Sprint T-Mobile: New mega-carrier or four-network nightmare?
By Kevin Fitchard
Wall Street claims T-Mobile is eyeballing financially weakened Sprint, but would integrating Sprint’s alien network technologies into its global GSM footprint be more trouble than it’s worth?...
Apple releases SDK, e-mail support
By Kevin Fitchard
Apple unveiled its long-promised software developer’s kit for the iPhone today and, as expected, announced support for Microsoft Exchange, allowing enterprises to bring the hip and powerful device into their corporate folds for the first time. But Apple CEO Steve Jobs had one surprise...
Form vs. function in handsets – the generational divide
By Sarah Reedy
Consumer preferences for mobile handsets vary widely and are heavily influenced by demographic factors, particularly age and income, according to a recent iSuppli study. Based on a survey of more than two million US consumers, the results indicated that while price and brand trumps all else, there is a generational divide in how and why consumers use their wireless handsets...
Cell phone most valuable communications tool, study says
By Carol Wilson
Americans would rather give up their TV, Internet access or wireless email device than give up their cell phone, according to the latest Pew Internet Project survey, the first one to include mobile data...
WiMAX spotlight shifts to India
By Kevin Fitchard
While Sprint sorts out its financial woes, South Asia and India have started hogging the WiMAX limelight. This week Tata Communications became the second major operator to wholeheartedly embrace WiMAX in India, and the third on the subcontinent....
When text messages become mission-critical
By Sarah Reedy
In an emergency situation, SMS networks are likely to become congested. How are carriers making vital texts a first priority? ...
T-Mobile Europe tries out femtocells; will USA follow?
By Kevin Fitchard
T-Mobile Ventures invests in Ubiquisys, while T-Mobile USA pushes ahead with Wi-Fi, but the common protocol used by both approaches could link the networks together...
Sprint looking for WiMAX options
By Kevin Fitchard
In the last few weeks, numerous potential partners have emerged as possible saviors for Sprint’s ailing WiMAX efforts, but so far there’s been little substance to the rumors except for Sprint’s own admission it’s searching for a suitor...
Mobile ads: Will the carriers be left out?
By Kevin Fitchard
As mobile advertising transforms into a multibillion-dollar business, the advertisers are ready to pounce. The only thing they’re missing is the valuable customer data that the operators have stored away in their databases...
Sprint joins all-you-can eat line
By Sarah Reedy
In light of Sprint Nextel’s disappointing earnings in the fourth-quarter, the third-largest wireless carrier today announced it is following in its competitors’ footsteps by offering customers an $99 unlimited calling plan...
Exclusive: Reed Hundt on the 700 MHz auction, P2P throttling
By Ed Gubbins
SAN DIEGO--Former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt formed Frontline Wireless with plans to build a nationwide emergency communications network using spectrum auctioned off by the FCC. Among other things, Frontline has proposed that the FCC apply open access requirements to the spectrum. Reed spoke with Telephony in an exclusive interview at the OFC NFOEC optical trade show this week...
The backhaul boom
By Joan Engebretson
With customer use of data services on the rise, mobile operators face potential bottlenecks in their backhaul networks. Base station manufacturers have increased capacity, but the best approach to backhaul remains a matter of debate — and the answer may differ, depending on a wireless operator’s specific circumstances...
Qwest seeks wireless partner
By Sarah Reedy
Qwest Communications is in need of new strategy for its wireless business, but the answer will not come from a physical investment, Qwest CEO Ed Mueller told investors today...
In-home 802.11n upgrades
Sarah Reedy
Driving wireless into the IP core
By Rich Karpinski
The promise of IP-based fixed/mobile convergence is clear: Allow subscribers to maximize wireless and wireline connections, seamlessly moving between networks based on user location and application requirements...
Cell phones: The ultimate remote control
By Joan Engebretson
Already some wireless customers are foregoing traditional cameras and MP3 players, opting instead for multipurpose devices that have cell phone capability. Before long, cell phones also could replace remote controls...
Mobile game-changers loom
By Rich Karpinski
While Google marketers were using the Mobile World Congress as a mobile coming-out party, Google developers were busy releasing a significant new version of the Android software developer kit...
As open as they wanna be
By Kevin Fitchard
Feeling pressure to open up their networks, wireless operators are tackling the issue in their own ways...
Privacy and the holy grail of mobility
By Sarah Reedy
With location-based services, carriers have the power to access the most granular information about their consumers. Whether they use this knowledge for or against the customer is a matter of interpretation. Part 2 of our privacy special report...
LTE grabs MWC spotlight
By Kevin Fitchard
Long-term evolution was all the rage at the Mobile World Congress, the latest incarnation of the GSM Association´s annual European extravaganza. While 3G and mobile data services have dominated the GSM event in the past, 4G definitely came to the fore with all of the major vendors offering at least some kind of LTE demo...
VC: Slowdown not a telecom phenomenon
By Carol Wilson
Even in uncertain times, venture capitalist Matt Rubins of M/C Venture Partners in Boston is still bullish on mobile broadband, CLEC investments and network infrastructure plays in 2008. Rubins spoke with Editor-in-Chief Carol Wilson...
Wireless price wars unlimited
By Sarah Reedy
Despite much speculation, Sprint Nextel remained on the sidelines during last week’s race for flat-rate freedom...
TIA study: Economic downturn won’t deter telecom
By Sarah Reedy
According to the Telecommunications Industry Association’s “2008 Telecommunications Market Review and Forecast” for the global telecommunications industry, there has been a healthy uptake of telecom services, both at home and abroad, with international markets seeing more growth than domestic markets...
T-Mobile now unlimited, too -- who’s next?
By Sarah Reedy
Contrary to analyst predictions, T-Mobile is the third company to announce it will offer consumers an unlimited pricing plan today...
AT&T: We’ll take the all-you-can-eat special, too
By Sarah Reedy
Within hours of Verizon’s announcement of unlimited calling plans, AT&T proved many speculators right and followed up with its own $100 unlimited voice plan for new and existing customers...
