2012

T-Mobile USA said it will begin offering unlimited data options without speed throttling to consumers beginning Sept. 5, signaling a new pricing war among the nation’s “non-big-two” carriers that could put pressure on margins for those involved. T-Mobile USA announced …

The cost of bringing 3G smartphones to China showed up in the China Telecom’s earnings report today as the nation’s third-largest carrier reported a sharp drop in quarterly profits.

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Analyst Angle. We’ve collected a group of the industry’s leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry. Puerto Rico’s telecommunications market exhibits the dichotomy characteristic of most liberalized markets: …

Paraguay’s wireless operators reached U.S.$466 million (2.067 billion guaraníes) in sales during the first half of 2012,  a growth of 19.5% over the cumulative sales of the same period of 2011. Follow RCR Wireless News—Americas on Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our free periodic …

Facing a deep financial crisis, the Honduran government-owned telecommunications company, Hondutel (also known as Empresa Hondureña de Telecomunicaciones), needs to secure at least U.S.$500 million in new investments to be competitive in the market. The telecom operator is looking primarily for …

Satellite communications provider Inmarsat said starting Sept. 1 it will begin offering prepaid services for voice calls originating in the United States and its territories. The offering is being made in partnership with Freedom Wireless Holdings, and will be available …

United Kingdom regulatory body Ofcom today approved Everything Everywhere’s request to use its existing 1.8 GHz spectrum holdings to offer LTE or WiMAX services. That spectrum band was initially required to house GSM-based 2G and 3G services. In its decision, …

The public safety and first responder community received a boost as Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank rounded out the 15-member board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). FirstNet will be responsible for shaping and overseeing the development and …

Small cells consist of femtocells, picocells and microcells. They are defined by what they aren’t – traditional macro cell networks. Small cells exist to improve data and/or voice coverage via throughput for users

Samsung Electronics says it will invest $3 – $4 billion to upgrade an Austin memory-chip making plant so that it can produce chips for mobile devices.

The jurors will be sequestered, but Judge Koh has decided to allow them to access the Internet during deliberations. Several jurors apparently carry the same devices that are the subject of the trial – smartphones and tablets made by Samsung …

The Chilean government announced that  it will soon accept bids for the installation of 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in locations across Arica and Punta Arenas. It is part of a program named the Digital Agenda under which the government is working …

The Brazilian government has great ambitions for its information technology (IT) sector. Yesterday, the government unveiled a vast investment program totaling U.S.$247.65 million (R$500 million) over the 2012-2015 period, which aims to improve and increase software development, boosting both the …

Politics is a 24/7 proposition, but every four years politics takes on a more significant tint thanks to the presidential elections.  Most found the 2008 election season to be the first that really began to include mobility as a core …

AT&T late last week reiterated its opposition to a government mandate that the carrier include lower A-Block support to its 700 MHz plans, citing continued interference concerns and currently available devices and equipment already supporting that spectrum band. A number …

iPhone and iPad users who want to make video calls using FaceTime when it becomes available through iOS 6 this fall will be able to do so for free on AT&T’s network. But there’s a catch — they have to …

This weekend some of Finland’s strongest arms hurled phones into the air in the country’s annual Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships.

In a month when Anatel, Brazil’s telecom regulatory agency, banned three telecom operators from selling mobile services for ten days, the country registered the lowest growth rate since 2006: with only 279,723 new active lines  added in July. Brazil now counts a total …

After securing U.S.$26.5 million in new equity funding to develop its regional business and launch mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services in Chile, Virgin Mobile Latin America (VMLA) announced it has closed on a U.S.$11 million debt funding agreement with IFC, a …

Contactless payment options reach consumers through sports venues, McDonald’s Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being used to enable contactless payment solutions

Spain’s Telefónica faces a major challenge to its Peru-based Movistar operations as the government is evaluating the renewal of three of its operating licenses. Movistar is the largest telecom group in the country, holding about 60% of country’s wireless market …

Colombia’s Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (Mintic) and the Spectrum Agency (ANE) have once again postponed the auction of spectrum licenses set to support LTE services. The delay was announced during the International Spectrum Congress held this week, when …

I believe I have mentioned before that I would rather get punched in the stomach than give a wireless carrier a compliment, but this week it looks like I am going to have to toughen up and take one in …