AT&T Adds Security Applications for their Networks

AT&T is bringing up new products for business customers that use its services for handling data centers and large networks.

Customers can buy specific hardware from outside companies to add security features. Visit Palo Alto Networks (PANW, +0.52%), Check Point Software (CHKP, +1.05%), and Juniper Networks to make purchases. 

There is another option to add security features that can save you money. Use software to do the same thing!

"Once we get the basic service installed, it's as easy as downloading an app on a smartphone if you want," says Thaddeus Arroyo, who oversees the AT&T unit focused on large business customers.

AT&T, a well-known Government cell phone service provider, is offering alluring services.

AT&T's corporate division has been striving hard to woo customers away from purchasing exclusive networking gear in favor of inexpensive hardware that can be enhanced by downloading software. The push moves the giant Government cell phone service provider, AT&T, from just installing and managing hardware designed by others on its customers' networks to selling its own gear and amassing recurring revenue for the applications as well.

Last year, "AT&T Network Functions on Demand" changed its name to the new Flexware line. It can already run security features from Fortinet (FTNT, +1.12%), network routing software from Cisco Systems and Juniper (JNPR, +0.34%), and programs from other popular network gear manufacturers.

The new security applications can deliver services such as filters to block phishing emails or firewalls to keep out hackers.

See Also: Sprint is Getting Precise about its Merger Details

The cellular phone service provider’s most recent move follows the bigger inclination to expurgate costs in corporate data centers and cloud computing facilities by depending more on software. This market is expected to escalate 53% annually for the next four years, attaining $12.5 billion in total sales by the year 2020. This analysis is done by the market research firm International Data Corp.

The cellular phone service provider AT&T says that customers can spend much less with Flexware than other dedicated hardware to connect to their networks from the same sellers. Applying the same functions in software on general computers is less expensive in total.

AT&T says “it has sold 2,000 Flexware devices since the name change last October. The product is available in 200 countries now, up from 150 last year”.

The participating network software companies are expecting to keep their customers in the fold as they move to more generic networking gear and cloud computing gains preferences. However, it has been difficult. Several renowned companies, including Cisco (CSCO, +1.22%) and Ericsson (ERICCSON) have seen a downfall in their sales for high-profit networking gear.

In March, Cisco paid around $4 billion to buy AppDynamics, which is a prime network monitoring service provider through the cloud. AT&T's says that 34% of its own network was software-driven in 2016, and aims to reach 55% by the end of 2017 and 75% by 2020.

T-Mobile, Government Cell Phone Service Firm Starting 5G in US in 2019

T-Mobile is a well-known Government cell phone service provider that is planning to start rolling out a fifth-generation network (5G) in the United States in the year 2019. The renowned telecommunication firm was among the top winners in an airwaves auction useful for mobile service.

T-Mobile is the number 3 wireless carrier in the US that has reported targeting nationwide 5G coverage by 2020. The Government assisted Cell Phone Company will use a certain part of the low-band spectrum that it recently bought for $8 billion in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's auction of broadcaster airwaves.

Features of 5G

It is expected that 5G will offer faster speeds and response times in comparison to today's 4G LTE network. It has the potential to connect at least 100 billion devices. Wireless carriers consider 5G a multi-billion dollar opportunity, however there has yet to be a set standard to define it.

What the rival Government assisted Cell Phone Companies are up to

Two rival telecommunication firms, Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc, have been conducting 5G trials consisting of high-band airwaves known as millimeter wave spectrum to offer an ultra-fast broadband service. This can give tough competition to other cable providers. The millimeter wave technology can offer faster speeds, however, it has a drawback in it’s ability to cover big geographic areas.

The other Government cell phone service provider, Verizon Wireless, is testing similar service with equipment maker Ericsson in 11 markets in the U.S. It is expecting to make a commercial launch as early as 2018. Meanwhile, AT&T has successfully completed tests with Nokia, offering its streaming video service DirecTV Now over a 5G connection with the help of millimeter wave technology.

While the giant Government cell phone service providers, AT&T and Verizon, have shared their views about faster broadband in denser urban areas as the first stage of 5G, T-Mobile is focused on broader coverage that can support connected devices in the upcoming years, said Roger Entner, an analyst at Recon Analytics.

"Everyone is getting into 5G," Entner said. "The angle they're using to get in is slightly different."

There are possibilities of using T-Mobile's 5G for applications, like tracking everything from packages in delivery trucks to children, he said.

See Also: T-Mobile's Profit Remains Same, but User-Growth Outlook Improved

He added, "I'm a little bit skeptical of how quickly this happens."

