The magic word this week has been “Fiber” and was brought to us by Google and AT&T. Earlier in the week, Techcrunch (by way of Bernstein Research) published a report which estimated the cost to Google, for rolling out fiber internet/TV services in Kansas CIty. So what was the big number?
In a massive policy change, it looks like AT&T will start unlocking off contract iPhones, so that they can be used on other carriers (frequency permitting). In a press release, AT&T said that:
…Beginning Sunday, April 8, we will offer qualifying customers the ability to unlock their AT&T iPhones. The only requirements are that a customer’s account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies or paid an early termination fee…
Apparently, mounting pressure from customers about AT&T’s ridiculous and long standing position on not-unlocking iPhones and possibly Tim Cook, has lead Ma’Bell to change her mind. Keep in mind, that you’ll have to be in good standing with AT&T and off contract, so just ended your relationship with AT&T. Hope this is true.
Source: Engadget
During today’s Apple investor conference call, C.E.O. Tim Cook was quoted as saying that Apple set: “a new single-day record” for iPad sales/activations but no specific numbers were released. Hours later, GSM carrier AT&T released this statment:
On Friday, March 16, AT&T set a new single-day record for its iPad sales and activations, demonstrating robust demand for the new iPad on the nation’s largest 4G network, covering nearly 250 million people.
Again, no specifics but if they beat iPad 1 or iPad 2 single day records, we’re looking at numbers between 500,000 to 1.3 million units (small window, I know). Additionally, from what we’ve heard, the New iPad is still available for in-store pickup and from third party vendors like Walmart – so no long lines for people still wanting one, even though online order shipments have slipped to 2-3 weeks. No word from Verizon on the issue but it’s still early in the day.
Source: Marketwatch
It looks like AT&T and Verizon aren’t changing their pricing for the new iPad. The pricing will stay as they were for the iPad 2, so that means still too expensive. I guess the determining factor for people will be LTE. If you get better speeds, maybe more people will fork over money for wireless connectivity.
Source: Apple
You’ve probably never heard of Ting Mobile but what they’re attempting to do is simply amazing. Ting Mobile is the closest thing I’ve seen to a morally sound mobile carrier and don’t even get me started about AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile (not so much the latter two). We all have horror stories about being over-charged on our monthly bill, being data throttled and the near impossible human customer support. Here is where Ting mobile comes in!
LTE: It looks as though AT&T just got a bunch of new LTE Micro SIM cards, just like the ones that are used on the iPhone (not LTE) – could this be another clue as to an upcoming ipad 3 or iPad HD having high speed connectivity? Additionally, this might point to the upcoming summer release of the 5th generation iPhone having LTE radios but that is still months away. Add it to the pile of rumors…
Business: Apple has release a video showing why the iPad is good for your business. The classic style Apple video features several business and how they have implemented the iPad into their workflow – pay special attention to the classic Apple catch phrases: “Magical” “Wonderful” “Amazing”. Apple has been pushing further and further into the corporate space – replacing hardware that has long been the property of RIM/Blackberry. Click on the image below to see the video.
Source: 9To5Mac
AT&T announced yesterday that is had ending its bid to acquire T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom AG, a bid that began earlier this year but saw fierce opposition from the FCC.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said today that after a thorough review of options it has agreed with Deutsche Telekom AG to end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA, which began in March of this year.
The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage. In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.
This is a major blow to AT&T, as it will now pay a $4 Billion back-out fee to Deutsche Telekom AG, all while Verizon snatches up wireless spectrum. If the merger did go through, AT&T would have become the largest mobile wireless operator in America (by subscriber base), adding T-Mobile’s spectrum to its expansion into LTE.
The FCC argument was based on consumer protection and the lack of proper competition if there were only to be 3 wireless carriers left in the United States. Now we’ll see Verizon’s play, as many people believed that they were going to make a play for Sprint Wireless – that thought might be put on hold.
Source: AT&T
Shocking! Sprint has wasted no time releasing a statement that warns against the AT&T buyout of T-Mobile USA. The third place, Sprint Nextel, has about 49.5 million customers, placing it about 1/3 the size of the new AT&T/T-Mobile company – in terms of customer base. You can bet hard currency that Sprint will do all it can to convince both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), that the AT&T buyout is horrible for the US wireless industry and especially bad for the American people. Here are two lines taken from their statement:
“The combination of AT&T and T-Mobile USA, if approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), would alter dramatically the structure of the communications industry…”
“If approved, the merger would result in a wireless industry dominated overwhelmingly by two vertically-integrated companies that control almost 80% of the US wireless post-paid market, as well as the availability and price of key inputs such as backhaul and access needed by other wireless companies to compete…”
Sprint, welcome to the club – this is how we’ve (as customers) have felt for the last X amount of years, as realistically, there isn’t enough competition in the US wireless market.
Source: Allthingsd.com
Bombshell! AT&T announced today that it has agreed to buy T-Mobile’s US arm from Deutsche Telekom for a cold $39 Billion in cash and Stock. Chump change – we know. Details are still few and far between but the deal isn’t done yet and AT&T has stated that they’ll need about 12 months to convince all governmental agencies, that the resulting deal will “Better” the US wireless market.
So what do we get with the resulting AT&T-Mobile company? Well, how about 130 million GSM customers, creating a massive national GSM monopoly – as Verizon & Sprint use CDMA. With AT&T expanding into LTE or its next gen cell technology, the combined company will essentiall be able to offer high speed wireless data/voice to 95% of America.
Regardless of the benefits of reaching such a large audience, the buyout essentially leaves only 3 carries for 300 million customers – this can hardly be good for competition. Still want more, click here for the press release.
Source: Engaget.com
Verizon hits back with a new iPhone 4 commercial and brings back Paul Marcarelli. Great fake commercial below:
UPDATE: AT&T hits back…..with a somewhat lackluster slap at Verizon’s “call only or data only” limitations. Be the judge:
Hug Hug Kiss Kiss
Amazingly unnecessary. Let me dock up my phone to this screen and keyboard to make a computer or I could just use my computer. Why do companies have to come up with stupid gimmicks? Just make a crazy kool phone that can last all day on one charge – have a great screen – app store – voice quality – “network” – build quality – UI and system software.
NEXT!!