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RIM Plans to Sell Touch Screen Smartphone

Yesterday, 2:23 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

RIM officially commented on growing speculation that the company is going to release a touch-enabled device. The touch-screen device, known as the Thunder, will be an exclusive to Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. It should be available in the third quarter of this year. The phone will be able to run on U.S. networks, as well as on networks in foreign countries. RIM did not explain if this means it will be a dual-mode CDMA/GSM phone or not. It did say that the Thunder will be able to access 3G networks. RIM says it has worked to improve the battery life, browsing experience, and processing power of its devices. RIM did not provide any more specific information about the Thunder.

Sprint Declares WiMax Ready for Launch

Yesterday, 2:07 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Ending a lengthy trial period, today Sprint announced that it is officially ready to launch WiMax network services commercially in its test market of Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Sprint said that the mobile WiMax technology, which it is branding Xohm, has passed all the tests needed to assure certain quality measures regarding hand-offs and delays. The Baltimore-Washington, D.C. test market will be the first to launch commercially later this year. Sprint did not provide an exact date for the launch, nor information about access plan or hardware information, but it does have several key products in place, such as a laptop card, and WiMax-equipped Internet tablet.

Alltel Jumps on LTE Bandwagon

Yesterday, 1:53 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Alltel announced that it has chosen LTE as its 4G network technology. The company said, however, that it will be at least three to five years before the LTE network is built out and operational. This is significant, because Alltel--a CDMA carrier--is following Verizon's footsteps by switching networking technologies to match what will likely be the 4G standard worldwide. LTE is based on current GSM standards. It means that Alltel, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless will all use similar technology for their next-generation networks. So far, Sprint has said it is sticking with WiMax as its 4G technology of choice. No one has sided with Qualcomm-developed UMB, which is the 4G evolutionary path of CDMA technology.

T-Mobile Adds Message Blocking Option

Yesterday, 10:33 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Yesterday, 2:08 PM

T-Mobile has added a page to its support documents that detail how to block email messages sent via SMS from reaching your phone. Subscribers can follow some simple steps to block unwanted spam messages, or messages from a single, unwanted number. T-Mobile reminds users, however, that it won't permit all messages to be blocked, as T-Mobile will use text messages to send alerts and information to subscribers regarding voicemails, emergencies, account changes, billing updates and OTA upgrades.

Virgin Mobile USA, Facebook Team Up on App

Yesterday, 10:20 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The new marketing program, called Fund My Phone, will let Virgin Mobile USA subscribers earn minutes toward their accounts through their friends' use of Facebook. The service is based on Sugar Mama, and in exchange for viewing ad spots, creative materials and answering a few questions, subscribers can earn up to 75 extra voice minutes per month. Subscribers can also earn minutes by filling out surveys, or responding to text message-based advertising campaigns. The application needs to be downloaded to a PC and installed as a Facebook application. The number of minutes Virgin Mobile USA subscribers earn through the program depends on how their Facebook friends interact with the content in that application.

Microsoft Brings Windows Live to BlackBerry

Yesterday, 10:07 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Yesterday, 11:18 AM

Microsoft has made its Windows Live suite of services, which encompasses Windows Live Search, Hotmail, Messenger and Spaces, available to the BlackBerry OS platform. It is offering the suite to BlackBerry users for the first time, who will be able to take advantage of BlackBerry's push technology and have their Hotmail / Windows Live Mail delivered directly to their BlackBerries. Windows Live Messenger on BlackBerry will support group chat, presence, avatars, emoticons, file transfers and conversations can be saved. The software will be available later this summer.

AT&T CEO Says It Will Deliver 20Mbps Downloads

Wednesday, 6:32 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Speaking to investors, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega said that the company will enable 20Mbps downloads via its HSPA wireless network as early as 2009. He also said that by 2010, its network will be capable of 100Mbps downloads. AT&T has chosen LTE for its 4G technology, which is targeting 100Mbps downloads as a standard. While the 20Mbps and 100Mbps speeds de la Vega is speaking of are possible in optimal conditions, real-world speeds will be much slower. The LTE standard has also yet to be ratified.

FCC Revisits Public Safety Network

Wednesday, 3:32 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

The FCC has said it is going to attempt once more to build a nationwide public safety network with the unsold D block from the recent 700 MHz spectrum auction. The FCC has asked the public to comment on the matter and is looking for ideas on how to make the public safety network an attractive option for potential investors. The previous plan was cited by lawmakers as being too risky an investment for private sector companies. The FCC hopes a new plan can be developed, and the spectrum can be used to standardize emergency communications across the country.

Embarq to Dispose of Wireless Customers in 2009

Wednesday, 12:09 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Embarq's CFO recently told investors that the company plans to hand its wireless customers over to another carrier in 2009. The company had hoped to sign up 1 million customers, but has just 112,000. Embarq stopped signing up new customers earlier this year. It will keep its current customers until some point in 2009, and hasn't determined which wireless network operator the customers will be given to. Embarq was formerly part of Sprint. It will continue its landline operations.

Verizon Wireless Joins LiMo Foundation

Wednesday, 8:37 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless and the LiMo Foundation announced that the network operator has joined LiMo as a Core member, and has taken a seat at the foundation's board of directors. Verizon said that the move is meant to help foster the idea of openness and the rise of mobile Linux phone platforms. LiMo hopes to speed the development of its own LiMo Platform to market. Bringing in support from network operators is an important step in that process. The LiMo Foundation has 39 other members, including Verizon's business partner, Vodafone.

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