In an interview, T-Mobile's Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray said the company was rational in its launch objectives. "It's not like we're going to have a 5G network tomorrow," he said. But "we want to start talking about...the applications that 5G can bring."

So, we will have to wait and see how the things will turn out in the future for T-Mobile’s 5G network.

T-Mobile's Profit Remains Same, but User-Growth Outlook Improved

T-Mobile US Inc. will have more subscribers in the year 2017 amid intensified competition from Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc, although there may be a negative impact on its profit.

T-Mobile is a renowned Government cell phone service provider and is the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier that will add to 3.5 million customers this year. Earlier, it had 2.8 million customers. The Washington-based company, Bellevue has also maintained its profit outlook for the year 2017, suggesting that the price to get those new customers in the door will take a hit on the extra earnings they generate.

Even at the higher end, those customers’ additions would result in a trivial strike for the fastest rising U.S. wireless carrier. In 2016, the firm reaped 4.1 million new monthly subscribers nearly two times that of the reputed Government assisted cell phone firm, Verizon.

T-Mobile is inclined to keep increasing its subscriber in order to put pressure on its bigger rivals. To maintain their affluent position in the market, both Government cell phone service providers, Verizon and AT&T, are now actively marketing mobile-phone packages, consisting of unlimited data.

T-Mobile signed 914,000 new subscribers in its first quarter. This number is 820,000 more than the analysts’ expectations.

It will be critical for T-Mobile to add new customers as well as protect profit simultaneously. The Government assisted cell phone provider Verizon’s decision to begin unlimited data services led to shares sinking of nearly every telecom stock in the month of February.

T-Mobile kept its prediction for 2017 adjusted earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes, and amortization of $10.4 billion to $10.8 billion, with analysts expecting $10.7 billion on average. In the previous year, T-Mobile displayed adjusted EBITDA of $10.4 billion.

See Also: Verizon Amazed All by Not Buying 600 MHz Spectrum

Chief Executive Officer John Legere says “the company counted four days in the first quarter that Verizon stole T-Mobile customers, and it is taking market share so far in the second quarter”.

Setback of Affluences

The Government cell phone service provider, T-Mobile’s latest performance may put burden on renowned Government assisted cell phone companies, i.e. Verizon and Sprint Corp. to discover potential deals to expand their wealth.

T-Mobile’s report of loss differs in comparison to a report submitted last week by Verizon about the loss of a record number of customers. Verizon’s growth seems to be stalling. Perhaps, this is why the company has decided to keep the option of taking M&A inquiries from Comcast Corporation or Walt Disney Co. hoping to get a deal that could change the fortunes of the largest wireless service provider in the United States.

On the other hand, Sprint INC. has also been trying to put its best foot forward for strengthening its position in the market.

Verizon Amazed All by Not Buying 600 MHz Spectrum

The results of a 600 MHz incentive auction has been declared by the FCC and, a surprising thing is observed. The cellular phone service provider, Verizon, didn’t participate at all! This means that this Government cell phone service firm cannot increase its present coverage with the low-band 600 MHz licenses, which are perfect for reaching inside buildings and covering large geographic areas.

"Verizon cannot comment on the results because the FCC’s mandated quiet period continues to apply until down payments are due, which is not for a couple of weeks," a Verizon spokesman replied when asked why the carrier didn't get any spectrum in the auction. "Verizon is confident, however, in its network position, including its approach to acquiring, managing, and re-framing its spectrum assets to support the network that continues to generate top ratings for customer performance."

Verizon is a well-known Government assisted cell phone company, and its non-participation in the auction is quite surprising. The cellular phone service provider has launched unlimited data plans a few weeks ago that will further affect its wireless network.

Till now, Verizon has been a prime participant in every FCC spectrum auction. In 2008’s FCC low-band spectrum auction, the company’s initial LTE network was set up, i.e. 700 MHz C Block spectrum for about $10 billion.

Verizon has spent around $10.4 billion recently on the midband AWS-3 spectrum, which was auctioned by the FCC around three years ago. The carrier further purchased a midband spectrum in 2011 offered by a group of cable operators.

Verizon’s top management chose not to purchase 600 MHz licenses as they have enormous options when it comes to spectrum. For several years, analysts have talked about the possibility of Verizon signing an agreement with Dish Network.

Now, it has become clear that Dish is spending a lot on its spectrum-collection strategy. The company has been doling out more than $6 billion for additional spectrum.

While Dish has given some hint of using its vast spectrum trove to make some kind of internet-of-things network, possibly with the help of NB-IoT network technology. Many industries believe that Dish may ink a spectrum sale or lease an agreement with a company like one of the large cellular phone service providers, i.e. T-Mobile or Verizon.

