LightSquared Over the Hump?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, June 20, 2011 · 
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As we reported last week, LightSquared had been testing possible remedies to a looming GPS interference problem. Today, LightSquared outlined what the operator is calling a “comprehensive solution” to the interference issues.
As part of its proposed solution, the company will no longer launch its network in a 10 MHz chunk of its spectrum that tests showed caused interference with many GPS receivers. Instead, LightSquared said it recently reached an agreement with Inmarsat, the satellite company that controls an alternative 10 MHz block of spectrum in the L Band, to gain access to a lower spectrum band sooner than it initially anticipated. This new block is located further away from the GPS frequencies.
“Test results show this lower block of frequencies is largely free of interference issues with the exception of a limited number of high precision GPS receivers that are specifically designed to rely on LightSquared’s spectrum,” the company said in its press release.
Further, as part of this revised plan, LightSquared will modify its FCC license to reduce the maximum authorized power of its base-station transmitters by over 50%. This action will limit LightSquared to the power it was authorized to use in 2005.
Sprint Offers Support for Google Voice
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, March 21, 2011 · ·
Sprint announced this morning that it will offer Google Voice on all of its handsets, while allowing customers to use their existing Sprint wireless numbers.
As a result, Sprint customers will be able to take advantage of all the features and benefits of Google Voice without the hassle and fees associated with porting their numbers. Sprint is the first and only carrier to offer this capability, which will be available soon on all Sprint CDMA phones.
Google Voice lets users manage up to six different devices through one phone number with intelligent call routing and advanced features such as call screening, blocking, recording and a searchable, transcribed archive of voicemails. Read more
Clearwire Faces Uncertain Future, Conserves Operating Cash
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, November 8, 2010 · (1) ·
Despite posting record subscriber and revenue growth in the third quarter, Clearwire disclosed late last week that it may not have enough funding to continue operating its mobile WiMAX business.
“Our expected continued losses from operations and the uncertainty about our ability to obtain sufficient additional capital raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern,” Clearwire said November 4 in a filing.
In an effort to conserve cash, Clearwire announced that it is taking a variety of “temporary” measures designed to conserve cash flow, including: Read more
Clearwire and Sprint to Launch WiMAX Service in Big Cities
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, October 25, 2010 · ·
Clearwire Corp and Sprint announced last week that they will launch 4G mobile Internet services in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco later this year. Services will be launched by Clearwire under its “Clear” brand and by Sprint which owns a majority stake in Clearwire. In New York service also will be offered by Time Warner Cable and in San Francisco by Comcast.
Subscribers will be able to purchase a wide range of devices, including USB modems, Intel-embedded WiMAX laptops and netbooks, portable Wi-Fi/4G hotspots and other wireless devices, all aimed at making subscribers more mobile and efficient. Each company plans to offer dual-mode 3G/4G devices which will utilize Clearwire’s WiMAX network when in range and leverage Sprint’s 3G network where 4G service is not available. Comcast said that its4G service, branded XFINITY Internet 2go, is sold as part of a Fast Pack that bundles in-home wired Internet with the 4G wireless service. Read more
Time Warner Cable Intros 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 12, 2010 · ·
Following Sprint’s lead, last week Time Warner Cable (TWC) launched a personal hotspot device called Intelligo that enables any device with Wi-Fi connectivity — and up to five devices simultaneously — to connect to TWC’s 4G mobile network and a nationwide 3G network for Internet access on the go.
The Intelligo, built by Sierra Wireless, costs $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year contract. Pricing for Time Warner Cable’s Road Runner Mobile service — advertised as providing up to 6 Megabits per second downstream — varies from region to region. Read more
Best Buy to Offer Mobile Broadband Service via Sprint
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 · ·
Best Buy confirmed that it is gearing up to launch its own mobile broadband offering called Best Buy Connect. The service will utilize Sprint Nextel’s EV-DO network.
According to published news reports, BestBuy will offer 3G data services, but not 4G mobile WiMAX service. A Best Buy spokeswoman confirmed to FierceWireless that the service will launch July 11, and will be available on Gobi-enabled laptops and netbooks sold at Best Buy’s U.S. stores. The company said it will release more details about the pricing options on July 11.
According to a Best Buy circular advertisement outlined by Dow Jones Newswires, there will be several different post- and prepaid pricing options for the service, ranging from a prepaid plan of $29.99 a month for 250 MB, up to postpaid plan of $59.99 for 5 GB.
Sprint spokeswoman Stephanie Greenwood said, “Partners like Best Buy have access to additional distribution channels and can reach customer segments that Sprint may not be reaching.”
Sprint WiMAX Device, the HTC EVO, Arrives June 4
Posted by Jesse Ward on Friday, May 14, 2010 · ·
Sprint launched the HTC EVO 4G earlier this week to great fanfare. Positioned as”America’s first 4G Phone” the WiMAX–enabled mobile device will be available starting June 4 for $199 (with a new, two-year contract, after mail-in rebate). The touch screen device runs on the Android platform and was designed for 4G connectivity, hence the availability of bandwidth-intensive tasks such as video chat (see the video after the jump). But when the next-gen service is unavailable, the EVO will roam on Sprint’s 3G network. Read more