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Tag: 4G LTE

  • T-Mobile Takes Top Spot in PCMag’s Annual Speed Test

    T-Mobile Takes Top Spot in PCMag’s Annual Speed Test

    In PCMag’s annual test of the US wireless networks, T-Mobile has decisively taken the top spot for 5G service.

    PCMag’s annual review involves sending its drivers across the country, covering more than 10,000 miles, and more than 30 cities and 6 different rural regions. This provides an opportunity to get real-world data, not only on the speeds each carrier offers, but also the degree of improvement over past years.

    PCMag started off their Fastest Mobile Networks 2021 report with high praise for T-Mobile.

    It’s T-Mobile’s year at last. The carrier’s new mid-band 5G network is the only nationwide 5G that’s markedly faster than 4G, earning T-Mobile its first-ever PCMag award for America’s fastest mobile network.

    The report found that T-Mobile took the 5G crown in 24 of the cities and rural regions PCMag’s drivers tested. AT&T came in second with 8, and Verizon brought up the rear with two.

    T-Mobile’s top download speed was 1,134.4 Mbps, with an average of 162.3, while upload topped out at 140.5, with an average of 28.1. AT&T’s max and average download speeds were 1,090.9 and 98.2, while its upload speeds were 89.5 and 21.1. Verizon’s download speeds were 2,216.7 and 93.7, while its uploads were 102.8 and 21.5.

    One thing is clear from this report: T-Mobile has skyrocketed past its competition in just a year’s time, comparing the 2020 and 2021 data. The key to T-Mobile’s rise is the mid-band spectrum it acquired as part of the Sprint acquisition.

    As we have written about many times on WPN, mid-band spectrum is the sweet spot for 5G. High-band mmWave offers the absolute fastest speeds, but its paired with abysmal, almost useless range and building penetration. That’s why Verizon is able to clock the highest speeds in the test but, because Verizon bet so heavily on mmWave, its availability is equally abysmal. In fact, because mmWave requires so many repeaters and base stations to give any appreciable coverage PCMag found that Verizon’s mmWave availability in metro areas was only 3.27%, compared to 2.82% in 2020 — barely any measurable growth.

    On the other end of the spectrum, low-band 5G — using spectrum in the same range as 4G LTE — provides outstanding coverage but little to no real speed benefit over 4G. That’s why in 2020 T-Mobile’s speeds were decidedly behind its two rivals, since T-Mobile’s early 5G investment was in a nationwide low-band network.


    In contrast, mid-band spectrum offers the perfect blend of coverage and speed. With the Sprint merger complete, and T-Mobile rapidly rolling out Sprint’s wealth of mid-spectrum, the company has suddenly found itself firmly in the 5G lead.

    Verizon and AT&T clearly have their work cut out, and PCMag’s report shows why both companies had to spend a fortune at the FCC’s spectrum auction to acquire the spectrum they need to catch up.

  • T-Mobile and Zyter Partner on Telehealth

    T-Mobile and Zyter Partner on Telehealth

    T-Mobile has announced it is partnering with Zyter to provide telehealth options.

    Telehealth and telemedicine are growing in popularity as a result of the pandemic. As regions were in quarantine and lockdown, many turned to telehealth for their healthcare. Many viewed telehealth as a safer alternative than in-person doctor’s visits for non-critical medical needs.

    Unfortunately, successful deployment and use of telehealth programs requires quality internet access, specifically internet that allows videoconferencing. To help address this, T-Mobile has partnered with Zyter, a leading provider of software as a service (SaaS) digital health products.

    “We believe that every American has the right to quality healthcare that is safe and secure,” said Mike Katz, EVP, T-Mobile. “By partnering with Zyter, we can outfit healthcare organizations of all sizes with solutions that reach more people and enable faster and more reliable virtual care through familiar devices like smartphones and tablets.”

    The two companies will work together to help healthcare companies care for their patients remotely, using 4G LTE and 5G.

    “This is a significant agreement for Zyter as it enables us to leverage the vast resources and footprint of T-Mobile to make our digital health solutions more accessible to more patients,” said Sanjay Govil, founder and CEO of Zyter, Inc. “By working together, we can help organizations improve patient satisfaction while maintaining care quality and lowering costs.”