See Also: Sprint Cuts Price on Unlimited Data Plan

Verizon might not be interested in purchasing low-band spectrum. It has already bought XO Communications to get high-band, millimeter-wave spectrum licenses. This renowned cellular phone service provider has installed fixed 5G equipment in over 10 cities across the country to offer superfast, and short-range wireless connections.

"What is most interesting to us was VZ was nowhere to be found. While it does have a tremendous amount of 700MHz spectrum (upper C block), we continue to believe VZ's interests lay in the higher band spectrum assets (2GHz and higher)," wrote Wells Fargo analyst Jennifer Fritzsche to investors after the FCC’s auction results were out.

Verizon might not require any additional spectrum in the near future. It might move toward C-RAN network architecture and other modern network technologies, such as two- and three-carrier aggregation, MIMO and LTE-Unlicensed.

Sprint, Renowned Cellular Phone Service Provider Cuts the Price of Unlimited Data Plan to $50

Both T-Mobile and Sprint have been attracting lots of customers since last summer with their cheap unlimited data plans. But now, Sprint is moving one step further with its even less expensive service plan.

This move was made against Verizon, a well-known cellular phone service provider, which introduced a new 5 GB plan at $55 per month this month, just below Sprint's $60 starting price for its unlimited plan. Verizon complemented the plan with TV commercials condemning the more costly unlimited plans as "unnecessary." To this, Sprint, renowned cellular phone service provider, dropped its unlimited plan’s price to $50 as a promotional offer for a limited time.

Roger Solé, Sprint's top marketing officer responds to Verizon’s statement

"Is Verizon living in an alternative reality," Roger Solé, Sprint's top marketing officer, asked in a blog post announcing the price cut. "I'm scratching my head after seeing Verizon’s new ads claiming consumers don’t need–or want–unlimited wireless plans? And they say their new 5GB plan is the plan we’ve all 'been waiting for.' All of us at Sprint couldn’t disagree more."

Customers will get this plan for $50 until the end of March 2018. After this, the monthly charge will rise to the old $60 level again. This "unlimited" data plan consists of the same small print limits as the plan introduced last summer. Sprint, Government phone service provider, will automatically reduce the video and music streaming quality, and a customer's download speed can be vividly slowed after consuming over 23 GB data in a single month. T-Mobile, a Government phone service provider, will also cut the price of its unlimited offering by removing surcharges and taxes as additional fees on customers' bills.

See Also: T-Mobile Cell Phone Service Provider Offers it's New "One" Plan

For most of last year, Verizon, a Government phone service provider, didn’t come up with any alluring alternative to the smaller carriers' unlimited plans. But now, reporting fourth quarter results, Verizon acknowledged that it would see no growth in wireless service revenue this year due to the progressively aggressive price wars shaking the market.

Feeling heat from the competitors that had excluded data overage charges, Verizon last year announced its own set of plans without the hated fees and saw more customers in comparison. That's a victory for customers, though Verizon shareholders lost 6% this week.

FCC Claims Verizon and AT&T are Violating Net Neutrality Laws

The Federal Communications Commission issued a report claiming Verizon Wireless and AT&T’s ‘zero-rated’ services desecrated net neutrality plans. Tom Wheeler, the Chairman of the FCC, was the main supporter of the report, published by the Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Many people consider this policy review as one last rebellious shout before the Trump administration takes office on January 20, and Wheeler deserts his post as the head of the Government agency.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T Dismiss Allegations:

On the other hand, both Verizon Wireless and AT&T (Government cell phone service providers) have dismissed the FCC’s allegations, saying their business models only encourage competition in the market without causing any harm to the customers. Before covering all relevant details, it is essential for you to know about ‘zero-rated’ services, offered by both the Government cell phone service providers.

So, let’s gain some knowledge about zero-rated services:

In the case of wireless mobile carriers, ‘Zero-rated’ services are plans for consumers to stream content from some platforms without paying for the data they consume.

AT&T’s DirecTV Now and Verizon’s FreeBee Data 360 are subsidized data programs that offer access to certain platforms and services virtually free of data consumption charges. In the case of AT&T, the benefit to subscribers is enormous since the DirecTV catalog is immense, and the content they stream does not register on their monthly data cap. Similar is the case, but to a lesser extent with Verizon’s Go90 platform.

This Practice is Rapidly Spreading Across the Industry:

Evidently, the practice is against the Open Internet Order of 2015, which supports net neutrality above biased business practices and non-ethical competition in the consumer market. The FCC report is futile without legal action. Also, several outlets have said, the latest report by the FCC lacks purpose since the present leadership has not much time to take tangible steps against these companies and their misconduct.

