BROWSING: LTE

Worst of the Week: 5G hype – don’t believe it

5G hype is everywhere, but can’t we all just take a breath and let the engineering folks figure out what it means before the marketing folks take over? Hello! And welcome to our Friday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty stuff...

Utilizing hybrid approaches to increase rural broadband access

Huawei discusses ways in which rural and regional wireless operators can increase broadband access using hybrid network models Rural broadband connectivity remains a significant challenge for mobile operators faced with trying to conceive of business models allowing for broad network deployments of advanced technology in...

Ericsson targets emerging markets with new suite of solutions

Ericsson said the new launch will help boost broadband coverage in underserved areas by decreasing total cost of ownership Swedish vendor Ericsson said it has unveiled a new set of solutions to target emerging markets with a goal to help bridge the digital divide and bring mobile...

T-Mobile IoT plans target AT&T 2G shut down

With AT&T’s plans to shutter its 2G network set for year-end, T-Mobile is offering free SIM cards and service in attempt to lure connections T-Mobile US is looking to exploit AT&T Mobility’s upcoming plans to shutter its 2G network in an attempt to bolster its...

Analyst Angle: Smartphone innovation will increase in the run-up to 5G introduction

Innovation in cellular and other supporting technologies as well as in applications will sustain the rate of smartphone improvements Press and industry analyst response to the recent announcement of the iPhone 7 has been lukewarm. For example, The Economist notes the “main novelty” is it...

Pioneer Cellular gains LTE roaming access in TNS deal

Regional carrier joins TNS LTE Roaming Hub; gains access to CCA Data Services Hub, which also includes T-Mobile and Sprint Oklahoma-based regional wireless operator Pioneer Cellular is set to support LTE roaming for its customers through an agreement with Transaction Network Services. The deal sees Pioneer...

Cricket matches MetroPCS at low end as AT&T and T-Mobile continue prepaid battle

Cricket Wireless and MetroPCS, prepaid proxies of AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US, respectively, both now offer $30 entry-level plans with “unlimited” services AT&T Mobility’s Cricket Wireless prepaid brand unveiled a new entry-level smartphone plan that includes “unlimited” domestic talk, text messaging and data services for...

Verizon zero-rates NFL Mobile content

In an expansion of its zero-rating program, Verizon is now allowing postpaid customers to stream NFL Mobile content without hitting data buckets Verizon Wireless is expanding its zero-rating of data to its NFL Mobile application, allowing customers to watch live local and prime-time games via...

Global LTE subscriptions reach 1.45B at the end of Q2

Asia leads in LTE subscriptions with a 57.7% share Global LTE subscriptions totaled 1.45 billion at the end of the second quarter of the year, after a net addition of 160.3 million LTE connections during Q2, according to the latest report by the Global mobile Suppliers...

Reader Forum: The race to 5G and setting a new standard

Antenna design and measurement are at the heart of the race to 5G In a world where mobile devices have outnumbered people, it is easy to forget we lived without smartphones 15 years ago. From 1G to 4G, each new generation of mobile networks has...

5G standards, spectrum and software all on top of mind for carrier network execs

Panel discussion involving carrier network execs from Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular digs into 5G standards, spectrum challenges and software LAS VEGAS – Few events at this week’s CTIA Super Mobility show allowed for greater insight into current mobile network operations than a...

Verizon recognizes the risk, views significant rewards in IoT space

Verizon exec John Stratton laid out hurdles still facing the telecom market in cracking the IoT space, but noted benefit awaits LAS VEGAS – Verizon Communications is looking to expand its position in the expansive “internet of things” space, which was one of the main...

T-Mobile 5G plans ensnare Samsung into 28 GHz trial

Samsung is set to join T-Mobile 5G plans, tapping into the 28 GHz spectrum band and beamforming technology beginning later this year LAS VEGAS – T-Mobile US’ “5G” plans continue to gain momentum, with the carrier announcing plans to work with Samsung later this year...

5G and internet of things in spotlight at CTIA

AT&T Mobility CEO Glenn Lurie focused keynote speech on use cases, benefits of IoT and 5G for consumers LAS VEGAS – The “internet of things” and “5G” may still be technology advances on the horizon, but at this week’s CTIA Super Mobility event you would...

Sprint pushes 3CCA for LTE networks in Chicago, Kansas City

In a move set to bolster network capacity and speed, Sprint has moved on network trials of three-channel carrier aggregation Sprint recently made an aggressive move to take advantage of its deep 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings by launching network trials of three-channel carrier aggregation technology...

Will the new iPhone support T-Mobile’s 400 Mbps?

T-Mobile is touting 400 Mbps download speeds for Samsung Galaxy users, but what about the new iPhone? T-Mobile's recent blog post about LTE speeds may offer a clue about what to expect from Apple's newest smartphone. On Tuesday T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray said the carrier's...

Analyst Angle: Why I am not rushing to one of the new unlimited plans

Recent unlimited data moves from T-Mobile US and Sprint garnered headlines, but don’t expect them to impact churn The wireless industry in the U.S. recently got all excited – again – about a new range of unlimited plans from T-Mobile US and Sprint. Just as...

Verizon steers clear of T-Mobile and Sprint ‘unlimited’ with new ‘tweener’ plan

New Verizon promo plan slots in between 'L' and 'XL' options with 12 GB of shareable data, touts access to 'LTE Advanced' carrier aggregation update Verizon Wireless is looking to take advantage of the buzz surrounding its recently launched LTE-Advanced capabilities with a new data...

LTE for IoT moves to the next level

U.S. carriers are racing to connect sensors, meters and wearable devices to their LTE networks before the companies that make these devices decide to instead use low-cost networks operating in unlicensed spectrum. For the companies that make connectivity chipsets, helping carriers capitalize on the...

Reader Forum: Stepping stones to 5G – small cells and fiber simplifying carrier densification efforts

The path to 5G is not going to be easy, but there are technologies in place to help the effort The excitement is increasing around the future of “5G” networks, and with good reason. As Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler suggested in his...

Ericsson sets stage for mid-2017 5G deployments

Ericsson claims new equipment platform integrates support for expected "5G" technologies like NR and MIMO, with legacy support for LTE Ericsson is preparing for the roll out of “5G” technologies beginning as soon as next year, releasing equipment tapping into plans for the so-called “new...

Understanding FirstNet, the post-9/11 public safety iniative

What is FirstNet? The First Responder Network Authority is an independent authority within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration created to provide emergency responders with a nationwide, high-speed, broadband network dedicated to public safety. FirstNet claims it will provide a single interoperable platform for emergency...

Analyst Angle: 100% cellular coverage in the U.S.? Not so fast …

Want to put cellular coverage maps to the test? Take a trip out west Mobile operators are good at providing coverage maps with lots of bright colors that show extensive coverage across the U.S. In their advertising, they usually flash the maps up for a...

Analyst Angle: Why recent drop in iPad sales don’t portray death to the tablet market

Increased software and services for the tablet market will drive long-term growth If you look at the last few of Apple’s quarterly reports, it consistently shows the sales of the iPad have been falling from the quarter a year preceding. Thus, the sales of the...