BROWSING: 4G

Report: Verizon Wireless begins 1.9 GHz refarm to support LTE

Verizon Wireless appears to be moving forward on its previously stated plans to begin refarming 1.9 GHz spectrum to support its LTE service. According to GigaOm, a network spotter sporting a spectrum analyzer in New York City recently found a portion of Verizon Wireless...

Can Sprint mirror T-Mobile US?

T-Mobile US potential template for Sprint turnaround Over the past several months, few would argue the hectic pace of change coming out of Sprint’s marketing department. The carrier has seemingly launched a new rate plan every week, each promising greater value for consumers if they...

Analyst Angle: A week without LTE

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Analyst Angle. We’ve collected a group of the industry’s leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. It is amazing how we all get used to new technologies and capabilities. Case in point: LTE. I...

Cisco targets VoLTE, VoWi-Fi challenges

Cisco talks QoS issues, virtualization potential The drive toward network simplicity continues to run up against the need for mobile operators to support two separate networks in order to handle voice traffic (2G/3G) and growing data demand (LTE). The solution everyone is looking to move toward...

Carrier Wrap: Sprint MVNOs expand, bolster device portfolio

Sprint added a new mobile virtual network operator to its stable, announcing that mobile virtual network enabler partner Unified Signal is powering a new service under the ITalk brand. The service will target the “data device/hot spot” industry. The ITalk service will tap into Sprint’s...

Global Telecom: Telkomsel launching new IoT services

Indonesia's largest mobile operator Telkomsel is partnering for IOT/M2M Cloud services Telkomsel is partnering with Jasper to bring "Internet of Things"/Machine-to-Machine services to businesses across Indonesia. The partnership will allow Telkomsel business customers to use the cloud-based Jasper IoT Service Platform to launch, manage and...

T-Mobile US promises clarity on data speeds

Carrier to provide consumer tools for speed monitoring Following an agreement with the Federal Communications Commission, T-Mobile US has agreed to provide more transparency to consumers who have their mobile data speeds throttled. The agreement calls for T-Mobile US to send text messages to customers that will...

T-Mobile US expands ‘wideband’ LTE

Claims 50% increase in network speeds T-Mobile US continued its push to increase network performance, announcing the expansion of its “wideband" LTE service into the Boston area. The carrier said the upgrade provides a 50% increase in network speeds, with claims that some subscribers witnessed...

Carrier Wrap: AT&T grounds in-flight plans; América Móvil to target T-Mobile US?

AT&T is reportedly grounding plans for an LTE-based in-flight mobile broadband offering, citing plans to conserve cash related to its recent international expansion plans. As first reported by Runway Girl Network, AT&T said it would no longer be pursuing its previously announced offering that would...

Iusacell deal throws light on AT&T’s future plans

AT&T is looking to expand its empire south of the border, announcing late Friday that it plans to by Mexican mobile carrier Iusacell for $2.5 billion including the assumption of debt. The deal is set to close following Grupo Salinas, which is the current owner...

Reality Check: Key insights from third-quarter earnings (Pt. 3)

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly Reality Check column where C-level executives and advisory firms from across the mobile industry share unique insights and experiences. Last week was one of stunning victory and disappointing defeat. For those of you who read this column but do...

China Telecom hit by increased competition

China’s No. 3 operator China Telecom witnessed its wireless subscriber growth slow during the first nine months of this year due to increased competition from rivals. The operator said it lost more than 4 million wireless customers through the first nine months of this year, with...

How does the Americas region fit in 5G push?

The mobile industry still may be in the process of rolling out true 4G services, but that has not stopped those tasked with developing new technology from looking ahead. While no official word is expected on what will constitute the so-called “5G” standard for at...

FTC claims AT&T Mobility’s ‘unlimited’ data throttling ‘unfair and deceptive’

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a court complaint against AT&T Mobility over the mobile operator’s throttling of data speeds for “unlimited” data customers. The court action, which was coordinated with the Federal Communications Commission, alleges “unfair and deceptive” practices tied to the unlimited...

EMEA: Is LTE a luxury item?

Even as LTE becomes more prevalent in the U.S. and Asia, LTE is far from the mainstream in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Observers often cite cost as one of the primary reasons for its slow growth — both the cost of the...

Worst of the Week: New iPad not sexy enough? How about now?

Hello! And welcome to our Friday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty stuff that goes on in this industry, so this column is a chance for us at RCRWireless.com to rant and rave about whatever rubs us the wrong way....

Apple’s latest iPad models support single SIM carrier swap

Apple’s unveiling this week of updated iPad models included a small inclusion that could have a big impact on some mobile operators. For the first time, Apple is selling a cellular version of its tablet devices with a single SIM card that works for multiple...

#TBT: Nokia cuts 1,800 jobs; T-Mobile USA gains new CEO … 4 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! Nokia slashes 1,800...

Carrier Wrap: AT&T Mobility targets international travelers; GE, Verizon partner on M2M

AT&T Mobility is targeting international travelers with its Passport packages, which provide a bucket of calling minutes, text messages and data access for a flat rate. The packages begin at $30 and include unlimited text, picture and video messages, 120 megabytes of cellular data, unlimited...

WebRTC vs. VoLTE: Is there room for both?

With voice over LTE technology rapidly being rolled out by a number of mobile operators, the move toward carrier-grade voice traffic running over data networks has finally arrived. VoLTE is not the only game in town as voice-over-IP services have been running across a number...

Carrier Wrap: AT&T Mobility extends ‘double data’ to business customers

AT&T Mobility this week expanded its recently launched “double data” promotion to its business customers, offering up twice the amount of shared data buckets through the end of the month. The plans were rolled out to business customers on Oct. 5, and call for original...

#TBT: T-Mobile US resonates with consumers, Sprint doesn’t … 1 year 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 and enjoy the memories! Report: T-Mobile US moves resonate with customers; Sprint...

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...

Report backs robust domestic mobile broadband market; cites need for more spectrum

Wireless spectrum remains a major stumbling block for mobile operators in meeting consumer demand for mobile broadband services. RCR Wireless News spoke with long-time industry analyst Roger Entner, who in conjunction with wireless trade association CTIA, recently released a report, “Spectrum Fuels Speed and...