GM to Test Compatibility of Wi-Fi and V2V Systems in 5.9 GHz Band With Cisco Systems

Going by what a General Motors executive told U.S. lawmakers, the company is almost set to start its testing of new technology from Cisco Systems to share spectrum between vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and Wi-Fi systems. Cisco had indicated back in May that they were preparing to test the “listen, detect and avoid” protocol in the particular short range communications (DSRC) 5.9 GHz band. 

The Cisco technology seeks to allow both Wi-Fi devices and V2V safety systems to work in the 5.9 GHz band without causing any sort of interference. The news goes according to GM’s written testimony posted to the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade website on Wednesday that lied ahead of a hearing on V2V technology today. 

Reuters also noted that GM wants to implement the V2V technology in its 2017 Cadillac CTS sedans. The executive director of GM’s Global Connected Customer Experience unit, Harry Lightsey, also confirmed the same saying, “We are very optimistic about a sharing proposal from Cisco that would operate on a ‘listen, detect and vacate’ basis. We have engaged with Cisco and plan to begin testing their technology as soon as possible.”

A team of U.S. lawmakers lately reintroduced the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, which directs the FCC to “move swiftly” in seeking comments and conducting tests to assess the feasibility of opening the 5850-5925 MHz band to unlicensed use. FCC Commissioners Michael O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel have come out in support of exploring whether unlicensed services could operate in the U-NII-4 band without causing harmful interference to DSRC.

T-Mobile Customers with Unlimited Smartphone Plans get Additional 2 GB Hotspot Data

T-Mobile has recently confirmed that they have added 2 GB of data to the kitty of mobile hotspot customers who are part of the unlimited smartphone data plans. The step was initially rumored and was first reported by the blog TMoNews. It has, of late, been expected to come into effect since late last week.

A T-Mobile spokesman also shared the same set of facts to FierceWireless stating that the company has enabled mobile hotspot benefits on all active data plans. He also said, “The improvements we’ve made to our data plans make our rate plans even simpler. Now you can use your paid 4G LTE data however you choose – either for your smartphone or for other devices with tethering. When you reach your paid data allotment, your speeds will be reduced, not capped, so you never worry about overages.”

In contrast to the current setup, customers erstwhile had to have their mobile hotspot usage curtailed after they would reach their pre-decided usage limits. However, they will now see their speeds reduced to 128 Kbps when they hit the limit for the remainder of their billing cycle, similar to T-Mobile’s policy for normal smartphone data usage on its usage-based smartphone data plans.

As of now, the $60 per month plan by T-Mobile includes 3 GB of data that can be consumed for regular smartphone data usage or as a mobile hotspot, and the $70 plan has 5 GB for regular smartphone data usage or for a mobile hotspot usage.

The telecom giant’s $80 per month unlimited smartphone data plan now has 7 GB of data for mobile hotspot usage, up from 5 GB before. Customers can shell out an extra $10 per month to get an extra 2 GB of mobile hotspot data.

Free Plan Supported by Ringback Tones to be Launched by Sprint MVNO RingPlus

The global Internet carrier Sprint has launched a new, yet old, ringback tone feature. With Sprint MVNO RingPlus, the ringback tones have emerged in the telecom world once again. Everyone has come to love hearing ringback tones and they keep updating them, according to the latest trends.

RingPlus will be delivering “content sponsored service plans” starting June 13 that include 200 voice minutes, 50 text messages and 10MB of LTE data. Higher usage members of RingPlus will have the advantage of reduced price paid plans. The content sponsored plans will use Sprint’s Wholesale Mobile Integration connection in conjunction with RingPlus’ ringback tone media channel technology as well as network access in order to create new content rich media channels for its users.

 

According to ‘PhooneScoop’, advertisements will reform ringback tones that RingPlus customers will listen to on outbound voice calls after dialing. No ads will be present in text and data usage. RingPlus CEO Karl Seelig stated that they are thrilled about Sprint supporting RingPlus in such an innovative work. They are happy Sprint has yet again displayed its extraordinary commitment to the success of its MVNOs with its Free Cellphone Plan project.

The pricing of paid plans is also going to be changed by RingPlus. These plans deliver more data, texting and voice.

The assorted news plans offered by RingPlus are Joy, Mint, Bella, Harmony, Revel, Hiper and Bliss. These fascinating names invite customers and make information more interesting.

The new plans include the following:

•    Joy: $2 for 200 minutes, 200 texts and 50 MB of data

•    Mint: $5 for 300 minutes, 500 texts and 100 MB

•    Bella: $10 for 400 minutes, 400 texts, 300 MB, 200 minutes of Wi-Fi calling

•    Harmony: $20 for unlimited voice and texting and 1 GB

•    Revel: $30 for voice and texting and 2 GB

•    Hiper: $40 for unlimited voice and texting and 3 GB

•    Bliss: $50 for unlimited voice and texting and 5 GB