See Also: T-Mobile Introduces Low Cost IoT Packs Offering Wireless Data

Bernie Sanders Supports it:

Bernie Sanders is one of many Democrats who support the FCC's report. Upon learning of the FCC policy review, a Democrat parliamentary block headed by Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts (D) issued a statement supporting Commission’s conclusions on ‘zero-rated’ programs. Al Franken of Minnesota, Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut backed Markey’s official statement.

At Last:

It is too early to come to a conclusion on how this will play out. Come back to this website to stay updated in this regard.

Meet T-Mobile’s ‘Called Digits’ Technology to Share a Single Phone Number Across Multiple Devices

Cell phone carriers in the United States are doing every possible thing within or even beyond their reach to seek new growth in the wireless sector. Companies like Sprint, Verizon Wireless and AT&T are introducing less expensive plans and many more services. T-Mobile has gone a step beyond anyone’s imagination in this regard.

T-Mobile Develops Called Digits:

The company has successfully developed and designed a new technology. T-Mobile has named this technology “Called Digits”. Gone are the days when an incoming phone call meant that only one cell phone will ring. Now all of your electronics will ring at an incoming phone call.  In simple words, if someone calls you then your computer, cellphone, landline phone, laptops, tablets and even your ears will ring. But that’s just if you want them to ring.

Calls for Cell phone Service Users on Any Devices Regardless of the Operating System:

This technology is very powerful and allows customers to use a single phone number across multiple devices. Moreover, customers don’t have to worry about the type of operating system.

Called Digits is Useful in the Reverse:

This powerful technology also allows cell phone service users to carry multiple phone numbers to relieve them of the need to have separate professional and personal cell phones.

This is to Be Totally Different from Other Carriers:

Mike Sievert (Chief Operating Officer at T-Mobile) and Neville Ray (Chief Technical Officer at T-Mobile) talked about this amazing technology through a magenta heavy video of almost 15 minutes. This is a very new kind of technology for gaining competitive a advantage over carriers like Verizon Wireless and AT&T for growing their customer base. The company has successfully added over 2 million customers during the third quarter.

It will be a Replacement to Existing Similar Products:

T-Mobile’s technical team burnt the midnight oil for two years to come up with this unique technology, says Ray. This technology will also serve cell phone service users across the United States as the perfect replacement to similar products like Google Voice and Number Sync of AT&T. This technology is capable of working on any device regardless of the cell phone service provider. Even customers of AT&T and Verizon Wireless can use the Called Digits application.

It is in the Testing Phase:

The company is testing the technology with a small number of cellular phone service users. The company has not spoken much about its price. However, this technology will surely be available for the public in 2017.

Called Digits will be an Advantage for Sales Teams:

Sales teams within businesses are likely to be a potential group of customers of this technology. With Called Digits technology, an incoming call will ring a number of members of a team. Therefore, the phone number registered must be tied to a cellular phone service user instead of a device. According to T-Mobile, Called Digits is an identity management platform which is connected to the login of every cellular phone service user. 

Free Cell Phone Service in Illinois

Final Words:

T-Mobile easily surpassed the cut-throat competition posed by Sprint. Moreover, the lengthy video of T-Mobile did not convey anything in this regard. T-Mobile shot to the headlines as a top 3 carrier as the Trump Administration may possibly favor deregulation and pave a way for a T-Mobile and Sprint merger. Moreover, it is too early to say anything about the success and failure of Called Digits as it is yet to be launched. Only time will tell next year.

FCC Reprimands AT&T and Verizon Wireless for Exempting Their Own Video Applications from Data Caps

AT&T and Verizon Wireless are already facing tough market competition from T-Mobile and other industrial competitors. The time seems to be getting tough for both the companies. Regulators in the United States are reprimanding both AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

What is the Story?

Verizon Wireless and AT&T have decided to exempt their own video applications from data caps of their cell phone service users. This is certainly not going to affect the way carriers conduct their operations. Howbeit, agency leaders appointed by Mr. Donald Trump, the President in waiting, are likely to monitor such practices strictly and very closely.

FCC Warned AT&T and Verizon Wireless:

The Federal Communications Commissions warned both of the carriers via letters in this regard on Saturday about the way they conduct and handle the increasingly popular practice known as “Zero Rating”. The FCC is concerned that it will seriously hurt industry competition and many cell phone service subscribers severely. AT&T had been dispatched a warning during the month of November of 2016. In a letter drafted to AT&T on Thursday, the FCC openly said that AT&T’s response did not provide any solution to the concern raised.

