AT&T Plans Big for Internet of Things

AT&T has always been considered a company with comparatively slower growth that then rest. Gradually, it has been expanding in Internet of Things (IoT), thereby connecting home, vehicles, appliances, wearables, etc. to one another and then to the cloud. AT&T recently opened five new workshops so that it can easily connect with IoT companies and can tap deep into the market. AT&T is focusing on expanding beyond connectivity and entering firmly into two new services - consulting and integration.

Leveraging Lead Position

AT&T has moved into the IoT market leveraging its power in telecom services and planning to sell its latest IoT services. M2X Data is one of the services built on the IoT platform that allows developer tools and also SIM cards to check connectivity with the help of the network. AT&T has already been providing cellular connections worldwide to more than a million vehicles. Lately, it has produced a Wi-Fi device that converts a car into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Competitors

AT&T is not the only telecom smart enough to invest in such plans and services. Other telecom companies are also rapidly expanding in IoT. Its biggest competitor, Verizon, is dedicated to IoT services and sell similar applications extensively that efficiently improves connectivity for different businesses. Verizon’s IoT services have already generated $165 million in the last quarter and also has the potential to grab AT&T customers.

Concerns

A few IoT market concerns might disappoint users. In the coming years, the IoT market might be over-hyped. Security and protection is the primary concern that will discourage the masses to adopt IoT services. Some companies have already invested bucks in the IoT market and formed their own standard alliance.

Most importantly, connecting with IoT won’t change humans other habits but will surely change the way they do things.

AT&T Offers Its Customers Unlimited Data Plans

AT&T has increased data amount for its customers on unlimited data plans. Subscribers may experience the throttled speed with this change. Earlier, 5GB was the upper limit but now it has been increased to 22GB.

AT&T has published on its website that “As always, Unlimited Data Plan smartphone customers will still have the comfort of knowing that, no matter how much data they use in a billing cycle, they will continue to pay a single monthly flat rate.” Further, it also posted “It is the essential promise of the Unlimited Data Plan, and we are pleased to continue honoring that promise. Further, speed reductions will occur only when the customer is using his or her device at times and in areas where there is network congestion and only for the remainder of the current billing cycle after the customer has exceeded the 22 GB data usage threshold."

AT&T promises to notify its customers regarding unlimited data plans during every billing cycle once their data usage reaches 16.5GB so they can manage the rest of the data accordingly. Previously, the customers who had 3G or HSPA+- phones noticed a dip in speed after they consumed 3GB data from their unlimited data plan. According to AT&T, speed issues may be due to network problems but once the customer changes his area, the speed will return to normal.

It is unclear how many customers still go for the unlimited data plan. AT&T had earlier said, in July, that most of its subscribers were usage based. There is also no estimate as to how many customers might be affected because of the FCC’s recently proposed $100 million fine against the telecom company for its throttling practices. The FCC has fined the telecom for the violation of the transparency rule of 2010, Open Internet Order of net neutrality. However, last year federal court had tossed out those rules but the FCC came up with new ones. LTE customers with grandfathered unlimited plans didn’t notice their speed throttled until they reached data usage of 5GB in a month when the speed steeply declined for the remaining cycle regardless of the network congestion.

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AT&T Took Certain Steps to Battle T-Mobile

Verizon Cuts Monthly Fee to Let Customers Watch Live NFL Games

 

This season Verizon is making NFL games available for its customers and surprisingly, there will be no extra fee. This feature previously cost $5 to the customers.

It is not just favoring sports fans but is actually attracting more customers by introducing such plans. With this feature, customers will be likely to use more data which will increase the usage needs. The telecom service also wants its customers to hook on streaming video as it has released Go90 which incorporates full TV episodes having a tie-up with Vice, Scripps Network and Viacom. On demand content will also be available from ESPN as well as CBS and few others.

Last season, the carrier didn’t charge any additional fee to its customers on the More Everything data plan. This plan is a bonus for sports lovers as they can enjoy every NFL game over a Verizon app for free. In addition, US mobile streaming rights of NFL games is owned by Verizon Wireless until 2017. A 4-year deal of $1 billion has been signed with the league that also includes a sponsorship component. 

The package is for all Android, Windows and iOS users. The best part is that the download is free regardless of the carrier and offers the access to news and leagues highlights, analysis, scores, etc. Only Verizon customers can take advantage of the benefit of watching live NFL games. 

Like before, an additional fee of $1.99 will be charged for the premium RedZone service that would provide highlights of all games while it happens.

Federals Will Need Warrant for Cellphone Surveillance

Under the new Justice Department policy announced on Thursday, federal law enforcement officials will need a search warrant before using cellphone tracking technology. This policy, just introduced, is the first step towards creating a reliable, legal standard for the federal authorities to use equipment termed as cell-site simulators that track suspected cellphones. Many people raised a voice against using the tracking system without any prior permission. Lawmakers stated that the ability to use such technology created a liability by the federal authorities of infringing on private rights as it was being used without proper accountability. 

"The policy is really designed to address our practices, and to really try to promote transparency and consistency and accountability - all while being mindful of the public's privacy interest," Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates told reporters in announcing the policy change.

Stingray, a compact device, compiles the basic cellphone data from the neighborhood with the help of tricking phones from the area where the cell tower is assumed to be. The data is then transferred to the police for further investigation to track the location of the phone without texting or calling. Although the device is unable to collect the content of the conversation, it is crucial for the federal authorities as it provides other relevant information. The technology is being considered as a vital tool to catch suspects that have done some kind of crime such as kidnapping, extortion etc. Use of this technology will act as a blueprint for law enforcement agencies but the impact is still unclear. 

A staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Nate Cardozo, praised the new policy and stated it to be an essential step towards decreasing crime. "We think that given the power of cell-site simulators and the sort of information that they can collect - not just from the target but from every innocent cellphone user in the area - a warrant based on probable cause is required by the Fourth Amendment," Cardozo said.