Carrier Wrap: Japan looks to unlock devices; Sprint bolsters Assurance Wireless

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!
–The Japanese government is reportedly set to require that country’s mobile operators to unlock mobile devices so consumers can use those devices across all operators.
According to The Japan Times, Japan’s Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry was set this week to present a proposal. The move comes four years after the government had initially set guidelines to remove so-called “SIM locks” from mobile devices that lock those devices for use on only one operator.
Japan’s wireless market is dominated by NTT DoCoMo, Softbank and KDDI.
Domestically, the Federal Communications Commission late last year reached an agreement with five of the country’s largest wireless operators and industry trade association CTIA to adopt a voluntary set of policies regarding unlocking mobile devices. The five carriers include Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Sprint, T-Mobile US and U.S. Cellular.
—AT&T’s board of directors late last week declared a quarterly dividend of 46 cents per share to be paid on Aug. 1 for shareholders holding a stake in the company at the end of business on July 10.
AT&T in April reported a 1.3% year-over-year drop in net income for the first quarter, though through its stock buyback plan managed to increase earnings per share three cents to 70 cents per share. AT&T is set to announce second quarter financial results on July 23.
–Sprint’s Assurance Wireless brand said it plans to offer free unlimited text messaging to new customers across 36 states. The Assurance Wireless service is available as part of the federal government’s Lifeline Assistance program that offers subsidized wireless services to eligible consumers.
The Assurance Wireless offer includes 250 anytime calling minutes and the unlimited text messaging for free, with customers that sign up for service by the end of the year set to receive an additional 250 calling minutes for their first four months of service. Sprint had previously offered 250 text messages as part of its free offering.
The FCC in recent months has cracked down on Lifeline fraud complaints, handing out millions of dollars in fines to companies that had over stated the number of customers tapping into the Lifeline service.
–Canadian regional operator MTS said it plans to use small cells to bolster coverage and capacity at a pair of music festivals scheduled for cities in Manitoba.
The small cells will support LTE services at the upcoming Dauphin Countryfest and the Winnipeg Folk Festival, with each expected to host more than 15,000 people at any given time. MTS offers LTE services across a number of markets in Manitoba, bolstered by its HSPA-based 3G network that covers 97% of the provinces population.
MTS earlier this year paid $7.9 million for a 700 MHz spectrum license covering 1.2 million potential customers in Manitoba as part of that country’s auction.
—T-Mobile US announced it has begun taking pre-orders on the new LG G3 smartphone, with plans to begin selling the device on July 16. The carrier did not mention pricing.
Sprint had previously noted that it would sell an exclusive gold-colored version of the device.
Additional carrier news can be found on the RCR Wireless News “Carriers” page.
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