FCC’s Concern:

There are a number of other services like Hulu and Netflix that can pay Verizon Wireless and AT&T. This will make sure the customers are able to make use of those applications without any consumption of cell phone data. In accordance with the FCC, this is definitely going to make competition harder and more expensive for internet service providers. In simple words, internet service providers active in the market will surely find it very hard to compete with Video services owned by the carriers. This is likely to be harmful for the market of streaming services.

For Instance:

The FCC estimates that video service providers will be forced to pay the amount of $16 to AT&T on a monthly basis for a cellular phone service user streaming videos for about 10 minutes a day and that is without the consumption of any data. It could even go up to the amount of $47 a month for a user streaming videos for about a half-an-hour a day.

It will become very difficult for rivals to compete in terms of price with the new online TV application Launched by AT&T. This TV app of AT&T is known as DirectTV Now. Customers using this service have to pay the minimum amount of $35 to AT&T. Competing video service providers will have to zero their rates. If they don’t, they will surely face a lot of disadvantage.

Verizon Wireless allows its cellular phone service users to use its go90 video application without any consumption of their cell phone data.

AT&T’s Reply:

Exemption of applications such as DirectTV Now from data caps helps customers save their money. Therefore, the FCC should not try to put a stop to it.

Verizon Wireless Said…

Its practices are beneficial for cellular phone service users. Moreover, the practices are also fully in compliance with regulations.

Final Words:

This warning has come during the final days of Barrack Obama’s administration. Now Mr. Donald Trump, the president Elect, may roll back or enforce such measures with considerable leniency. The FCC still has not been able to determine whether the zero rating practices adopted/conducted by both of these carriers are a problem or not. Both Verizon Wireless and AT&T could appeal.

AT&T and Verizon Wireless Agree on the Deployment of Initial 5G Models; Standards Timing Becomes an Issue

It looks as if both AT&T and Verizon Wireless are getting on the same page about the initial 5G deployment models. Last week, representatives from both companies discussed this thoroughly during the 5G North America event. The Event kicked off with a keynote address and panel discussion specifically directed towards 5G’s current state.

Detail of the Event’s Key Highlights

Talking about 5G deployments, they were mainly expected to center on the fixed use of broadband. It was mainly noted during the early panel discussion conducted on topic. Its main purpose is to help carriers make use of technical specifications for powering technically superior equipment capable of supporting both higher speed of data and greater capacity for the government cellphone plans and the rest of the users.
 

Representatives from both companies welcomed this agreement. They openly spoke their mind in this regard.

Mr. Brian Daly Says…

According to Mr. Brian Daly, the director of core government and regulatory standards at AT&T, the company was waiting for such a fantastic opportunity to get some command on consistently increasing demand for video streaming services. Taking video support into consideration, it was perhaps one of the big use cases that all of us see. Moreover, the company was thinking about taking advantage of its diverse portfolio of fixed, mobile and satellite assets for meeting the demands of government cellphone plan users.

Mr. Alexander Khalin Says…

According to Mr. Alexander Khalin, the Director of Corporate Strategy at Verizon Wireless, the company agreed on initial development plans about all sorts of fixed wireless broadband services.

Twist in the Tale:

Recently, there has been a controversy between the companies about the move towards 5G standards and, the perceived difference of opinions in terms of timing for those standards is mainly responsible.

AT&T Asked for Some Extra Time:

According to some reports, AT&T has led a group at a recently conducted standards meeting for securing some form of 5G standards booked by the end of 2017. It is way ahead of the initial timeline finalized for the third-generation partnership projects of mid-2018. AT&T explained this move as the company requires some extra time for testing some standards to get ready for further testing and commercial deployments by mid-2018 for government cellphone service and other users.

Verizon Wants to Keep the Schedule as is:

The company seems to have its eyes set on promoting its own 5G agenda related to plans for network trials starting in 2017. This is why the company has come up with a counter proposal stating it would like to keep the schedule totally unchanged. Mr. Khalin did not comment on this week’s event.         

AT&T’s Explanation            

The company was waiting for an opportunity to get some form of standard committed between the time period of December 2017 and March 2018. It could possibly be for a non-standalone radio specification to help inform silicon vendors as they get ready for the development of chipsets early to support network trials. AT&T mentioned this effort under the guise of a carrier waiting for an opportunity to ensure “Learnings” from all of the existing and thought-out trials for 5G networks that could possibly be driven into a kind of standards process.

Summary of the Story:

If everything goes right, then the government cellphone service subscribers of both the companies would benefit. However, fortunes don’t seem to be supporting both the companies in this regard. It is turning out to be full of controversy between the two largest cell phone service providers in the US. It will be very interesting to see which way the decisions go.

