3g

Exclusivity deal ends: Three show off Nokia Lumia 920

Submitted by robert brand on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 06:16

Considered by many to be the Windows Phone 8 device to get, the Lumia 920 has unfortunately been locked to a single network here in the UK. That’s all about to end and to celebrate the guys at Three UK have released their first video to introduce the device to their customers.

Since the launch of Windows Phone 8, Three has been carrying only the HTC 8X. To expand that range Three is going to add not only the 920 but the eagerly awaited Lumia 620 too.

Nokia hands over 350 essential 2G, 3G, and 4G patents to IP bulldog

Submitted by Simon Sage on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 15:07

Nokia has recently sold 450 patents to Sisvel, an italian Intellectual property manager. Of those, 350 patents spanning across 33 families encapsulate key wireless technologies like GSM, UMTS/WCDMA, and LTE. Although Nokia nor Sisvel are going into details of the deal, it's expected that Nokia will retain the rights to use these patents, and likely collect on some of the ongoing royalties, but Sisvel will likely get a cut of royalties in exchange for actively protecting the patents in the courtroom.

It might seem natural that Nokia hold onto these patents with an iron fist and squeeze every penny-worth of royalties out of them, but legal costs can add up; by incentivizing an outside source to do the trolling while possibly still getting some of the royalties themselves, Nokia will be able to focus their resources (both legal and monetary) on Windows Phone. It will be interesting to see how aggressive Sisvel is in protecting the patents, and if they're able to lock down any big licensing deals that Nokia wasn't able to. The last big case Nokia won was against Apple, so I have a hard time imagining that Nokia has left any stone unturned.

Source: IntoMobile

AT&T completes HSPA upgrades

Submitted by George Ponder on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 15:12

Brace yourself. The "who's the fastest 3g" battle may be getting new life. AT&T announced the completion of their deployment of High-Speed-Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 across 3G sites nationwide. It should make the "nations fastest 3G network" even faster.

In addition to the HSPA upgrade, AT&T has started to enhance the network with cell site backhaul connections. Initial deployment of backhaul connections has already started in six U.S. markets (Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami) with the installation scheduled to expand to other cities later this year and into 2011.

"We are focused on providing our customers with the industry's best combination of mobile broadband speed, performance, coverage and available devices," said John Stankey, president and CEO, AT&T Operations. "As we light up new backhaul connections across the country, we're able to deliver a meaningful 3G speed boost for millions of customers who are already using HSPA 7.2-compatible devices. At the same time, we're also looking to the future with these backhaul enhancements, which will support our move to next-generation LTE technology starting in 2011."

The progress AT&T is making in improving their network speeds is good news for customers and will likely give Luke Wilson more ammunition to toss at the competition.

Read: prnewswire.com

Update: It looks like our friends over at Android Central are reporting the T-Mobile has also completed similar upgrades to their 3G network.

Touch Diamond 2 at Newegg - sans U.S. 3G

Submitted by Phil Nickinson on Sat, 05/23/2009 - 22:12

Sure enough, that's an HTC Touch Diamond 2 for $589.99 at Newegg. [via] But before you go dropping that much jing, do notice our awesome Photoshop skills, which have highlighted the data transfer section of the specs. That's right, there's no U.S. 3G. (Yes, it'll still work on GPRS and EDGE. And as you read in our review, they work just fine.) Also, we didn't notice any "Shipping on xxxx" disclaimers, but ...

So if you're hoping for the full-fledged U.S. version of the phone, you're just gonna have to keep on waiting a little while longer.

Update: AT&T reinstates (old) anti-Slingbox language in TOS

Submitted by Phil Nickinson on Thu, 04/30/2009 - 00:55

Update: Engadget notes that, in fact, these are just the same old terms we've been living under for a while now. So, nothing new to see here. In other news, the sky is falling.

It's baaaack. Nearly a month after updating and then un-updating its terms of service, AT&T again has put in a clause that could make apps like Slingbox a big no-no.

Here's the section we're interested in, emphasis ours:

... downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, redirecting television signals for viewing on Personal Computers, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited. Furthermore, plans (unless specifically designated for tethering usage) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device (through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other phone/PDA-to computer accessories, Bluetooth® or any other wireless technology) to Personal Computers (including without limitation, laptops), or other equipment for any purpose.

We're trying to get clarification on the "viewing on Personal Computers" clause. Smartphones certainly could be argued into that category, though the TOS use the word "phone" in a number of other instances. We'll let you know what we find out. In the meantime, you can read the whole TOS for yourself.

DSL Reports via Electronista

AT&T boosting its 3G network to 7.2Mb/s, plans LTE testing for 2010

Submitted by Phil Nickinson on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 16:10

We've been expecting AT&T to beef up its 3G network in the coming months, and now we have some details.

AT&T Mobility VP Scott McElroy says software updates will double the downstream speed to 7.2 megabits per second and are already being tested in two markets. The rest of the network is targeted for an upgrade thereafter.

