AT&T Acquires Qualcomm’s 700 MHZ Spectrum
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, December 23, 2011 · 
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Although not the same magnitude as the T-Mobile merger, yesterday the FCC approved the sale of Qualcomm’s 700 MHz spectrum to AT&T. The commission attached a few conditions to the sale. The highly technical and specific conditions concerning interoperability and interference are described by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski as potentially helpful to smaller operators.
The 700 MHz spectrum was originally purchased and used by Qualcomm to support its Media FLO TV product, a mobile video service which it shuttered in 2010. As such, the ironic aspect to this purchase is the increasing demand for additional bandwidth by consumers for watching video on AT&T’s mobile phones.
AT&T Ends Quest to Purchase T-Mobile USA
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, December 19, 2011 · ·
The biggest merger of the year is now dead. AT&T announced earlier this afternoon that it will end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA, a quest which began in March of this year.
The statement, reads, in part:
“The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage. In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.”
In its statement, AT&T took this opportunity to encourage the FCC to meet the current and future spectrum needs of the wireless industry, including expeditiously approving AT&T’s acquisition of unused Qualcomm spectrum currently pending before the commission.
To reflect the break-up considerations due T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom, AT&T will recognize a pretax accounting charge of $4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011. AT&T had already set this money aside. Additionally, AT&T announced that it will enter a mutually beneficial roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom.
Dish and T-Mobile?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, December 19, 2011 · ·
According to Dish Network CEO Joseph Clayton, if the AT&T/T-Mobile takeover fails, Dish Network would be interested in exploring some partnering arrangements with T-Mobile.
Earlier this year Dish Network acquired two satellite companies and their spectrum out of bankruptcy. Dish has “hinted” strongly that it intends to provide a more diverse offering that will include video, broadband and voice services. T-Mobile is one possible partner. Early in the fall, Dish Network had openly talked about pursuing a deal with Sprint or Clearwire intending to provide a satellite-terrestrial hybrid service. Read more
T-Mobile Expands into VoIP with Facebook App
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, April 25, 2011 · ·
Last week T-Mobile introduced Bobsled by T-Mobile, a new brand aimed at bridging wireless telecommunications with VoIP and data services.
The first product available is the Bobsled application for Facebook, which provides Facebook’s more than 500 million users worldwide with free, one-touch calling to their Facebook friends from a personal computer and through the social platform’s chat application.
The Bobsled application for Facebook is available as a free download to anyone; it is not exclusive to T-Mobile customers. The application eliminates the need for dialing. Users simply click on a friend’s name to start the conversation. In addition to making VoIP calls across the globe, customers also can leave a voice message for friends when they’re not available. Anyone on Facebook can receive a call; no application download is required. Read more
AT&T to Acquire T-Mobile
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, March 21, 2011 · ·
On Sunday, AT&T and Deutsche Telekom announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a transaction valued at approximately $39 billion — $25 billion in cash and $14 billion in stock. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.
“This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and CEO. “It will improve network quality, and it will bring advanced LTE capabilities to more than 294 million people.”
In fact, AT&T said the merger will allow the carrier to expand 4G LTE technology to 95% of the U.S. population – an additional 46.5 million Americans beyond current plans – including rural communities and small towns. Read more
Verizon’s Nexus One Dead?
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Monday, April 26, 2010 · ·
In January, Google confirmed the arrival of its highly anticipated phone, the Nexus One. Available on T-Mobile initially, then on Verizon this spring, the Android based device was Google’s first foray into selling its own device, rather than just its OS. It was a dramatic shift from Google as software to Google as hardware, and techies were split as to if this was a good thing for the industry.
Popular tech blog Engadget is reporting that Verizon will not be getting the Nexus One. In a recent post, they say, “We just heard back from Google — the Verizon Nexus One is dead; long live the Incredible.” Google’s official statement:
We won’t be selling a Nexus One with Verizon, and this is a reflection of the amazing innovation happening across the open Android ecosystem. Verizon Wireless customers who want an Android phone with the power of the Nexus One can get the Droid Incredible by HTC.
T-Mobile Explores Partnership with Clearwire
Posted by Jesse Ward on Friday, March 19, 2010 · ·
T-Mobile USA’s CEO confirmed yesterday that the company is in talks with Clearwire and cable companies about a possible joint venture in order to improve its wireless spectrum position.
Speaking at an investor conference in Germany, Robert Dotson said that the wireless carrier was exploring its options. ”We continue to look at JV opportunities for additional spectrum,” Dotson said. “There are a number of different options we look at, (we) have been talking with cable companies, with Clearwire.” Read more