Plateau Wireless Acquisition Gives Verizon Roswell, N. Mexico
Verizon Wireless today announced that it has completed its acquisition of a small, regional network operator called Plateau Wireless. Plateau operates a GSM-based network in Eddy, Chaves, Lea, Otero, and Lincoln counties in New Mexico, which include cities such as Roswell, Carlsbad, Artesia and Hobbs. The transaction gives Verizon Wireless PCS and AWS spectrum licenses in addition to Plateau's GSM wireless network. According to Verizon, the licenses cover 259,000 POPs across 26,100 square miles. Verizon plans to cease Plateau's GSM operations and refarm the PCS spectrum for its own CDMA-based voice and data services. Verizon will use Plateau's AWS spectrum to supplement its own LTE 4G network in that region. Verizon expects the network transition to be completed at some point during 2013. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Review: LG Optimus G for Sprint
LG brings its heavy artillery to the smartphone wars for the first time with the Optimus G. This flagship Android smartphone boasts a quad-core processor, 13-megapixel camera, and of course LTE 4G for Sprint. Here is Phone Scoop's full review.
Sprint Intros iD Pack for Seniors
Sprint today announced the availability of a new Sprint iD pack that is aimed at making smartphones easier to use for seniors. The Active Senior ID pack includes 20 applications and services that Sprint believes can help to improve the smartphone experience for older users. For example, it includes access to WebMD, the AARP, MedsTimer, and a fall detector, among other services. The Active Senior ID pack is available on select handsets, including the LG Viper, Optimus Elite, and Marquee; the Motorola Photon 4G; the Samsung Galaxy Victory, Conquer 4G, Epic 4G, Galaxy S II, and Transform; the Kyocera Rise; and the ZTE Fury. The Sprint iD pack is free.
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Sprint's Samsung Galaxy Note II Goes on Sale Oct 25 for $299
Sprint today announced that its version of the Samsung Galaxy Note II will be available online and in stores starting October 25. The Note II ships with Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, has a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, and Samsung's Exynos 1.6GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. The Note II features an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, 16GB of on-board storage, support for microSD cards, and Samsung's S Pen apps and utilities. The Samsung Galaxy Note II supports Sprint's LTE 4G network. It will cost $299.99 with a new contract.
Alltel Wireless Lands the Alcatel One Touch Ultra
Alltel Wireless recently announced the addition of the Alcatel One Touch Ultra 960C to is lineup. The One Touch Ultra is a variant of the Alcatel Authority, which is sold by Cricket Wireless. The One Touch Ultra has a large, 4.3-inch WVGA display, 5-megapixel camera with 720p video capture, and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It is powered by a single core 1.4GHz processor, includes the Swype virtual keyboard, and Bluetooth 3.0. The One Touch Ultra is available for $19.99 with a new two-year agreement, or $199.99 with one of Alltel's No Contract plans.
from Alltel / Android Central »
Sprint's Optimus G Follows AT&T;'s on Nov. 11, Also $199
Sprint today revealed launch plans for its variant of the LG Optimus G. Sprint will begin taking preorders for the Optimus G on November 1. The device will reach Sprint's web site and retail stores on November 11. It will cost $199.99 with a new contract. Sprint's version of the Optimus G has a 13-megapixel in addition to the quad-core processor, 4.7-inch display, and Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
AT&T;'s LG Optimus G Goes On Sale November 2 for $199
AT&T; today announced that its version of the LG Optimus G will be available starting November 2. It will cost $199.99 with a new contract. Preorders of the device start tomorrow, October 16. The Optimus G has a quad-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, and 4.7-inch display.
Samsung Freeform 4 Pops Up as Comment II for Cricket
Samsung recently revealed that that R390, which is sold as the Freeform 4 by U.S. Cellular, will also be sold as the Comment II (R390C) by Cricket Wireless. It has a QWERTY keyboard for messaging, Bluetooth 2.1, and a 2-megapixel camera. Pricing has yet to be revealed.
T-Mobile Fires Up HSPA+ On 1900MHz in Kansas City
T-Mobile USA today announced that it has converted its 1900MHz coverage in Kansas City from EDGE 2.5G to HSPA+. Customers with unlocked devices in that market will be able to access 3G/4G speeds with devices such as the Apple iPhone. Earlier this year, T-Mobile did the same with its network in Las Vegas. Part of T-Mobile USA's LTE 4G plan requires that it refarm its 1900MHz PCS spectrum from 2G to 3G/4G services. It will continue to roll out 1900MHz service across its voice/data foorprint as it clears the way to use its 1700MHz AWS spectrum for LTE starting next year.
Samsung M400 Finds Spot in Sprint's Entry-Level Lineup
Sprint today announced the availability of the Samsung M400, an entry-level flip phone with basic features. The M400 comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, threaded messaging, and simple web browser. The M400 includes a 2.24-inch main display and 1.07-inch external display, large keypad, and dedicated 911 and ICE (in case of emergency) buttons. The Samsung M400 is free after a $50 mail-in rebate and can be purchase online and in Sprint stores starting today.
Unwired Planet Drops ITC Claims Against Apple and RIM
Unwired Planet today announced that it is dropping an investigation of patent infringement against Apple and Research In Motion that it was pursuing with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Unwired Planet is dropping the ITC claims because of what Unwired Planet calls an "erroneous claim construction" made by the administrative law judge overseeing the case. The way the judge entered in Unwired Planet's claims would have made it impossible for Unwired Planet to prove infringement. Despite the fact that all the parties involved (Unwired Planet, RIM, Apple, ITC counsel) filed a joint motion to correct the legal language, the judge wouldn't allow Unwired Planet to do so until after the trial. Unwired Planet decided that since it couldn't win the case as worded, it would forgo a costly trial and drop the claims filed against Apple and RIM at the ITC altogether. However, Unwired Planet is still pursuing its lawsuit against Apple and RIM over the same patents in the Federal District Court of Delaware. That lawsuit was filed in August 2011.
