CommsXpress Blogs

AT&T Looks to Dump Wi-Fi Network

editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:19:06 +0000

Esme Vos writes at MuniWireless.com about the current state of the Riverside, Calif., network operated by AT&T. The network was the first and only bid by AT&T with MetroFi, which was unable to complete that network along with many others, and which shut down in 2008.

Topics: networking, WiMax, Nokia, Wi-Fi, AT&T, HSPA, wireless, telecom

T-Mobile Lowering 3G Rates On Non-Subsidized Phones

editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:09:33 +0000

Wi-Fi Net News
It’s long been an irritation of cellular customers that even when they pay the full price of a phone or 3G modem, the monthly data charge remains the same as people who get a subsidized version. That’s changing, with T-Mobile in the lead. T-Mobile cut its unsubsidized monthly fee for 3G service by $10 per month for its 200 MB and 5 GB plans.

Topics: USA, Wi-Fi, carrier, WiMax, Virgin Mobile, networking, cellular, telecom, wireless, T-Mobile

FCC Releases Wireless Apps For The Public

editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:56:49 +0000

Looking for real-time data of its own, the FCC (yes, the regulatory body in Washington, D.C.) has released a mobile app for iPhone and Android. Don’t worry, the feds aren’t interested in listening to your phone conversations, rather they say the purpose of the app is to provide “Americans with additional information about heir mobile data connection and to create awareness about the importance of mobile broadband connection quality.”

Topics: 3G, Android, FCC, iPhone, telecom, carrier, Satio, wireless, Verizon, broadband

Sprint Taking Some Hits on Wholesale VoIP Service

editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:54:08 +0000

At one point in early 2009, cable companies using Sprint’s wholesale IP voice service passed 31 million homes, servicing 4.5 million of them with VoIP service.

Topics: telecom, VoIP, Sprint

MTN: net profit slips despite 9.2% growth in revenues

editor — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:37:05 +0000

Telegeography
South African mobile group MTN has posted net profit of ZAR14.65 billion (USD1.97 billion) for the full year ended 31 December 2009, down from ZAR15.32 billion a year earlier. CEO Phuthuma Nhleko said: ‘Movements in exchange rates in the year, mainly in the South African rand and Nigerian naira, had a substantially negative impact on the group’s financial results.’

Topics: telecom, Iran, Satio, MTN, Africa

Pacific Fibre plans international fibre cable connecting Oz, NZ and US

editor — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:29:29 +0000

A newly formed company called Pacific Fibre is seeking funding to build a 5.12Tbps capacity fibre-optic cable connecting Australia, New Zealand and the USA which is planned to be ready for use in 2013. The initial proposal is for a cable which will deliver five times the capacity of the existing Southern Cross system.

Topics: USA, Australia, telecom, Vodafone

VMAX to Spend TWD1.5 Billion to Promote WiMAX in 2010

editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:53:56 +0000

Telegeography
Taiwanese WiMAX specialist VMAX Telecom has announced that it plans to invest around TWD1.5 billion (USD47.17 million) in the expansion and promotion of its wireless broadband services in Taipei throughout 2010, reports DigiTimes.

Topics: Taiwan, WiMax, telecom, wireless, broadband

New Mobile WiMAX Service in Perth

editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:39:49 +0000

Daily Wireless
Vivid Wireless has lauched a WiMAX network in Perth, Australia, using Huawei gear, reports Dailywireless reader Grant Bartlett. Currently coverage is limited to Perth, but is likely to expand to other cities, reports Bartlett.

Topics: backhaul, Taiwan, Australia, government, telecom, broadband, spectrum, ISP, broadband stimulus, wireless

Leap Shuts Some Stores, Reduces Headcount

editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:35:19 +0000

Phonescoop.com
Leap Wireless recently indicated that it has permanently closed 27 — about 10% — of its 269 Cricket Wireless stores. It has also laid off 180 people, trimming its staff level down to 4,200 employees around the country.

Topics: wireless, Leap Wireless

Judge May Harpoon Verizon-Frontier Deal

editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:11:55 +0000

Telegeography
Administrative law judge Lisa M Tapia has advised state regulators to not approve a deal which will see Verizon divest operations in 14 states to Frontier Communications in a deal worth USD8.6 billion. As reported by CommsUpdate, the deal, which will see fixed line service for a total of 4.8 million customers change hands, was agreed between the two parties in May 2009 but has been awaiting regulatory approval for the best part of a year.

Topics: Satio, regulators, telecom, Verizon, Frontier

Cellphone, Cable, Satellite TV Tops in U.S. Customer Complaints

editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:02:13 +0000

Telecompetitor
Cell phone, the cable & satellite TV industry and banks led the way as disgruntled customers filed 9.7% more complaints to the Better Business Bureau last year than they did in 2008. Amidst the tough economic and financial times, the public also turned to the BBB more than 65 million times for help researching companies, the non-profit announced.

Topics: telecom, satellite

Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong Holdings Revenues Grow 4%

editor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:27:45 +0000

Telegeography
Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings (HTHKH) has released its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2009, posting 4% growth in consolidated revenue to HKD8.449 billion (USD1.089 billion). Turnover of the mobile business – Hutchison Telephone Company (3) – grew 3% to HKD5.578 billion, reflecting data revenue growth of over 50%, whilst mobile operating profit grew 97% to HKD483 million.

Topics: Hong Kong, 3G, carrier, telecom, telecommunications, Hutchinson Telecom, telephone

Tata, Qtel Form TGN Gulf Partnership

editor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:18:05 +0000

Telegeography
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and India’s Tata Communications yesterday officially confirmed their partnership for the construction of the Tata Global Network (TGN) Gulf Project, which will see Qtel establish a landing station for the regional undersea network. The TGN Gulf project is designed to connect the Gulf region directly to the world’s major business hubs and city centres, improving connectivity and providing the foundations for next generation communications technology

Topics: Bahrain, Qatar, construction, MPLS, Saudi Arabia, Etisalat, telecom, Ethernet, telecommunications, India

Sprint Sees Growth Ahead and Vows to Get Aggressive on Debt

editor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:07:44 +0000

Seeking Alpha
Sprint Nextel (S) is getting a boost today after announcing that it will continue strict cost management in an effort to aggressively pay down debt. During a discussion with analysts, Sprint’s CFO Bob Brust reiterated their goals to reduce the debt burden which has slowly declined since the Nextel acquisition, too slowly for many investors.

Topics: telecommunications, wireless, telecom, Sprint, merger, prepaid

National Broadband Plan Debate May Take Over Where Health Care Debate Ends

editor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:09:35 +0000

More details are becoming available about the National Broadband Plan that the Federal Communications Commission is set to release later this month. One thing is for certain: It may give more fuel, for financial and partisan reasons, to those who have been arguing over health care and other issues since the day President Obama took office.

Topics: Federal Communications Commission, broadband