Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades and enjoy the memories!
Latest DT/Sprint Nextel rumors highlight foreign ownership interests in domestic market
News this week that German telecom giant Deutsche Telekom AG was looking at making a play for beleaguered U.S. wireless provider Sprint Nextel Corp. caused a stir amongst industry observers as well as the expected impact to the companies’ respective stock prices: DT down; Sprint Nextel up. While no official word was forthcoming from either party, the innuendo was not the first involving both companies. It also was further proof that foreign carriers have a high interest in U.S. operators and are willing to spend big bucks for a piece of what is seen by many as a slowing market. … Read More
Industry reaction mixed to FCC net neutrality plans: New regs bring some clarity, beg new questions
The Federal Communication Commission’s announcement yesterday that it was looking to reinforce existing network neutrality regulations that would include porting wireline requirements to wireless network providers drew mixed reactions from the wireless industry. In part the new regulations would require wireless Internet service providers to adhere to the same open network and non-discriminatory ethos currently applied to their wireline cohorts. The FCC did leave some wiggle room with wording that allowed for network management if consumer usage degraded the performance of a network, but insisted that all management be transparent. These regulations had long been simmering below the surface during the previous administration, but have taken on new impetus with Democrats controlling both the Congress and White House. … Read More
AT&T Mobility to offer TerreStar dual-mode device: Hybrid cellular/satellite smartphone to launch at carrier in early 2010
AT&T Mobility plans to offer TerreStar Networks Inc.’s dual-mode cellular/satellite Genus smartphone and mobility solution to enterprise, government and small business customers and their corporate liable users beginning in the first quarter of 2010. The partnership follows a recipricol roaming agreement signed between the two companies last year. The new offering will allow customers to have one number whether using the device to connect to AT&T Mobility’s GSM-based cellular network or TerreStar’s satellite network that currently offers coverage in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. … Read More
Telefonica, partners plan LTE trials
Spanish-based telecom giant Telefonica said it reached an agreement with a half-dozen LTE equipment suppliers to launch test projects in six different countries in preparation of rolling out LTE-based networks in markets where the carrier operates. The suppliers include Alcatel-Lucent, L.M. Ericsson, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., NEC, Nokia Siemens Networks and ZTE Corp. The six-month testing period will consist of field tests and installation of e-node B’s, also known as femtocells. … Read More
Garmin’s nuvifone finally gets its bearings: GPS-centric device found at AT&T Mobility … for a price
More than a year and a half after announcing plans for a cellular technology equipped device, Garmin International Inc. is finally set to enter the U.S. market with its navigation-centric nuvifone G60 scheduled to launch at AT&T Mobility on Oct. 4 for $299 after rebates and a two-year contract. The device, which Garmin first made mention of back in Jan. 2008, sports all the latest wireless connection technologies, including quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and Wi-Fi. The device, which is manufactured by netbook computing giant Asus and runs the Linux operating system, will cater towards its navigation focus with a 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen, turn-by-turn directions using the preloaded maps and points of interests for North America as well as a dashboard and windshield mount. Access to Garmin’s premium connected services, including traffic updates, will be available for $6 per month. … Read More
AT&T, Google spar over Google Voice and open Internet
AT&T Inc. and Google Inc. ratcheted up the volume in an ongoing war of words over net neutrality and the Google Voice application. In documents filed Friday, AT&T went on the offensive, saying that Google Voice fails to comply with the government’s open Internet policies, even as Google pushes for regulations to force network providers to allow any application to work on their networks. For its part, Google said AT&T’s argument is flawed because Google Voice is not a traditional phone service. … Read More
@PCIA: 17 companies actively working on IPR for WiMAX
Fourth-generation technology deployments might be stifled by intellectual property rights as different ecosystems collaborate to make devices for the new standards, said Yung Hahn, president of the Open Patent Alliance at a Wednesday morning keynote at PCIA’s 2009 Wireless Infrastructure Show. The Open Patent Alliance was formed a little more than year ago to push for patent pooling for 4G technologies and to act as a resource for OPA members. OPA counts about 11 companies as members and associate members today. … Read More
Unlimited calling plans to challenge networks: High-traffic offers to require high-tech solutions
Nothing seems to drive adoption of a service as well as cutting the price of using that service. And for the wireless industry, the service of choice remains voice, and in case you were not aware, we are in the midst of a price war. For years, unlimited calling plans were relegated to a handful of regional carriers that offered flat-rate, unlimited local calling that competed against traditional landline offerings and — for some customers — were solid alternatives to traditional wireless plans. That niche was exploded in early 2008, when all of the industry’s nationwide operators rolled out unlimited calling plans within a matter of weeks. Each plan was priced at around $100 per month, but offered a national footprint, trumping the regional offerings. T-Mobile USA Inc. threw in unlimited texting, while Sprint Nextel Corp. included all of its text and data services. … Read More
New networks, new opportunities: Tower market set for 4G spoils
Wasn’t it just yesterday the wireless industry was all abuzz about third-generation networks and how they would revolutionize the way we communicate? Taking a look at the headlines today that tout the same life-altering benefits of 4G and you would almost think those 3G networks were not worth the circuit boards they were printed on. The same could be true for the tower industry, which is expected by many to experience a greater lift from 4G deployments than what it witnessed from the rollout of 3G networks. New technologies such as LTE and WiMAX will need space inside of cell sites; new spectrum to support those technologies will need new antennas to be sited, as well as new locations to provide coverage; greater network capabilities will require more robust network backhaul – all good news for tower players. … Read More
@4G World: 3G not dead yet
What’s that old saying: I can’t miss you if you won’t go away. That seemed appropriate for day 1 of the 4G World 2009 event held this week in Chicago where while the focus of the conference is obviously on “4G” technologies, those pesky 3G networks remained a major topic of speakers and attendees. Keynote speakers from both domestic (AT&T Mobility’s Kris Rinne) and international (Michael Rocca from Australian operator Telstra) operators laid out coherent arguments as to the continued operating benefits of 3G technologies while at the same time making sure to acknowledge the future benefits of 4G technologies. … Read More
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
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