But AT&T's looking past that and toward HSPA+, which will increase speeds to 21 Mb/s. And looking even further into the future, tests with the 4G LTE standard should begin sometime next year.

Acronyms and numbers aside, what does this all mean? Quite simply, be on the lookout for faster speeds on an AT&T network near you.

TelephonyOnline via Phonescoop

T-Mobile 3G expansion roadmap leaked

Submitted by Dieter Bohn on Tue, 04/07/2009 - 16:59

Along with the speculation that T-Mobile is getting the HTC Snap and Touch Pro 2, it now looks like the service provider will be expanding its 3G Network. Tmonews has posted a leaked memo purportedly showing a list of cities to receive 3G coverage the rest of this year.

As early as this month Shreveport, La; Lubbock, Texas; and Wichita Falls, Texas are to go live with 3G. June has cities such as Henderson, Nevada; Pueblo, Colorado, and Daytona Beach, Florida going live. Along with others, we'll keep this filed in the Rumor Mill for now but if true, combined with the new phone releases, it will be an productive year for T-Mobile.

Via AndroidCentral and IntoMobile

AT&T reportedly testing femtocell waters

Submitted by Phil Nickinson on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 23:09

AT&T reportedly is contacting some customers to see if they'd like to test out a femtocell service.

Writes Ars Technica:

An Ars Technica reader forwarded a customer survey question he'd seen after being solicited by AT&T for his opinion: "AT&T's new product is a small, security-enabled cellular base station that easily connects to your home DSL or Cable Internet, providing a reliable wireless signal for any 3G phone in every room of your house. The device allows you to have unlimited, nationwide Anytime Minutes for incoming or outgoing calls."

Sprint has been offering femtocells for a while now under the name AIRAVE. For the uninitiated, it's a router-looking device that hooks into your broadband Internet connection and spits out a short-range (like, inside your house) 3G signal. Helpful if you're in an otherwise poor coverage area.

Sprint's and AT&T's offerings are different from T-Mobile's @Home service, which needs special handsets and doesn't just spit out a pure cellular signal.

No word on what AT&T might charge for the service. Sprint is charging $100 for its AIRAVE base station, $5 a month for the service, another $10 for unlimited use, plus the usual taxes and fees. [edited] So, how much is a better signal that you're already paying for worth to you?

AT&T loves its 3G more than EDGE

Submitted by Phil Nickinson on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 02:09

Having to make do with "old" technology is a bitter pill to swallow. Witness the recent move by AT&T, which according to OFB is relegating its EDGE service to the 1900MHz band from the 850MHz band and giving its 3G service some 850MHz exclusivity.

Why should you care? If you're in a 3G service area, you're going to get a better signal with the 850 band than you would with 1900. And that should equate to better battery life. But if you're in a 3G area and are running on EDGE because you're forcing your phone to connect to 2G, you're going to suffer a little, both in signal quality and battery life.

And our friends at the The iPhone Blog, who certainly have a vested interest (see iPhone 2G), raise an interesting point: What's that mean for customers in an EDGE-only area? Are they going to get screwed over in the name of progress? Is this just a move to indirectly force customers to upgrade their phones? And is there really anything wrong with that?

AT&T's definitely growing its 3G network, but there are still plenty of people without it.

Open For Business via Gizmodo & TiPB

Nearly confirmed: No 3G in the Shadow II

Submitted by Phil Nickinson on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 23:57

We really weren't expecting to see 3G out of the box with T-Mobile's upcoming Shadow II, and it's looking more and more like that's the case.

The bad news, from a blurrycam shot from TmoNews of the Shadow II: GPRS/EDGE only.

The semi-interesting news: We get another (albeit blurry) shot of how the color scheme's gonna play out, again confirming the red and silver paint jobs we've already seen. Also note the release date of Jan. 28, which also matches up with what's been reported.

So at this point our previous question still stands: If the Shadow II truely has a 1700MHz 3G radio as the FCC testing implied, will we ever see it implemented? And the other burning question: Is UMA and WinMo 6.1 enough of an upgrade to the Shadow line to make you want one?

Update: In more "meh" news, the Boy Genius reports that the Shadow II will be called ... wait for it ... Shadow 2009.

A U.S.-bound Touch HD? Not so much

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:31

Our friends at WMPowerUser have found a HTC Touch HD service manual (pdf link), and lookie what

Will the T-Mobile Shadow II have 3G?

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:31

Oh, the dreaded question headline. It indicates that, in all likelihood, you will finish reading this post and not have an answer to the question.

And you won

Motorola Q11: 3G not making the cut?

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:29

Our friends over at WmPoweruser.com have discovered more details on the Motorola Q11. While Motorola is maintaining several features of the Q line such as the larger keypad, thin form factor and quality screen, they have apparently has cut 3G connectivity from the feature list. It is reported that Motorola has added Wi-Fi, a 3.5mm headphone jack, GPS with turn-by-turn software, and a 3mp camera.

