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Monday 27 June 2016

Starting With LG G4, AT&T Finally Brings Wi-Fi Calling for Android



Good news for those who have the LG G4! AT&T has finally brought Wi-Fi calling to Android devices, beginning first with the G4. The same feature for iOS devices was introduced last year. This feature has moved this smartphone into the same league as iPhones that have Wi-Fi calling and texting facility.

The carrier is planning to add this feature to more android devices soon. Users can now make and receive calls, send and receive texts to any US number, even if they are abroad, all over Wi-Fi rather than needing a cellular connection. The subscribers will receive a notification regarding the availability of the feature and how to install a software update. Once it is installed, you are good to go over Wi-Fi.

Some companies initially looked Wi-Fi calling as a hazard to cellular revenues, but they are now welcoming the technology as a means to improve their services and enhance coverage. T-Mobile launched this service in 2007 and remained as a pioneer in Wi-Fi calling with nearly 7 million customers using this feature last year.

Wi-Fi calling has a few restrictions for now, such as availability only for users in the US, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and some select international countries. If the call is made on domestic a number, no charges will be incurred. But if you call on an international number, you have to pay as per standard international rates. Also, the feature is available only for postpaid users for now. 


Bill Smith, president of technology operations for AT&T Services wrote "Wi-Fi calls are billed based on the number you are calling or messaging." "It's the same no matter where you're connected to Wi-Fi. For instance, making a call on your U.S. number to another U.S. number is free of charge, even if you are overseas. You can use Wi-Fi calling in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as most international countries."

In the beginning of the year, both AT&T and Verizon offered international Wi-Fi calling to their iPhone customers through Apple's iOS 9.3.

Monday 20 June 2016

Concerns Raised Over Sprint Mobilitie's Small Cell Roll out Efforts


Sprint’s commitment to roll out nearly 70,000 small cells in cities across the country, mainly through Mobilitie, has slightly halted due to issues in obtaining authority for transmitters. Some Wall Street analysts are questioning the large amount of money that the company is writing off from customers who got in contract for the carrier’s handset-leasing offer and later took the devices for no charge.

Regarding the Sprint network, The Wall Street Journal stated that Sprint is trying to deploy small cells, principally for its 2.5 GHz spectrum, on utility poles in "public rights of way," which includes the land that holds city utilities such as street lamps, fire hydrants and several others. Sprint is reported to be working with Mobilitie to install the briefcase-sized antennas on the poles.

But the efforts are temporarily suspended as Sprint awaits zoning approval for some of the small cells. This is also a bit of the reason for lowering the capex guidance for the remaining part of the year to $3 billion, much lower than the expected value of $4.5 billion.

As per the WSJ, Mobilitie currently has 1,000 permits and will start a wide-scale rollout when it has more. Mobilitie's CEO shared that building and operating cost of the small cells is $190,000 over 10 years, which is much less than the average cost to operate a macro tower. Also the filing of permit applications under different names has led to confusion. The company has said that all future applications will be filed under the name Mobilitie.

The analysts at MoffettNathanson observed that the company incurred a $166 million loss that is related to "cell site construction and other network costs that are no longer recoverable as a result of changes in the 
Company's network plans." 


"Although $166M (out of a ~$3B current capex plan) once again represents a relatively modest amount, and indeed an amount that may have been spent years ago, one wonders if there is the potential for additional capex-related write-offs should Sprint continue to slash prior network commitments," wrote analysts about Sprint's charge.

Analysts also added "Interestingly, Sprint's 10-K discloses that Sprint is now borrowing against future lease receivables, having sold $1.2B in not-yet leased device receivables for cash of $600M in the calendar first quarter. This suggests that Sprint may be running out of runway for additional handset securitizations," "Perhaps this is why T-Mobile, after a brief dalliance, has decided to de-emphasize leasing."

Friday 10 June 2016

T-Mobile Outshines AT&T and Verizon in Customer Satisfaction

T-Mobile tops the four major wireless carriers in customer service ratings, according to the latest report released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The US Company has moved ahead of AT&T and Verizon Wireless in the past year. It offers discounts through government cell phone plans in various states.

Internet service and pay-TV companies got poor rankings in the ACSI report as well as a recent customer survey. Wireless carriers performed better than home Internet and subscription TV providers, indicating bigger competition in the mobile market. Claes Fornell, ACSI founder and Chairman said in a press release “Innovation tends to be strongest in markets with multiple companies vying for consumer preference.” “There are numerous wireless carriers and plenty of different cell phones to choose from. The same is not true for pay TV and ISPs, where consumers are usually beholden to a duopoly.”

Out of ACSI's 100-point scale, T-Mobile scored a 74, an escalation by 4 points when compared to last year. AT&T and Verizon lag behind with each getting 71. Where Verizon stuck to the previous year’s score, AT&T stepped up one point since last year. Sprint got a hike by 5 points by moving from 65 to 70 as compared to last year.

Though the total number of subscribers is only half the size of those of Verizon and AT&T, T-Mobile also topped others in terms of number of smartphones sold in the recent quarter. The company has brought some intense changes in recent past such as killing contracts, free international data roaming, data rollover, data exemptions on music and video services, and many more. 


The company is currently working on network quality, which has remained the biggest issue. It is targeting to buy low-band spectrum to eradicate network issues over rural areas and indoors. Thus the residents of some rural areas having government cell phone plans from the company are going to have better network quality.

The average score achieved by a wireless phone company is usually 71, while scores for home Internet service and pay-TV were 64 and 65, respectively.

Sunday 5 June 2016

Sprint Joins AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile by Allowing Zero-Rating Videos



Sprint has joined the league by becoming the fourth wireless service provider to implement data cap exemptions. The communication services company is allowing streaming of some online videos without any data charges from customers. So, for all those looking for free government cell phone plans in their state, you should consider the opportunity. 

As per the announcement made last week, the company will offer an enhanced experience to soccer fans by giving free access to live matches on Sprint phones, VIP giveaways and fan experiences at specific match locations of upcoming 2016 Copa América Centenario. The beginning of the tournament is scheduled on June 3 in Santa Clara, California.

Marcelo Claure, Sprint president and CEO said “This is the first time the tournament is being held in the United States,”. “We’re celebrating by giving our customers free access to watch every match of the 2016 Copa América Centenario. With FuboTV, customers can use their Sprint smartphones anytime, anywhere on our fastest and most reliable network ever to watch the tournament. Everyone wins with the opportunity to save 50 percent off most AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon standard rate plans when they switch to Sprint. In addition to a world-class network, we are also creating unique experiences for fans to win prizes like a trip to the final match.”

Under the partnership with FuboTV, customers will be given access if they sign up for a 60-day trial. The zero-rating will vanish on June 27, right after Copa America ends.

Read more: Order Free Cell Phone Plans

There are various subsidiaries of Sprint which provide free cell phone programs or free government cell phone plans. So, fans can enjoy the benefits and enjoy the matches. 

The Federal Communications Commission has been closely examining the zero-rating plans. Wireless carriers are of the opinion that these exemptions benefit customers, whereas net neutrality advocates argue that it provides unfair aids to services that don't count against data caps and allow carriers to prefer some content over others.

AT&T was the first of US mobile carriers to implement zero-rating, followed by Verizon and T-Mobile USA.

The FCC is also reviewing zero-rating implementation from Comcast. But there is no information regarding the timeline for the completion of review and implementation.