite the introduction of the iPhone on Verizon, Sprint Nextel managed to hold its own and actually improved in almost every way, adding 1.1 million net wireless subscribers, reducing its churn to record levels and improving average revenue per user. Read more »
Demand for mobile data appears to outstrip the supply of spectrum available to provide Facebook or streaming video on our phones and tablets. However, we are ignoring some very promising technological solutions that could turn the spectrum crunch into a capital spending bonanza by telecommunications companies. Read more »
Sprint today announced the Nexus S 4G, with support for Sprint’s WiMAX network, is launching on May 8 for $199 with a two-year contract. Will customers be interested in the new Nexus when dual-core, higher resolution phones are available? They probably will for one key reason. Read more »
Tech giants are noting Earth Day this year in different ways, from Facebook’s “Billion Acts of Green” app and Microsoft’s green data center progress to e-cycling and energy efficiency efforts underway by telcos and gadget makers. Read more »
AT&T’s strategy for pushing through its $39-billion purchase of T-Mobile, thus consolidating further the majority of the mobile subscribers, 4G-capable spectrum and revenue in the U.S. is fantastic. Let’s take a look at the promises, the changes in strategy and the continuing issues. Read more »
Clearwire has resolved its wholesale agreement dispute with Sprint, signing a deal that calls for Sprint to pay Clearwire about $1 billion over the next two years. The deal removes some uncertainty for struggling Clearwire and helps forge a stronger bond with Sprint, its majority owner. Read more »
LightSquared, the company trying to create a wholesale fourth generation wireless network is thinking about an initial public offering. Is the company is planning to take investors for a ride using the current spectrum crisis as cover for a questionable business plan? Read more »
