Verizon iPhone Personal Hotspot 4.25
With the Big Red (aka Verizon) getting the iPhone 4, it will be running a slightly modified hardware to compensate for it’s new CDMA antenna and slight relocation of it’s side hardware buttons (resulting in new cases for everyone). One of the newer features launching that’s different from AT&T is the internet tethering called “Personal Hotspots”. This feature will allow you to become an internet hub for up to 5 other wifi devices to connect and share the internet with. No note on how fast the battery will drain but this is great news for those who want to ditch their home internet plans and opt for a pure wireless option. No word on pricing for this feature.
And one big difference on Verizon’s iPhone vs. AT&T is that you can’t multi-task a phone call and internet at the same time. Thanks CDMA
Broadband, Devices, iPhone, Mobile Carriers, News, Verizon CDMA, internet tether, personal hotspot, personal hotspots, verizon iphone
Sprint Launches 4G Service in more Markets
Sprint officially released 4G to our pockets in the following new markets: Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Customers in these regions will be able to take full advantage of Spring 4G and be able to browse up to 10 times faster than 3G service. With the addition of these six markets, Sprint 4G is now available in 68 markets[i] across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York City. Additionally, the wireless carrier announced that it expects to launch the San Francisco market – home to Silicon Valley and thousands of tech enthusiasts – on Dec. 28.
Since launching their first 4G service in Baltimore in September 2008, Sprint has made large improvements in it’s coverage but still lack sufficient coverage in Los Angeles where we tested this in West Los Angeles and parts of Brentwood. Coverage has been spotty but nevertheless, downtown and other geographic areas where there’s a clear line of sight work just fine.
Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network.
Broadband, Mobile Carriers, Sprint, WiMax 3g, 4g, clearwire, Los Angeles, sprint
Mount Everest gets 3G phone calls
The Hindustan Times reported some interesting news the other day reporting that the reach of globalization has finally come full circle. A Nepali telecommunications firm just started providing third-generation (3G) mobile service at the summit of Mount Everest at 29,029 ft
I can hear it now “Hey mom! You won’t believe where i’m calling from!”
Let’s just hope facetime works up there without freezing
The Hindustan Times carried a small news item the other day that, depending on your perspective, is good news or a sign of the apocalypse. It reported that a Nepali telecommunications firm had just started providing third-generation mobile network service, or 3G, at the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, to “allow thousands of climbers and trekkers who throng the region every year access to high-speed Internet and video calls using their mobile phones.” – NYTimes
Broadband, News 3g, hindustan times, mount everest, nepali telecommunications
Apple iTouch Peel
Remember our post a while back about turning your Apple iTouch into an iPhone? Well it’s available now for a cool $109. You better like it, because they don’t accept returns on this puppy if you don’t like it (unless it’s DOA).
- Gives you 4.5 hours of talk time
- 120 hours of standby time
- Integrated microphone for speech
- Integrated speaker for hearing recipient on call
- Durable hard shell design ensures long-lasting quality
- Charging port
- Volume buttons
- Reset button, Battery and SIM card slot
Price: $119 (Shipped by October 4th)
http://www.peel520.net/buy/
Broadband, News apple peel, itouch peel, Yosion Technology
Clearwire hates Intel & WiMAX
In Clearwire’s recent 10-Q filing (SEC), Clearwire is locked down into using WiMAX. Barred from deploying LTE until late 2011 under its terms its negotiated with Intel. The contract which was outlined in the 10-Q filing restricts it from offering any non-WiMAX technology until Nov 28, 2011 
Another major hurdle in this is that even after Clearwire deploys WiMAX, it will still incur siginficant costs if it decided to deploy additional wireless technologies even if it’s “technologically superior or more cost effective” than WiMAX (ouch).
But I don’t think LTE will have any market well into 2012 and possibly later when devices and manufacturers come into play. These suppliers will only enter when a market is available and this is the short time Clearwire might need to see traction from now until then.
Broadband, LTE, WiMax
Dell sells WiMax addon
While making a point to assert it’s looking into LTE as well, Dell has for now jumped on the WiMAX bandwagon by announcing it’ll offer the technology as an option on its Studio 15, Studio 17, and Studio XPS 16 laptops. US customers can pick the Intel 5150 WiMAX / Wireless-N combo card for $60 under the wireless card tab when customizing. Right now, we’d wager a few people living in Portland, Atlanta, or pockets of Baltimore just got mighty happy.
Broadband, Dell, Devices, WiMax Dell, wimax
MetroPCS & LTE Combine
Wall Street reports fourth quarter earnings of MetroPCS in 2008 to be the highest ever in company history. When it came to increasing subscriber numbers, MetroPCS hit it out of the park with its $50 unlimited non-contract price to entice those savvy consumers out there worried about the economy and budget. Right now, MetroPCS has a total of 5.4 million subscribers, 5th place in the world of mobile operators. T-Mobile with 32.8 million subscribers, Sprint with 49.3 million, AT&T with 77 million, and Verizon with 72.1 million.
In other news, MetroPCS might be the first mobile operator to offer LTE…Wait what? Without a smartphone in the market, how can it even utilize this huge pipe? My guess is that the company will be releasing some new phones this Q3 from a secret Canadian company to offer a smartphone and pc card. Expect MetroPCS to start advertising in 2010
Oh no! I never even tried WiMax…sad
Broadband, LTE, MetroPCS, Mobile Carriers at&t, LTE, MetroPCS, smartphone, sprint, subscribers, unlimited plan, verizon, wimax
Al Gore states he invented the internet
A recent article in the New York Times claims to put America as No. 1 in broadband usage. It may not put us up there in the ranks of Korea or Japan in connectivity and speeds but research shows the United States as a heavy user in both consumer and business related activities compared to our Asian neighbors. Let’s have a study now on how productive each country is with facebook and other social media sites zapping our time away from work.
Couldn’t we say our iPhone had some part of us winning this race?
Source: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/surprise-america-is-no-1-in-broadband/
Broadband America, Broadband, connectivity, internet