Enjoy HD Videos, Superfast Tethering and Internet with T-Mobile and Sprint's Expensive Unlimited Data Plan

These days wireless customers seem to be very fond of high quality video content. Considering their penchant for high quality videos, T-Mobile and Sprint Communications, two of the premiere government cell phone service carriers in the United States, are ready to thrive on this craze of their valuable customers.

They are Heeding Calls:

Both of the premiere government cell phone service carriers have introduced “Easy to Afford” unlimited data plans for cellular phone service users with some compromises.  Sprint Communications added more expensive data plans offering less compromises. Similarly, T-Mobile also followed the footsteps of Sprint Communications and came up with a bit more expensive of a data plan for all of its customers on Monday. 

These new, expensive data plans offered by both of the companies to the users differ in terms of data and other things currently on offer. Let’s see what both of the companies are offering to their valuable customers in these expensive data plans.

T-Mobile One Plus Data Plan:

The company has launched the One Plus data plan during the month of August 2016. It was initially priced at $70 per month. As T-Mobile noticed that some of the cellular phone service users are ready to pay an extra amount of money for enjoying high quality video content, it now has increased this plan price up to $95.

What Is the Difference Between This Expensive Data Plan and more Affordable Data Plans of T-Mobile?

Expensive Data Plan

There is some difference between T-Mobile’s recently launched expensive data plan and the other cheap data plans for cellular service users.

·        Consumers willing to pay more money for the best video content experience can relish full HD videos on their mobile phones.

·       They will be able to use their phone to connect or tether other devices such as a laptop for enjoying superfast internet speed.

Cheap Data Plan:

Coming to the cheap data plan, let’s take a look what it offers: 

1.  It only provides DVD quality video.
2. The tethering speed was very slow.

However, users are given unlimited data usage, texting and calling in both of the plans.

This is what Sprint Communication’s Plan is:

Talking about Sprint Communication’s expensive data plan, it was launched by the company at least a week before T-Mobile came up with its own expensive data plan. However, Sprint Communications, a premiere government cell phone service carrier, successfully undercut T-Mobile’s price of the expensive data plan. Sprint Communications raised the price of its expensive unlimited data plan from $60 to $80 as a starting price.

The Difference:

Both the cheap and expensive unlimited data plans of Sprint Communications offer unlimited calling, data usage and texting. The only difference is in terms of the quality of the video content limited by Sprint Communication’s cheap unlimited data plan.

The latest pricing battle is the result of constantly slowing growth of the US wireless market. Consumers are not taking any significant interest in switching their careers either. This has also played a crucial role in slowing down the growth of the wireless market in the entire United States at least for the last five to six years. But with the arrival of Apple’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, most of the carriers, including T-Mobile and Sprint Communications, can expect an increase in the defection rate. 

T-Mobile Issues Tips for Customers to Stay Connected with Their Loved Ones During Hurricane Hermine in the Southeast

A hurricane named Hermine is expected to strike in the southeast as a category 1 storm tomorrow early in the morning. This is why T-Mobile, one of the government cell phone service carriers in the United States, is preparing its network. The company has deployed its operations and engineering teams and is continuously monitoring weather patterns.

Some of the necessary steps being taken by T-Mobile:

As a government cellphone service provider, the company is leaving no stone unturned to prepare necessary equipment as well as providing supplies to help its valuable customers stay connected before, during, and after the storm.

The company is preparing…
•    Generators for backup
•    COW (Cell-on-Wheels)
•    Fuel tanks

The company has also decided to set up a command center in crucial areas where the storm is likely to impact. The company will closely manage network traffic with the help of its GEO-Redundant Network Operation Centers. If needed, further coordination for responses will be initiated.

Mentioned below are some of the tips suggested by T-Mobile, a government cell phone service provider, to increase their chances of getting connected with their loved ones before, during and even after the storm.

•    Keep your Phone fully charged
•    Save the battery life of your phone
•    Prefer texting over calling
•    Keep your calls short and to-the-point.
•    Don’t let your phone get wet
•    Utilize Wi-Fi calling

Let’s see how following these useful tips will help you connect with your loved ones and do many important things before, or after the storm.

1. Keep Your Phone Fully Charged:
T-Mobile has suggested all of its private and cellular Phone Service users to keep their phone battery fully charged.  You should also charge your cellphone in case of electricity breakdown. Car chargers and portable chargers will be very handy in such a situation to keep you connected with your loved ones. If possible, look for several other options right now in your nearby retail stores.

2. Save the Battery Life of Your Phone:
You must utilize the power saving mode available in your cellphone to save the battery life. Reducing screen brightness, turning all of your location based service completely off and reducing application’s usage and downloads will also help.