  • CES 2021: Verizon’s Skyward and UPS Collaborating On Drone Deliveries

    CES 2021: Verizon’s Skyward and UPS Collaborating On Drone Deliveries

    Verizon used CES 2021 to announce its Skyward drone company will be collaborating with UPS Flight Forward for retail deliveries.

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently took important steps toward making drone deliveries a reality. It’s no surprise that UPS is quickly moving to ensure it can provide the service to its customers, and is collaborating with Skyward to make it happen.

    “We will need the ability to manage and support multiple drones, flying simultaneously, dispatched from a centralized location, operating in a secure and safe environment. To do this at scale, alongside Verizon and Skyward, we’ll need the power of 5G,” said Carol B. Tomé, CEO of UPS.

    “We’re just beginning to see how the power of 5G Ultra Wideband will transform the way businesses operate,” said Rima Qureshi, Chief Strategy Officer at Verizon. “By partnering with UPS and other innovative companies, we can learn from each other’s expertise and collaborate to create solutions that help move the world forward.”

    UPS has already had more than 3,800 drone delivery flights. With the global pandemic, however, drone deliveries have become more important than ever and are widely seen as a way to deliver products in a safe way. The rapid increase in demand is no doubt responsible for UPS working with Skyward.

    The drones will stay connected and be controlled via Verizon’s 4G LTE network, as well as its 5G network where possible.

  • 5G Auction Blows Past $76 Billion, Shattering Estimates

    5G Auction Blows Past $76 Billion, Shattering Estimates

    The auction for 5G spectrum in the US has shattered estimates, passing $76 billion as of Monday.

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is holding the auction for mid-band spectrum. The spectrum is especially valuable for wireless companies, as it is seen as the sweet spot for 5G. While low-band offers excellent range and building penetration, its speed is only marginally better than 4G LTE. High-band, also known as mmWave, offers speeds in the gigabits, but is limited by extremely short range and poor penetration. Mid-band spectrum offers speeds in excess of 1 Gbps, while still providing reasonable range and penetration.

    Verizon and AT&T are especially in need of mid-band spectrum, as neither company has the enough to bridge the gap between their low and high-band 5G networks. T-Mobile, in contrast, inherited a wealth of mid-band as a result of their merger with Sprint, making the company the one to beat in the 5G market.

    As Bloomberg points out, analysts had predicted the auction could go as high as $47 billion, a figure that is now in the distant rear-view. Verizon has been the biggest bidder so far, and will likely continue to dominate the auction. The company cannot afford to walk away without massive gains if it expects to remain competitive.

    AT&T’s need is just as dire, but the company doesn’t have the resources to spend as heavily as Verizon. Some experts believe AT&T’s recent efforts to sell DirecTV may be to raise the necessary money to purchase a meaningful share of 5G spectrum.

    While T-Mobile is the company that is currently the most spectrum rich, it may want to bolster its holdings even more, especially in cities and heavily populated areas where networks can become bogged down more easily. The company also has an interest in bidding to help drive the price up, ensuring Verizon and AT&T don’t walk away with huge swaths of spectrum for a bargain basement price.

    It remains to be seen just how high the bidding will go, but the current price gives a small glimpse into just how committed US wireless carriers are to their 5G rollouts.

  • Verizon Activates 5G Uploads

    Verizon Activates 5G Uploads

    Verizon has announced it has activated uploads on its Ultra Wideband 5G network.

    San Diego is the 35th city where Verizon has rolled out Ultra Wideband 5G. Ultra Wideband uses mmWave spectrum, the fastest flavor of 5G. mmWave provides speeds measured in gigabits, rather than megabits. Until now, however, Verizon has only offered its Ultra Wideband for downloads.

    “Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network is synonymous with fast download speeds, but one of the biggest requests we’ve had since launching our 5G network is when uplink for 5G uploads will be available on Verizon,” writes Kevin King, on the company site. “Starting today, customers can upload content using Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. This makes it easier to upload high-def videos to social networks, back-up work and school projects to the cloud and play massive multiplayer games.

    “Initially, customers should see upload speeds on 5G about 30 percent faster than 4G LTE. 5G upload is available in all 35 Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband cities, in our Chicago 5G Home market and in any stadium or arena with Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service.”

    This is good news for Verizon’s customers who have access to the company’s fastest 5G network.

