News

Be sure to check the front page for more new content, including new phone info and In Depth articles.

Qualcomm to Test MediaFLO in the U.K.  

Yesterday, 1:42 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Qualcomm has agreed to pay $16.3 million for 40 MHz of L-Band spectrum in the U.K. Qualcomm will use this sliver of spectrum to test and further refine its MediaFLO mobile TV technology. The European Commission recently chose DVB-H as the standard for mobile TV for European countries, so it is unclear what other purposes could be behind Qualcomm's attempt to bring MediaFLO to European markets.

RIM Plans to Sell Touch Screen Smartphone  

Thursday, 2:23 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Yesterday, 1:06 PM

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that RIM is going to release a touch-enabled device. The touch-screen device, known as the Thunder, will be an exclusive to Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. According to sources familiar with RIM's plans, it should be available in the third quarter of this year. The phone will be able to run on U.S. networks, as well as on networks in foreign countries. RIM did not explain if this means it will be a dual-mode CDMA/GSM phone or not. The Thunder will be able to access 3G networks. RIM says it has worked to improve the battery life, browsing experience, and processing power of its devices. RIM did not provide any more specific information about the Thunder.

Sprint Declares WiMax Ready for Launch  

Thursday, 2:07 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Ending a lengthy trial period, today Sprint announced that it is officially ready to launch WiMax network services commercially in its test market of Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Sprint said that the mobile WiMax technology, which it is branding Xohm, has passed all the tests needed to assure certain quality measures regarding hand-offs and delays. The Baltimore-Washington, D.C. test market will be the first to launch commercially later this year. Sprint did not provide an exact date for the launch, nor information about access plan or hardware information, but it does have several key products in place, such as a laptop card, and WiMax-equipped Internet tablet.

Alltel Jumps on LTE Bandwagon  

Thursday, 1:53 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Alltel announced that it has chosen LTE as its 4G network technology. The company said, however, that it will be at least three to five years before the LTE network is built out and operational. This is significant, because Alltel--a CDMA carrier--is following Verizon's footsteps by switching networking technologies to match what will likely be the 4G standard worldwide. LTE is based on current GSM standards. It means that Alltel, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless will all use similar technology for their next-generation networks. So far, Sprint has said it is sticking with WiMax as its 4G technology of choice. No one has sided with Qualcomm-developed UMB, which is the 4G evolutionary path of CDMA technology.

T-Mobile Adds Message Blocking Option  

Thursday, 10:33 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Thursday, 2:08 PM

T-Mobile has added a page to its support documents that detail how to block email messages sent via SMS from reaching your phone. Subscribers can follow some simple steps to block unwanted spam messages, or messages from a single, unwanted number. T-Mobile reminds users, however, that it won't permit all messages to be blocked, as T-Mobile will use text messages to send alerts and information to subscribers regarding voicemails, emergencies, account changes, billing updates and OTA upgrades.

Virgin Mobile USA, Facebook Team Up on App  

Thursday, 10:20 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The new marketing program, called Fund My Phone, will let Virgin Mobile USA subscribers earn minutes toward their accounts through their friends' use of Facebook. The service is based on Sugar Mama, and in exchange for viewing ad spots, creative materials and answering a few questions, subscribers can earn up to 75 extra voice minutes per month. Subscribers can also earn minutes by filling out surveys, or responding to text message-based advertising campaigns. The application needs to be downloaded to a PC and installed as a Facebook application. The number of minutes Virgin Mobile USA subscribers earn through the program depends on how their Facebook friends interact with the content in that application.

Microsoft Brings Windows Live to BlackBerry  

Thursday, 10:07 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Thursday, 11:18 AM

Microsoft has made its Windows Live suite of services, which encompasses Windows Live Search, Hotmail, Messenger and Spaces, available to the BlackBerry OS platform. It is offering the suite to BlackBerry users for the first time, who will be able to take advantage of BlackBerry's push technology and have their Hotmail / Windows Live Mail delivered directly to their BlackBerries. Windows Live Messenger on BlackBerry will support group chat, presence, avatars, emoticons, file transfers and conversations can be saved. The software will be available later this summer.

AT&T CEO Says It Will Deliver 20Mbps Downloads  

Wednesday, 6:32 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Speaking to investors, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega said that the company will enable 20Mbps downloads via its HSPA wireless network as early as 2009. He also said that by 2010, its network will be capable of 100Mbps downloads. AT&T has chosen LTE for its 4G technology, which is targeting 100Mbps downloads as a standard. While the 20Mbps and 100Mbps speeds de la Vega is speaking of are possible in optimal conditions, real-world speeds will be much slower. The LTE standard has also yet to be ratified.

