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.

T-Mobile Tops Customer Service Survey

Let's applaud T-Mobile for doing a good job of making their subscribers happy.

In the latest study conducted by the researchers of J.D. Power and Associates, T-Mobile USA Inc. remained as the top wireless carrier in terms of customer service performance. For the past several studies done by the research company, T-Mobile has stayed rooted at the top. It must be good to be a customer of this wireless network.

Let me describe how the study is done. The research gathers information on how well the wireless carriers meet customers’ service-related needs. They look at several types of services including those done over the phone with a representative, via automated response system, personal visits to T-Mobile retail stores and online transactions.

To complete the study, researchers form J.D. Power and Associates also measures the efficiency of how customers’ issues are resolved. About twelve and a half thousand wireless customers who contacted their carrier’s customer-care department within the past year were the foundation of this research.

Other wireless networks also did well in this customer satisfaction study. Verizon Wireless was ranked number two while AT&T and Alltel are tied at the third spot. Sprint Nextel Corp. ranked last in the study but they made announcements before the end of last year that they will initiate programs driven towards improving customer service.

Several interesting findings also surfaced as a result of this customer satisfaction study. For instance, nearly half of wireless customers connected to the customer care service of their wireless networks. Most of them were related to inaccurate charges and other inquiries related to bills.

A lot of wireless network customers contacted their carriers by phone but most people still prefer personal visits to a retail store. Maybe people feel more comfortable with doing things personally. In my experience, nothing beats talking personally with a customer care representative when discussing a problem.

I hope that this post have been helpful for you. If you haven't chosen a particular network, then the results of the study might help you form a decision.

Verizon Wireless Network Will Open up to Outside Devices

One of the top wireless cellphone service providers made an important decision this week. The top brass at Verizon Wireless has decided to open its network to outside mobile handsets, devices and applications by the end of 2008.

This change is advantageous towards customers who want a choice that doesn't include full service phones and applications. However, the wireless company will continue to provide a full-service offering, including retail stores and optimized software applications next year.

Some experts think that the demand of consumer groups and some U.S. lawmakers for wireless providers to open up their networks to outside devices and applications has influenced Verizon's decision. Apple and AT&T have also been widely criticized for their exclusive agreement that allows the iPhone to be used only on AT&T's wireless network in the U.S.

Another factor might be the U.S. Federal Communications Commission requirement. The FCC has required that a portion of spectrum to be auctioned starting in January to allow outside devices and applications.

On the early part of 2008, Verizon will begin publishing technical standards for the development community. The top wireless network will activate any wireless device that meets the minimum technical standard. A US$20 million testing lab will approve the devices for activation. This is certainly good news for wireless phones customers. They will be able to run any application they choose on approved devices on 2008 because of this development.

Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam explains that,

"This is a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices -- one which we believe will set the table for the next level of innovation and growth," "Verizon Wireless is not changing our successful retail model, but rather adding an additional retail option for customers looking for a different wireless experience."

Hopefully, other wireless phone providers will also make more customer friendly decisions. The wireless phone industry is constantly growing and competition between providers will inevitably result in more programs that are geared towards consumer satisfaction.

U.S. Cellular Expands in Missouri

U.S. Cellular, the sixth-largest wireless service carrier in the US has announced a major network expansion. The carrier will invest $3 million to build 10 new cell sites in rural Missouri. Interestingly, the company will get help from the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) to build the first towers.

Currently, U.S. Cellular is providing six million customers in 26 states with quality wireless service. The wireless company is based on Chicago and relies on more than 8,000 associates to provide top notch service to its customers. U.S. Cellular operates on a customer satisfaction strategy. They strive to meet customer needs by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and services. The company also utilizes superior customer support and a high-quality national network to satisfy the demands of wireless consumers.

The plan is that 10 new cell sites will be added to enhance coverage in and around Cole Camp, Dell Junction, Ellsinore, Fayette, Lincoln, Mansfield, Spring Fork, Stover and Warsaw. The extensive network of more than 500 U.S. Cellular towers across the state will be bolstered by the new towers.

However, there are concerns over the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intent to cap the USF in the upcoming weeks. Missouri will be affected by this development because the USF provides critical support for wireless companies to build new cell towers in high-cost areas across the country.

The USF was created by Congress as a measure to make sure that rural communities like the ones in Missouri will not be left behind by telecommunications technology. Wireless carriers will be able to build hundreds of towers in rural communities nationwide and bring new service to areas that would not have otherwise had access through the aid of the USF.

About $11 million in new federal funds that would have come into Missouri annually will be put on hold indefinitely if the proposed federal cap will be implemented. U.S. Cellular's planned investment of 39 new sites during the next two years will be compromised by the proposal. Many people are also concerned that without adequate wireless coverage, area first responders will not be able to quickly and reliably deal with critical safety issues.

More and more people are now relying on cell phones to make emergency calls but E-911 technology is useless in areas without wireless coverage. Another imp[ortant factor to consider is that wireless companies rely on federal support to make these resources available to smaller communities in high-cost rural areas.

AT and T Wins Awards

Wireless giant AT&T has receiving two 2007 Capacity Magazine Global Wholesale Awards which further solidifies its position as a leading provider of wholesale services in the world. The awards were announced on Monday evening at the Capacity Europe 2007 conference in Amsterdam.

It has won the "Best National U.S. Wholesale Provider" award, for the second year in a row, and the "Best U.S. Metropolitan Provider." AT&T has made history because this is the first time that Capacity has given two awards in one year to a single company for provision of services to the market.

The world knows AT&T Inc. as a premier communications holding company. AT&T services in the United States and around the world are provided by its subsidiaries and affiliates. They also provide the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services in the world. The leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services are also courtesy of AT&T.

AT&T is also a world leader in providing end-to-end reliable and highly secure network, voice, data and IP solutions to the six wholesale industry segments that it serves. The company serves carriers, wireless operators, cable providers, systems integrators, Internet service providers and content providers.

On the other hand, Capacity is a respected trade magazine for telecommunications carriers and service providers. The editors of Capacity as well as leading telecom industry analysts and consultants from Arab Advisors Group, ATLANTIC-ACM, Paul Budde Communication and the Yankee Group were the members of the judging panel for the awards.

Mark Kemp, CEO and editor-in-chief of Capacity explains that AT&T "has made great progress in incorporating the best practices of the former BellSouth, such as industry-leading provisioning capabilities, which have proved to be effective in meeting the needs of wholesale customers throughout the U.S."