  • T-Mobile Rolls Out 2.5Ghz 5G in Philadelphia

    T-Mobile Rolls Out 2.5Ghz 5G in Philadelphia

    T-Mobile has already begun rolling out 2.5GHz 5G in Philadelphia, using the spectrum it gained in the Sprint merger.

    2.5GHz spectrum sits squarely in the mid-range—between the slower but far-reaching low-band and the faster but short-range mmWave—and is considered the sweet spot for 5G. Mid-range spectrum offers substantially better speeds than 4G LTE, while at the same time providing good range and building penetration.

    Even more than the subscriber base, gaining access to Sprint’s wealth of mid-range spectrum was the real benefit of the merger between the third and fourth carriers. Sprint’s mid-range spectrum puts T-Mobile in the lead, in terms of how much spectrum it has available, and gives it the most comprehensive 5G portfolio.

    The company is wasting no time deploying the new spectrum, rolling it out in Philadelphia the very same day the deal closed, according to a tweet by Neville Ray, T-Mobile President of Technology.

    We’ll move FAST to bring the @TMobile and @Sprint networks together and build #5GforAll. How fast? New T-Mobile is already deploying midband 5G spectrum in Philly. And we’re just getting started.

    Neville (@NevilleRay) April 1, 2020

    This is good news for all of T-Mobile’s customers, both old and new, and not so good news for Verizon and AT&T.

  • 4G LTE: T-Mobile Quickly Upgrading Its Network

    4G LTE: T-Mobile Quickly Upgrading Its Network

    Just over one year ago T-Mobile was the fourth-largest mobile provider in the U.S., and for good reason. Instead of the 4G LTE networks that larger carriers were building out, T-Mobile had bet on the slower HSPA+ standard for its “4G” network. The company found itself with a comparatively slow high-speed network over a smaller area of the U.S. than its competitors.

    Now T-Mobile is still the fourth-largest mobile provider but is quickly becoming the largest competitive force in the U.S. mobile industry.

    T-Mobile recently announced that it will continue upgrading its 4G LTE network aggressively. The company has promised that through a new program to upgrade its EDGE data network to 4G LTE speeds. This means that customers currently stuck with the slow EDGE data connection should soon see their data speeds increase significantly.

    T-Mobile claims that 210 million people in the U.S. already have access to its 4G LTE network. However, most of those people are in larger markets, allowing Verizon and AT&T an advantage in the vast rural parts of the U.S. This new initiative could help T-Mobile better compete with these larger carriers throughout the country.

    “Right now, T-Mobile covers 96 percent of Americans, and over the past year, we’ve completely shattered records with the fastest 4G LTE deployment the U.S. wireless industry has ever seen.” said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile. “Our competitors want you to believe our network doesn’t measure up. But that just isn’t true. And American consumers are going to see right through the spin and half-truths when given the facts.”

    By the end of 2014 T-Mobile is promising to have around 50% of the work done to upgrade its EDGE network. In addition, the initiative will also involve deploying 4G LTE via the 700 MHz A-Block spectrum that the company recently agreed to acquire from Verison for $2.3 billion.

    In addition to the upgrade, T-Mobile is now pushing back against what it claims are unfair advertisements by Verizon. The well-known ads feature maps showing the 4G LTE coverage of major U.S. mobile providers. As T-Mobile is still far behind in this respect, it is launching a new ad campaign to combat Verizon’s claims.

    Image via T-Mobile

  • T-Mobile Promises Fast 4G Expansion This Year

    T-Mobile Promises Fast 4G Expansion This Year

    T-Mobile has shifted the mobile landscape significantly in the past year, doing away with device subsidies and forcing a small price war among the largest mobile providers in the U.S. One area T-Mobile still struggles to compete in, however, is the overall quality of its network. Neither T-Mobile nor Sprint have the data coverage reach across rural America that AT&T and Verizon have bought over the past decade.

    To rectify this, T-Mobile is, of course, making big promises. The carrier today announced a new program to aggressively roll out 4G LTE data access to areas that currently only have access to its EDGE network. The company will also deploy 4G LTE over the 700 MHz A-Block spectrum that it purchased from Verizon early this year.

    T-Mobile expects around half of this major initiative to be complete by the end of 2014 and has predicted that the program will be “substantially complete” by mid-2015.

