T-Mobile introduces no annual contract mobile broadband service passes (USA)
T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced that its new, flexible and worry-free No Annual Contract mobile broadband service passes will debut May 20, making it easier for customers to enjoy access to high-speed Internet on the go whenever they want. With T-Mobile’s new, more affordable No Annual Contract data passes, customers can experience T-Mobile’s blazing-fast 4G network speeds across a variety of mobile broadband devices including tablets, mobile hotspots and laptop sticks – with no strings attached.
Starting at just $15, T-Mobile’s lineup of No Annual Contract mobile broadband passes delivers a pay-in-advance, overage-free solution that offers an allotment of mobile data, making it possible for customers to choose a pass that best fits their data needs without committing to a two-year contract: 300MB 1-week pass for $15, 1.5GB 1-month pass for $25, 3.5GB 1-month pass for $35 and 5GB 1-month pass for $50.
Jeremy Korst, vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA, said that although most of their mobile broadband customers choose postpaid rate plans for the best device prices and data rates, they know that many of their customers want the flexibility to be able to experience mobile broadband without committing to an annual contract up front. With better pricing and new features like an auto-refill option and a simpler purchase experience, T-Mobile’s No Annual Contract mobile broadband passes make it easier and more affordable than ever to experience high-speed Internet on the go on a range of devices.
T-Mobile offers a variety of 4G mobile broadband devices that, when connected to T-Mobile’s high-speed 4G network, offer customers fast access to the Web, e-mail, gaming, movies and more, while on-the-go.
T-Mobile’s lineup of mobile, connected tablets, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and the T-Mobile SpringBoard with Google, deliver a premium on-the-go entertainment and Web experience, making it possible to stream movies on a road trip or shop online while the kids play at the park.
The T-Mobile Sonic 4G Mobile Hotspot and the T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot are ideal for staying connected on-the-go with colleagues and clients or providing Internet on the go for the family on vacation. Providing simultaneous access to T-Mobile’s 4G network for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices, customers can use their mobile hotspots to connect their iPad devices, laptops, music players, portable gaming devices and e-readers, among other devices, to T-Mobile’s high-speed 4G network.
T-Mobile’s laptop sticks, including the HSPA+ 42-enabled Rocket 3.0 USB Laptop Stick, are perfect for customers looking for a blazing-fast mobile Internet connection on their laptop.
Verizon and AT&T ponder over shared-data pricing plans (USA)
Mobile data now accounts for a very significant aspect of a consumer’s life. While demand for wireless data services has been on the rise, users are also on the lookout for the most economical option, adding pressure on mobile operators.
In an attempt to meet consumer demand and reduce churn, mobile operators Verizon Wireless and AT&T are preparing to roll out shared-data pricing plans this year, according to a report by BN. As per the report, the revolutionary new service would enable customers to split one internet data plan between their phones, iPads and other wireless devices, providing an economical option for families, small businesses or people with a lot of Web-connected gadgets.
As per the report, while such a move could prove to be highly successful for operators, any would lower the amount of money that subscribers pay, while increasing network traffic and the cost of maintaining networks. Thus both operators are hesitant in being the first one to offer the service.
However, mobile operators Sprint and T-Mobile are yet to announce any plans for the same. They claim that such a move may make it tougher for families to keep a track of how the data is being used, and may lead to bill shock.
T-Mobile selects Ericsson and NSN for $4 billion 4G network plan (USA)
T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced multi-year agreements with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to support T-Mobile’s $4 billion 4G network evolution plan, including network modernization and deployment of long term evolution (LTE) service in 2013.
As part of the agreements, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks will provide and install state of the art, Release 10 capable equipment at 37,000 cell sites across T-Mobile’s 4G network, increasing signal quality and enhancing performance beginning in 2012. T-Mobile also expects to be the first carrier in North America to broadly deploy antenna integrated radios, enabling accelerated deployment and reduced site loading.
Last week, T-Mobile secured the AWS spectrum licenses from AT&T which were agreed to as part of the breakup of the proposed merger between the two companies. This new spectrum, in addition to the refarming effort, enables the launch of LTE in AWS spectrum and up to 20 MHz of LTE in 75 percent of the top 25 markets.
Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA, said that they are making great progress on their four billion dollar 4G network transformation. With these partners on board and the AT&T AWS spectrum secured, they are on track to enhance their 4G experience this year and deliver nationwide LTE in 2013.
The company’s timing for LTE allows T-Mobile to take advantage of the latest and most advanced LTE technology infrastructure, improving the overall capacity and performance of its 4G network, while optimizing the company’s spectrum resources. T-Mobile will also apply deep LTE technology experience gained from its parent, Deutsche Telekom, a recognized global leader in LTE development and standardization.
As part of the company’s network modernization effort, T-Mobile also plans to launch 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band in a large number of markets by the end of the year. Network modernization trials have shown up to a 33 percent increase in HSPA+ data speeds as well as improved in-building coverage. Rolling out 4G HSPA+ services in the 1900 MHz band will also provide customers with the ability to use a broader range of devices, including the iPhone, on T-Mobile’s 4G network.
T-Mobile also announced that its nationwide HSPA+ network has expanded to deliver a competitive 4G experience to well over 220 million people in 229 markets. In addition to an expanding 4G footprint, the 4G experience T-Mobile provides is pervasive among its customer base.
Ray said that in contrast to their competitors, nearly half of T-Mobile’s postpaid smartphone customers are using a 4G device. Not only are they delivering a fast 4G experience to a higher percentage of their customers, they are also making it more affordable to step up to 4G.
