Editor’s Note: Wireless operators are a busy bunch, and as such RCR Wireless News will attempt to gather some of the important announcements that may slip through the cracks from the world’s largest carriers in a weekly wrap-up. Enjoy!
–Canadian wireless operator Rogers suffered a nationwide network outage that impacted voice and messaging services, though left data services intact. The network issue also impacted services through Rogers’ Fido brand.
The carrier noted that the outage began during the evening of Oct. 9 and that it had restored services by the end of the day.
Nadir Mohamed, President and CEO of Rogers Communications said; “I recognize this service interruption was unacceptable for our customers,” explained Rogers CEO and President Nadir Mohamed, in a statement. “We worked as quickly as possible to restore service and it was gradually restored over the course of the evening. I sincerely apologize to all of our customers for this significant inconvenience and appreciate their understanding and patience.”
Mohamed recently told industry analysts that he did not think the Canadian wireless market could support four nationwide operators. The statement was made in connection to concerns that Canadian regulators were setting up rules for the upcoming auction of 700 MHz spectrum that encumbents felt would favor new entrants. The Canadian wireless market is currently dominated by three nationwide operators: Roger, Telus Mobility and Bell Canada.
–U.S. Cellular this week launched shared data plans, joining the growing push by wireless carriers to package customer data usage into a single bucket. The plans, conveniently dubbed “Shared Data,” allow for up to 10 devices to share data usage, with each line also infused with unlimited voice calling and messaging.
The data buckets begin at $40 per month for 300 megabytes of data, ramping up to 100 gigabytes for $750 per month. Those plans also include using a mobile device as a wireless modem.
Pre-month device pricing is set at $40 per smartphone, $30 per “basic” phone, $20 per wireless hotspot or modem and $10 per tablet. U.S. Cellular noted that as a promotion it would waive the per-month fee for wireless hotspots, modems and tablets through the end of the year. The new plans do require a two-year contract per device.
–Rural wireless provider Nex-Tech Wireless named Jon Lightle president and CEO, replacing former CEO Johnie Johnson who left the carrier late last year. Lightle, who previously served as director of finance and operations, will now be responsible for all aspects of “accounting and finance, budgeting and forecasting, carrier relations, business development including contract negotiations, collections and supply chain management for Nex-Tech.”
Prior to joining Nex-Tech in 2011, Lightle spent a total of three years serving as CFO for two Independent local exchange carriers – Endeavor Communications and LEACO Rural Telephone. Prior to that, Lightle spent 24 years with Sprint in numerous management positions within their local telephone companies, cellular division and PCS operations.
Nex-Tech last month announced plans to begin rolling out LTE services across its Midwest footprint by the end of the year using network equipment from Ericsson. The network will tap into the carrier’s current 1.9 GHz spectrum holdings with the LTE service using Band Class 25 equipment similar to that being used by Sprint and a handful of other rural operators.
–Nokia Solutions and Networks reported that it had provided Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo with its advanced location system that supports Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System positioning technology. NSN explained that the adoption of the positioning technology could be used to supplement traditional GPS satellites in providing more accurate positioning in dense, urban areas.
–Solavei, which earlier this year beat out rivals by being the first domestic outlet for BlackBerry’s Z10 device through its mobile virtual network operator service, earlier this month unveiled its Solavei Marketplace that allows users to accrue cash back and discount offers from merchants nationwide that are deposited into a prepaid card. The offering is supported by First Data’s Money Network.
Check out this video for more details on the Solavei offer.
Additional carrier news can be found on the RCR Wireless News “Carriers” page.
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