    “Through this major new network upgrade program, and other initiatives already underway, we’re driving hard toward our multi-billion dollar strategy to further improve what is already an amazing network experience for our customers,” said Neville Ray, CTO at T-Mobile. “Our 4G LTE is going to reach 230 million people across the U.S. by mid-year. By year’s end, we’re going to be delivering wicked-fast 4G LTE to more than 250 million people. That’s how the Un-carrier rolls out 4G LTE.

    In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, T-Mobile today also announced that it has “taken legal action” against Verizon, demanding that the company cease and desist its network coverage map ads. T-Mobile believes that the ads, which depict only 4G LTE networks, are unfair because the leave out T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network, which it also considers to be 4G.

    “Verizon’s ink blots massively understate our coverage and don’t begin to represent the actual customer experience on T-Mobile’s network,” said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile. “So we’re setting the record straight – both by demanding an end to the misinformation, and by going straight to the people with the truth.”

    As it is unlikely Verizon will stop comparing its 4G LTE network with other carriers, T-Mobile has released a new ad touting T-Mobile’s total coverage (not just 4G):

  • Worldwide LTE Subscriptions Steadily Rising

    Worldwide LTE Subscriptions Steadily Rising

    The smartphone market is continuing to grow, yet most of the world does not yet have access to 4G LTE connections. This is set to change in the near future, however, as emerging nations such as China begin to build out their infrastructure.

    Market research firm ABI Research today released a new report showing that LTE subscriptions worldwide hit 229.7 million last year. This number is expected to rise rapidly within the coming years and the firm is predicting that LTE subscriptions will hit 2 billion by the end of 2019.

    With established markets such as the U.S. beginning to see smartphone and tablet growth slow, growth in LTE subscriptions is being concentrated more in emerging markets. This is particularly true in Asia, where aggressive LTE technology rollouts have combined to add millions of new LTE subscribers in the past year.

    “Among the LTE subscription growth, Asia-Pacific contributes the most with a 49% market share. The second greatest contributor is North America with an 18% share,” comments Marina Lu, research associate at ABI Research. “The large population base in Asia combined with rapid LTE network deployment and cost-competitive smartphones has accelerated the remarkable subscriber adoption.”

    ABI’s report also predicts that several LTE-related technologies will grow along with the overall industry. LTE-Advanced is expected to hit 750 million subscribers by the year 2019 and the voice over LTE industry is expected to take off as network coverage expands. Mobile revenue is predicted to grow since LTE subscribers spend more on average.

  • Foxconn Could Become Mobile Provider in Taiwan

    Foxconn Technology Group, the manufacturer of Apple’s iPhone and iPad products, is looking to take its business beyond manufacturing. In addition to media and software investments, the company could soon become a mobile carrier in China.

    The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Foxconn has applied for a 4G LTE mobile spectrum license in Taiwan. If the company qualifies, it will bid against other qualified companies in a September spectrum auction. According to the Journal, Taiwan’s current mobile carriers only provide 3G data at this time.

    Foxconn’s moves into software and wireless come as PC hardware sales have begun to slow. In addition to its lucrative iPhone and iPad manufacturing deals, Foxconn also manufactures PCs and electronics for companies such as Microsoft, Sony, Nokia, Dell, HP, and Amazon.

    According to the Wall Street Journal, Foxconn’s earnings growth has also slowed due to rising employment costs in mainland China. Pressure on Apple and other electronics companies has resulted in audits that have forced Foxconn to improve working conditions in its factories. Factory workers themselves have also taken matters into their own hands, rioting and striking for better conditions, hours, and training.

    The mobile market in China, and Taiwan in particular, is growing rapidly. China is expected to overtake the U.S. and the top global smartphone market in 2013.

    (via Wall Street Journal)

  • Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE Arrives On AT&T April 5

    Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE Arrives On AT&T April 5

    Are you in the market for Amazon’s 4G LTE Kindle Fire HD 8.9″? Do you prefer to buy your 4G LTE enabled devices from a national carrier? If so, you’re in luck later this week if you happen to subscribe to AT&T.

    Amazon and AT&T announced today that the Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE will be available at AT&T stores starting April 5. The tablet, which recently received a price drop, will still cost $399 at AT&T. The price will be reduced to $249 if you sign a two-year contract.

