carriers

5 things you need to know about switching wireless carriers

Submitted by Jerry Hildenbrand on Tue, 08/01/2017 - 12:30

Switching phone service doesn't have to be a chore.

The best alternatives to T-Mobile

Submitted by Jerry Hildenbrand on Mon, 07/24/2017 - 14:30

If you like T-Mobile's coverage, check out these alternatives that use T-Mobile's coverage.

These are the cheapest data plans you can buy in the U.S.

Submitted by Mike Tanasychuk on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 12:30

The absolute cheapest plan around probably doesn't work for everybody. Take your usage habits and needs into account and then pick the plan that's right for you. We're here to help.

Why you don't need an unlimited data plan

Submitted by Jerry Hildenbrand on Mon, 07/10/2017 - 08:00

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The numbers are in, and they say you probably don't need an expensive unlimited data plan.

These are the cheapest data plans you can buy in the U.S.

Submitted by Mike Tanasychuk on Sat, 04/08/2017 - 11:37

The absolute cheapest plan around probably doesn't work for everybody. Take your usage habits and needs into account and then pick the plan that's right for you. We're here to help.

T-Mobile adds 2.5 million new customers in Q1 2014

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Thu, 05/01/2014 - 08:34

T-Mobile US has published its Q1 2014 report. The company has reported its best ever quarterly performance in branded postpard net customer additions. A total net of 2.4 million customers were added, including over 1.3 million branded postpaid net customers. This report marks the first quarter the carrier has had with more than 2 million net customers added to plans. It's a stark contrast to Sprint, which is still experiencing issues upgrading its network while maintaining its customer base.

App Roundup: The Official Telco Apps for Windows Phone in India

Submitted by Abhishek Baxi on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 15:16

It’s been good last few months for Windows Phone users in India. There were several marquee apps that made way to the Windows Phone Store from Android and iOS. Also, a lot of companion apps for real-world services arrived on Windows Phone.

One of the domains was telecom service providers or carriers. The apps from carriers are meant to facilitate easier billing and payment for customers, the ability to watch your usage history, and to switch on or off specific services.

Vector 8: Sascha Segan on the fastest mobile networks

Submitted by Rene Ritchie on Mon, 09/02/2013 - 10:50

Vector is Mobile Nation's newest show. It takes the most important topics in technology today, focuses on them from interesting angles, and then discusses the hell out of them. On this episode Sascha Segan, lead mobile analyst at PC Magazine, talks to Rene about the evolution of data connections, the annual Fastest Mobile Networks survey, the triumphs and tragedies of modern carriers, and why we can't always have nice phones.

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Nokia works with Indian mobile operators to provide free data for Lumia owners

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 11:43

Nokia has a rather sweet deal currently going on in India. Should you be looking to get involved with a brand new Windows Phone or would like to check out the manufacturer's Asha series of mobile devices, you'll be able to take full advantage of free data. Pairing with numerous mobile operators, including Vodafone and Airtel, there's an enticing offer whether you're after a Lumia 520 or Lumia 925.

Carriers to blame for Samsung's weak start with Windows Phone 8?

Submitted by Sam Sabri on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 19:19

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Samsung hasn’t been giving Windows Phone a lot of love since the latest version dropped back in October. Here in the US, you still can’t walk into a carriers store and get an ATIV S or ATIV Odyssey. With recent remarks from Samsung about their timid feelings towards Windows RT, a lot of people started suspecting that the relationships between them and Microsoft was beginning to sour.

You can set aside some of those wild theories, analysts are painting a different picture of the situation. Who is to blame? Apparently, the carriers.

Sprint finally decides to hop on the Windows Phone 8 bandwagon...in 2013

Submitted by Seth Brodeur on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 13:58

Sprint has finally confirmed what we already kind of knew for a while now: They will be hopping on the the Windows Phone 8 bandwagon. In an emailed statement to PCMag, the company said that it's cold feet have warmed up and that they will bring Windows Phone 8 on board in 2013:

"Sprint and Microsoft are partnering to bring Windows Phone 8 to Sprint's customers - operating on its 4G LTE network - next year."

