AT&T and Verizon Wireless Anti-Competitive Practices Review

Trouble might be brewing for both AT&T and Verizon Wireless. According to the ompanies such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wall Street Journal, the Department of Justice has begun looking into large U.S. telecommunication Communications Inc. to see if any abuse of market power is happening.

Now, there is no cause for alarm. This process is still very much in its infancy and an actual investigation may not be even be opened. However, it is interesting to see that the government is looking into the matter. This tough stance by the DOJ appears to be a reflection of the Obama administration's aggressive stance on antitrust enforcement.

The AT&T and Verizon Wireless anti-competitive practice review seems to have originated from suspicions within the DOJ. Apparently, the massive growth achieved by these wireless network operators have led some to question if it might detrimental effects on smaller competitors and consumers.

Large wireless network operators like AT&T and Verizon Wireless have huge power and influence in the market, this means that they are capable of stifling their competition.

The AT&T and Verizon Wireless anti-competitive practice review will also focus on other areas like the exclusive handset deals. Some wireless network operators have exclusive rights to some high-end handsets and it might be prevent smaller carriers from offering a fair challenge. For instance, AT&T has the iPhone and Verizon Wireless has the BlackBerry Storm.

The DOJ is also looking into the limitations on what third-party companies can do using carriers' data networks. Allegedly, some wireless network operators are blocking certain media download and VoIP apps to prevent legitimate competition from rival services.

Well, I think this news is very interesting. An investigation would expose some unfair practices by the carriers. If there are any. I would really want the government to look at exclusive handset deals. Maybe it would lead a Verizon subscriber like me getting a CDMA iPhone.

That's it for this post on the AT&T and Verizon Wireless anti-competitive practice review. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates on wireless networks.

AT&T Wireless Network Femtocells to be Launched This Year

AT&T has revealed that is is preparing to release femtocell technology this year. Gordon Mansfield, the company's executive director for radio access network delivery stated that this new wireless network product will be available to consumers within a few weeks.

Mansfield said:

"we will expand [the current trials] into a marketing trial of the AT&T-branded 3G Microcell, which will be open to customers through our AT&T stores…in a handful of cities. We're on track for a full national launch by the end of 2009."

However, many consumers are not very familiar with femtocell wireless network technology. So what are femtocells?

Femtocells are small base stations provide enhanced cellular network coverage in places such as homes or offices. They appear similarly to Wi-Fi routers. This technology use residential DSL or cable broadband to connect up to 5 handsets to a wireless carrier's network.

With the help of this revolutionary technology, users can extends the coverage of wireless service providers to residential or small business environments. The process does not require the service of expensive cellular towers to achieve this task.

The benefits of using Femtocell technology go both ways. The consumers and wireless service operators can gain when using this technology. Service providers can improve coverage, reduce backhaul traffic and stimulate 3G usage via femtocells. On the other hand, Consumers will get reduced call charges and enhanced indoor coverage.

The AT&T-branded 3G Microcel is schedule to be tested in trials in the next few weeks.

That's it for this update on AT&T's plans for femtocells. Tune in to this wireless network blog to get the latest news and updates on topics related to mobile phone service providers or carriers.

Verizon Wireless and Alltel Pays $30 Million to Florida Subscribers

Verizon Wireless and Alltel ran into some trouble due to misleading and unwanted third-party billing. Florida customers sued these wireless networks for charging them with misleading and unwanted third-party billing for services.

It appears that customers in Florida received bills that included fees for unwanted and unknown services such as music, horoscopes and ringtones. These charges mysteriously appeared with indiscernible names such as "OpenMarket," and "M-Blox."

Verizon Wireless and Alltel agreed to settle the matter with the affected Florida subscribers. Attorney General Bill McCollum announced the major details of this major wireless network complaint settlement on Wednesday.

These troubled wireless networks will reimburse a total of $30 million to the affected consumers.
Verizon Wireless will refund an estimated $24 million and Alltel will shell out $6 million.

Verizon Wireless and Alltel will also pay the state of Florida about $1.5 million to cover the cost of this misleading and unwanted third-party billing investigation. These wireless networks are also in the process of implementing steps to prevent such practices. With over $30 million in damages, I don't blame them.

AT&T also suffered from a similar complaint last year. Big Blue was also forced to reimburse affected customers across the nation.

Affected customers should expect a settlement website with official legal information on how to obtain money from the settle should be established soon.

That's it for this news on the Verizon Wireless and Alltel settlement. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates on wireless networks.

Unlimited Cricket Wireless Services Comes to Baltmore and Washington DC

Here's another series of wireless network expansions. This time the unlimited services offered by Cricket Wireless have just expanded into more areas. Unlimited Cricket wireless services are now available in the greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas.

This means that customers residing in the Eastern Seaboard markets will have have access to unlimited, feature-packed 3G wireless service. Cricket Wireless offers services at affordable rates so consumers in the greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas will have new options to consider.

Leap plans to open 13 retail store locations in Washington, D.C., and 8 retail store locations in Baltimore. This added coverage will bring 7.2 POPs and increase Cricket's total coverage to 91 million.

