Verizon Spectrum Buy = Great News For Customers
Posted on 05. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in 4G LTE, Company News, Wireless Industry
In a brilliant move last week, Verizon Wireless acquired $3.6 billion in spectrum licenses from the cable consortium SpectrumCo (See “Verizon to buy cable spectrum, pressuring rivals“,Reuters, December 2). Spectrum is the frequency in radio and telecommunications where information travels in a wave along an assigned frequency range. Spectrum licenses are vital resources for thriving in the wireless industry.
With this most recent purchase, Verizon outfoxed the competition and positioned the company to better serve customers and potentially expand services to customers, including the option to introduce its full portfolio of cable, phone and wireless services in areas of the country where it doesn’t currently offer broadband.
This is great news for Verizon customers since more spectrum means more capacity.
With 110MHz of spectrum nationwide, the Verizon 4G LTE can continue building out to meet the every growing demand of customers for blazing speed. This move reinforces a long term commitment to supporting and developing its vast network, so that Verizon customers can enjoy the fastest network with the broadest coverage in more and more places. At the same time, Verizon can offer customers more services and content via the companies in SpectrumCo (Comcast, Time Warner, and Bright House Networks).
Verizon Wireless most reliable carrier, says J.D. Power – CNET
Posted on 30. Aug, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
Check out this article from CNET covering Verizon Wireless’ top ranking by J.D. Power.
Verizon Wireless is once again the most reliable carrier throughout the U.S., according to a study out yesterday from J.D. Power and Associates.
Based on a customer survey, J.D. Power’s “U.S. 2011 Wireless Network Quality Performance Study–Volume 2″ ranked Verizon as the top carrier in the Northeast for the 14th time in a row. Compared with other carriers, Verizon saw the least number of customers complaining of dropped calls, transmission failures, initial connection issues, and delayed text messages.
Read on at CNET here.
How Google’s Big Prize May Help Consumers
Posted on 17. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Google just spent 12.5 billion on the future of mobile computing. On Monday (August 15), they agreed to acquire Motorola Mobility, the maker of DROID phones and many other devices. While this move has a variety of implications in the industry, the big question is “How does this move impact consumers?”
This is a potentially positive move for the consumer market, but at the present moment, this impact will not be immediately obvious. As Avi Greengart of Current Analysis has suggested, “Short-term, this won’t impact the customer at all” (Mercury News). Over the long term though, this could open a variety of likely possibilities for consumers:
Increased Competition
Google has taken a direct step against the dominance of Apple in the mobile computing field. By purchasing Motorola, they can play a stronger role in developing an Android ecosystem similar to the Apple ecosystem with the difference being that Google remains committed to the open platform of Android. In Google’s own words, “Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies” (Google Blog).
All this adds up to increased competition on a more even playing field. For the long haul, this can mean better prices, better user experiences, and better products overall.
Improved User Experience
By playing a direct role in both the software and hardware development, Google can help overall user experience with the Android platform. Industry analyst Will Stofega writes, “Google’s ownership of the manufacturer will mean a smoother experience, fewer glitches with new releases, and a more seamless integration between hardware and software” (Mercury News)
Accelerated Innovation
Google has a history of pressing change in the mobile computing world. As New York Times editor Evelyn Rusli writes, “Google has shaken up the mobile industry by pushing cellphone carriers to open up their networks, and by licensing its Android system at no charge, increasing competition” (New York Times). This latest move may increase innovation in mobile computing as well as in television viewing. The combination of smartphones and tablets with Google TV set top boxes could open new avenues for searching and managing video content.
What about the future of Android hardware partners like HTC, LG and Sony Ericcson?
Google reaffirms its commitment to an open platform that continues to support multiple developers. “This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android’s success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences” (Google Blog).
If Google sticks to its commitment, this merger has the potential to be a great boon for the whole mobile computing industry. By purchasing Motorola, they’ve secured patent protection in the short term, but in the long term, they’ve taken a direct step toward advancing the future of the Android operating system. In their own words, they are “always looking for new ways to supercharge the Android ecosystem.” As a result of this merger, we hope to see all consumer reap great reward in the years.
- Doug Floyd
Google Gives Social Another Crack with Google+
Posted on 01. Jul, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
Google’s new social media community is already available on Android, kind of.
