Technology News: Wireless

AT&T Sees Red Over Verizon's Map Slap
November 04, 2009

AT&T Wireless has filed suit against Verizon over the latter's latest ad campaign. That campaign, which claims Verizon has five times more U.S. 3G wireless network coverage than AT&T, shows two maps of the United States side by side, one with each company's coverage. The map purporting to show AT&T's 3G coverage has large areas of white space, implying a lack of overall coverage in those areas, AT&T said.

Did Apple Take the Slow Boat to China?
November 02, 2009

When Apple officially released its iPhone in China last week, it presented Chinese consumers with what could be a difficult decision: Pay more for the official device --which currently lacks WiFi -- or obtain a cheaper, WiFi-enabled device from the gray market.

Lack of WiFi Puts Damper on iPhone's China Debut
October 30, 2009

Apple's iPhone is making its long-awaited formal debut in the world's most populous mobile phone market, without a key feature and at higher prices than widely available black market models. Apple's local service provider, China Unicom, hopes the iPhone will give it an edge against giant rival China Mobile, the world's biggest phone company by subscribers.

Nokia Throws the Book at Apple
October 24, 2009

Nokia announced on Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that Apple's iPhone infringes 10 of Nokia's mobile technology patents. The suit asserts that the iPhone infringes Nokia patents for GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN standards covering wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption. At issue are all Apple iPhone models shipped since the device was introduced in 2007.

Is Google Dialing Up a Gphone and Cuing Up Gtunes?
October 21, 2009

Conspiracy theorists convinced that Google wants a footprint in every single business category on the planet got some more ammunition Wednesday: reports that detail the company's possible efforts to extend into both branded smartphones and online music. A Google-branded phone may be offered directly to consumers via retail outlets and not traditional wireless carriers, according to analyst Ashok Kumar.

Sprint's iPCS Buy Means More Customers, Fewer Legal Headaches
October 19, 2009

Sprint Nextel is acquiring iPCS, an affiliate that sells its branded products, in a deal that will put an end to a number of legal clashes between the two. It will also bring an additional 710,000 subscribers under the Sprint Nextel corporate umbrella. The acquisition means that Sprint will not have to divest its iDEN network in certain iPCS territories in the Midwest.

New WiFi Spec: Look Ma, No Hotspot
October 14, 2009

The Wi-Fi Alliance is preparing a new specification designed to allow devices from cellphones to printers to connect to each other reliably, securely and wirelessly. WiFi-enabled devices can currently connect peer-to-peer in what's known as "ad hoc mode," but configuration issues and security concerns have limited the usefulness of the capability.

T-Mobile Offers Glimmer of Hope - or $100 Credit - in Data Loss Debacle
October 13, 2009

Service is now largely restored to Sidekick users, but T-Mobile is apparently still struggling to retrieve content and data lost due to a server malfunction over the weekend. At the same time, the carrier is piling on the mea culpas to its customers, many of whom are furious about the incident.

Attack of the Droids
October 09, 2009

AT&T has its iPhone, Sprint has its Pre, T-Mobile has its myTouch, and Verizon has ... what? A BlackBerry or something? Even though Verizon is the biggest network in the land -- and even though iPhone users think about Verizon longingly every time a call goes dead -- the company is not generally known for having killer phones.

FCC Chair Warns of Wireless Gridlock
October 08, 2009

The Internet first acquired its designation as "information superhighway" via the Clinton administration in the 1990s. It added an express lane with the rise of wireless broadband in the early 21st century, and FCC chairman Julius Genachowski completed the automotive metaphor Wednesday with a speech that warned of a looming spectrum traffic jam if wireless growth isn't managed properly.

AT&T Knuckles Under on VoIP for iPhone
October 07, 2009

That screeching sound you heard Tuesday from AT&T headquarters in Dallas was the company hitting the brakes and reversing itself regarding a portion of its iPhone policy. AT&T announced that it would support VoIP applications on its 3G network for use with the ultra-popular Apple smartphone.

Verizon, Google Forge Powerful Android Alliance
October 07, 2009

A strategic partnership between Google and Verizon Wireless will yield two new Android phones in the coming weeks, the companies' chiefs jointly announced Tuesday. Speaking in a conference call, Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt and Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said that their first two Android devices will be available by year's end.

EC Prevails in Mobile Roaming Fee Fracas
October 01, 2009

The EU was entitled to cap roaming rates in 2007 as network operators pocketed huge profits but resisted less drastic ways to cut the sky-high costs of using mobile phones in Europe, the EU advocate general said Thursday. The opinion by Advocate General Miguel Poiares Maduro now goes to the European Court of Justice, which often follows that advice.

Verizon Denies Palm Snub, Will Add Pre in January
September 25, 2009

Verizon and Palm are reportedly scrapping over terms of a contract that would give the carrier the right to offer Palm's Pre smartphone. Back in May, Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless, said the carrier would offer the Pre in January. Reports that Verizon changed its mind appeared in the media Thursday. Verizon, however, expects to offer the Pre as planned.

Korean Telecom Bouncers Lift Velvet Rope for iPhone
September 23, 2009

South Korea's telecommunications regulator said Wednesday that Apple can sell its hit iPhone in the country -- potentially shaking up a cellphone market controlled by domestic manufacturers. The development comes a month after Apple cleared the way to enter China's massive cellphone market as well.

Will Fewer Wireless Carriers Mean Fewer Price Cuts?
September 19, 2009

How many wireless carriers do we need? It's a question that's popping up again as T-Mobile USA is said to be looking at buying Sprint Nextel. Now that most people have a cellphone and once-heady growth in the industry is slowing, analysts say carriers are going to be looking at buying each other to increase their scale and to avoid competing too much on price.