nextel

HTC may be showing cracks.

The Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer said today that it saw November sales fall nearly 30 percent to NT$30.9 billion (roughly $1 billion) from a year ago. That follows its warning from last month that it wouldn't see any sales growth in the fourth quarter.

Those are just the latest cracks in a company that over the past year has seen its Android crown seized by a rival as support from its carrier partners receded, all while suffering several legal setbacks in its patent battle against Apple. While HTC still enjoyed strong performance for … Read more

Clearwire is on its way to shoring up its coffers.

The mobile broadband provider and wholesaler said it is planning a public stock offering of $300 million. It's unclear how many shareholders are willing to re-up on a stock that has fallen 60 percent this year.

The funds are critical to Clearwire's continued ability to operate and upgrade its existing WiMax network to a newer technology called LTE. Last week, Sprint Nextel swooped in and saved the company by committing up to $1.6 billion in financing. Sprint, along with being the majority shareholder, is also Clearwire's … Read more

Sprint Nextel may want to have another look at how Apple's iPhone operates on its network.

Enthusiast site AppleInsider conducted a test of how well the iPhone performed on the three main U.S. carrier networks. For AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the results weren't surprising: if you want speed, go with AT&T; for reliability, choose Verizon. That largely backs up their respective claims for the iPhone.

But AppleInsider found connection and speed issues with the Sprint iPhone, echoing some of the complaints from its customers. In particular, the speed of the network has been … Read more

Clearwire made good on a $237 million interest payment due today and announced it has finalized a funding and resale agreement with Sprint Nextel worth up to $1.6 billion to keep the company afloat.

For months, Clearwire's future has been anything but clear as the company scrambled to line up cash to fund daily operations and finish a nationwide 4G wireless network. Last month, the company said it might miss its scheduled debt payment due to its tight financial situation. It had been unclear whether Sprint, Clearwire's largest investor and also its biggest wholesale customer, would bail … Read more

Sprint Nextel gave Dish Network the nod on its plans to acquire spectrum and build its own 4G LTE network, reversing its position from just a month ago.

Sprint said in a recent filing that Dish's proposed network does not interfere with its own operations, according to Fierce Wireless. The two companies will use spectrum that are adjacent to each other, and Sprint had been concerned over potential interference issues.

But Sprint disclosed in the filing that it has signed a deal with Dish in a resolution of the issue, clearing the path for Dish to get government approval … Read more

With AT&T's deal to acquire T-Mobile USA on life support, T-Mobile may need to start considering a Plan B.

By itself, T-Mobile is a wireless operator struggling to keep its best customers from leaving. Over the past several months, the carrier has aggressively cut prices and made itself a haven for bargain seekers--all for the sake of sparking a little growth. As a result, it resembles more of large prepaid carrier than one of the traditional national players.

But with the promised breakup fee from AT&T if the deal isn't approved, including $3 billion … Read more

When it comes to mobile devices, do people care about 3D content?

It's a topic I've been wrestling with since the emergence of the HTC Evo 3D, the first 3D-capable smartphone. I came to the conclusion that it was largely a gimmick, or something that piques your interest but quickly fades away. For some, it's just a bit of headache-inducing flash.

Still, that hasn't stopped more companies from moving into the area. The latest two are media startup Cooliris and mobile advertising company Smaato, which recently said they were partnering to deliver 3D advertisements on mobile … Read more

The carriers are increasingly taking their cues from Apple's stores as they look to evolve more into a resource for consumers instead of simply a place to buy cell phones.

Last week, AT&T opened up a model store near Chicago with a Genius Bar-like services center. Over the past few months, Verizon Wireless has been rolling out workshops--similar to the classes offered at Apple stores--to help with different smartphones, tablets, and services across its nationwide chain of stores. T-Mobile similarly has been holding "smart clinics" in its stores.

The move towards improved customer care and … Read more

AT&T's fight with Sprint Nextel over its right to buy T-Mobile USA keeps getting uglier.

The latest move by AT&T: claiming Sprint is two-faced, pointing out contradictions between its publicly made arguments and its confidential responses to the Federal Communications Commission. AT&T won the right to access Sprint's confidential documents because it needs to prepare for its defense against the Department of Justice. AT&T filed a document pointing out the difference in opinion to the FCC.

The war of words has gotten increasingly bitter, as AT&T scrambles to … Read more