Editor’s Note: The RCR Wireless News Time Machine is a way to take advantage of our extensive history in covering the wireless space to fire up the DeLorean and take a trip back in time to re-visit some of the more interesting headlines from this week in history. Enjoy the ride!
Report: Sprint Nextel grants LightSquared 30-day extension
LightSquared has reportedly garnered a 30-day extension from potential network host Sprint Nextel to gain governmental approval to use its controversial 1.6 GHz spectrum holdings. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint Nextel has extended the deadline for LightSquared to win approval from the Federal Communications Commission to use those spectrum assets until the end of January. That initial agreement included a clause that the deal could fall apart if LightSquared did not receive government approval by the end of 2011, a scenario that did indeed play out despite a last-minute attempt to force the issue. … Read More
Republic Wireless says it’s ‘all-in’
Placing a huge bet on Wi-Fi, Republic Wireless quietly announced during the holidays that it will eliminate all usage thresholds associated with its $19/month price for unlimited wireless service. Republic uses Wi-Fi to deliver voice, SMS and data on Android smartphones, supplementing with Sprint’s CDMA network when Wi-Fi is unavailable. Previously, Republic encouraged customers to rely primarily on Wi-Fi rather than cellular service by issuing warnings to those who were using too much cellular. In a recent blog post, the company told customers that it is now “all-in” and that no one will lose membership by using too much cellular. … Read More
Verizon Wireless tries to explain LTE issues
Verizon Wireless shed some light on recent issues impacting its LTE network in a move that looks to placate a growing online call that maybe the carrier is not quite the gold standard of network reliability it makes itself out to be. In a statement, Verizon Wireless acknowledged that its LTE service has had a few hiccups and that some of its efforts to restore data connectivity also affected the ability to access 3G services for some customers. … Read More
Verizon Wireless set to enact ‘convenience fee’ for some payments
Verizon Wireless is warning customers that beginning Jan. 15 they may begin incurring a $2 “convenience fee” when making a one-time payment online or by telephone. Verizon Wireless notes that the fee “will help allow us to continue to support these single bill payment options in these channels and is designed to address costs incurred by us for only those customers who choose to make single bill payments in alternate payment channels (online, mobile, telephone).” … Read More
AT&T closes on Qualcomm 700 MHz spectrum deal
AT&T closed on its $1.925 billion acquisition of 700 MHz spectrum licenses covering 300 million potential customers from Qualcomm. The deal gained regulatory approval late last week, having been announced initially in late 2010. The process was delayed as it was eventually rolled into AT&T’s failed attempt to acquire T-Mobile USA. … Read More
Open Range assets set for the auction block
The end of one-time mobile broadband provider Open Range Communications is at hand as the company’s assets are set to be auctioned off beginning Jan. 11. Colorado-based Open Range, which provided wireless Internet and phone services using WiMAX technology across portions of 17 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Oct. 6. According to auction services firm Heritage Global Partners, the auction will feature “large quantities of state-of-the-art networking, test equipment, IT equipment and office furnishings as well as more than 350 cell towers located throughout the United States.” … Read More
Irwin Jacobs set to retire from Qualcomm
Qualcomm is set to lose one of its co-founders to retirement as the company announced Irwin Jacobs would retire from its board of directors at Qualcomm’s 2012 annual stockholder meeting. Jacobs served as Qualcomm’s initial CEO and chairman at its founding in 1985, holding the CEO position for 20 years and as chairman until 2009. Irwin’s son Paul succeeded him as CEO in 2005, a position he continues to hold, and as chairman in 2009. … Read More
LightSquared petitions FCC to access spectrum
Stung by recent tests that showed potential interference with ground-based GPS systems, LightSquared has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission asking to confirm the company’s rights to use its 1.6 GHz spectrum license. LightSquared has said that the interference issues with GPS systems is being caused by devices that are reaching beyond the spectrum set aside for GPS systems and into LightSquared’s spectrum bands. … Read More
Leap launches first LTE network in Tucson, Ariz.
Leap Wireless threw its hat into the LTE ring, announcing the commercial launch of service in the Tucson, Ariz., market. The carrier said the initial service offering covers more than 90% of its current CDMA-based footprint in that market, with further expansion to Nogales planned for 2012. The LTE network in Tucson is using equipment from Alcatel-Lucent. … Read More
Where do T-Mobile USA, AT&T go from here?
With its planned acquisition of T-Mobile USA now dead, AT&T Mobility look set to end the year having to plan how to proceed. Details of the deal’s demise indicate that the companies have entered into a network-sharing arrangement, details of which are not yet known. What is known is that AT&T will be handing over $3 billion in cash; 1.7/2.1 GHz spectrum licenses covering 128 markets, including 12 of the nation’s top 20 markets; and a nationwide UMTS roaming agreement that will allow T-Mobile USA to expand coverage from its current 230 million potential customers covered to 280 million pops covered. That bounty will at least give Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile USA a jump on their plans. … Read More
