4g

FCC chair backs Dish Network as wireless carrier, but with a catch

The FCC's chairman has given his thumbs-up to Dish Network's desire to enter the wireless market. But Dish is none too happy with the restrictions proposed.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said yesterday he would approve Dish's request to build its own 4G wireless network, the Washington Post reported. The federal agency, which opposed the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile last year, wants to see more competition in the wireless industry.

"If approved, these actions will promote competition, investment, and innovation, and advance commission efforts to unleash spectrum for mobile broadband to help meet … Read more

U.S. Cellular offers unlimited 4G LTE plan...for now

U.S. Cellular is jumping on the unlimited data bandwagon.

The carrier today announced a new unlimited data plan for customers living in one of its 4G LTE markets. For a limited time, customers can sign up for an unlimited 4G LTE plan for $40 per month with an option to add tethering for $20 more.

U.S. Cellular isn't likely to have much competition when it comes to higher wireless speeds; the company said it is the only provider to offer an unlimited 4G LTE option in most of its markets, having recently expanded in parts of Iowa, … Read more

AT&T doubled its 4G LTE coverage this year

Striving to play catch-up with Verizon, AT&T has doubled the reach of its LTE network from a year ago.

The carrier's 4G LTE network now covers more than 150 million people across the U.S., double the number at the end of last year. With its rollout ahead of schedule, AT&T aims to reach 250 million people by the end of next year and 300 million by the end of 2014.

AT&T's LTE network is currently available in 103 markets scattered around the country. This week was another busy one for the … Read more

LTE networks vulnerable to inexpensive jamming technique

A laptop, an inexpensive transmitter, and a little technical knowledge is all that's necessary to take down the high-speed wireless data networks that are being embraced as the future of wireless communications, researchers warn.

As wireless consumers are increasingly doing more with their smartphones, demand for faster, persistent connections is also growing. Boasting speeds four times as fast as current 3G networks, long-term evolution (LTE) is being deployed across the country by every wireless carrier in the United States. Verizon, which was the first national carrier to launch LTE, expects to have the networks in 400 markets by the … Read more

Google Nexus 7 on AT&T network sold out

The newest version of the Nexus 7 tablet is already sold out on Google's online store, Google Play.

The AT&T HSPA+ model, which went on sale Tuesday, marks the first time a Google tablet is being sold with 3G capability (or 4G, depending on how you define AT&T's HSPA+).

The $299 tablet comes with 32GB of storage, 1GB of memory, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and a 7-inch 1,280x800 display.

In the latest month of sales, the Nexus 7 sold at a clip of about 1 million per month, according to Asus, which … Read more

Verizon plans to complete its LTE rollout by mid-2013

Verizon Wireless customers still waiting for 4G LTE to hit their town should get their wish by the middle of next year.

Speaking at a Wells Fargo Securities technology conference yesterday, Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo confirmed that the carrier is eyeing mid-2013 as the completion date for its LTE rollout. That timeframe is around six months earlier than the company had previously predicted, according to news site Fierce Wireless.

"I was confident in the first quarter when I said that you'll see an acceleration of our growth through the year, and I think that's proven to … Read more

iPad Mini LTE will ship by early next week, report says

Apple has allayed some fears by telling iPad Mini LTE buyers that their tablet will be launching soon.

Apple has contacted iPad Mini LTE buyers to inform them that the device will be shipping within the next few business days, AppleInsider is reporting, citing several e-mails forwarded to it by purchasers. Apple's e-mail says that the company will provide buyers with a tracking number "once your iPad is on the way."

Apple unveiled the iPad Mini last month and launched the Wi-Fi-only model on November 2. When Apple announced the LTE version, the company said that it … Read more

AT&T shaves $100 off iPad with two-year contract

Those of you interested in a 3G or 4G iPad can score $100 off the full price, but you'll have to pony up the monthly costs for a two-year contract with AT&T.

The carrier is selling both new and refurbished versions of the iPad 2 and the third-gen iPad. For example, a new third-gen Wi-Fi + 4G LTE model with 16GB of storage sells for $479, down from the regular price of $579. A refurbished edition of the same model goes for $429. Meanwhile, a new iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G and 64GB of storage will cost you $… Read more

AT&T opens access to FaceTime video calling...to some

AT&T relented to public pressure and opened up access to the FaceTime video calling feature found on Apple's iOS devices.

The latest version of iOS allowed iPhones and iPads to FaceTime chat over the cellular network -- it previously could only run on Wi-Fi -- but AT&T had restricted access to the feature to customers in its capped Mobile Share data plan.

But AT&T said today that it would open cellular access to any AT&T customer on a tiered plan with a 4G LTE device, which means just the iPhone 5 … Read more

T-Mobile boosts 4G coverage in attempt to lure iPhone users

T-Mobile today added Baltimore, Houston, and Washington, D.C. to the list of U.S. cities served by 4G (HSPA+) on its faster 1900 network.

"As a part of our $4 billion plan to transform our network, T-Mobile continues to strengthen an already fast and competitive 4G experience in major metro areas across the country by installing new equipment and retuning our 4G airwaves to work with more devices," T-Mobile USA Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray said in a statement today.

One of the devices that the carrier specifically highlighted to get the faster 4G coverage is the … Read more