spectrum

LightSquared blew it, and here's why

LightSquared today fired back at the Federal Communications Commission, saying the agency's decision to squash the company's planned wireless network would harm the American public. But it appears to be too little, too late for the embattled company.

The start-up wireless provider was dealt a fatal blow yesterday when the FCC suspended a key waiver that would have allowed it to build its 4G network, citing concerns over potential interference with critical GPS equipment. The denial of the waiver effectively turned the company into the walking dead.

While the FCC may have officially stamped out LightSquared's hopes … Read more

Obama's 2013 budget boosts tech R&D spending

President Obama plans to increase U.S. funding by 5 percent next year for research and development of a broad swath of technologies, according to his proposed fiscal 2013 budget, which was released today.

The president's budget (see below) has earmarked $140.8 billion for overall R&D, specifically focusing on those areas that will "directly contribute to the creation of transformational technologies that can create the businesses and jobs of the future."

To further research of clean energy, smart infrastructure, wireless communications, and cybersecurity, Obama plans to divide $13.1 billion among the National Science … Read more

LG Spectrum review: 'HD' is its middle name

If you don't mind a slab of a phone that really does resemble a king-size candy bar, then feast your eyes on the LG Spectrum.

If the clean lines and checkered back cover don't win you over, then perhaps the 4.5-inch screen, Verizon's LTE speeds, and 720p HD display will.

LG doesn't stop there, either. The 8-megapixel camera/camcorder can shoot video in 1080p HD, and LG and Verizon have preloaded a trio of HD apps that optimize high-definition video playback.

The Spectrum isn't immune to flaws, though, and the handset is seeing fierce … Read more

AT&T CEO blasts FCC bureaucrats for tanking its T-Mobile deal

Clearly, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson had some things to get off of his chest.

Stephenson made a rare appearance during the company's quarterly financial conference call today, using part of his time to blast the Federal Communications Commission, which he accused of "picking winners and losers" in how it regulates and approves deals.

"The rules are so fluid, you can drink out of them right now," Stephenson said with a chuckle.

If Stephenson sounds a little bitter, it's a bit understandable. The FCC threw a roadblock in front of its bid to … Read more

AT&T asks FCC for spectrum transfer to T-Mobile

T-Mobile and AT&T formally asked the Federal Communications Commission today to approve the transfer of $1 billion in wireless spectrum due to T-Mobile following following the failed merger between the two carriers.

In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Tom Sugrue, T-Mobile's senior vice president for government affairs, said that the additional spectrum will help the carrier meet the growing demand for wireless broadband services. "We hope the FCC will move swiftly to approve the license assignments," he wrote.

Late last month, T-Mobile announced that it was set to receive AWS wireless spectrum in … Read more

LG X3 may be Android 4.0 flagship model

LG, not wasting any time, is off and running with plenty of Android for the new year.

Just days after announcing its first 4G LTE Android tablet, the Optimus Pad LTE, details have emerged for a high-end smartphone.

Based on the rumored specifications, LG may be ready to unveil a flagship Android 4.0 handset next month at Mobile World Congress.

According to information obtained by Pocketnow, the LG X3 should boast a Tegra 3 quad-core processor, a massive 1,280x720-pixel 4.7-inch display, and an 8-megapixel camera. Additionally it should have a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, 16GB storage, Bluetooth … Read more

At CES, FCC chair warns of mobile 'spectrum crunch'--for the third time

LAS VEGAS--In a keynote address yesterday, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski sounded a warning for mobile broadband users. "We're threatened by a looming spectrum crunch," Genachowski said. "This is the dark cloud around the silver lining."

The explosion in innovation in mobile computing, evident everywhere here at CES, could come to a crashing halt if the government can't provide more bandwidth to mobile broadband carriers and their customers. And that, Genachowski said, would threaten U.S. jobs and technical supremacy.

Trouble is, that's precisely the warning Genachowski has delivered in his previous two appearances at CES. … Read more

FCC's Genachowski to Congress: We need our auctions

LAS VEGAS--If Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has his way, the United State would have universal broadband coverage by the end of the decade. And if we really has his way, his agency will be able to reallocate the needed wireless spectrum as it sees fit.

"As you know we've asked Congress to give the FCC the authority to conduct incentive auctions," he said while speaking here today at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. "My message on incentive auctions today is simple: we need to get it done now, and we need to get it … Read more

Verizon's LG Spectrum goes HD all the way (hands-on)

LAS VEGAS--I'm starting to think that LG has a thing for HD, and I'm not complaining.

Not long after launching the LG Nitro HD, LG and Verizon announced the LG Spectrum, one of two new smartphones to inaugurate Sprint's all-new 4G LTE lineup.

Although I didn't have as long as I would have liked to acquaint myself with the Android 2.3 Gingerbread phone (eventually upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich), I immediately liked it. In fact, I can say I clicked with it even more than the pretty lofty Nitro HD.… Read more

iPhone 5 on T-Mobile? It could technically happen

LAS VEGAS--The technical hurdle preventing the iPhone from coming to T-Mobile USA could be cleared when the next iteration of the phone comes out.

That's the opinion of Neville Ray, chief technology officer of T-Mobile, who said he believes the iPhone never made it to T-Mobile because of the unique band of spectrum, known as AWS, that it uses for its wireless network.

T-Mobile has been left out in the cold as the other national carriers--and regional carrier C-Spire--have begun selling Apple's hit device. CEO Philipp Humm, speaking at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show today, … Read more