Mobiles reviews - spectrum

More on Dish Network's mobile TV service

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:38:08 +0000

With the FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auction done and over with, we're all left waiting to see what the winning companies will do with their new spectrum holdings. It's not hard to imagine what AT&T and Verizon Wireless will be doing with their frequency acquisition - as soon as the spectrum is vacated by TV broadcasts [...]

FCC reveals big winners in 700Mhz spectrum auction - Verizon Wireless wins C-Block!

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:22:50 +0000

Well lookey lookey who came away with the cookie(s). The FCC has just revealed details on the winners of the recently ended 700Mhz spectrum auction, and it looks like industry heavyweights AT&T and Verizon Wireless are walking away with the biggest slices of 700Mhz-cake. As expected, Verizon Wireless managed to wrangle the highly sought-after and talked-up [...]

Is Google seriously serious about bidding on the 700Mhz spectrum auction?

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:13:03 +0000

We know, we’ve been talking about Google’s intention to bid on the upcoming FCC 700Mhz spectrum auction, and Google CEO Schmidt even confirmed his company’s intent to do so. But, according Bloomberg, some analyst think that Google isn’t planning on submitting a bid beyond the initial $4.6 billion minimum opening-bid. Is Google’s bid for the 700Mhz auction just for show? These analysts are saying that Google could have simply talked a big game and feigned interest in snatching up the 700Mhz spectrum in order to affect policy changes like the controversial open-access regulations that were placed on the spectrum by the FCC. Google’s commitment to bidding on the spectrum could end at the opening bid - after which Google will simply let the industry big-dogs duke it out for the winning bid. Afterall, Google will still have an open network to provide its services regardless of who wins the auction. And, with Verizon Wireless’s recent announcement that they’ll be opening up their network to “any app, any device” in 2008, Google could see little benefit to actually owning the 700Mhz airwaves. “They’re going to get what they want without having to put up billions of dollars,” said Todd Dagres, general partner at Spark Capital, adding that “the ideal scenario is to get the openness so [Google] can offer their services. I’m not sure they want to be a wireless carrier.” We’re cautious to put our faith in this kind of speculation - everything we’ve heard about Google’s plans seems to indicate that they’re serious about winning the spectrum. But, it makes a lot of sense for Google to “put [their] money where [their] principles are” in an opening bid, and then sit on the sidelines as they wait for their open-network to go live. [Via: Bloomberg ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auctionGoogle getting serious about 700Mhz wireless network plans700Mhz FCC auction delayed, new auction rules publishedFCC releases details, rules for upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction - $10 billion reserve price700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadband

Google makes it official - confirms intention to bid on 700Mhz spectrum

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 02:43:06 +0000

We pretty much knew they were going to do it , but there’s nothing like a an official press release to get our juices flowing. Google CEO Eric Schmidt made it official - Google will be bidding on the 700Mhz wireless spectrum come January 24, 2008. And, it looks like Google’s going to be making their bid solo. “We believe it’s important to put our money where our principles are,” said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. “Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.“ We believe it’s important too, Eric. Good luck with the upcoming 700Mhz FCC auction . But, then again, you have more than enough cash reserves and enough credit to steamroll just about anyone that might bid against you . Read on for the full press release. Google Will Apply to Participate in FCC Spectrum Auction MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (November 30, 2007) - Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that it will apply to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming auction of wireless spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band. As part of the nationally mandated transition to digital television, the 700 MHz spectrum auction — which begins January 24, 2008 — will free up spectrum airwaves for more efficient wireless Internet service for consumers. Advocacy by public interest groups and Google earlier this year helped ensure that regardless of which bidders win a key portion of the spectrum up for auction (the so-called “C Block”), they will be required to allow their users to download any software application they want on their mobile device, and to use any mobile devices they would like on that wireless network. The winner must ensure these rights for consumers if the reserve price of $4.6 billion for the C Block is met at auction. “We believe it’s important to put our money where our principles are,” said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. “Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.” Schmidt also praised the leadership of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and his fellow commissioners for adopting the new rights for consumers earlier this year. Google’s formal application to participate in the 700 MHz auction will be filed with the FCC on Monday, December 3, 2007 — the required first step in the auction process. Google’s application does not include any partners. About Google Inc. Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google getting serious about 700Mhz wireless network plansGoogle may bid for upcoming 700Mhz frequency auction - if FCC agrees to "open access" termsGoogle is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auctionVerizon Wireless flip-flops - supports some "open-access" for 700Mhz spectrum700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadband

EU telecom ministers support opening up 900Mhz GSM radio spectrum for mobile services