FCC Revisits Public Safety Network  

Wednesday, 3:32 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

The FCC has said it is going to attempt once more to build a nationwide public safety network with the unsold D block from the recent 700 MHz spectrum auction. The FCC has asked the public to comment on the matter and is looking for ideas on how to make the public safety network an attractive option for potential investors. The previous plan was cited by lawmakers as being too risky an investment for private sector companies. The FCC hopes a new plan can be developed, and the spectrum can be used to standardize emergency communications across the country.

Embarq to Dispose of Wireless Customers in 2009  

Wednesday, 12:09 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Embarq's CFO recently told investors that the company plans to hand its wireless customers over to another carrier in 2009. The company had hoped to sign up 1 million customers, but has just 112,000. Embarq stopped signing up new customers earlier this year. It will keep its current customers until some point in 2009, and hasn't determined which wireless network operator the customers will be given to. Embarq was formerly part of Sprint. It will continue its landline operations.

Verizon Wireless Joins LiMo Foundation  

Wednesday, 8:37 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless and the LiMo Foundation announced that the network operator has joined LiMo as a Core member, and has taken a seat at the foundation's board of directors. Verizon said that the move is meant to help foster the idea of openness and the rise of mobile Linux phone platforms. LiMo hopes to speed the development of its own LiMo Platform to market. Bringing in support from network operators is an important step in that process. The LiMo Foundation has 39 other members, including Verizon's business partner, Vodafone.

LG, Samsung Sign Mobile TV Pact  

Wednesday, 7:42 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

LG and Samsung have proposed that technology developed jointly by the two companies should become the North American mobile digital TV standard. Their technology is hinged on existing terrestrial digital TV signals. They are pitching it to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), which is set to determine a mobile DTV standard by 2009. The standard could allow mobile DTV technology to be built into handheld devices, including mobile phones. Since it uses existing signals, it could rival Qualcomm's MediaFLO.

Qualcomm Sets Up Plant to Build Mirasol Displays  

Tuesday, 5:49 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Qualcomm has contracted Foxlink to build a manufacturing plant for its MEMS Technologies subsidiary. The plant will be responsible for the manufacture of MEMS' Mirasol displays. By having an entire plant dedicated to the Mirasol displays, Qualcomm will be able to better respond to market conditions, as well as reduce costs. Located in Lungtan's Science Park in Taoyuan, Taiwan, Foxlink and Qualcomm expect the plant to be operational in 2009.

Losses Mounting, Sprint Weighs Options  

Tuesday, 3:43 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Tuesday, 5:35 PM

Facing a large drop in subscribers and revenue, Sprint is taking measures to stem some financial bleeding. For the first quarter of 2008, Sprint lost over 1 million customers and racked up a $505 million net loss. It has said that it will lay off some 4,000 employees (first announced in February), shutter an undisclosed number of retail shops (also announced in February), and is weighing the sale of other assets as well. One option on the table is a sale of the Nextel unit, though Sprint CEO Dan Hesse admits that that would entail "significant complexities." About 15.7 million of Sprint's total 52.8 million subscribers use the Nextel network. Sprint is also considering a sale of the entire company.

Nokia Moves Mobile Maps to PCs  

Tuesday, 7:05 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Nokia has extended the functionality of its mobile mapping software by moving it to its Ovi platform. Maps on Ovi will allow users to create maps and routes on their PCs, and then sync them directly to their mobile phones. It will also work in reverse, allowing users to create maps and directions on their phones, and then sync them to their PCs later for safe keeping. Users will also be able to geotag and mark locations along walked routes, and look up information about them via their PCs later. Nokia is still working to allow users to share routes and directions with other users. Nokia said the Maps on Ovi software will be available in September.

Qualcomm Demos Two Mobile TV Technologies on Single Chip  

Tuesday, 6:42 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Qualcomm demonstrated a new chipset that can support both its own MediaFLO technology, as well as the International Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (International ISDB-T) mobile TV standards on a single chip. International ISDB-T is a free-to-air mobile TV technology used in countries such as Japan and Brazil. It allows mobile handsets to capture free TV signals. Qualcomm believes supporting the two mobile TV standards on a single chip will allow operators to offer a mix of free and for-pay mobile TV services.

Opera Mini 4.1 Released  

Tuesday, 6:25 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Opera Mini 4.1 beta has graduated to a full release and is stable and ready for download by most users.

