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, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Sprint moves on new job cuts
Sprint has begun to move forward on planned job cuts, announcing in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that the current process to cut an unannounced number of jobs will last through October. Sprint said the moves will be mostly completed by the end of the month, and would “reduce costs,” helping Sprint “become more competitive in the marketplace.” … Read More
HP to cut 5,000 jobs, break apart company
HP CEO Meg Whitman has switched gears and now says that spinning off the company’s computer and printer businesses is the right move after all. In the process, HP will let another 5,000 people go. That brings HP’s total announced layoffs to as many as 55,000. The company employs roughly 300,000 people worldwide. Whitman has resisted a breakup of the company, but now that HP’s turnaround is underway she says a breakup is “definitely the right tactic.” She will become CEO of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, which will include enterprise hardware and services. Independent director Patricia Russo will be chair of the new company. … Read More
Verizon Wireless pulls LTE ‘network optimization’ plan
Verizon Wireless has decided to not implement a controversial “network optimization” program across its LTE network that would have limited network speeds for customers with “unlimited” data plans in some instances. The plan was initially set to begin today, and would mimic a similar program the carrier has set up for its legacy CDMA-based 3G network that impacts all users when a specific cell site experiences congestion issues. Verizon Wireless recently stated that 76% of its total data traffic is now traversing its LTE network. … Read More
Carrier capex seen slipping
Carrier service revenue is not keeping pace with customer data usage, and that could mean that operators will not continue current levels of infrastructure spending. In addition, the two biggest spenders in the North American market — Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility — are both nearing the end of their LTE build outs. “We believe multiple factors will contribute to a decline in capex during 2015,” said Stefan Pongratz, Dell’Oro Group’s carrier economics analyst. “Higher device penetration, decelerating mobile data growth rates, lack of new revenue streams, and increased competition in both the developing and developed markets have caused worldwide revenue growth to decelerate in the last couple of years.” … Read More
T-Mobile US, Nokia Networks expand network pact
T-Mobile US said it has tapped network partner Nokia Networks to expand the reach and capabilities of its LTE network, including the deployment of LTE-Advanced equipment, greater spectrum support for LTE services, and expanded availability of voice over LTE and Wi-Fi services. The new contract calls for Nokia Networks to provide equipment and services in support of T-Mobile US’ 700 MHz spectrum resources and its ongoing move to refarm the 1.9 GHz spectrum currently supporting the carrier’s 2G and 3G services to support its LTE offering. Nokia Networks said it would provide LTE-A carrier aggregation for all of T-Mobile US’ spectrum bands. … Read More
Is Iliad looking at one final run at T-Mobile US?
France’s Iliad is reportedly set to make at least one more run at acquiring a stake in U.S. operator T-Mobile US, though published reports indicate that the offer could fall on deaf ears. Bloomberg is reporting that Iliad is set to throw out another offer to acquire a stake in T-Mobile US for $33 per share, but with the kicker that it plans to acquire a larger stake than previously offered up at that same price. The report noted that T-Mobile US parent company Deutsche Telekom remains in “regular, informal” contact with Iliad, but has not decided whether the altered offer is worth considering. … Read More
AT&T Mobility docked record $105M fine for ‘bill cramming’
AT&T Mobility is set to fork over $105 million in fines to the Federal Communications Commission connected to bogus charges to consumers for third-party subscriptions and premium text messaging services. The fine, which the FCC said is the largest enforcement action in its history, is to resolve litigation that came from an investigation into AT&T Mobility’s billing practices. That investigation found that the carrier had billed consumers for months of unauthorized charges and in some cases refusing to issue refunds when requested by customers. Those charges were tied to monthly subscription services for ringtones, wallpaper and premium text messaging services that typically ran $10 per month. … Read More
Wi-Fi roaming facilitated by new Passpoint features
The Wi-Fi Alliance has enhanced Passpoint, the multivendor standard designed for seamless identification and authentication of Wi-Fi hot spots. Service providers can now distribute their specific subscriber policies, such as which networks to join and in what order of preference. In addition, users can more easily create a new account at the point of access, which should encourage more use of Passpoint-enabled hot spots. “Passpoint is a critical solution for service providers who want to get the most value from investments in Wi-Fi,” said Suraj Shetty, VP and GM of Cisco’s service provider mobility solutions. “The expansion of the certification to include online signup and policy features is an important industry milestone.” … Read More
PCIA to set wireless training standards
PCIA has won a $750,000 grant from the Department of Labor to establish standards for wireless training programs, and certifications to enable workers to meet those standards. The grant is part of the federal government’s broad initiative to fund job-specific training, a program which includes more than $5 million for wireless training programs. “These training programs will prepare workers for jobs that are open right now,” said PCIA president and CEO Jonathan Adelstein. “I think we won the grant because it fits exactly with what the Administration is talking about.” … Read More
Nokia signs $970M China Mobile contract
Nokia’s 20-year history with China Mobile is paying off as the world’s largest carrier builds its TD-LTE network. On Friday Nokia Networks said China Mobile will spend $970 million dollars on Nokia’s equipment, software and services this year and next. This contract news puts some numbers on Nokia’s previous announcement of its China Mobile win. Last fall the infrastructure provider said it had won more of China Mobile’s LTE business than any other non-Chinese vendor. Nokia said that all foreign vendors won 11% of China Mobile’s contracts, but that it had won a bit more by supplying resellers. … Read More
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