Google is dabbling in social media again with Google+. Their first attempts, Orkut and Google Buzz, were mostly failures. Earlier this week Google began leading the users of various Google products to Google+’s website. The landing page for Google+ offers tours of the services which include:
More Proof Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Network Reigns Supreme
Posted on 29. Jun, 2011 by Scott Sutton in 4G LTE, Wireless Industry
PC Magazine conducted 140,000 tests in 21 cities all across the United States with a total of 16 handsets. And their conclusion was…
Verizon’s 4G LTE network dominates other mobile web options, and also beats out many home Internet connections. PC Magazine conducted the investigation by sending six people across the country, driving over 6,000 miles, in a Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta loaned to PC Magazine by Ford. PC Magazine did some modifications that included a Duracell Digital Inverter 400 to power the eight phones that each vehicle carried as well as custom software designed by Sensorly, a network testing firm. The phones used in these test were:
Read On: More Proof Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Network Reigns Supreme
Social Networking in the Wireless Office
Posted on 19. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Social networking is entering more and more businesses as a vital component in their strategic toolbox. In “Social Networking in the Enterprise,” Forrester Consulting explores how businesses are utilizing social technologies for a whole range of activities that support the strategic plan.
AT&T Uses the “Fake it Till You Make it” Approach with 4G LTE
Posted on 03. Jun, 2011 by Scott Sutton in 4G LTE, Wireless Industry
AT&T claims 4G but then announces 4G LTE roll out this summer.
AT&T’s CEO, Ralph de la Vega, admits that their network will be inferior for years to come. At the D9 Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California Vega said that it will be two to three years until their LTE coverage is “indistinguishable” from Verizon’s. Ok, if they aren’t even starting to rollout 4G LTE until this summer, what have they been talking about in their commercials?
It turns out that, along with T-Mobile, AT&T has just been rebranding their network 4G. That is, they have just been renaming their networks 4G with out actually having 4G service. For now AT&T is trying to pass their subpar HSPA+ off as 4G until they can move over to LTE this summer. Nice try…
Reports on Cell Phone Radiation Can Be Misleading
Posted on 02. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Responding to Cell Phone Radiation
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a statement on the “possible” threat of cell phones on May 31, 2011. Suddenly Facebook, Twitter, newspapers and news television blazed with headlines about the threat of cell phone use.
How should a cell phone user respond to this report?
First, it is essential to remember that the statement does say that cell phone use causes cancer. Inflamed headlines can cause inflamed emotions, and suddenly the cautious wording of the report is exaggerated across the web. The statement acknowledges that much of the research is inconclusive.
Secondly, this statement is based on a review of current research. Much of the current research on cell phone use is contradictory. Thus the FCC states on their website: “There is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer or a variety of other problems, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss.” The FDA posts on their website, “The majority of studies published have failed to show an association between exposure to radio frequency from a cell phone and health problems.”
Research in the area of cell phone use, computer use, and other modern conveniences that emit radio frequency is ongoing and still inconclusive. In fact, the IARC panel which issued the statement acknowledges the inconclusive results. Dr. Jonathan M. Samet, led this panel and is quoted in New York Times as saying, “We found some threads of evidence about how cancer might occur but have to acknowledge gaps and uncertainties.”
Dr. Meir Stampfer, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School told the Times that the evidence does not support concern and compares this with exposure to the sun or “any number of normal everyday activities.” And Donald Berry, a professor of biostatistics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, responded to the Associated Press by saying, “This is not something I worry about and it will not in any way change how I use my cellphone.”
Finally Dr. Christopher West, Director of the IARC, concludes, “Clearly it will not be the last word on the topic and in fact one of the interesting outcomes of the monograph is that it identifies where there are gaps in the knowledge on a certain research area. I think it’s a value of this process therefore it’s suggest interesting areas of future research that will improve the evidence base which we have in order to make decisions about the usage of mobile phone in the future.”
So how should a cell phone user respond? Cell phone users should feel safe to continue using their devices normally. If the exposure causes concern, users can simply choose to use a headset or speakerphone when possible.
