U.S. Cellular launches 4G LTE mobile hotspot (USA)
U.S. Cellular is expanding its 4G LTE device line-up with the launch of the Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot. This lightweight device gives you high-speed connectivity and is available on uscellular.com now and will be in stores by May 21.
When on the 4G LTE network, the Samsung Mobile Hotspot allows users to simultaneously connect up to five Wi-Fi devices to the Internet at speeds up to ten times faster than 3G. It’s easy to connect to laptops, tablets, home computers and smartphones so customers can access news, weather, email, entertainment and social networks whenever they need it. For a limited time, the hotspot will be available for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate in select markets covered by the 4G LTE network and in those scheduled to be covered by the end of 2012.
The Samsung Mobile Hotspot is a great device for businesses, students, families and anyone who needs high-speed Internet connectivity at home or on-the-go. Business travelers can get more done during airport layovers and taxi rides. Study groups can have a meeting in the park and connect to the Internet, and family car rides are more fun when everyone can get the entertainment they want.
Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular, said that customers can depend on the 4G LTE Samsung Mobile Hotspot for fast and reliable Internet connectivity wherever they are. This pocket-sized device can help simplify and organize your life and provides multiple devices with one speedy Internet connection.
The 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier’s high-quality nationwide network. The Samsung Mobile Hotspot is available to all U.S. Cellular customers and runs on the 4G LTE network in markets where it is available and on U.S. Cellular’s nationwide 3G network in all other areas.
U.S. Cellular customers enjoy unique benefits, such as new devices faster without resigning contracts, free Overage Protection and free Battery Swap. U.S. Cellular also offers customers the only points-based rewards program in the industry, which rewards customers for simple things, such as paying bills on-time, adding a line or referring friends and family. Points may be used for faster phone upgrades, additional lines, devices, accessories and ringtones.
U.S. Cellular, in partnership with King Street Wireless, currently offers 4G LTE service in select cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. In the second half of this year, 4G LTE coverage will expand to cover select cities in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. By the end of 2012, 54 percent of U.S. Cellular customers will enjoy faster 4G LTE speeds.
Motorola Mobility counter-sues Microsoft over violation of Patents
The Motorola- Microsoft battle has extended further. Motorola Mobility has now filed lawsuits in Florida and Wisconsin against Microsoft claiming violation of 16 patents by Microsoft’s PC and Server software, Windows mobile software and Xbox products.
The move comes just a day after Microsoft accused the phone maker of charging excessive royalties on network technology used in the software company’s Xbox.
According to Kirk Daily, Motorola’s Corporate Vice President of intellectual property, it is unfortunate that Microsoft has chosen the litigation path rather than entering into comprehensive licensing negotiations.
Motorola Mobility’s complaints are the latest in a complicated chain of legal actions between various phone makers and software firms over who owns patents to the new technology.
Alltel Completes Purchase of Midwest Wireless
Alltel Wireless announced today the completion of its $1.075 billion purchase of Midwest Wireless. Alltel expects to gain approximately 450,000 wireless customers in southern Minnesota, northern and eastern Iowa, and western Wisconsin, expanding the company’s 850 MHz wireless business into contiguous markets that cover a population of 1.9 million.
The addition of Midwest Wireless bolsters Alltel’s position in the wireless industry by adding CDMA properties that are contiguous to our existing markets in the Midwestern U.S.
Related to the Midwest Wireless closing, Alltel has agreed to divest four rural markets in southern Minnesota that Alltel acquired from Western Wireless in 2005. The divestiture is part of an agreement with the Department of Justice.
Source- http://www.mobilewirelessnews.com
