Sprint laid out arguments as to why WiMAX is a new business model and raised text fees, while MySpace topped Facebook in social media … 9 years ago this week
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 Nextel pushes WiMAX into the Xohm
Barry West believes so strongly in it that he’s got it as the personalized license plate on his sports car: Xohm. It’s the commercial brand for Sprint Nextel Corp.’s WiMAX effort and, as West explains, “Xohm is about a new business model.” Adds West: “It’s Internet 3.0.” West, head of Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX business, made his pitch for Xohm (pronounced “zoam”) last week during Sprint Nextel’s “Technology Summit” here. The event brought together the carrier’s top executives for an in-depth look into all corners of its business. “We’re ready,” explained Gary Forsee, Sprint Nextel’s CEO. “It’s time that we give you a straightforward view of the product roadmap.” … Read More
Sprint Nextel hikes text fee again, ETF remains in effect
Sprint Nextel Corp. is upping its casual text messaging rate by five cents as of Oct. 1, from 15 cents per message to 20 cents per message. And the carrier said the change-which is permissible under its terms of service-will not allow customers to slip out of their contracts without paying an early termination fee. The news is notable since Sprint Nextel increased its casual text messaging fee from 10 cents to 15 cents just 10 months ago. At the time, the carrier said the move would allow affected customers to get out of their service contracts without paying an ETF, as the changes affected service costs. This time, however, it appears Sprint Nextel’s current terms of service do allow for changes to text messaging fees. … Read More
Social networking sites vye for viewers
User-generated content is finding an audience in mobile. But it appears the early successes in the space may have more to do with connecting with others and less to do with the content itself. MySpace and Facebook are leveraging valuable deck space to extend their offerings to mobile users, according to figures released last week from M:Metrics. The market research firm found that MySpace, which has deals with AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel Corp. and Helio L.L.C., attracted about 3.7 million U.S. wireless users in June; Facebook, which is available through AT&T Mobility and Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C., lured 2 million mobile Americans. … Read More
Verizon Wireless joins forces with MTV, Real for iTunes competitor
Verizon Wireless is teaming with MTV Networks and RealNetworks Inc. to take on Apple Inc.’s iTunes service. MTV is shuttering its Urge music download service and will integrate components of the offering with RealNetworks’ Rhapsody, an online music subscription service. Verizon Wireless will serve as the exclusive distribution partner for the offering, which will be marketed as Rhapsody. … Read More
Credit crunch impacting flat-rate carriers’ stock
Flat-rate wireless carriers serving the sub-prime sector have seen their stocks plunge in recent weeks, reflecting fears about sub-prime customers who could affect the carriers’ financial results. Earlier this year Leap’s stock had been steadily gaining value, and was trading as high as $99 per share in late July. Earlier this month, though, the carrier’s stock took a plunge into the $60 range after Leap announced disappointing second-quarter results. The carrier also posted increased customer churn and cut its projections for third-quarter customer gains. … Read More
IPhone ecosystem challenges developers
The iPhone has given birth to the iEcosystem. Whether that’s a good thing, though, is debatable. Apple Inc.’s decision to bar third-party developers from building applications for its high-profile device has drawn scorn in the software world. But there is no shortage of Internet-based applications and sites designed specifically for the iPhone. Google Inc. last month became one of the first developers on the bandwagon with a stripped-down version of its mobile search offering for iPhone users. A handful of instant messaging and chat services have built custom versions of their Web-based clients for the handset, and HarperCollins Publishers last week announced a pilot program to bring excerpts of new titles specifically to iPhones via the Internet. Facebook has also joined the craze with an iPhone-specific version of its offering that mimics the handset’s user interface, and fellow social networking site Multiply offers an iPhone-tailored site as well. … Read More
Networks differ on staffing mobile operations
One way to get a sense of how much priority Hollywood networks are placing on mobile is to look at the executives on board and how many people are working on their respective teams. The big four networks-ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox-each takes a different approach to the small screen. The business models are still largely unproven in scope, but all of the networks are developing strategies meant to harness their existing platforms as they drive to gain more viewers on the go. CBS made a fresh start in its mobile endeavors, beginning with a blank slate to form standalone wireless teams from the top down. In its case, hiring one seasoned veteran in the wireless space. … Read More
Qwest CEO has work cut out: Regional Bell must pick battles against much larger competitors
Qwest Communications International Inc.’s new CEO takes the helm of a company that has weathered financial storms, been through a turn-around that included selling off its wireless network and forging a mobile virtual network operator agreement with Sprint Nextel Corp. and now needs to continue its positive trajectory in a highly competitive industry. Edward Mueller has a background both in telecom and most recently in retail, as CEO of Williams Sonoma. In a conference call last week, he offered few specifics into his plans for the regional telecom operator, but said that he hopes to meet with analysts by the end of the year to lay out a strategy for Qwest’s path forward. In the meantime, he said that Qwest would continue to “focus on the fundamentals-exception customer growth, profitable growth, disciplined spending and ownership reward on a sustainable basis.” … Read More
Shifting ground: W-CDMA baseband business in flux
The W-CDMA baseband chip business is morphing in real time, as various market pressures push and pull the players to partner, diversify their customer base or pursue less-demanding technologies. Data from Forward Concepts shows that last year Texas Instruments Inc. was the global leader in WCDMA baseband chip sales as it supplied Nokia Corp. and Ericsson Mobile Platforms (EMP), which provides WCDMA to Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and other handset vendors. (Nokia and SEMC are the No. 1-and No. 4 handset vendors, globally.) Qualcomm Inc. had the next big chunk of business by virtue of its relationships with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Co. (the No. 2- and No. 5 handset vendors). … Read More
Mobile banking services branch out
The mobile banking and payments space continues to gather momentum, with banks exploring and announcing new services, and solutions providers forging new partnerships to enable the applications. Just within the past two months, a number of banks in the U.S. and abroad have begun marketing mobile banking services to their customers and various deals have come to light that reflect the high interest in the space. Wells Fargo & Co., which is the fifth-largest U.S. bank by assets, announced last month that it had launched Wells Fargo Mobile. The company’s mobile Web-based service allows customers to use their phone’s browser to check account balances including savings, mortgages, home equity, brokerage, auto loan, student loan and credit-card accounts; view a transaction history and transfer money between eligible Wells Fargo accounts. The company introduced a CEO Mobile service in May to cater to businesses’ financial needs. … Read More
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