Vodafone relies on Verizon as profit from Europe declines (USA, UK)
Telecom operator Vodafone Group Plc will have to rely on its U.S. wireless venture to meet profit estimates and cover up declining sales in the European markets, largely Spain and Italy, according to a report by BN.
Vodafone said that operating profit excluding some items may rise as much as 3.2 percent in the 12 months ending March 2013. Profit on that basis slipped 2.4 percent last year to $18 billion after the sale of a stake in its SFR French unit. Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile carrier, accounted for 42 percent of the total, an increase of 9.3 percent.
As per the report, Vodafone, which relies on western Europe for most of its revenue, is no longer the world’s biggest mobile-phone company as China Mobile Ltd. boosted sales last year to $81.7 billion. While profits and sales at Verizon Wireless are rising, Newbury, England-based Vodafone still needs to negotiate dividends every year with U.S. partner Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), which controls 55 percent of the venture.
Verizon to cancel unlimited data plans with discounted handsets (USA)
Verizon Wireless has been considering the launch of shared data price plans which will enable consumers to use one data plan across different devices such as their smartphone, iPad and tablet. However, according to a recent report by TechCrunch, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said that every one of their customers would be on one of the carrier’s new data share plans.
This announcement has got consumers on Verizon’s unlimited data plans concerned. Subscribers who have just upgraded from a 3G to a 4G device with that older data plan intact will be able to hang on to it until the time they upgrade their smartphone.
Furthermore, as per the report, customers who pay the full outright price for their handsets will be able to keep their unlimited plans as well. Verizon said that when they introduce their new shared data plans, unlimited data will no longer be available to customers when purchasing handsets at discounted pricing.
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.
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.
Verizon users for Razr and Rezound may get Android 4.0 upgrade in May (USA)
Verizon users may finally have reason to celebrate as recent rumours suggest that users of the Droid Razr and the Rezound may be getting the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) update in May, according to a report by Cnet.
As per the report Verizon plans to push Ice Cream Sandwich over the air to HTC Rezound users on May 9 and Droid Razr / Razr MAXX users on May 21. It’s also noted that Verizon typically pushes out updates in batches over a two-week period, so Rezound and Razr owners probably shouldn’t expect to see that little Android icon unpacking the update on the exact dates above.
As reported earlier, Vodafone’s Samsung Galaxy S II holders received their Android update earlier this month.
Samsung confirms use of 1.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor in Galaxy S III (South Korea)
In a recent press release, handset giant Samsung, has confirmed that it will be using the quad-core Exynos processor chip in its upcoming smartphone, the Galaxy S III. According to reports, the company said that the processor chip is scheduled to be adopted first into Samsung’s next Galaxy smartphone that will be officially announced on May 3, in London. The new chip is expected to offer significantly higher processing capability while using 20 percent lesser power consumption.
Samsung is yet to confirm other factors such as the screen size which is rumoured t be between 4.5 to 4.8 inches. Further, the phone is expected to be compatible with 4G/LTE. As per reports, Samsung has claimed that mobile operators Vodafone and O2 will sell the Galaxy SIII, while it is rumoured that Verizon may be approached to sell the phone in US.
Nokia Windows phone receives support from carriers (USA)
With the increasing dominance of iPhones and Android powered smartphones in the handset arena, wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon Wireless have been looking at phones from Nokia and Microsoft as alternatives, according to a report by BN.
As per the report, both carriers praised Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system, which powers the new Nokia Lumia phone, when they reported quarterly results this month. AT&T began offering the Lumia 900 for $99.99 on April 8, and Verizon is preparing to add a new Nokia model to its lineup soon.
The operators are hoping that these handsets act as an alternative for users as devices such as iPhone can be more costly to subsidize. The companies also face the risk that an Apple-Google duopoly will erode carriers’ ability to distinguish themselves and will further squeeze their profit margins.
AT&T Chief Financial Officer John Stephens told BN in an interview that they want the Lumia to succeed — they love to have competition in the handset market. It’s always better to have more choices for the customers.
iPhone 5 may be released in October 2012 (USA)
Soon After the release of Apple’s iPhone 4S, rumours for the iPhone 5 began doing the rounds. According to recent reports, the American company is looking to release the revolutionary new iPhone in October.
The iPhone 5 is expected to have a 4? screen powered by a dual-core A5 / A6 processor and an 8 MP camera. The company had earlier hinted at an August release, however recent news suggests that chipmaker Qualcomm, who will be supplying the chips for the iPhone 5, is facing difficulties in meeting the quality standards setup by Apple.
These radio chips inserted in the Iphone offer better internet connectivity. Further, with mobile oeprators AT&T and Verizon launching their LTE networks, the iPhone 5 will offer users a better chanceat accessing the mobile data.
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.
Verizon spectrum sale announcement impacts Clearwire share price (USA)
The share price of wireless broadband carrier Clearwire Corp., fell the most in the past five months, following Verizon’s announcement claiming that it plans to sell some of its spectrum, according to a report by BN.
As per the report, Clearwire fell 14 percent to $1.63 at 1:24 p.m., after retreating 20 percent for the biggest decline since Nov. 18. The Bellevue, Washington-based company’s shares have dropped 67 percent in the 12 months before today.
As per a company statement, Verizon plans to conduct an open-sale process for all of its 700 megahertz A and B spectrum licenses, covering dozens of major U.S. cities and some smaller markets.