There had been inklings that this may happen, like Ting, a Sprint network reseller blogging that it would support the latest version of Windows Phone "sixty days after Sprint has it," but there was plenty of reason to wonder as well. Not only did Sprint kill off it's poorly-selling, yet highly-acclaimed HTC Arrive, but they also put out an internal document stating that there were no Windows Phone 8 devices slated to offered any time soon.

From the Forums: Angry Birds now force sensitive, carriers causing more issues?

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Thu, 10/11/2012 - 03:39

If you haven't already checked the Windows Phone community out, it's a busy place for everyone who's a fan of Microsoft's mobile platform. With discussions covering all the latest hardware, features and rumours, the forums is the place to be. So what's been happening these past couple of days?

HTC 8X and 8S global availability and a pricing hint

Submitted by George Ponder on Wed, 09/19/2012 - 14:54

We know that the HTC 8X Windows Phone is headed to AT&T, T-Mobile and Rogers Canada. We are now learning of additional global carriers and a hint at U.S. pricing.

According to HTC's press release posted on their UK site,

The Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC will be available beginning in November. Available through more than 150 carriers in 50+ countries, the Windows Phone 8X or 8S by HTC will be available from the world's top carriers including: United States: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Europe: Orange, O2 Telefonica, MTS, Three UK, T-Mobile, and Vodafone Asia-Pacific: Chunghwa Telecom, Optus, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel), Smartone, Telstra and Vodafone Australia.

There wasn't any distinction as to which carrier will be getting which HTC device but it is nice to see Verizon mentioned. Keep in mind though, we haven't seen confirmation from several of these carriers but the 8X's global availability does look promising.

As to the hint on pricing, the press release notes that U.S. pricing for the 8X will be $199.99* at AT&T and T-Mobile. If this price holds true, it is likely after two-year contractual discounts.

*Note: It is our understanding that the pricing point for the 8X was released in error and all involved are still scratching their heads on the final pricing point. It could be more or it could be less. Once we hear something from the carriers, we'll pass it on.

Source: HTC UK

China gains more priority with Windows Phone 8, launching in late December

Submitted by Kane Gao on Mon, 09/17/2012 - 02:36

The Chinese smartphone market has been growing at a shocking speed, overtaking almost every other country so far. However, the country has traditionally been very low in the gadget launching echelon.

Even Apple, who is making a very large share of its profit from China these days, has been putting the country in the 2nd or 3rd batch. Microsoft and its Windows Phone OEMs have been doing worse. Windows Phone 7 first launced in Europe back in October 2010, in the US in November 2012, and in China... March 2012.

This is about to change, says Chinese tech site WPDang. Windows Phone 8 is said to be launched in China as soon as the 3rd week of December, this year. Only one month after the US. A thousand times better than last time.

MetroPCS exec says they are working to bring Windows Phone 8 on board

Submitted by Seth Brodeur on Tue, 08/28/2012 - 13:00

In an interview with FierceWireless, MetroPCS COO Tom Key said that the regional carrier is looking into bringing a Windows Phone 8 offering to its customers. When asked what his view on Windows Phone 8 was, Key replied:

Windows Phone 8 we think has a place in the portfolio. We’re actually working with a manufacturer right now on bringing Windows Phone 8 to marketplace.

He went on to liken Microsoft and Windows Phone with Apple and the iPhone, saying that much like a consumer will have an iMac on their desk, they will want an iPad for the couch and an iPhone in their pocket to compliment each other. Such is the value to Microsoft consumers. Key also said that the competition, led primarily by Nokia, is good for the mobile OS ecosystem.

More Windows Phone Tango updates being reported

Submitted by Seth Brodeur on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 14:12

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Man, you guys are quick! It's only been a couple of days since our Tango carrier roundup and already we have another list of carriers and phones that are reportedly getting Windows Phone Refresh (aka, Tango). The Tango update shows up as version 8773 or 8779 and, for most devices, brings minor enhancements, bug fixes and features. But for those of you with any of Nokia's Lumia line of phones, you should see some bigger changes.

Nokia discussing Windows Phone 8 plans with carriers

Submitted by Rich Edmonds on Mon, 07/23/2012 - 10:02

Nokia is set to market their first Windows Phone 8 hardware differently, according to a report by the Financial Times. The manufacturer will be entering into partnerships with a handful of EU carriers to exclusively launch their next generation Windows Phone. The newspaper states the company has already entered into talks with a number of operators including France Telecom.