    “We’re excited to work with AT&T to offer the 4G LTE version of Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ to AT&T customers across the country,” said Mike McKenna , Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “Customers tell us they love our large-screen Kindle Fire HD for browsing the web, writing emails, watching movies, reading magazines, and more – and with AT&T’s 4G LTE technology, everything is faster and more convenient.”

    If you already subscribe to AT&T’s network, you can add the Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE for $10 a month on a mobile share plan. It can also be added to individual or family plans.

    “Being the first carrier to connect Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD to our 4G LTE network provides the best mobile internet experience,” said Chris Penrose , senior vice president of emerging devices, AT&T. “Combining our 4G LTE with Kindle Fire HD’s rich features at an incredible price point yields a great value and experience for our customers.”

    For now, AT&T is the only carrier to have the Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE. There’s no word yet on if it will come to other carriers, but it’s really only a matter of time until other carriers, like Verizon, get a hold of Amazon’s flagship tablet.

  • T-Mobile Turns On 4G LTE In Seven Markets, 200 Million To Have LTE By Year’s End

    At this morning’s UnCarrier event, T-Mobile has already announced that its ditching contracts in favor of a simpler plan, and that it plans to offer the iPhone 5 starting early next month. It’s a great start for the beleaguered wireless carrier, but it still needs to compete with AT&T’s and Verizon’s LTE market penetration.

    To better compete in the modern wireless industry, T-Mobile announced today that it’s turning on 4G LTE connectivity in seven markets across the U.S. starting today. T-Mobile consumers living in Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington, D.C. should be able to access 4G LTE speeds starting today. T-Mobile will also rapidly increase its market penetration over the year with an expected 100 million consumers having access to LTE by midyear, and 200 million having access by year’s end.

    T-Mobile is rolling out its 4G LTE market today to take advantage of the numerous 4G LTE devices it sells, and will be selling later this year – among them are the iPhone 5, the Galaxy S 4, BlackBerry Z10 and the HTC One. Those who buy a LTE-capable phone in a non-LTE market need not worry about setting anything up if LTE arrives. T-Mobile says that devices on its 4G network will transition seamlessly to LTE when it launches in more places later this year.

    It will be interesting to see how T-Mobile evolves over the year as it brings 4G LTE, and its unlimited data plans, to more markets. Its commitment to consumer friendly mobile plans may just help give it the customer base it needs to continue providing what’s looking like one of the most disruptive mobile plans in years.

  • Google Removes Unofficial Nexus 4 LTE Support In Latest Update

    In November, it was discovered that Google’s Nexus 4 had a LTE chip in it. Some users were able to get the 3G-only phone onto 4G LTE networks in Canada, but it wasn’t exactly a widespread exploit. It apparently was enough of an issue, however, for Google to patch it out in the latest Android update.

    Anandtech reports that the latest Android update hitting the Nexus 4 – Android 4.2.2 – has removed the ability for the Nexus 4 to access LTE networks on band 4. Before, users could simply access LTE by choosing band 4 under Phone Info. That method of connecting to LTE has now been removed, and it doesn’t look like there’s any other way to access it.

    Here’s the guys from Anandtech showing how the Nexus 4 automatically kicks users off of LTE after the update:

    It’s an unfortunate turn of events for those who were getting LTE speeds on such a cheap phone, but it really was only a matter of time before Google patched it out. If you still want to get access to LTE, Droid Life suggests users either wait on updating or hope an enterprising developer takes out the radio update from the latest Android update.

    Either way, Nexus 4 owners will probably find a way around this latest update to keep getting their LTE speeds.

  • iPhone Coming to T-Mobile Next Week [RUMOR]

    I know. The rumors about the iPhone coming to T-Mobile have been flying around since the CES expo in January. However, every time the rumor popped up again, it got a little more specific. In May, T-Mobile began making changes to its network that were clearly the groundwork for nationwide 4G LTE, a prerequisite for carrying the iPhone. Last month, the rumor was that T-Mobile might announce the iPhone on its network by “early 2013.”

    Today, Fortune is reporting that a Merrill Lynch analyst has begun spreading the news that “speculation is heightening” of an iPhone announcement by T-Mobile. The speculation surrounds Deutche Telekom, T-Mobile USA’s parent company, announcing the big news at an analyst day next week on December 6. The analyst predicts that T-Mobile could sell around 4 million, increasing Apple revenue by around 1%.

