3G wireless networks

18 Stories

FCC Puts Kibosh on Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Tells owners they may have to turn them off

(Newser) - The FCC today ordered the 2 million Americans using wireless signal boosters to turn them off—then quickly backpedaled, saying only that they might have to turn them off. The FCC adopted new rules governing the devices, which are designed to boost cell phone reception, but which regulators fear will...

AT&T's Network Is Worst in US: Consumer Reports

It's not just dead last in general—last in every city, almost every category

(Newser) - AT&T may claim to have the largest and fastest wireless network … but it also has the worst one, according to the latest Consumer Reports survey. When it comes to wireless providers, AT&T ranked dead last in general—as well as in every city. Last year, it came...

AT&T Halts iPhone Web Sales to NYC

Rep cites shortage of towers, then claims fraudulent orders

(Newser) - AT&T has stopped selling the iPhone online to customers in New York City. The first explanation, from an AT&T rep, is that the company's New York network couldn't handle any more data-hungry iPhones because the city doesn't have enough towers. New York "is not ready for the...

Verizon Ads 'Sneaky' But OK
 Verizon Ads 'Sneaky' But OK 
JUDGE HANGS UP ON AT&T

Verizon Ads 'Sneaky' But OK

AT&T-bashing campaign can stay on air, judge says

(Newser) - A series of Verizon ads that rip AT&’s 3G network are “sneaky,” a judge ruled today, but aren’t misleading and can stay on the air. AT&T had tried to shut down the “There’s A Map For That” spots, but won’t get...

Great Network Won't Make Up for Boring Phones
Great Network Won't Make Up for Boring Phones
Analysis

Great Network Won't Make Up for Boring Phones

Verizon has reach, but is way behind on sexy smartphones

(Newser) - Verizon’s network may be the envy of its peers, but its smart phones definitely aren’t, writes Priya Ganapati. Caught off guard by the iPhone phenomenon, the carrier has taken a very cautious approach to new devices, subjecting them to a long testing process. As a result, while its...

iPhones Plod Along on Crowded Network

Heavy-using customers frustrated in busy areas

(Newser) - The iPhone has a slick package and a supercool image--but when it comes to speed, the gadget can be a clunker, the New York Times reports. Customers are fed up with the long waits that stem from heavy traffic on the AT&T network, currently the only one available to...

Nokia Challenges Apple With 3G Netbook

(Newser) - Nokia is charging into the mobile computing market with its first netbook, PC World reports. The phone company’s Booklet 3G features 3G connectivity for Internet access and packs a healthy 12 hours of battery life. The tiny laptop—10 inches—runs Windows and has Nokia’s Ovi mobile apps...

As Telecoms Hype 4G, Recall How Long 3G Was in Coming

(Newser) - 3G landed in the US in 2003. But it wasn’t until the iPhone came around five years later that “consumers finally had a device that showed them the power of mobile broadband networks,” Stephanie N. Mehta writes in Fortune. In fact, "a few executives at US...

Apple Plans Cheap(ish) Wireless Tablet

(Newser) - Apple is preparing a foray into the “netbook” market, AppleInsider reports. The computer company has put out feelers to parts suppliers in a bid to create a web-connected, 7- to- 10-inch tablet one analyst thinks will retail for $500-$700. “It is increasingly clear that Apple is investing more...

A WiFi Hotspot in Your Pocket
 A WiFi Hotspot in Your Pocket 
TECH REVIEW

A WiFi Hotspot in Your Pocket

(Newser) - Verizon’s newest wireless gadget, the MiFi—a portable WiFi hotspot—has a big fan in David Pogue of the New York Times. The MiFi is a combination of a cellular modem without the “nasty little antenna protuberance” and a wireless router. Anywhere on Verizon’s 3G network, one...

Boost's $50 Prepaid Cell Plan Could Trigger Price War

Monthly fee for unlimited calls, text and data marks new low in wireless service

(Newser) - A new prepaid calling plan from Sprint’s Boost may spark a price war in the wireless market, USA Today reports. Boost will offer unlimited calling, texting and web browsing for a flat $50 a month fee. The plan may prove so attractive to cash-strapped wireless customers Boost could start...

New App Helps Users Unlock iPhone
New App
Helps Users Unlock iPhone

New App Helps Users Unlock iPhone

It's now pretty easy for those who want to shed AT&T

(Newser) - Got that shiny new iPhone 3G for Christmas but don’t want to bail on your non-AT&T service plan? A new application to unlock the iPhone 3G is here, PC World reports. At this point, "even a cat" can get the trick done. Yes, there's always a chance...

Early iPhone Buyers Are Left With Memories—and Debt

The smart consumers waited, writes columnist

(Newser) - The new 3G iPhone makes one thing obvious, writes Brett Arends in the Wall Street Journal: Consumers who bought the earlier models were chumps. The fans who stood in line a year ago are out $300, and for what? Apple says the new phone is twice as fast. “What...

Next-Gen iPhone Costs Only $199, Is 3G-Compatible

New model drops on July 11

(Newser) - The next-generation iPhone, unveiled today by CEO Steve Jobs, is wired for 3G networks, costs only $199 (for the 8GB version) and will launch July 11. It's slightly thinner than the earlier incarnation, and comes with a host of new applications, as well as GPS technology. It will be available...

BlackBerry Holds Its Own Against iPhone

Business-friendly Bold tips hat to Apple, but doesn't cede ground

(Newser) - The release of the new 3G BlackBerry Bold Monday sent Research in Motion’s shares up 6.93%, to $141.97. The reason, according to Forbes, is the BlackBerry’s business focus, which lets it maintain its edge over the popular but business-weak iPhone. The Bold apes the iPhone in...

BlackBerry Gets a Bold Facelift
 BlackBerry Gets a Bold Facelift 

BlackBerry Gets a Bold Facelift

Slick new look, features may help it battle iPhone

(Newser) - The new BlackBerry Bold was unveiled today, sporting a sleek update aimed at keeping its traditional business clientele from defecting to the iPhone. The silver-rimmed Bold is Research in Motion's first to run on speedy 3G wireless networks designed to handle multimedia content and has a faster processor to handle...

Paul Allen to Bid in FCC Wireless Airwaves Auction

Airwave auction draws applications from a diverse group from Google to Chevron to AT&T

(Newser) - Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is joining the competition for wireless airwaves being auctioned by the FCC next month. Allen’s firm, Vulcan Spectrum, applied, as have Google, Verizon, AT&T and others, to bid for the 700-megahertz spectrum that goes on the block Jan. 24, reports Reuters. Allen's investment company,...

Faster iPhone Coming in '08
Faster iPhone Coming in '08

Faster iPhone Coming in '08

AT&T CEO reveals news at Silicon Valley meeting; Apple isn't commenting

(Newser) - A faster iPhone is on the way, Bloomberg reports. Apple will unveil its 3G version sometime next year, said AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson Wednesday at a meeting of the Churchill Club, a Silicon Valley business and technology forum. AT&T is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the...

18 Stories
Most Read on Newser