3. Prefer Texting over Calling:
Since text needs less network resources, it will be the most productive and easy option to know about the wellbeing of your loved ones during and after the storm, suggests T-Mobile.

4. Keep Your Calls Short and To-The-Point:
The company has also suggested that users keep their calls short and to-the-point to ensure network availability for others during severe weather conditions.

5. Don't Let Your Phone Get Wet:
T-Mobile has strongly suggested everyone to keep their phones dry or cover them using some waterproof covering. This will save your phone from getting damaged because of moisture.

6. Utilize Wi-Fi Calling:
Just in case cellular phone service does not work, then utilizing Wi-Fi is the best option for you for calling or texting purposes. Using Wi-Fi calling, T-Mobile customers will be able to call or text their loved ones. You just need to have a Wi-Fi capable phone in the absence of cellular phone service network, and have a Wi-Fi network connection.
•    iOS users should go to Settings> Phone> Wi-Fi Calling
•    Android Users should go to Settings > More Connection Settings > Wi-Fi Calling

If needed, T-Mobile has suggested all its customers to drop a call to 611 (Customer Care Number) using their handset.

AT&T And Verizon Communications Plan to Get Back to the Top with Three Things

AT&T and Verizon Communications are soon likely to join hands to extend their reach to new consumers for new growth. This seems to be a tough call taken by the two free government cell phones service providers. Most of the business analysts in the global telecom industry are biting their nails to see if this alliance can survive the fierce market competition from T-mobile US or not.

Both of the telecom giants focused on investing on their network and additional spectrum. This allowed AT&T and Verizon Communications to generate a huge amount of profit in operating cash flow to secure enough funds to pay a generous dividend and reduce debt to ensure free government cellphone service. Verizon Communications had invested $7.7 billion and generated the amount of $12.8 billion whereas AT&T capital expenditure of $10.6 billion ensured the recovery of $18.2 billion in operating cash.

This is certainly helping both of the free cellular phone service providers survive fierce market competition from T-Mobile. A number of other factors mentioned below are also equally responsible:

•    Wise investments
•    Efforts to seek regulatory approval for Acquiring XO Communications
•    Digesting

Let’s see how these factors bring the both of the free cellular service providers close for extending their reach to new customers for new growth.

1.    Wise investments:
AT&T has recently taken over DirectTV as a parent company whereas Verizon Communications has acquired Yahoo INC and Fleetmatics. Now both of the companies are working out a plan to roll out 5G wireless network across the nation in 2017. The alliance of these two free cellular service providers and their financial investments for acquiring companies like Yahoo INC, Fleetmatics, and DirectTV is a strategic move to increase their capital expenditures so as not to lag behind in the race for the best coverage and quality of network.

2.    Efforts to seek regulatory approval for Acquiring Xo Communications:
Verizon Communications has been trying to seek regulatory approval for acquiring XO Communications at the cost of $1.8 billion for 20000 fiber optic miles in 40 major markets connecting almost 85 cities in the United States. This has certainly forced all of the rivals to do some serious thinking. The company is planning to complete the entire acquisition process of XO Communications before 30th June 2017 whereas Fleetmatics will be acquired fully by the end of 2016. As for the Yahoo acquisition, the whole process should be a cakewalk for Verizon Communications.

On the other hand, AT&T plans to complete the entire acquisition process of DirectTV at the earliest for securing cross selling opportunities.

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3.    Digesting:Both AT&T and Verizon Communications have always been strong on strategic front. Their efforts to complete their entire acquisition plans well within the time reflects exactly that. It is very easy for both of the free cellular service providers to complete the accusation process without any financial hiccups. Most importantly, future earnings of these two free government cellphone service provider will not get affected at any cost to stay on top of the market through constant innovations.

Now it is just a matter of time when AT&T and Verizon Communications get back at the top of the telecom market to consolidate their position. 

T-Mobile Recorded 890K Postpaid Subscriber Additions in Recent Quarter

T-Mobile lead other carriers by adding a considerable number of post-paid customers in the latest quarter.

The post-paid customer additions did not reach the standards set in last year’s quarter, but the customer increase is way ahead of the combined number of AT&T, Sprint and Verizon additions. Not only this, there is a remarkable growth in prepaid customers as well. The company’s post-paid phone additions correlates with Wall Street estimates and the total revenue as well as service escalated annually.

Jennifer Fritzsche, analyst at Wells Fargo said the numbers are “solid” and stressed over the significance of free cash flow in near future for the company. T-Mobile is also a provider of government cell phone service or government assisted cell phone plans.

