Sprint continued to see operations impacted by ownership uncertainty, while Dish looked to be eyeing a T-Mobile acquisition … 3 years ago this week
Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Sprint still trying to shake the doldrums
Sprint’s second quarter earnings release this week was a good chance to take a step back from the soap opera that has engulfed the carrier over the past several months related to its ownership structure and witness just how the carrier was handling the important task of operating as a viable competitor in a highly competitive market. That view showed that indeed Sprint continued to suffer performance issues tied to its operational struggles, which could continue to impact the business through at least the end of 2013. Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer noted in an interview with RCR Wireless News that the carrier does expect continued “head winds” through the current third quarter with the carrier not gaining its operational balance until perhaps 2014. … Read More
Is T-Mobile US new target for Dish?
Having been thwarted in its most recent attempts to enter the domestic mobile space, Dish Network said it was still mulling over its options, hinting that perhaps T-Mobile US could be its new target. Speaking with analysts following the release of its second quarter financial results, Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen said the company is still interested in pursuing a position in the wireless industry, citing the strong market. … Read More
Canadian Chamber of Commerce calls out Industry Canada on wireless competition plans
Canada’s incumbent wireless carriers received support in their ongoing attempts to influence the government’s plans to establish rules for the upcoming auction of 700 MHz spectrum licenses. Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, noted in a blog post that Industry Canada needs to make sure it sets up fair rules for the upcoming auction of 700 MHz spectrum licenses that do not unintentionally benefit large, foreign players at the expense of established wireless operators. … Read More
T-Mobile US posts industry leading Q2 customer growth
Backing up previous hints of a strong quarter, T-Mobile US posted robust operational results for the second quarter, which was its first as a combined entity with MetroPCS. T-Mobile US said it added 1.1 million net customers during the quarter, a significant turnaround from the loss of 390,000 customers posted by T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS during the second quarter of last year. The latest result also topped net customer additions posted by its larger rivals Verizon Wireless (1 million), AT&T Mobility (632,000) and Sprint (loss of 2 million customers). … Read More
With FirstNet in mind, VZW and Motorola launch in-vehicle mobile broadband device
With eyes toward the future national public safety network being planned by FirstNet, Motorola Solutions and Verizon Wireless have launched a new in-car mobile broadband device that operates both in Verizon Wireless’ spectrum and the Band 14 spectrum that will be used for FirstNet’s network. The VML 700 LTE Vehicle Modem R1.1 for public safety is designed to allow users to maintain LTE access by roaming between Verizon Wireless’ LTE network and the future network of FirstNet. According to the two companies, the device can be used immediately by FirstNet’s eight pilot projects, which include seven recipients of Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grants. Use cases include maintaining laptop or other in-board device connectivity in fire engines, ambulances and patrol cars, and the device can also serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot allowing up to 8 devices to be connected. It also provides location information for fleet management and dispatch purposes. … Read More
NSN becomes Nokia Solutions and Networks
NSN is losing the Siemens name without sacrificing the NSN acronym. The world’s second largest maker of mobile broadband equipment has changed its name to Nokia Solutions and Networks. NSN is now wholly owned by Nokia (NOK), which is spending $2.2 billion to buy Siemens out of the joint venture that the two companies formed in 2006. “While our name and brand have changed, I would like to emphasize that our overall strategy and our focus on mobile broadband remain the same,” said Rajeev Suri, who is continuing as CEO of NSN. Under Suri’s leadership, NSN has recovered from the economic downturn and has been profitable for the past year, despite an increasingly competitive environment. The same cannot be said for NSN’s parent company Nokia. Once the world’s leading mobile handset vendor, Nokia has struggled to compete in the smartphone market, and NSN is now the most profitable part of its business. … Read More
Apple takes aim at counterfeit adapters
Apple says counterfeit power adapters may pose a safety risk to users of iPhones and iPads, and will sell its own adapters for just $10 in an effort to drive unsafe products off the market. The move comes in response to the death of a 23-year-old Chinese flight attendant who was allegedly electrocuted while trying to answer her iPhone while it was charging. The company says all the USB power adapters it makes are tested to make sure they meet government safety standards around the world, but that “third party” products may have “safety issues.” From August 16 through October 18, Apple will sell its USB power adapters for $10 or the equivalent in local currency. The chargers normally retail for $19. Customers must turn in at least one USB power adapter for Apple products to an Apple retail store or Apple authorized service provider in order to take advantage of the offer. They must also bring an iPhone, iPad or iPod to the store for serial number validation. … Read More
Android, iOS trade places in tablet vendor rankings
Almost two-thirds of the tablets shipped worldwide in the third quarter were Android devices, according to the latest data from IDC. Meanwhile the iPad had less than one-third of the tablet market. During the last year, the two operating systems have traded places in IDC’s rankings, with Android increasing its market share from 38% to 62.6% during the year, and iOS losing ground as its share fell from 60.3% to 32.5%. Apple is still the leading tablet vendor. Even though the iPad no longer outsells all Android tablets combined, it still outsells every individual competitor. Apple sold 14.6 million tablets in the second quarter, down slightly from its sales in the previous quarter but still ahead of all other vendors. … Read More
FreedomPop adds LTE to ‘free’ mobile Internet offer through Sprint deal
FreedomPop’s unusual free mobile Internet model gained steam today as the company announced it would now offer customers access to Sprint’s LTE network. FreedomPop’s offering provides customers with up to 500 megabytes of mobile data service using its mobile hot spot device. The service will fall back to Sprint’s 3G network should a customer roam outside of LTE coverage. Sprint recently reported that its LTE network has expanded to 151 markets, with plans to hit 200 million potential customers covered by the end of the year. … Read More
FirstNet: New hires, network planning grants
FirstNet continues to fill out its ranks with new hires and grants to help shape the nationwide public safety network that it is in charge of planning, building and maintaining. The board announced that it has hired TJ Kennedy as its deputy general manager, and Ed Parkinson as director of government affairs. Kennedy comes to FirstNet from Raytheon Co., where he was director of public safety and security with responsibility for radio interoperability systems; he also has a background as a former Utah state trooper, firefighter and paramedic. … Read More
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
