BROWSING: Opinion

2017 Predictions: The gigabit norm, cellular IoT and 5G stories

Gigabit-based services will become the norm in 2017, with pressure and support coming from VR, 5G, cellular IoT, SDN and SON. Editor’s Note: With 2017 virtually upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from across the mobile telecommunications space on...

Reality Check: What’s the deal with voice over Wi-Fi?

Voice over Wi-Fi can be a compelling option for mobile operators and cable providers, but a strong deployment model is critical for service quality. Voice calling over mobile networks has been around for a long time, so why is there so much discussion...

Reality Check: The evolution of biometrics for mobile devices

The use of biometrics for security by the mobile industry is growing, but partnerships are key to ensure continued development and deployment. In today’s digital world, we rely on our mobile devices to save copious amounts of personal information. With the emergence of...

Kagan: Carnival Cruise Line plans major CES announcement

Carnival Cruise Line is getting ready to make a major announcement at CES next month. Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, which owns Carnival Cruise Line, is scheduled to give a keynote speech at CES where he is expected to unveil what they call...

2017 Predictions: M&A, NFV, VoLTE, VoWi-Fi and IoT set to shine

In 2017, operators will realize the benefits of utilizing NFV to serve specific purposes in their networks. Editor’s Note: With 2017 virtually upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from leading industry analysts and executives on what they expect to see...

2017 Predictions: Mobile security – 2016 and beyond

Mobile security does have a leg up on its desktop counterpart, though greater cooperation is needed. Editor’s Note: With 2017 virtually upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from leading industry analysts and executives on what they expect to see in...

Reader Forum: Customer experience and profitability are no longer a zero-sum game

Telecom operators need to evolve their customer experience plans to meet new expectations. We’re experiencing a unique moment in the history of the telecommunications industry. We all know this is a time of unprecedented challenges, including rising customer expectations (especially around digital),...

Reader Forum: What went wrong with Google Fiber

Breaking down some of the reasons Google Fiber has yet to gain traction. Google is one of those company names that everyone recognizes. In fact, Google is the No. 2 most recognized brand in the world according to Interbrand. From Google Analytics and...

Worst of the Week: Verizon, Yahoo, T-Mobile and Sprint – let’s make a deal!

The pending Verizon purchase of Yahoo and possibility of a Sprint and T-Mobile tie-up show insane deals are what makes the telecom world go round. Hello! And welcome to our Friday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty stuff...

Reader Forum: Why distributed networks are critical to the success of 5G

The proposed AT&T acquisition of Time Warner shows streaming video content and faster data technology services continue to drive the world forward. In fact, mobile data usage is projected to grow more than tenfold in the next five years.  The next evolution of wireless technology – often...

Analyst Angle: Mobile operators won’t find safety in content deals

Mobile operators need to look at reinventing their operations instead of content deals if they want to guarantee future success. AT&T wants to acquire Time Warner and Verizon Communications wants to buy Yahoo because they believe delivering news, sports...

Reality Check: Moving from legacy to mobility

Enterprises looking to further integrate mobility into their operations may need to examine their legacy support systems. While some companies are still getting by with legacy technology solutions, it’s apparent mobility has emerged as a business-critical platform that is driving digital transformation....

Reality Check: Steering a course to 5G across uncharted territory

Standards challenges could impede the move towards 5G, though industry adoption of NFV and SDN could ease the transition. Across a broad spectrum of industries, businesses are pinning their hopes for the future on the “internet of things,” and who can blame...

Kagan: Unlimited wireless data plans grow

Are you paying attention to the growing unlimited wireless data battle? Regional carrier C Spire Wireless is now joining the major national wireless carriers AT&T Mobility, Sprint and T-Mobile US in offering an unlimited data option. Funny thing, if you recall, this whole unlimited...

Reader Forum: Rekindling the flame of NFV

A perceived lull in NFV deployment and development can be overcome with the right model in place. When people run out of things to say in a conversation or a fierce storm dies down, we call that a “lull.” This is the...

Reader Forum: How mobile operators can minimize network outages

Network outages can haunt mobile telecom operators, but there are ways to avoid the long-term embarrassment. Too many users, not enough bandwidth, “busy hour congestion” and a plethora of other network issues – it's all run of the mill for cellphone service operators...

Worst of the Week: Has the FCC doomed low-band 5G spectrum?

The launch of 5G services will be highly reliant on spectrum, but has poor planning by the FCC undercut crucial low-band support? Hello! And welcome to our Friday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty stuff that goes on...

Analyst Angle: MIT’s MoVR device sheds light on our wireless AI future

Recent breakthroughs in AI and wireless connectivity highlight an interesting future. Everything that was previously considered fiction is now becoming reality. So much so that the modern populace seems to think nothing is impossible anymore. Among the gargantuan trend shifts and technological...

Kagan: Sprint 2016 comeback story

Don’t you just love it when we see a real comeback story. That’s what seems to be happening at Sprint. If things stay on the current track, it looks like 2017 will also be a strong growth year for the carrier. This has happened...

Reader Forum: Cloud central offices – supercharging networks with SDN and NFV

Virtualization is critical to developing next-generation intelligent networks, with cloud central offices seen as an important part of bolstering SDN and NFV. Communication service providers are facing challenges on multiple fronts in today's digital-first world. Operators need to find ways to cope...

Reader Forum: The 5G future and the customer experience

Verizon’s recent release of 5G standards and protocols highlights the carrier push for next-generation network technologies. There’s a lot of hype around the next “G” generation. In July, Verizon Communications announced a key milestone in the journey to “5G” – a new...

Worst of the Week: AT&T draws ire, while Sprint throws shade

AT&T encountered some issues during the launch of its DirecTV Now platform this week, while Sprint kicked some sand in the face of 600 MHz spectrum. Hello! And welcome to our Friday column, Worst of the Week. There’s a lot of nutty...

Reader Forum: One size does not fit all for small cell zoning and regulation

Heavy-handed zoning for small cells is holding back connected cities and hurting consumers. Whenever you see “one size fits all” on a label, you should be a bit skeptical. The last two pairs of gardening gloves I’ve bought came in a single size,...

Kagan: AT&T DirecTV Now reinvents TV

AT&T is taking television to the next level with the new DirecTV Now. Imagine new thinking and new ideas like streaming channels and mobile TV all for a lower cost. So many customers who left the pay-TV market with its skyrocketing prices should love...