Fritzsche commented "While gross adds for the industry were slow overall (and growth driven more by lower churn), TMUS lead the industry by a wide margin in handset adds,"  "The Free Cash flow metric is becoming increasingly meaningful for TMUS and (depending on the auction spending) is a metric which should see a significant ramp in 2017. Free cash flow expectations for the remainder of 2016 should largely depend on the amount of working capital outflows from handset purchases and its spend in the upcoming broadcast auction." 

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The company gained 890,000 net post-paid customers, including 646,000 post-paid phone adds in the second quarter. T-Mobile's latest quarter revenues surged 12 percent year over year to $6.9 billion and the total revenues mounted 13 percent year-over-year to $9.2 billion.

As a result of another successful quarter due to continued strong customer growth and improved revenues, the company’s shares rose slightly. The carrier also provides services for the Lifeline program which is known as government cell phone service.

Moffett said "For the record, we've never thought T-Mobile would be acquired. But more importantly, we've never though that one need to think it would be in order to want to own the stock," "T-Mobile's remarkable growth rate -- service revenues were up 12.1 percent from a year in today's report in a market that is down year-over-year -- and free cash flow trajectory make the case without one having to believe it will be acquired."

Sprint Beats Expectations by Adding a Significant Bulk of Subscribers

The fourth largest telecom giant in the nation rose above expectations with a net gain of 173,000 postpaid subscribers in the second quarter of the year, which also includes several government cell phone plans. With the aid of heavy discounts and free cell phone services, the company managed to attract more subscribers for any first quarter in the past nine years. In contrast to a pervious net loss of 12,000 customers last year at this time, the company seems to be on cloud nine with the significant addition this quarter which ended June 30.

The company also faced a lower postpaid phone churn of 1.39 percent in the second quarter which is an improved churn over the last five quarters. Another achievement was that it’s postpaid base is net positive against the other three rivals. For the first time in the more than 5 years it has gained more subscribers from each of the rivals than it lost.

Though the company reported a considerable number of customer gains with certain plans including government cell phone plans, these came at a good cost. The loss figures soared to $302M, which is much larger than its $20M loss last year for the same period. Not only this, the wireless revenue topped at $6.1 billion rather than expected $6.2 billion expected by those at Wells Fargo Securities.

CEO Marcelo Claure shared "We had another quarter of solid progress in our turnaround, with the highest first-quarter postpaid phone net additions in nine years, the lowest postpaid phone churn in company history, and finally being postpaid net port positive against all three national carriers after five years," "We also grew wireless net operating revenue year-over-year while aggressively reducing the cash operating expenses of the business and our network is performing better than ever."

The contract termination charges totaled $113M, mostly related to a deal with Ntelos. The net operating revenue dropped to $8.01 billion, against $7.98 billion predicted by the analysts at Thomson Reuters. 

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With a close at $4.62, the telecom company’s shares rose 27.6% since the beginning of the year.

Though the company has won postpaid customers in the country, but the analysts show doubt about how it is going to improve its network without increasing the capital expenditure.

AT&T Announced the Launch of Equipment Instalment Plan for Accessories, Up to $400

AT&T, a leading network carrier in the US, has recently expanded its equipment installment payment plan to cover accessories. The carrier said its wireless customers can purchase accessories such as LG Tone Infinim headsets and Bose SoundLink speakers through the plans and pay them off in monthly installments with zero down payment and zero interest.

The network said the offering is only available through itsretail stores. And, the customers can only purchase one accessory per phone number or two per account. The offering only covers accessories priced between $149 and $400. The launch is notable because it will allow AT&T to potentially sell more accessories through its retail outlets, thereby deriving more revenues from the sale of accessories.

The move is also not surprising considering how popular equipment installment plans have become for the purchase of smartphones. The plans generally allow customers to break up the cost of devices into monthly payments stretching across 12, 18 or 24 months, depending on the plan they select, thereby making it easier for customers to afford expensive gadgetry. 

Indeed, AT&T said that fully 90 percent of its postpaid smartphone sales in the first quarter used the carrier's "Next" branded equipment installment plan (EIP), or were customers who brought their own devices to the carrier. That's an impressive figure, considering AT&T only introduced EIP pricing a few years ago. Previously the carrier only sold devices under a subsidized model through two-year service contracts.

Over the past several years, wireless carriers have worked carefully to finance the cost of EIP plans, since they don't immediately receive the full payment for customers' devices. "We continue to find ample demand and great rates in the securitization market to help us manage our Next receivables," said AT&T CFO John Stephens on the carrier's first-quarter conference call.  He further added, "We have received about $1.5 billion in the first quarter, or about the same amount as last year's first quarter."