FCC to Investigate US wireless Network Operators

I previously blogged about the possible government review on wireless network operators on possible anti-competitive practices. Well, it appears that the FCC has already made it's move.

The FCC or Federal Communications Commission has decided to launch a formal inquiry into the wireless industry. The agency will look into the business practices being used in the industry. It will also examine how the large wireless network operators affect consumer choice.

The target of this FCC inquiry will be the major wireless network operators, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless.

Exclusive deals between handset makers and carriers will also be targeted by this FCC inquiry into the the wireless network industry. Apparently, rural carriers have expressed their strong opposition to these exclusive deals. They do not have enough clout to make deals to carry the most popular phones so such practices should be illegal.

The FCC also wants to gain an insight into the general state of the wireless industry to see if current conditions in the wireless market allow for new entrants. If the the major wireless network operators have too much power then a new entrant into the industry have little chance of survival.

The results of this FCC inquiry into the the wireless network industry will be used as a framework for other investigations into other commercial industries. Other sectors such as cable and broadband are also scheduled to be examined by the government.

New FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski released this statement regarding the inquiry,

"I hope the new wireless competition report will help set a standard for fact-based, analytically deep analysis of the mobile industry. It is essential that the commission develop policies that encourage a new generation of innovators, working with new tools, on new platforms, and having an extraordinary impact on our economy and society"

Well, this is certainly interesting. The wireless industry has always defended its practices, pointing out that they offer consumers a wide range of choices of network operators, handsets, and service plans. We'll see if the inquiry brings any improvements that would benefit all consumers.

That's it for this post on the FCC inquiry into the mobile phone carriers. Tune in to this blog to get the latest news and updates on wireless networks.

More T-Mobile 3G Network Markets Launched!

T-Mobile may have the youngest 3G network among the top US wireless carriers but it sure is growing fast. The carrier has announced via Twitter that its 3G wireless network services will be open to new markets.

The T-Mobile 3G network is now live in these markets:

• Bridgeport Conn.
• Hartford Conn.
• New Haven Conn.
• Waterbury, Conn.
• Knoxville, Tenn.

The T-Mobile 3G network has also opened in numerous markets in the past several weeks. Here are some of the markets that have been launched in the last two months:

• St. Louis, Mo.
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Milwaukee, Wi.
• Bakersfield, California
• Santa Clarita, California
• Simi Valley, California
• Thousand Oaks, Louisiana
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
• El Paso, Texas
• Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pennsylvania
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Chesapeake, Virginia
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Portsmouth, Virginia
• Hampton, Virginia
• Richmond, Virginia

The T-Mobile's 3G services provide faster Web browsing and content downloads. A 3G phone on the T-Mobile 3G network can reach speeds up of 200 to 300 Kilobytes per second, with peak speeds of up to 1 Megabyte per second.

That's it for this wireless network update. The T-Mobile 3G network service might also go live in your area soon. Tune in to this wireless network blog for more news and updates on mobile phone carriers and their services.

Clearwire Brings WiMax 4G Wireless Networks to 10 New Markets

It appears that Sprint and Clearwire are pushing hard to roll out it's nationwide 4G wireless network. Perhaps they are feeling the pressure from the nearing launch of Verizon's LTE wireless network.

Clearwire has just announced that it's WiMax 4G wireless network will open in ten more market. The company uses Sprint Nextel's 2.5GHz spectrum to bring high speed 4G technology to the US market. These newly announced markets will begin to operate starting on September 1

The company offers WiMax technology which offers faster speeds than current 3G wireless technologies. The service provider boasts that WiMax can offer up to 4 megabits per second for downloads and 500 kilobits per second for uploading. These figure makes the technology more than twice as fast as the 3G wireless connection. This wireless network also provides wider coverage than other high-speed wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi..

Here are the new markets that will receive broadband services from the Clearwire Wimax 4G wireless network:

• Abilene, Texas
• Amarillo, Texas
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• Lubbock, Texas
• Midland/Odessa, Texas
• Killeen/Temple, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Wichita Falls, Texas
• Boise, Idaho
• Bellingham, Wash.

These markets will join the markets in Atlanta, Baltimore, and Portland, Ore. However, the company's plans are far from over. Clearwire hopes to serve 80 markets by the end of 2010.

Here's a recap of the services offered by Clearwire. Consumers can get in-home wireless broadband services for as low as $20 per month. Mobile Internet plans start at $40 per month with a day pass for $10. Customers can also add voice service to their in-home package for $25 per month.

That's it for this post on the new markets for the WiMax 4G wireless network. Tune in to this blog to get the latest news and updates to wireless networks.