Before we turn the page on 2013, we thought we would take a look back at the past 12 months by highlighting what we felt were the top 100 stories across the mobile space. Since it would be foolish to rank these in order of “importance,” we have instead laid them out in chronological order. Please check back tomorrow for the next round of stories that shaped the wireless world in 2013.
Also, please make sure to check back beginning Jan. 2 as we begin posting predictions for 2014 from executives across various channels of the mobile space.
RIM changes name, launches new devices
After months of speculation about its chances for survival, Research in Motion made it clear today that RIM will not be around much longer — the company is changing its name to BlackBerry. … Read More
Mobile infrastructure, small cells, DAS to benefit from FCC action
The infrastructure market appears set to benefit from a new Federal Communications Commission to hasten the deployment of broadband services. … Read More
Verizon Wireless completes 700 MHz spectrum sale; AT&T bolsters holdings
Verizon Wireless wrapped up the sale of lower 700 MHz spectrum assets, announcing late last week that it sold off the remaining chunk of licenses to rival AT&T in a spectrum swap for $1.9 billion. … Read More
Nokia returns to profitability
Nokia Corporation reported its first quarterly profit in over a year today, earning $270 million on revenue of $10.7 billion. … Read More
T-Mobile USA goes full unlimited, no contract; expands network upgrade
T-Mobile USA’s plans to become a disruptive force in the domestic mobile space heated up this week as the carrier unveiled its “Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data” plan that provides unlimited voice, messaging and “4G” data services for $70 per month without a contract. … Read More
Dish puts in bid for Clearwire at 11% per-share premium over Sprint Nextel’s offer
Sprint Nextel’s attempt to acquire the remaining stake in Clearwire that it does not already control seems to have hit a snag as Dish Networks has thrown its hat into the bidding ring with an unsolicited offer that is an 11% premium over the one currently on the table. … Read More
Qualcomm launches Snapdragon 800
Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs used his opening keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show to introduce the company’s newest flagship chipset. … Read More
Wi-Fi Alliance to absorb WiGig Alliance, hasten interoperability
The Wi-Fi Alliance consolidated its position in representing the wireless local area space, announcing it has signed an agreement to absorb the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig). … Read More
AT&T snags OnStar deal from Verizon Wireless
AT&T seems to have usurped Verizon Wireless as General Motors carrier of choice for the auto makers OnStar telematics offering. … Read More
FCC boosts signal boosters; proposes more 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum
The government’s push to increase the reach and depth of wireless services received a boost from the Federal Communications Commission, which this week adopted new rules regulating signal boosters and plans to free up new spectrum assets for unlicensed wireless broadband services. … Read More
HTC One raises the bar
HTC was not shy about using words like “reinvent” and “new standard” when introducing its new HTC One smartphone. … Read More
Alcatel-Lucent CEO steps aside
Noting that execution may not be his “natural strength,” Alcatel-Lucent CEO Ben Verwaayen says he will not renew his contract with the company, which terminates in May. … Read More
Oracle to buy Acme for $2.1B, bolsters communications product offerings
Oracle agreed to acquire Acme Packet, which makes network solutions to deliver voice, video, data and unified communications services and applications across IP networks. … Read More
Congress pressures Softbank and Sprint Nextel on Huawei
House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Michigan) says Softbank and Sprint Nextel are telling his committee they will try to phase out Chinese network equipment used by Clearwire. … Read More
T-Mobile USA to offer iPhone 5 off contract, launches LTE
T-Mobile USA is shaking up wireless pricing, offering the iPhone 5 off-contract starting April 12. … Read More
T-Mobile USA launches new pricing; LTE network could be nation’s fastest
T-Mobile USA is rolling out its new no-contract pricing just as the latest tests of its LTE network are showing speeds that could be the fastest in the country. … Read More
FCC Chairman Genachowski announces plans to step down
Following weeks of speculation, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced today that he would be holding a meeting with staff members to inform them he would be leaving his position in the “coming weeks.” … Read More
ARM to replace CEO
Warren East is stepping down from the top position at ARM Holdings after leading the British company to become the world’s premiere architect of processors for mobile devices. … Read More
ST-Ericsson shutdown to cost 1,600 jobs
Ericsson and STMicroelectronics have agreed to dissolve their ST-Ericsson joint venture, calling it quits on the effort to establish a competitive European semiconductor supplier for the wireless industry. … Read More
Samsung unveils feature-packed Galaxy S4; pressure now on rivals to respond
Samsung upped its game in the smartphone space with the unveiling of its latest Galaxy S model, the S4, which will supersede the S3 in its lineup. … Read More
FCC approves T-Mobile USA/MetroPCS deal
The Federal Communications Commission gave its stamp of approval for T-Mobile USA’s merger with MetroPCS that will see the nation’s No. 4 and No. 5 carriers combine operations into a stronger, though still No. 4, competitor. … Read More
Google to axe 1,200 more jobs at Motorola Mobility
Google will lay off another 1,200 Motorola Mobility employees, or 10% of the company’s remaining workforce. … Read More
Canada to auction 700 MHz spectrum Nov. 19
Canada’s telecommunications regulatory body, Industry Canada, said it would begin auctioning off spectrum in the 700 MHz band on Nov. 19, as part of the government’s plans to bolster competition across the country’s wireless industry. … Read More
Verizon Wireless says VoLTE will be network-ready this year
Verizon Communications CTO Tony Melone shared his outlook for his company and the industry at this year’s GenBand Perspectives conference. … Read More
FirstNet names D’Agostino, Jr., GM
The nation’s attempt to put together a public-safety wireless network gained leadership today as the FirstNet board of directors announced the hiring of Bill D’Agostino, Jr., as GM. … Read More