-Doug Floyd
We’re #1! Verizon Wireless Dominates Business Satisfaction
Posted on 04. May, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
J.D. Power and Associates rank Verizon Wireless highest in satisfaction for small to medium sized business customers. The ranking comes from their 2011 U.S. Business Wireless Satisfaction Study. The categories ranked included performance, reliability, sales representatives/account executives, billings, offerings, and promotions. Verizon’s cutting edge 4G network and the nation’s most reliable 3G network played a part in J.D. Power and Associates’ results. Not to mention the amazing lineup of smartphones, to include Android and Blackberry, tablets, Hotspots and USB modems.
Blackberry CEO, Mike Lazaridis, ask of the BBC… Why you be hate’n?!
Posted on 13. Apr, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
Ok, Lazaridis didn’t say that but he did end an interview with them when questions turned towards Blackberry’s “problems” with the governments of India and some Middle Eastern countries (video). The issues stem from these governments wanting to gain greater access to Blackberry’s tight security systems. Lazaridis retorts by saying that Blackberry is being singled out because of their success and that there are no security problems whatsoever.
Read the whole story here.
Free Phones and Service Provided to Orphans
Posted on 30. Mar, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Customer Service, Wireless Industry
The President and founder of Japan’s third largest cellphone service provider, SoftBank, has promised cellphones to all children who became orphans due to Japan’s recent natural disasters. Masayoshi Son has stated that his company will provide free service to the recipients until their 18th birthday. Read on further here.
The Big Red ain’t scared!
Posted on 22. Mar, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Company News, Wireless Industry
Verizon CEO, Daniel Mead, isn’t interested in a buyout of Sprint nor is he worried about the AT&T / T-Mobile merger.
Sprint only took a few hours to put forward their concerns about a AT&T / T-Mobile merger. However, Verizon Wireless isn’t even worried. Its CEO, Daniel Mead, said anything can go through with enough concessions and then also mentioned that, “We’re not interested in Sprint. We don’t need them.” Mead is more interested in profitability than being the largest wireless company.
See the rest of the story from Engadget here.
Verizon Makes Calls to Japan Free and Makes Donating Easy
Posted on 14. Mar, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
Verizon is reaching out to its customers to help them contact loved ones in Japan that have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Verizon is making calls to Japan free to a majority of its customers through April 10th.
All of Verizon Wireless’ post-paid (contract) and prepaid customers will be able to make free calls to Japan from March 11th through the 10th of April. This also includes free text and multi-media messages for the same period of time.
Customers can also make a $10 donation to help support the relief efforts by simply sending a text message. Customers may choose from nine organizations and donate $10 by texting a designated word to that organizations five digit short code:
- ADRA Relief: text SUPPORT to 85944
- American Red Cross Relief: text REDCROSS to 90999
- Convoy of Hope: text TSUNAMI or SUNAMI to 50555
- GlobalGiving: text JAPAN to 50555
- International Medical Corps: text MED to 80888
- Mercy Corps: text MERCY to 25383
- Salvation Army: text JAPAN to 80888
- Save the Children Federation, Inc.: text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222
- World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals: text WAVE to 50555
- World Vision, Inc.: text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222
Uber-Problem for Many Twitter Users
Posted on 23. Feb, 2011 by Scott Sutton in Wireless Industry
Twitter temporarily suspends Ubermedia’s twitter clients UberTwitter, Twidroyd, and UberCurrent for several violations leaving many users Tweetless. In a statement Twitter mentions, “a privacy issue with private Direct Messages longer than 140 characters, trademark infringement, and changing the content of users’ Tweets in order to make money”. The suspension began on Feb. 18th and lasted two days. During this period Ubermedia worked feverishly to revamp their apps to meet Twitter’s requirements. One of these changes included renaming Ubertwitter to Ubersocial (download found hereand Twitdroyd’s here). In Ubermedia’s official statement, its CEO Bill Gross, said that, “We began a process of changing the name three weeks ago by polling our users, and we’ve decided based on their input to change the product name to UberSocial, which we completed today.”
Scott Sutton
Verizon’s McAdam Confirms $30 Unlimited Data For iPhone
Posted on 25. Jan, 2011 by Jay Witherspoon in Wireless Industry
Excerpt:
“I’m not going to shoot myself in the foot,” he said. Not offering an unlimited plan would put up a barrier for customers who might otherwise switch from AT&T, he said.
Wall Street Journal:
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