Nokia has traditionally relied on flooding the market with a number of mobile devices in the hope of getting them in the hands of as many consumers as possible. This may well be scrapped for a more exclusive release-based strategy with handpicked partners, much like the deal established with AT&T in the US, or perhaps we could be seeing devices specifically tailored for different carriers with differentiating features and branding?

Nokia losing sales because of Skype? We call shenanigans.

Submitted by Daniel Rubino on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 14:01

Business Insider is reporting that Skype is causing Microsoft and by extension Nokia problems in terms of sales of their Lumia line. The information comes from the shareholder meeting held yesterday in Finland but since it was not open to the public or recorded, there's a lot of second hand "reporting" going, some of it dubious.

Reportedly a question was raised about Skype from a shareholder. From BI:

"Nokia seems to be having a problem with the distribution channel due to Skype" asking how will Nokia deal with this problem. Elop answered "If the operator doesn't want us, it doesn't want us. We will appeal to them with other arguments. We have more to offer to them. It is a good point to start the discussion from Skype."

Both BI and an awfully written personal blog called 'Communities Dominates Brands' spin this as Nokia having problems selling Lumias because of carrier opposition to Skype.

While we have little doubt that carriers don't like Skype and are concerned about how Microsoft pushes it on them, it seems like flat out ignorance to claim this is why Nokia may be having trouble selling their Lumia line.

As anyone on Windows Phone who has used Skype knows, it's far from a threat to carriers especially at its current stage. Let's go over the reasons why this story is dubious and reeks of shoddy reporting:

Skype on Windows Phone doesn't run in the background and can't receive calls
Skype is widely available on the much more ubiquitous iOS and Android platforms where it can run in the background
Tango Video Call is also now widely available on all platforms and can receive calls in the background on Windows Phone, making it more of a "threat" than Skype
Skype doesn't come pre-installed on any Windows Phone; Tango Video Call does
The carriers are gearing up for Skype by capping data and raising costs as voice-usage starts to decline

Certainly we can see carriers being concerned with how Microsoft integrates Skype into Windows Phone 8 but that seems like something that could be negotiated by the OEMs and carriers on a per-device level. Microsoft has been very, very good at working with carriers (and cable providers) on content delivery and not stepping on their toes. In fact it's a core reason why the Xbox 360 is doing so well as a general entertainment device over Google TV.

The notion that Android and iOS get a pass on Skype with the carriers but Nokia (and only Nokia) are being singled out seems ludicrous, especially since Windows Phone is a drop in the bucket compared to Apple and Google's systems right now. In other words, while Nokia may be having problems getting traction in the smartphone market with Windows Phone, we don't think it's because of Skype.

Microsoft reportedly briefing partners on Windows Phone Apollo during summit

Submitted by Daniel Rubino on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 00:02

Despite all of us not knowing much about Windows Phone 8 "Apollo" we're sure discussing a lot about it this week.

Netbook News ran a story today about a supposed summit meeting between Microsoft and its partners happening in Reading, UK with the delicious details of the agenda. While no specifics were given, we can of course garner some information from the list itself, presented below:

Apollo Review
Windows Phone Schedules and release plans/processes
Customization & Differentiation opportunities
New Windows Phone 8 application development capabilities
What’s new feature review of Apollo
Connectivity and APN management
Better together with Windows 8

Some sites have spun the part about "Customization & Differentiation opportunities" as Microsoft giving more leeway to carriers and OEMs. To that we say "perhaps" but that's certainly an assumption. For all we know, it could be the same Accent color changes and some un-installable carrier software as with Windows Phone 7. But it is very possible that Microsoft is now loosening the reigns a tad to garner more favorable cooperation with carriers and OEMs.

It's a known fact that carriers and device manufacturers adore Google's Android because they can do so much with it, giving them greater incentive to sell the device, whereas Windows Phone is basically always the same. If Microsoft is shifting this a bit with Windows Phone 8, it could give carriers and companies like HTC or Samsung greater motivation to adopt and support Windows Phone 8. The devil is in the details though and we're lacking those.

The rest is just a list of things we're dying to know about, much like you. Too bad we're probably weeks if not months from getting the whole story on the next generation of Windows Phone.

Source: Netbook News

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