Softbank to Acquire 70% Stake in Sprint for $20.1 Billion
Softbank and Sprint today officially announced that Softbank will acquire 70% of Sprint for a total of $20.1 billion. Softbank will pay Sprint $8 billion directly for an unspecified number of shares and then an additional $12 billion in additional shares from the market. In order to complete the transaction, Softbank will first set up a shell company called New Sprint in the U.S. New Sprint will be the legal vehicle through which Softbank takes control of its interest in Sprint, which will become a subsidiary of New Sprint. New Sprint will have its own board of directors, but soem of Sprint's existing board will serve on New Sprint's board, as well. Current Sprint CEO Dan Hesse will remain at the helm of the nation's third-largest network operator after the transaction takes place. The partial acquisition by Softbank will give Sprint immediate access to a large amount of cash to fund operations, further build out and improve its CDMA and LTE networks, and potentially purchase smaller network operators. The companies expect the transaction to close by the middle of 2013, pending board and regulatory approval.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE for Sprint
The Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is a capable mid-range Android smartphone for Sprint. In addition to LTE, it offers Ice Cream Sandwich, and a 5-megapixel camera all wrapped up in a small, pocketable device.
Sprint Names More Than 20 New LTE Markets
Sprint today annnounced the names of 20 markets that will have access to its LTE 4G network in the coming months. The new markets include: San Francisco, San Mateo, Redwood City, Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Vallejo/Fairfield, and Napa, Calif.; Cape Coral/Ft. Meyers, Naples/Marco Island, Punta Gorda, Sarasota/Bradenton, and Sebring, Fla.; Fort Wayne, Lafayette/West Lafayette, Terre Haute, Marion, Kokomo, South Bend / Mishawaka, and Warsaw, Ind.; Dyersburg-Union City-Martin, Tenn.; Emporia, Kan.; Greenwood, Miss.; Joplin, Mo.; Lexington Park, Md.; and Ottawa-Streator, Ill. According to Sprint, it has LTE up and running 24 markets already, and is on target to reach 100 markets by the end of the year. Sprint notes that customers in these markets may see LTE 4G service come and go in the weeks ahead of their launch. Timing of the launches was not specified.
Chevy, Ford Add Smartphone-Based GPS Apps to Cars
Both Chevrolet and Ford Motor Company are facilitating the use of smartphone-based navigation apps in the dashboards of their vehicles. The 2013 Chevy Spark, for example, lets Android and iPhone owners connect their smartphones to the car through a feature called MyLink. Chevy is offering a $50 mapping application, called BringGo, which can be installed on the smartphone and used to deliver navigation content to the car's dashboard. Similarly, Ford has an app called Car Connect that will connect an Android device to Ford's Sync system (an iPhone app is under development). Car Connect costs $25 per year, and can be used with TeleNav's Scout navigation application to push navigation services to the car's dashboard. Both options improve the in-car navigation experience offered by smartphones while still allowing consumers to avoid expensive in-dash navigation systems.
Softbank Eyeing 70% Stake in Sprint; Clearwire Uncertain
The latest information from sources familiar with the discussions between Softbank and Sprint say the Japanese network operator will not acquire Sprint outright. Instead, Softbank will acquire about 70% of Sprint through a cash infusion and stock, reports The Wall Street Journal. The Journal's sources pointed out that Clearwire's role is an important one in finalizing the deal between Sprint anf Softbank. Clearwire owns a large swath of wireless spectrum and is deploying a TDD-LTE 4G network similar to the one Softbank is deploying in Japan. Softbanks wants Clearwire, but Sprint only owns about 54% of Clearwire. Sprint may purchase the remaining shares of Clearwire that it doesn't already own in order to help facilitate the Softbank deal. The Journal's sources said the negotiations are on-going, and may fall apart at any time.
T-Mobile Will Keep MetroPCS's VoLTE Service Alive
T-Mobile USA CTO Neville Ray said that it will keep the voice over LTE service offered by MetroPCS up and running, at least in the short term, once the companies are merged. Speaking to GigaOm, Ray said, "We will certainly support the VoLTE services that MetroPCS has today. But is that the VoLTE we want to populate the new network with? TBD." T-Mobile will eventually move its voice traffic to an all IP network, but it is not in a hurry. "The rush to get to VoLTE is less for T-Mobile because we have such underlying strength on GSM and HSPA+," said Ray. MetroPCS has less capacity on its network for voice and data services together. It was the first carrier to launch VoLTE in the U.S. T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS are to be merged, as long as Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile USA's parent company, is able to score the necessary regulatory approval. T-Mobile plans to migrate MetroPCS's CDMA customers onto its GSM network, shut down the CDMA network, and then refarm that spectrum for its own 4G network.
Verizon: 2021 CDMA Shutoff Date Simply a 'Guideline'
Verizon Wireless today clarified statements made by an employee about its CDMA network. Speaking to FierceWireless on Wednesday, Verizon's VP of M2M Global Strategy Aparna Khurjekar said Verizon plans to sunset its 2G/3G CDMA network by 2021. However, this is not a solid date. "The date Aparna referenced while talking to you is a guideline that we are providing customers who have to plan, fund and transition large enterprise projects to the faster speed networks," said Verizon spokesperson Brenda Raney on Thursday. "The Verizon Wireless 2G and 3G networks will be available as long as necessary to support customers who may have mission critical projects on those networks. We haven't made a sunset decision like our competitors." Verizon does want to continue to move customers from its CDMA network to its LTE network, but understands that the transition will take many years.
