Motorola’s Android 2.1 moves to Droid
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Official Facebook page of Motorola has been announced by the firm. The users of the Motorola Droid should expect their devices to update to Android version 2.1 at some point this week.
According to the company, the relay of the 2.1 upgrade to Droid will start to roll out this week and more information will be shared on other device upgrades later this week.
The features to be included with the update are yet not revealed by Motorola and it is also not informed when Verizon will begin to deliver the update to end users.
T-Mobile might float its share in an IPO (USA)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Even after losing a considerable United States market share, no confirmation or denial has yet come from European operator Deutsche Telekom (DT) on reports that it could be ready to set T-Mobile USA free as a separate, public entity.
Telekom spent almost $3 billion in the first three quarters of 2009 to build out the T-Mobile network; it is still working on 3G while AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. has already get on the 4G, data-intensive bandwagon.
T- Mobile decision to float its share will become the first hot IPO in the telecom industry since 2007. Since last year, there are speculations regarding what Deutsche Telekom will do with T-Mobile.
Verizon’s 1st ZTE phone approved by Bluetooth SIG
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A ZTE phone with Verizon branding on it has been recently approved by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, making it the first ZTE phone picked up by Verizon if it goes on sale. CDMA 1x and Bluetooth radios, a camera and voice controls are some of the features of the ZTE phone. Announcement regarding ZTE F350 has not been made yet.
Verizon adds ex-Clinton cabinet member to board (USA)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A former U.S. secretary of transportation who served under President Bill Clinton has been added as the 13th board of Verizon Communications Inc. Rodney Slater will join Verizon’s board of directors on March 5, 2010.
Slater specializes in transportation, infrastructure and public policy issues and is a partner in the law firm of Patton Boggs LLP in Washington. He is also a vice chairman and senior adviser at James Lee Witt Associates. Slater is also a member of the boards of Delta Air Lines, ICx Technologies, Kansas City Southern and Transurban Group.
USA’s AT&T to keep Apple till 2010: analyst
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Anyone on Verizon waiting for an iPhone might be dejected to know that there is a 75% probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity in 2010. Credit Suisse analyst Jonathan Chaplin’s note is in direct contrast with Piper Jaffray’s Chris Larsen’s note in October that there was a 70% chance of the iPhone coming to Verizon this year.
Jonathan also lowered his rating on Verizon to “Neutral” from “Outperform,” and cut his share price target to $30 to $32.
According to Jonathan, if Apple keeps AT&T exclusively, its North American marketshare of smartphones might shrink to 23% in 2010 from 26% in 2009, thus implying 13.3 million units sold.
US telco Leap Wireless hires advisors for potential sale
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have been hired by US cellco Leap Wireless to advise the operator on a sale as it looks for potential suitors. A number of potential buyers like MetroPCS, Verizon, and AT&T have been approached by Leap in the recent days.
MetroPCS made a USD5.5 billion all-stock takeover offer for Leap in early September 2007, offering 2.75 of its own shares for every Leap share. However, Leap rejected the offer in mid-September, citing that it undervalued the company.
Palm Pre and Pixi pricing announced by Verizon
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The price of Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus devices, which go on sale January 25, has been decided by Verizon Wireless which has priced Pre at $150 after $100 mail-in rebate and Pixi at $100 after $100 mail-in rebate.
A voice plan (minimum $40/month) and a $30 unlimited data plan will be required by both the devices. Even a buy-one-get-one promotion will be offered by Verizon until February 14. Palm Pre Plus or Palm Pixi Plus customers can buy Palm Pixi Plus for free after rebate.
Mobile HotSpot application allowing the Pre and Pixi to act as a wireless data modem will require an additional $40 premium over the required voice and data plans (totaling at least $110/month).
How does Verizon, AT&T and the FCC’s 700MHz Wireless Ban affect you?
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The manufacture, import and sale of wireless microphone with the use of the 700 MHz band has been forbidden due to the voting on the Federal Communications (FCC)’s ban on the distribution and sale of wireless devices operating in the 700 MHz frequency due on Friday.
It marks the most recent step where the country has switched to digital television (DTV) and the way for the adoption of the 700 MHz band for the upcoming 4G consumer devices from carriers like AT&T, Verizon along with communications services for public safety agencies gets cleared.
An exhaustive list of wireless devices which will be affected has been posted on the FCC website as the ban comes to effect on June 12, 2010.
4G prices again reduced by Sprint
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Prices for the mobile 4G service have been reduced by Sprint again. CDMA/WiMax mobile service is put at $59.99. Reduction in the prices also cuts into the revenue benefit of that early entry advantage.
The 4G service of the Sprint is seen through Clearwire Corp. This gives it a competitive advantage over larger rivals Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. However, none of them have rolled out a fourth-generation service.