Beginning today, customers in Little Rock, Ark.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Springfield, Mo. and Madison, Wis. can experience the fast speeds available on America’s Largest 4G Network. Customers in Fayetteville and Little Rock, Ark.; Lake Charles, La. and Springfield, Mo. can experience the faster speeds offered by our HSPA+ 42 network with devices such as the recently launched HTC One S. Current customers are experiencing average speeds approaching 8 Mbps with peaks up to 22 Mbps using T-Mobile’s HTC One S.
Deutsche Telekom may discuss T-Mobile deal with MetroPCS (USA)
Telecom operator Deutsche Telekom AG is said to be in discussions with MetroPCS Communications for a possible merger of its T-Mobile USA, in an attempt to find a solution for the customer-losing business, according to a report by BN.
As per the report, Deutsche Telekom is considering a stock-swap transaction that would give the German company control over the combined entity, which would be publicly listed. Following the cancellation of the $39 billion merger between T-Mobile and AT&T, Deutsche Telekom has been on the lookout for other options to protect its business.
MetroPCS rose as much as $1.89 to $8.45 and was up 24 percent as of 12:28 p.m.
Samsung Galaxy SIII pricing revealed in the UK (UK)
Following the launch of the Samsung SIII in London, mobile operators in the UK have announced their plans to sell the handset along with the pricing details. According to a report by the Inquirer, mobile networks O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Three and Vodafone have all announced that they will be selling the handset, leaving Virgin Media as the only mobile operator yet to jump on the Galaxy S III bandwagon.
Mobile users can also purchase the Galaxy S III from Phones 4u and Carphone Warehouse. As per the report, the operators have also revealed the pricing for the Galaxy SIII. Mobile operator Three will be selling the handset on a 24 month $55 contract with no upfront cost, it announced, which will come with 2,000 minutes, 5,000 Three-to-Three minutes, 5,000 texts and all-you-can-eat data.
For those users who are not interested in purchasing a year contract, they can avail the handset via Phones 4u and Carphone Warehouse for $808.
Everything Everywhere launches first live 4G customer trial (UK)
Everything Everywhere, the UK’s biggest communications company that runs the Orange and T-Mobile brands, launched the UK’s first live 4G trial in the North of England on airwaves that, subject to licensing changes, could be used to bring 4G mobile services to the UK later this year.
The trial was switched on by the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, and local MP, Rory Stewart, who said that 4G has the potential to provide an important stimulus for the UK. It centres on the area of Threlkeld in Cumbria, home to Blencathra, one of the Lake District’s most visited peaks.
Rolling out over the next few weeks, the trial for up to 50 local residents will run until the end of July and is being conducted to test the network performance ahead of potential further roll out by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approval.
The trial service will run over existing 1800 MHz spectrum used by the Orange and T-Mobile mobile networks and will provide learnings on the performance of 4G LTE in rural areas.
Commenting on the trial, the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove said that he is really delighted to be switching on the first ever deployment of this cutting-edge technology in the North of England. Cumbria has – thanks to the work of local MP Rory Stewart – been at the vanguard of this work. Cumbria has unique needs due to its sparse population and long distances, which 4G LTE will help overcome. Cumbria’s schools and educational opportunities will be revolutionised by this technology. Cumbria’s record number of small businesses will be transformed by this next generation technology. 4G will bring jobs to rural areas and all the benefits of superfast broadband in education and health to its remote communities.
Olaf Swantee, CEO of Everything Everywhere, said that new independent research shows that one in five households in Britain could depend on 4G for superfast broadband in the coming years. Britain deserves a 21st century digital infrastructure, and they are committed to making that a reality for the nation as soon as possible.
Apple may be looking to launch its own mobile data service (USA)
US giant Apple may be planning another surprise for its iPhone and iPad users. According to a report by Slashgear, Apple may be planning to offer mobile data services across the USA for the likes of the iPhone and iPad.
As per the report, Apple currently has more than a massive 250 million credit card numbers on file through iTunes, and iTunes has the ability to take payments just as easily as any mobile carrier in the United States today. The difference is that groups like Verizon and T-Mobile own their own spectrum. Apple would have to either have plans in place to purchase spectrum or would have had to already have purchased spectrum to make this work inside 2012 – and that’s not news you can easily keep under wraps.
T-Mobile to receive breakup fee airwaves from AT&T (USA)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cleared the way for T-Mobile USA to receive about $1 billion in wireless airwaves it is owed as part of the breakup fee for AT&T Inc.’s failed $39 billion takeover bid, according to a report by DJN.
As per the report, T-Mobile has slated the airwaves, or spectrum, for its build out over the next several years of a high-speed mobile broadband network to keep pace with its larger rivals. The spectrum will bolster T-Mobile’s network in 12 large U.S. markets.
AT&T promised the spectrum and about $3 billion in cash for walking away from the deal in December after meeting resistance from regulators, competitors and attorneys general concerned over the impact to competition. T-Mobile is playing catchup with AT&T and Verizon Wireless in building out the faster network, known as 4G LTE.
NY attorney general files tax fraud lawsuit against Sprint (USA)
Wireless carrier Sprint has been slapped with a legal case for tax fraud by the New York attorney general’s office. According to reports, the case alleges that the operator had deliberately been paying lesser sales tax for the past seven years.
Reports reveal that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, has said that Sprint’s goal was to give itself a price advantage over its rivals. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and MetroPCS all collect the taxes Sprint is accused of shirking. He added that Sprint did not correct its sales tax practices when it was informed of its illegality, and it has not corrected them even today. As per reports, if found liable, Sprint could be asked to pay around $300 million with additional penalties.
However, Sprint has responded to the case claiming that the case is without merit. The operator added that it has collected and paid over to New York every penny of sales taxes.