    It’s clear that T-Mobile will eventually be getting the iPhone, though the timing is still up in the air. Ever since the carrier’s acquisition by AT&T was foiled by the U.S. Justice Department last year, T-Mobile has doubled-down on becoming a real competitor to Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. Though T-Mobile is still the fourth largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscriber numbers, its 4G LTE coverage is expanding rapidly and it’s recent merger with MetroPCS puts its subscriber numbers close to that of Sprint. The company has also appointed a new CEO and new CMO this fall, meaning the company’s direction and marketing are getting a fresh look.

  • Sprint Purchases Midwest Spectrum, Customers From U.S. Cellular

    Sprint announced today that it will acquire PCS spectrum and customers from U.S. Cellular for $480 million. Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and the Chicago and St. Louis markets are all part of the deal. Sprint stated that the new spectrum will be used to “supplement Sprint’s coverage in these areas as it continues to deploy its Network Vision upgrade and roll out 4G LTE nationally.”

    “This transaction will enable us to strengthen our business and become a more robust competitor,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint’s CEO. “Acquiring this spectrum will significantly increase Sprint’s network capacity and improve the customer experience in several important Midwest markets including Chicago and St. Louis. We welcome the new customers in these markets and look forward to providing them with Sprint’s unique combination of unlimited plans, an iconic device portfolio and unmatched customer service.”

    The agreement will provide Sprint with 20 MHz of PCS spectrum in the 1900 band in Chicago and other markets, and 10 MHz of PCS spectrum in the St. Louis market. Sprint will also receive 585,000 current U.S. Cellular customers and will assume “certain liabilities” as a part of the sale.

    Sprint last month announced a $767 million net loss for the third quarter 2012. Much of the reason for the loss, according to Sprint, is its massive program to upgrade its network and the expected shutdown of the Nextel platform. Sprint is currently the third largest U.S. wireless company by subscriber numbers, though T-Mobile pushed closer last month after its acquisition of MetroPCS.

  • iPhone Could Finally be Coming to T-Mobile

    T-Mobile is now the only major U.S. wireless carrier that doesn’t carry the iPhone. It isn’t a coincidence that t’s also the only carrier that doesn’t have a nationwide 4G LTE network (its 4G is HSPA+) or that it is lagging behind the other three major carriers. This weeks’s news, if true, could put T-Mobile on-track to truly compete in the U.S. wireless market.

    CNET is reporting that a Morgan Stanley analyst predicts T-Mobile “could” announce iPhone distribution in “early 2013.” The analyst also said that such an announcement would mean one or two million more iPhone 5’s sold in the first quarter 2013.

    T-Mobile is already known to be developing iOS versions of its smartphone software. Last month T-Mobile launched an ad campaign urging customers to buy unlocked iPhones for full price and use them on its network. The company pointed out that T-Mobile’s less-expensive plans would save them money over time, though the upfront cost is high.

    Though Android phones have been gaining in popularity over the past few years, no single device can yet compete with the hype that surrounds the iPhone. Apple’s latest model of their smartphone, the iPhone 5, sold out its initial shipment of pre-orders in under one hour and analysts predict that Apple could sell as many as 250 million of the devices over the next few years.

    In the meantime, T-Mobile subscribers will have to be content with high-end Samsung phones, such as the Galaxy Note II, which is rumored to be coming to the carrier in one week. T-Mobile is also negotiating the purchase of a smaller U.S. carrier, MetroPCS, which will raise its subscriber numbers closer to the third largest U.S. carrier, Sprint.

  • Verizon Wireless Expands 4G LTE As iPhone 5 Hits Shelves

    Like AT&T, Verizon is also improving its LTE coverage as the newly-LTE-sporting iPhone 5 arrives in millions of hands across the country.

    Verizon has been busy in the lead up to the big launch, either expanding or introducing new LTE coverage into markets across 20 states. According to Verizon, their LTE blankets 75% of the U.S. population in 371 markets. They hope to push that number to over 400 by year’s end.

    The very latest area to recieve a 4G LTE expansion is Philadelphia. Verizon also added new 4G LTE coverage to Pottsville, Stroudsburg, Sunbury, and Williamsport.