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:28:43 +0000

European Union telecom ministers have given their support for a plan to open the 900Mhz radio frequencies that have traditionally been allocated for GSM mobile phone service to allow advanced mobile services like 3G wireless data networks. The plan was proposed back in July and was backed by the GSMA on grounds that the 900Mhz spectrum offers 40% greater coverage than a comparable 3G network using the 2100Mhz spectrum. It’s said that 300 million across Asia, Europe, and Africa will have access to mobile broadband services by 2012 if 3G services were allowed on the 900Mhz band. The only thing standing in the way is a 20-year old piece of EU legislation that limits the lower radio frequencies to traditional mobile communications. But, once the European Parliament approves the plan, new legislation would effectively abolish the current laws keeping 3G services off the 900Mhz spectrum. We’re not sure when we’ll get word of the European Parliament’s thumbs-up, but 3G (and 4G) are going to get a pretty big boost once they do. [Via: Reuters ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:GSMA pushing for 3G services on the 900 Mhz spectrumEU considers oppening up 2G spectrum for 3G networksGoogle might be considering bidding on UK wireless spectrum auction - keyword here is "might"Cubic Telecom launches global mobile phone700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadband

Canada opening the door for the little guy - sets aside 40Mhz for newcomers

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:13:42 +0000

Competition is the driving force behind innovation in any market - the wireless market especially. So, in light of that fact, Canada has set aside a 40Mhz swath of wireless spectrum to give potential new wireless carriers a chance to enter the Canadian market. Industry Minister Jim Prentice said that the 40Mhz slice of radio frequencies would be “set aside for newcomers to the industry.” Presumably, the goal is to open the door to more competition - which should lead to higher-quality service and lower-prices for the Canadian population. And, to ensure that only the little-dog gets a chance at owning the 40Mhz spectrum, Prentice said that only companies with revenues accounting for less than 10% of the Canadian market will be allowed to enter a bid. As you might imagine, industry incumbents like Telus aren’t exactly pleased with the new auction rules. But hey, as long as it drives down those crazy data rates in Canada, we’re sure the consumer won’t be complaining anytime soon. It sure would be interesting to see the FCC enact rules that would effectively shut-out the big-dog incumbents from the upcoming 700Mhz auction. But, then again, those same big-dogs contribute way to much “lobbying” money to let that kind of thing happen - even if it is in the best interest of the US consumer. Corrupt? We didn’t say it. No wait, yes we did. [Via: Engadget Mobile ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Bell Canada On The Auction Block - BCE In Talks To Sell Bell CanadaNokia presents old, unpopular sets in Iranian marketAmp'd Mobile In Canada, Eh?Rogers Wireless announces Motorola RAZR2 V9 in CanadaNokia is offering free camera phones to blogers

FCC threatens to shutdown portion of Sprint Nextel's iDEN network

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:48:14 +0000

Sprint just can’t seem to catch a break these days. Still without a CEO, the iDEN network operator has just come under fire from the FCC for their failure to vacate a portion of the 800Mhz frequency spectrum. Apparently, a swath of the Nextel iDEN network’s radio frequency spectrum occupies the same frequencies as public safety agencies in the US - and it’s causing interference-related problems for some 2,200 public safety agencies all over the nation. Nextel had previously agreed to a “rebanding” project whereby the operator would vacate the slice of the frequency spectrum that’s been interfering with public safety agencies. And, when Sprint acquired the iDEN operator in 2005, the company assumed the rebanding duties promised to the government. However, after spending $1 billion on the rebanding project, Sprint has announced that the move has proved more difficult than expeected. Well, it seems the FCC isn’t about to give up any sympathy for the CDMA and iDEN network operator. The FCC has just announced that they’ll be forcing Sprint Nextel to surrender the offending swaths of radio spectrum in markets where the Nextel iDEN network has not yet been rebanded. The deadline for the spectrum rebanding is set for June 26, 2008 and is estimated to be currently serving 20 million Nextel and Boost Mobile customers. As such, Nextel has petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals to step in and prevent the FCC from effectively shutting down the iDEN side of Sprint’s network operations. If the FCC is all set to shut down part of Sprint Nextel’s network because they can’t get their butts into gear and vacate a particular frequency spectrum, they might want to look inward and lead by example. You see, T-Mobile has been waiting on the US government to vacate the 1700Mhz slice of radio spectrum to be re-purposed as T-Mobile’s 3G network . The sticky-slow bureaucracy tasked with moving off the 1700Mhz frequency is still sitting on the swath of frequency spectrum that T-Mobile needs to launch its 3G network - maybe the FCC should levy some fines to get their own asses in gear? Hey, FCC, give Sprint some more time to vacate the 800Mhz band - it’s painfully evident that rebanding an entire network is no easy task, just ask…yourself. [Via: Wireless Week ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Sprint does first iDEN-CDMA cross-network walkie-talkie callMotorola reveals two new Nextel phones - i335 and ic602Sprint announces Nextel Direct Connect PTT service and handsets for next yearMotorola i290 does iDEN in style - slim(ish) candybar for the iDEN networkBoost Mobile slims down with stylish Motorola i425t iDEN phone