21st May 2008, 3:17 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Users of the Cricket EZ phones have reported problems when making 911 calls. During an emergency call, the caller could hear the 911 operator, but the 911 operators were unable to hear the audio portion of the call even though the line was connected. The operator could only hear the caller if they placed a call to the person directly. Cricket has discontinued the EZ phone, and is offering a software update to existing EZ phones to fix the issue. There are approximately 191,000 EZ phones being used by Cricket customers. Cricket has contacted each twice by SMS, and twice by a direct call.

more at Wireless Week »

21st May 2008, 11:01 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Documents seen on the FCC site reveal a new mid-range bar phone from Sony Ericsson, the G702. While it is similar in basic appearance to the G502 and C702, it has a different feature set. The FCC confirms that is has GSM/EDGE 850/1900 as well as Bluetooth radios. There is a 3.2 megapixel camera, M2 memory slot, and roller bar for navigating the screen. The G702 also comes with a red stylus, suggesting that it will be a touch screen device. The draft user manual also references a touch UI. Considering all these pieces of information, it is likely that the G702 will be a UIQ-based device, though that is not confirmed by the documents. The user manual also references 3G, Wi-Fi, and GPS, but the FCC filings do not confirm those features, either.

more at FCC »

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21st May 2008, 8:43 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Today, 8:47 AM

AT&T said that by the end of next month, its entire 3G wireless data network will be upgraded to HSPA. It will then focus on expanding its 3G footprint from 275 markets to 350 by the end of 2008.

wednesday, 8:35 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Opera Software announced the Opera Widgets SDK, which will allow for the creation of cross device and cross platform applications that use standard web technologies. This means developers can port widgets to a wide range of handsets much more easily. The widgets will be able to run with the Opera 9.5 PC browser, as well as devices running Opera Mobile.

more at Opera »

FCC May Regulate Cancellation Fees

wednesday, 7:31 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The FCC and several wireless network operators are in discussions over early termination fees. Though most of the carriers have adopted a prorated ETF policy recently, Verizon Wireless, among others, is hoping to standardize ETFs across the industry. The terms include allowing new customers to cancel service either within the first 30 days of service, or within 10 days of paying their first bill. It would also set a maximum rate for ETFs, and set a prorated schedule for them to drop month by month. In exchange for this offer, Verizon is asking that the FCC drop or otherwise dismiss a number of lawsuits facing it and other carriers over ETF policies.

more at CNN / AP »

wednesday, 1:00 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   

Today T-Mobile announced that it will add the Nokia XpressMusic 5310 to its lineup. The 5310 - which was first announced by Nokia last summer - will come to T-Mobile in a tri-band 850/1800/1900 GSM/EDGE configuration, available May 28. It is a bar-style phone that is focused on music features, and offers external music controls, a dedicated music processor, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth, and a full 3.5MM headset jack. It may lack 3G, but it has a 2 megapixel camera, QVGA display, and its browser supports Flash Lite 2.1. The 5310 will comes with a 2GB microSD card, and supports cards up to 4GB.

more at T-Mobile »

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Tuesday, 10:18 PM   by Rich Brome  

The FCC today approved the Sony Ericsson Z780i, a thin clamshell phone with HSDPA 850/1900/2100 and GPS. FCC photos show the device sporting AT&T logos.

May 20th 2008, 11:42 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today AT&T announced that users of its LaptopConnect wireless broadband services will also have free Wi-Fi access at any location where AT&T provides the Wi-Fi. LaptopConnect users need to download the latest manager software, which will then alert users when free Wi-Fi is available. In order to receive the free Wi-Fi, LaptopConnect subscribers will need to have the $60 per month plan.

more at AT&T »

20th May 2008, 9:40 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The Rural Cellular Association is planning to file a petition with the FCC as early as today questioning the exclusive handset deals that the major carriers have with handset manufacturers. The rural carriers believe that the deals are anti-competitive, anti-consumer, and prevent the rural carriers from offering the best devices available to their customers. The Rural Cellular Association wants the practice investigated. The Wall Street Journal says it is unlikely that the FCC will pursue the investigation too far.

more at The Wall Street Journal » / MoCo News »

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