FCC seeks comment on failed D-block auction

The FCC has given a June 20 deadline for receiving comments on how it should re-auction the D-block 700 MHz spectrum. The spectrum, which was reserved for a public/private network, failed to receive the minimum bid amount during the recent 700 MHz auction.

Already, the FCC has received comments from the mobile industry, public safety and academics. Most comments focus on how D-Block rules can be crafted to attract bidders that have the funds to build and operate a national wireless broadband network serving public safety.

Top public-safety groups and some Congressional members have voiced support to continue with the public-private partnership idea, offering first responders priority access while serving the general consumer. It appears the reserve price, which was previously $1.3 billion, will likely be changed.

Get your FREE report!
A begin shaving hours off your work day!
Go to: http://www.robertlett.com NOW

An Individual Armed with Information
Controls the Course of Negotiation
Have all your files with you in the form of a
cell phone you probably already carry – 24/7!
http://www.robertlett.com

Qualcomm goes with widgets

Building on the growing personalization phenomenon, Qualcomm Internet Services is announcing Plaza, a platform-agnostic service that provides a framework for widget development enabling operators to provide users with personalized access to the mobile Internet. Plaza will let operators and developers produce and deliver Internet-based content across devices. “We are leveraging our service delivery ecosystem with BREW and bringing it to the Widget delivery platform,” said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president and president of Qualcomm Internet Services, MediaFLO Technologies and Qualcomm Europe, in an interview with FierceMobileContent.

Plaza is intended to let operators personalize their subscribers’ mobile Internet experiences and drive additional revenue. According to Gilbert, Plaza lets subscribers build a widget catalog easily and seamlessly. “It’s a great way to deliver and consume content in a mobile environment. It’s easy to get access to the web. We will help the operator ensure these widgets are trusted, certified and part of the good experience for customer,” Gilbert said. “We also will strengthen the brand value of the operator and deliver it as part of an overall package to the operator. It ties with recommendation and profiling. They come together as part of this rich and open BREW experience.”

Plaza is not device-dependent, but operators can personalize and certify them. Qualcomm is also working with developers to develop widgets for Plaza.
Get your FREE report!
A begin shaving hours off your work day!
Go to: http://www.robertlett.com NOW

An Individual Armed with Information
Controls the Course of Negotiation
Have all your files with you in the form of a
cell phone you probably already carry – 24/7!
http://www.robertlett.com

Verizon Wireless takes on telemarketers

Verizon Wireless has filed a lawsuit to stop an unknown telemarketing company that has been callings its subscribers and offering an extended car warranty. The carrier’s suit alleges that the telemarketer is using an autodialer to reach the Verizon customers and has also used “spoofing” techniques to hide where its calls are coming from. Verizon Wireless claims that the telemarketing calls began in January of this year and about 2 million of its subscribers received the calls. Those who answered the call were asked to press “1″ if they wanted more information about an extended car warranty and doing so connected them with a live operator. When Verizon employees asked for more information about the company, the operator hung up.

“Telemarketers are using increasingly sophisticated methods, such as illegal autodialing, to harass our customers,” said Steven E. Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless. “Whatever the method, these unlawful telemarketing calls are an annoyance to our customers and invade their privacy, and we will continue to use every weapon in our legal arsenal to stop this activity and protect our customers.”

Get your FREE report!
A begin shaving hours off your work day!
Go to: http://www.robertlett.com NOW

An Individual Armed with Information
Controls the Course of Negotiation
Have all your files with you in the form of a
cell phone you probably already carry – 24/7!
http://www.robertlett.com

T-Mobile offers landline replacement for $10

T-Mobile USA announced a new home phone service called T-Mobile @Home that enables customers to make unlimited nationwide calls from the home phone for $10 per month. The operator announced it will launch T-Mobile @Home on July 2, enabling T-Mobile customers to buy a router complete with a GSM SIM chip for $50 at any T-Mobile store or retail store that carries T-Mobile products, plug the box into an existing broadband connection and then plug in any landline phone to begin making calls using their existing landline number.

Joe Sims, vice president and general manager with T-Mobile USA, said the company is targeting families who don’t want to cut the cord with using T-Mobile’s existing Hotspot @Home service that offers WiFi in the home and cellular on the go. The company tested the cheap service in Dallas and Seattle and reports that virtually all customers (97 percent) who had a traditional landline phone service dropped the service since adopting T-Mobile @Home.

Certainly the move isn’t one to make money as T-Mobile is taking a hit by offering the router for $50 and the $10 per-month fee is hardly an ARPU driver. But Sims says the offering is more about creating loyal customers and lowering churn. To qualify for the service, customers must be existing T-Mobile subscribers paying at least $39 per month for a single line and $49 per month for a family plan.

“There is tremendous loyalty and customer satisfaction in this. It will definitely reduce churn and increase longevity,” Sims said.

Get your FREE report!
A begin shaving hours off your work day!
Go to: http://www.robertlett.com NOW

An Individual Armed with Information
Controls the Course of Negotiation
Have all your files with you in the form of a
cell phone you probably already carry – 24/7!
http://www.robertlett.com

Chrysler turns cars into WiFi hotspots

Soon motorists will be able to check email and surf the Web without finding a local Starbucks or Internet cafe. Beginning in August, automaker Chysler is going to outfit cars with a dealer-installed system called UConnect Web that turns vehicles into WiFi hotspots. The system will be offered in most 2009 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeap vehicles. The in-vehicle wireless router will cost $449, plus installation of up to $50. Mobile Web access will cost about $29 per month after a $35 activation fee. Service will be provided by Autonet Mobile.

The UConnect Web device, which will be hidden within the car, will work only when there is a key in the ignition. It will use a cellular 3G network and promises download speeds between 600 and 800 kbps with upload speeds of 200 kbps.

Get your FREE report!
A begin shaving hours off your work day!
Go to: http://www.robertlett.com NOW

An Individual Armed with Information
Controls the Course of Negotiation
Have all your files with you in the form of a
cell phone you probably already carry – 24/7!
http://www.robertlett.com