BROWSING: LTE

Using real-time analytics to boost CRM performance

Guavus notes the importance of analytics to CRM Customer relationship management has always been a serious subject for mobile operators. As in most markets around the world, the wireless communications space often has more competitors than other communication segments, forcing mobile operators to remain especially...

T-Mobile US set to use 5 GHz band for LTE (RCR Mobile Minute)

For T-Mobile US, part of being the "Un-carrier" may include using unlicensed spectrum to offer LTE services. The company will reportedly deploy LTE in the 5 GHz spectrum band, the same band used for 802.11ac Wi-Fi. T-Mobile US CTO Ray Neville told Macquarie Securities that...

Nokia-AlcaLu merger talk gains momentum

Nokia's new CEO said he hopes to grow the company through acquisitions, and now a German media report says Nokia is considering a merger with its direct competitor, Alcatel-Lucent. Germany's Manager Magazin reports that the two companies have been in talks since fall about...

Sprint touts LTE progress, hits 2.5 GHz coverage goals

2015 focus on continued LTE expansion in 800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.5 GHz bands Sprint said it has met previous guidance on the expansion of its 2.5 GHz spectrum-powered LTE services, claiming to now cover 100 million potential customers. The carrier had forecast it would...

NFV and the signaling tsunami

Diameter signaling controllers are like traffic cops for LTE networks, prioritizing and directing traffic to the right network elements at the right time. As more of these network elements move to software, the role of diameter signaling is set to explode. "NFV could create potentially...

China LTE market set to expand; China Telecom, Unicom to extend hybrid LTE networks

Expansion to increase competitive pressure on China Mobile China Telecom and China Unicom are each set to expand their FDD-LTE/TDD-LTE hybrid network trials to 15 additional cities in a move that should add further competition to China’s “4G” market. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology...

T-Mobile US ‘Un-carrier 8.0’ taps history, adds 700 MHz to LTE coverage

Rollover data basis for T-Mobile US latest Data Stash marketing move T-Mobile US continued to roll out its “Un-carrier” message today, touting a new data offering that takes a cue from the past and enhancements to its LTE network. The carrier’s “Un-carrier 8.0” announcement centered on...

Carrier Wrap: China Unicom sinks on investigation

China Unicom stock hits eight-month low China Unicom witnessed its stock price hit an eight-month low following reports that a company official is being investigated for potential discipline violations. According to Bloomberg, a deputy GM of China Unicom’s network division was being investigated by the Central...

2014: year of 4G; 2015: year of 5G?

4G Americas look back, ahead Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News over the next two weeks will begin to look back at 2014 and ahead to 2015. This will include retrospective columns and “best-of” lists looking back over the past 12 months, as well as 2015...

Qualcomm layoff reports highlight pressure on chip prices (RCR Mobile Minute)

Qualcomm has confirmed reports that it is eliminating roughly 600 jobs. The chip giant says that some of those impacted will be offered new opportunities elsewhere at the company. Fewer than half the employees affected are based in the United States. "Less than 300 will...

VoLTE gains momentum with AT&T Mobility update

Carrier claims VoLTE coverage across 17 states AT&T Mobility re-invigorated its voice over LTE position, updating its deployment plans that should see the carrier attain equal footing with rivals in the VoLTE race. The carrier said it’s supporting VoLTE calls across parts of 17 states and...

T-Mobile US smells blood in the water, increases competitive pressure

Carrier rolls out unlimited data-focused multi-line plans, brings back hit Looking to keep pressure on its larger rivals, T-Mobile US rolled out new family plans offering up unlimited data options and brought back what it termed its most popular promotion over the last decade. T-Mobile US...

Reality Check: APAC opportunities in moves toward LTE, VoLTE, LTE-A and TD-LTE

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. The regulatory and market dynamics affecting mobile services in the Asia-Pacific region make voice over LTE and other advanced technology...

Carrier Wrap: Sprint could seek $3B in new funds

Sprint’s continued operational struggles could require the carrier to seek out another $3 billion in funding over the next three years, according to a recent report from Evercore ISI telecom analyst Jonathan Schildkraut. Tech Trader Daily noted in a story that Schildkraut’s forecast does not...

NY, SF, Seattle tops in NBA, NFL mobile data speeds

One of the toughest environments for cellular connectivity continues to be jam-packed sports venues where fans are increasingly looking to share their experience with those at the end of their social media channels. Wefi recently released a report showing the fastest measured speeds across both...

General Communications bolsters Alaska presence with $300M acquisition

Alaska’s mobile market is set for consolidation as General Communications Group announced plans to acquire Alaska Communications Group’s customer base and stake in their Alaska Wireless Network partnership for $300 million. The deal calls for GCI to pick up ACG’s approximately 109,000 wireless customers, bolstering...

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: NTT DoCoMo promotes LTE with shrimp cannon

NTT DoCoMo promotes LTE speeds with shrimp cannon Japan's NTT DoCoMo is promoting the speed of its LTE network by frying shrimp. The video advertisement shows shrimp flying through cannons and open flames. The shrimp is "cooked" in 3 seconds. The cooking demonstration and advertisement...

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...

Mobile Midday News: Denmark tops ICT index

Denmark has overtaken South Korea as the most connected country on the planet and Ericsson has partnered with IBM to design a new phased-array antenna. http://youtu.be/4DXDxjTXloA The United Nations' Information and Communication Technology Task Force on Nov. 24 released its most recent development index ranking 166...