Sprint and T-Mobile US were engulfed in a size battle, while reports indicated Apple and Samsung were partnering on iPhone models … 2 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!
Going for bronze: Sprint and T-Mobile US fight for No. 3
With the first quarter now solidly in the past, mobile operators are preparing to announce just how the first three months of the year went. The most compelling announcement is likely to come from the market’s No. 3 and No. 4 operators, which will be Sprint and T-Mobile US, though in what order is yet to be seen. Sprint entered 2015 as the nation’s No. 3 operator in terms of the number of connections hosted on its network with a reported 55.9 million. That was fewer than 1 million more than T-Mobile US reported for the end of 2014. … Read more
Apple and Samsung reportedly reunite for upcoming iPhone
Two of mobile’s highest-profile ‘frenemies’ are reportedly teaming up again. Bloomberg reports that Samsung will win the contract to manufacture Apple’s A9 chips for the next iPhone. Samsung made Apple’s chips for years until the two companies found themselves at war in the smartphone market and the courts. Apple turned to Taiwan’s TMSC to make its chips for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Since Apple designs its own chips, the manufacturing decision is likely based on cost, quality and turnaround time considerations. Samsung has invested heavily in its chipmaking facilities in order to stay competitive in these areas, and has licensed its 14-nanometer process technology to Globalfoundries in order to create a larger base of manufacturing facilities that use its processes. Globalfoundries will reportedly get part of Apple’s A9 business, as well. … Read more
Corning ups its DAS game with iBwave purchase
Corning has made a significant investment in its in-building wireless business by purchasing iBwave Solutions, creator of the leading software for designing, tracking and reporting on distributed antenna systems. iBwave offers the certifications often required by vendors, integrators and installers when they hire individuals to work on in-building systems. The Canadian company counts more than 600 operators, system integrators and equipment vendors as customers. … Read more
Charter targets Bright House with $10.4B bid
Cable industry consolidation looks set to continue as Charter Communications announced plans to acquire Bright House Networks for $10.4 billion. The move, if approved by regulators, would combine the country’s No. 4 and No. 6 cable operators. Once completed, the combined entities are set to operate through a partnership that will see Charter own 73.7% of the business, with Bright House parent company Advance/Newhouse controlling the remaining 26.3%. For its troubles, Advance/Newhouse will receive $2 billion in cash, with the rest of the proceeds coming from common and convertible preferred units in the joint operation. … Read more
InSite Wireless buys 294 towers from CTI
InSite Wireless Group on April 1 announced its acquisition of 294 communication tower sites from CTI Towers for an undisclosed price. The purchase includes towers, related tower-site equipment, real estate property interests and attendant carrier usage agreements. InSite leases tower space to wireless carriers, broadcasters, municipalities and utility companies, among others. CTI is primarily owned by Comcast Ventures. … Read more
Verizon customers can now turn off supercookies
Making good on a January promise, Verizon Wireless customers, as of March 31, can opt out of a targeted advertising program powered by so-called supercookies. Supercookies are an identification number used to track and tag Internet users for advertisement purposes. Unlike regular cookies, supercookies cannot be turned off, deleted or disabled. Verizon spokeswoman Debra Lewis told the The New York Times that privacy is a “central consideration. As the mobile advertising ecosystem evolves and our advertising business grows, delivering solutions with best in-class privacy protections remains our focus.” … Read more
NTIA suspends FirstNet early build funding for LA RICS
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is suspending the funding for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System’s LTE project that utilizes 700 Mhz Band 14 spectrum, one of five pilot projects across the country that are aimed at providing a foundation for the First Responder Network Authority national public safety LTE network, also known as FirstNet. The decision comes in the wake of two local jurisdiction actions in Los Angeles to halt construction of the L.A. RICS network. A dozen L.A. city council members voted to stop build-out of the LTE project early last week, following a recent vote by the Los Angeles County board of supervisors to stop construction of LTE sites at county fire stations. … Read more
AT&T data throttling lawsuit moves forward
The Federal Trade Commission can continue its data throttling lawsuit against AT&T, according to a March 31 decision handed down by the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. The FTC last October filed suit against AT&T alleging the carrier conned customers by selling unlimited data plans then cutting down the data transfer speed when users hit certain data-use benchmarks. AT&T attorneys countered that the company is a common carrier – like a utility company subject to regulation by the Federal Communications Commission – and not subject to FTC jurisdiction. … Read more
1M cell towers going to Chinese joint venture
Regulators in China are working toward an Aug. 15 goal of transferring some 1 million cell towers to a state-backed joint venture comprising the nation’s three largest carriers: China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, which last year formed China Tower to take ownership of tower assets and assume responsibility for maintenance and operations. Analysts at Barclays told the South China Morning Post that the cell tower asset transfer is waiting for “some corporate action involving the tower company.” … Read more
Sprint to set up shop in 1,440 RadioShack locations
General Wireless has received federal court approval to take over 1,743 RadioShack stores after the struggling retailer declared bankruptcy in February. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court oversaw the auction that resulted in General Wireless, a subsidiary of Standard General, RadioShack’s largest shareholder, acquiring inventory and store leases. General Wireless plans to co-brand the RadioShack stores with major U.S. carrier Sprint, which will set up an in-store retail presence. … Read more
Check out RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