    Here’s a full list of all the locations that Verizon is beefing up surrounding the iPhone 5 launch:

    Alabama – Auburn/Opelika [Expansion]
    Florida – Tallahassee [Expansion] Tampa Bay [Expansion]
    Wyoming – Cheyenne [New]
    Colorado – Greeley [New] Aspen-Snowmass [New] Pueblo [New] Bremerton & Silverdale [New] Longmont [Expansion]
    Georgia – Tifton [New] Americus [New] Ellijay [New] Moultrie [New] Statesboro [New] Bainbridge [New]
    Kansas – Lawrence [New] Coffeyville [New] Emporia [New] The Hays [Expansion]
    Ohio – Marion County [New] Dayton/Springfield [Expansion]
    North Carolina – Asheville [Expansion] Forsyth, Guilford and Rockingham Counties [Expansion] Morehead City [New]
    Indiana – South Bend, Mishawaka and Elkhart [Expansion] Richmond [New]
    Idaho – American Falls [New]
    Texas – Lubbock [New]
    Missouri – Rolla [New] Kansas City [Expansion]
    Michigan – Jackson County [New]
    Montana – Billings & Helena [New]
    Illinois – Mattoon [Expansion] Peoria [Expansion] Sterling [New] Bloomington/Normal [Expansion]
    Iowa – Blue Grass, Muscatine and Princeton [Expansion] Clinton [New]
    Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh [Expansion]
    California – Merced [New]
    Nebraska – Lincoln & Omaha [Expansion]
    Utah – Various regions [New and Expansion]
    South Carolina – Charleston [Expansion]
    Minnesota – Rochester & Bemidji [Expansion/New]
    Arizona – Marana, Vail, Sonoita and Three Points [New]

    [Verizon Wireless via PCMag]

  • iPhone 5 Could Get Banned Thanks To HTC Patents

    Apple likes to sue other handset makers for patent infringement. The companies on the receiving end of Apple’s legal tactics reciprocate with their own patent lawsuits. The resulting patent wars exploded into a mess that hasn’t been remotely cleaned up over the last two years. During that time, Apple either settled or won the majority of their patent lawsuits. HTC might just be the first to strike back in U.S. courts and win.

    HTC brought a suit against Apple last year claiming that the company violated two of their patents for data transmission in wireless devices. HTC’s lawsuit was a direct response to Apple bringing a lawsuit against them that resulted in their phones being banned from sale in the U.S. Apple attempted to have HTC’s patent lawsuit thrown out, but a U.S. judge says the patents are probably valid.

    Bloomberg reports that U.S. ITC Judge Thomas Pender said that HTC’s arguments are “clear and convincing.” This may lead to trouble for Apple as Pender says that he has to be “pretty darn certain a U.S. patent is invalid.” In other words, Apple has their work cut out for them if they’re going to prove that HTC’s patents are invalid in the U.S.

    The patents in question, according to HTC, refer to 4G LTE signals. The new iPad uses LTE technology and the iPhone 5 will most assuredly use the wireless signal as well. HTC could use a successful ruling in their favor to have both products banned from sale in the U.S. unless Apple pays them a licensing fee for the patent or removes LTE functionality altogether.

    In their defense, Apple says that HTC’s patents don’t relate to 4G technology whatsoever. The patents were bought from ADC Communications. Apple claims that ADC was using the patents for work that began in the 1990s. That very well could be the case as HTC said that patents covered Wi-Fi technology before changing their claims to say that they covered 4G LTE technology.

    A lot of embittered Apple haters would probably love to see HTC win this case, but it won’t solve anything. Fighting fire with fire is the only way tech companies can proceed because policy makers won’t concede that there’s a problem with the current patent system. The winners and losers of the tech world should be decided by consumers, not judges and lawyers.

  • Sprint Rolls Out 4G LTE in Four Markets

    Though Sprint is far behind other mobile carriers in their 4G LTE network implementation, the company has begun making strides. And with less expensive, truly unlimited data plans, customers are generally getting what they pay for.

    Today Sprint announced that it has rolled out its 4G LTE service to four new cities. Subscribers in Baltimore, Maryland; Gainesville, Georgia; Manhattan/Junciton City, Kansas; and Sedalia, Missouri can now connect with faster 4G speeds.