The lack of 3G might jeopardize the chances of the Q11 hitting AT&T

HTC Touch 3G passes FCC

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:29

We are all awaiting the arrival of the Touch HD, Touch Viva, and Touch 3G from HTC to drop. Now that the FSS has just passed the Touch3G, aka Jade100, one would be forgiven for hoping it might see official release on these shores. The 3G bands on the device are not compatible with the US spectrum, however, so this is more in line with HTC/FCC interactions of yore: they're just making sure the European version of the Touch 3G is 'street legal.'

So will we see an official US release? The original announcement didn't really have any clues to suggest we might and really, given that HTC said the Touch HD would come here eventually, it would seem a little odd to also make another version of the 3G. Then again, we could (and have) say the very existence of the Touch 3G in a post-Touch-Diamond world is a little odd, so you never know.

More details on T-Mobile's 3G launch

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:28

T-Mo site CellPhoneSignal [via BGR] has tracked down dates to go along with T-Mobile's 3G rollout.

If the schedule, er, rings true, Baltimore and Houston should be online now, and Minneapolis should all be up and running by the end of the day.

Still to come by the end of September are:

San Diego – Sept. 15
Los Angeles – Sept. 16
Phoenix – Sept. 16
Sacramento – Sept. 17
Portland – Sept. 18
Seattle – Sept. 23
San Francisco – Sept. 24

And these cities are scheduled for 3G service by the end of the year:

Atlanta
Birmingham
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Kansas City
Memphis
Miami
New England
Orlando
Philadelphia
Tampa
Washington, D.C.

Now all you have to do is snag a proper T-Mobile 3G-capable phone.

T-Mobile - let's do (3G) launch

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:28

It was rumored a few weeks ago that T-Mobile would be expanding its 3G service on Oct. 1, and now TmoNews has the leaked poster to go along with it.

New York City has been enjoying T-Mo's brand of high-speed for a little while now, and if you're in the following cities, start licking your chops and be sure to snag a 3G-capable device.

Possibly getting a speed boost are: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, New England, NJ and Long Island, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

(Is it just me, or are those lunchroom salt shakers in the corner? Should we be taking this with a big grain of it, then? Or tossing it over our shoulders?)

[Via]

What the iPhone 3G can do for you

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:28

OK, we get it. There are two days left until the iPhone 3G is released. Yes, reviews are beginning to flow. Lines are forming the world 'round.

But what are we, the Windows Mobile faithful, getting out of all this madness?

Last year, just before the launch of the 2G iPhone, AT&T upgraded its EDGE network for the almighty to take advantage.

This time around, it appears 3G coverage is getting beefed up in the more "rural" markets that until recently have been EDGE-bound, great news for those of us who don't live in a major metro but aren't exactly in the sticks, either.

This isn't that much of a surprise, given that AT&T told us about their expansion plans some time ago.

The AT&T 3G network is now available in more than 280 U.S. major metropolitan areas. The company will deliver 3G service to nearly 350 leading U.S. markets by the end of 2008.

Other plans for 2008 include the completion of the nation's first High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA)-enabled network by the middle of the year. The AT&T 3G network now delivers LaptopConnect users typical downlink speeds ranging between 700 kilobits per second (Kbps) and 1.7 megabits per second (Mbps), and faster uplink speeds ranging between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps. The faster uplink speeds allow users to quickly send large files and take full advantage of the latest Internet and business applications.

Check out the AT&T 3G Expansion threads on HowardForums, and let us know in the comments if you suddenly have a whole new outlook on life faster data speeds.

T-Mobile 3G rumored to go 'nationwide' in October

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:27

It appears that T-Mobile's 3G network is about to go from a crawl to a brisk trot, with rumors flying that high-speed service will be added to a couple dozen markets on Oct. 1.

If you're a T-Mo customer in one of the following markets (besides NYC, which already has 3G), you may be in store for a treat this fall.

The other cities which were expected to get 3G coverage by the end of the year are Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, New England, NJ and Long Island, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

And if you're in a rural market, hang in there. After all, you've waited this long.

Pantech Duo 2 Appears at the FCC

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:27

Fan (Okay, maybe there's more than one) Fans of the Pantech Duo - you know who you are - can rejoice in the fact that that the Duo 2 appears to be making its way back through the FCC (by way of Phonemag).

While the FCC filing is as cryptic as ever, we have ascertained the following:

It's made by Pantech.
It sports the 850 and 1900 bands, making AT&T a safe bet.
It has Bluetooth (duh).
There are five screws hidden beneath the battery.

If you want to find out more, bone up on your materials science, hit up the FCC report and see just what those little 3G radios will do to that pretty little head of yours.

Or you could take a look back at our video review of the original Pantech Duo and take your best shot at what improvements have been made.

AT&T Leads With Fastest Network, Claims They'll Get Even Better

Submitted by chris#WP on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 03:26

This is a little unexpected: Computerworld took the top mobile competitors and ran a speed test with Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon. The test was conducted in the tri-state area in New York, New Jersey, and even Connecticut. The tests were performed with the same equipment as to not have a biased out come.

The surprise: AT&T beat out EVDO Rev A. Guess they didn