Apple: The iPhone Has Sold Out  

May 12, 2008, 11:20 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Monday, 9:16 PM

Apple officially confirmed that the iPhone has sold out at its U.S. and U.K. online stores. It did state, however, that the iPhone is still available at its brick-and-mortar locations, as well as at AT&T Mobility retail outlets. An Apple spokesperson did not elaborate on the reasons why both the 8GB and 16GB versions of the iPhone have sold out at its online stores, nor if a new version will be launching soon to replace the first-generation device.

Sprint Affiliate Sues to Block Clearwire Deal  

May 12, 2008, 11:09 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

iPCS, a Sprint affiliate, has filed a suit against Sprint in hopes to prevent the company from pairing itself with Clearwire and offering mobile Wimax. iPCS, which has 640,000 subscribers spread across seven states, says that the Wimax service would compete with its own services, and thereby violates an exclusivity agreement it has had on record with Sprint since 1999. Sprint believes the Clearwire deal will not interfere with its affiliates, and has asked a judge to rule so.

MetroPCS to Take AWS All the Way  

May 12, 2008, 9:59 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

MetroPCS plans to have all its markets served by its 1700 MHz AWS spectrum within one year. It launched in the Las Vegas market recently, and plans to add Philadelphia by the end of 2008, with Boston following in early 2009 and New York City live by the second quarter of 2009. MetroPCS already has four dual-band AWS-PCS handsets available, and will shift its entire lineup to the dual-band devices by the time it launches AWS in NYC.

BlackBerry Makes a Bold Debut with the 9000  

May 12, 2008, 8:00 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated May 12, 2008, 9:12 AM

Today Research In Motion announced its next-generation smartphone, the 9000 Bold. The Bold is the first 100% new smartphone from RIM in over a year. It has brand new hardware, but keeps the bar-style form factor, QWERTY keyboard layout and the trackball for navigation. It features tri-band HSDPA 3G radios for international 3G roaming, along with 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi and built in GPS. Global roaming includes Japan and South Korea, a first for a BlackBerry sold in the U.S. A 624MHz processor powers the device, and it has 1GB of on-board memory, plus a microSD slot for expanded storage. It has a half-VGA display that RIM says is "fused" to a lens, making images and graphics appear richer. It comes with a 2 megapixel camera with flash and a reworked media player. The media player can run slide shows, as well as play movies. The music player has been enhanced with an equalizer, and it has stereo speakers, as well as supports stereo Bluetooth. Lastly, the Bold comes with RIM's latest operating system, which has a reworked menu structure and different look and feel compared to current BlackBerries. Pricing information was not announced, but the Bold will be available through AT&T later this summer.

Verizon Snaps Up SureWest Assets  

May 9, 2008, 3:53 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless has purchased the assets of SureWest Communications in northern California. Verizon paid $69 million for SureWest's spectrum licenses and network and operations assets in the Sacramento metropolitan region. SureWest's 50,000 customers will be transitioned to Verizon Wireless, which is using the spectrum licenses to increase its capacity in the region.

Verizon Adds Motorola Q9c to Smartphone Roster  

May 9, 2008, 7:46 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless announced that the Motorola Q9c will be available via Verizon's business sales channels beginning today, and will be in retail stores sometime in the next few weeks. The Q9c is based on the Standard version of Windows Mobile 6 and loses the Q9m's music-themed user interface overlay. Aside from some slightly different coloration, most other hardware specifications remain the same when compared to the Q9m. It will cost $250 after rebate and new two-year agreement.

Helio, Virgin Mobile USA in Merger Talks  

May 8, 2008, 1:51 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

MVNOs Helio and Virgin Mobile USA have indicated that they are in preliminary merger discussions. Both MVNOs have faced difficulties in making subscriber gains. SK Telecom, which owns a controlling share of Helio, has been considering what to do with the small player. Since both MVNOs run on Sprint's network, there is some common ground for them to build a relationship on. Because the talks are in such early stages, both companies are still weighing a number of options.

I-HSPA Trial Reaches 10.1 Mbps Download Speed  

May 8, 2008, 11:23 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Mobilkom Austria and Nokia Siemens Networks recently performed some tests on Internet High Speed Packet Access (I-HSPA) equipment. During a data call test, information was transmitted from the tower to the device at a rate of 10.1 Mbps, making it the world's fastest I-HSPA call. I-HSPA differs from traditional HSPA in that the network architecture has been flattened and the base stations are connected directly to the Internet. I-HSPA represents a step between standard HSPA and LTE.

More News in the Archive ›