    “Our customers are enjoying new applications and devices that increase the demand for mobile data,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president for network at Sprint. “The network build-out – that today is playing out in four new cities – will provide nothing less than a state-of-the art network platform for the next generation of customers. Customers across the country will begin to experience better 3G service on their devices and will be able to take advantage of 4G LTE on cutting-edge devices as we continue to launch more cities.”

    In addition to its LTE rollout, Sprint also announced that customers in Baltimore, Boston, and Washington D.C. have just gotten the company’s improved 3G service. That should come as a relief, as tests earlier this year found that Sprint’s 3G speeds were abysmal in comparison to the other major carriers.

  • Microsoft Thinks Wi-Fi Is Just Fine For All Your Surface Needs

    Do you like to use mobile data with your tablets? You might want to sit out on Microsoft’s Surface tablet, at least at launch.

    There’s no doubt that Wi-Fi is still the most popular, and preferred, method for people to connect to the Internet via their mobile devices. Tablets are no different and Microsoft should obviously know this. There are people who enjoy choice though and the iPad recognizes that choice by offering 4G LTE versions of its new iPad. Microsoft won’t be offering such a choice.

    Anonymous sources speaking to Bloomberg revealed that Microsoft wil be equipping the Surface with only a Wi-Fi short-range connection. It will be good enough for most people, but it will be lacking the 4G/4G LTE connections that at least a few people want out of their mobile devices.

    So why would Microsoft cut out this potential source of revenue? The cost, of course. Apple can afford to offer a 4G LTE version of the new iPad because they’re sitting on more money than Scrooge McDuck ever had through all four seasons of Duck Tales. Microsoft is entering the market late and has to capture the largest audience first before they can start offering a product for a niche audience.

    It should also be noted that the Surface is obviously targeted towards productivity. You don’t really need a mobile data connection to do work on a tablet. Wi-Fi would be just fine for the majority of those who are buying the Surface. If anything, I can see Microsoft offering a 4G LTE version of the WIndows RT-based Surface later down the line, while keeping the Windows 8 Pro version on Wi-Fi only.

    For those who are a bit bummed over the rumored exclusion of 4G LTE, you should stick with Apple. They got ya covered unless you live in Australia.

  • 4G iPad Claims Cost Apple $2.3 Million In Australia

    Earlier this month we brought you news that Apple had agreed to pay a AU$2.25 million (US$2.28 million) fine for its marketing of the new iPad as a 4G capable device in Australia. The fine was part of a settlement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Various Australian news sources are reporting today that the Australian courts have approved the deal.

    According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Apple will pay the AU$2.25 million plus an additional AU$300,000 in court costs, bringing the total payment to AU$2.55 million (US$2.59 million). ACCC Chairman Rod Sims praised the decision and said that he was “delighted” with the fine and with how quickly his agency moved against Apple following the release of the new iPad. In the ruling that approved the settlement and ordered the fine, presiding judge Mordecai Bromberg said that Apple’s transgressions in this case were “not trivial” and that “Apple’s desire for global uniformity was given a greater priority than the need to ensure compliance with the Australian Consumer Law.”

    One of the central features of the new iPad, which came out in March, is its 4G LTE connectivity. As such, that feature was one of the main focuses of Apple’s early marketing of the device. Unfortunately for Apple, though, the new iPad only works on a handful of carriers’ 4G networks, all of which are in North America (the U.S. and Canada, specifically). Though two of Australia’s carriers have 4G LTE networks in place, the new iPad is not compatible with it.

    When the iPad launched, the 4G marketing was retained in many countries where there were no compatible 4G networks – including Australia, the UK, Sweden, and others. The ACCC took issue with the iPad’s marketing in Australia, calling it “misleading.” In response, Apple agreed to refund Australian customers who felt they’d been misled and rebranded the 4G-capable iPad as the “iPad WiFi + Celluar” worldwide. Nevertheless, mediation talks between Apple and the ACCC broke down, sending the case on to the courts. Though Apple initially tried to argue its case – claiming that some of Australia’s iPad-compatible cellular networks were 4G even though they weren’t marketed as such – they ultimately agreed to settle.

    The judgment is embedded below:

    ACCC v Apple Judgment