So what services will be offered in these new areas? Unlimited Cricket wireless services include service plans ranging from $30 to $60 per month. These services provide unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging.

Unlimited Cricket wireless services also comes with unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, nationwide roaming minutes and more. These Unlimited Cricket wireless services are offered without contracts or credit checks.

Consumers in the greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas will also benefit from unlimited use in all Cricket markets across the U.S. More than a dozen devices available ranging from higher-end handsets, such as the touch screen Motorola Evoke, to more affordable mobile phones will also be available to these new markets.

That's it for this post on the Unlimited Cricket wireless services expansion. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates on wireless networks.

Clearwire Wimax Wireless Network Goes Live in Atlanta

I blogged about the official launch of the Clearwire Wimax wireless network at September of 2008. Well, this wireless network technology has started to spread and is now officially live in Atlanta.

The Clearwire Wimax wireless network has already been in the city for quite some time but it has only been officially announced this month. But before we delve deeper into this Clearwire Wimax wireless network up-date, let's do a quick recap of this technology.

Wimax is a next-generation wireless data network that will offer wireless broadband services. This wonderful communications technology can deliver speeds between 2 and 4 Mbps. A WiMaAX network will provide more options in applications and offer wireless broadband services to remote places and offer new devices.

Clearwire Wimax wireless network technology will also offer new forms of interactive communications, social-networking tools, location-centric services and multimedia applications to all consumers.

Let's get back to the Clearwire Wimax wireless network update. The launch in Atlanta might be considered the biggest launch. The company is planning to establish networks in over 15 cities by the end of 2010.

The city has 1,200 square miles and approximately 3 million people which is a good market for this technology. Since Atlanta is also a major hub for air travel in the US, Clearwire Wimax wireless network can serve people affected by massive delays.

The price of services in Atlanta matches up -pretty well with other WiMAX-covered territories. Home Internet plans start at $20 per month, mobile plans start at $40 per month and day passes are available for $10.

That's it for this post on the Clearwire Wimax wireless network. We hope that this technology will cover more cities in the upcoming years.

Atlantic Tele-Network Buys Remaining Alltel Verizon Merger Assets

We have covered the monumental Alltel Verizon merger in this blog since the rumor of this union first came out. Last April, we reported that the completion of the Alltel Verizon merger has been delayed due to a lack of buyers for the assets that are required to be divested. In fact Verizon was forced to file a request for an additional 60 days to close the divestitures.

Fortunately, it appears that the Alltel Verizon merger will finally come into completion as a new buyer has been found. Apparently, Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. has agreed to buy the final 26 Alltel Wireless markets from Verizon Wireless. Atlantic Tele-Network needed to shell out around $200 million to acquire this assets.

In case you haven't heard about the Atlantic Tele-Network, let me give a brief background on this wireless network. This company holds it headquartes in Salem, MA. Atlantic Tele-Network currently provides telecommunications services in the United States, Guyana, Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos. Atlantic Tele-Network runs a subsidiary called Commnet Wireless, which provides wireless voice and data roaming services for U.S. and International carriers.

The remaining Alltel Verizon merger assets cover some 800,000 subscribers in Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

However, the purchase of these Alltel Verizon merger assets still needs to undergo review and approval by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. Once the regulatory approval the deal will close later this year.

Since buyers for all 105 of the markets it was required by the FCC to divest as a condition of the Alltel Verizon merger are complete, this chapter in wireless network history is finally coming to a close.

Thjat's it for thisa update on the Alltel Verizon merger. Tune in to this blog for more news and info on wireless networks and carriers.

AT&T 3G Network Upgrade to Start This Year

AT&T has made known that it will begin upgrading its existing 3G wireless network in the later stages of 2009. The 3G wireless network will move up from 3.6Mbps to 7.2Mbps High-Speed Packet Access technology. HSPA 7.2 is part of the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies, which include GSM and UMTS.

The AT&T 3G network upgrade is expected be finished by 2011 and will cost around $17 billion to $18 billion.

This AT&T 3G network upgrade to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is part of the company's commitment to provide the best mobile broadband experience. The upgrade will combine with the best device line-up to deliver the best overall experience.

However, the AT&T 3G network upgrade is not solely focused on increasing speed. The major wireless service provider also plans to enhance its mobile broadband coverage by significantly increasing the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas.

connections. These new sites will offer support to the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by This plan will provide deliver stronger in-building reception and more overall network capacity. This major AT&T 3G network upgrade also involves adding thousands of new cell site backhaulHSPA 7.2 and LTE.

The AT&T 3G network upgrade offers a theoretical peak speeds of 7.2Mbps however the typical real-world downlink and uplink speeds be less than the theoretical peak. The and will real-world speeds will also vary based on a number of factors, including location, device, and overall traffic.


The other key projects included in this plan to enhance the AT&T 3G network include: in 2009 include:

• Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity
• More Bandwidth to Cell Sites
• More Cell Sites
• Wi-Fi Integration
• MicroCells

AT&T also mentioned that it expects LTE trials to begin in 2010, with deployment beginning in 2011.

That's it for this post on the AT&T 3G network upgrade. Tune in to this blog to get more news and updates on various wireless networks.