Items tagged with MVNO
Once thought to be a dying breed, unlimited data plans for smartphones have come back with a vengeance in the past two years. Google is now getting in on the action with what is in essence an unlimited data option for its Project Fi MVNO service. The feature is called Bill Protection, and it caps the $10/GB pricing tiers at $60 once you use more than 6GB of data during a billing cycle. If you were to use 8GB of data in one billing cycle under the old policy, you would pay a total of $100 ($20 base fee for unlimited calling and texting, plus $80 for data). Now, with Bill Protection, your total outlay per month would be capped at $80 once you use over 6GB of data. All of the other perks of Project...
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It turns out the rumors you might have heard about Comcast getting into the wireless phone space were true. Comcast boss Brian Roberts confirmed as much today by announcing plans to partner up with Verizon to launch its own brand wireless service by the middle of next year, effectively making it an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). There are several hundred MVNOs operating in the United States. The most popular ones tend to be owned by major wireless carriers, such as Boost Mobile (Sprint), Cricket Wireless (AT&T), and MetroPCS (T-Mobile), but that won't be of much concern to Comcast—both it and Verizon enjoy tremendous brand recognition and could make a big splash in the MVNO sector.Image...
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If you thought that Google’s Project Fi Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service was good before, things just got a little bit better today -- the company has announced data-only support for some of the most popular tablets available. Customers who are already signed up for Project Fi will be able to order a data-only SIM (up to nine can be ordered from Google) and insert it into their tablet to gain wireless service. If you haven’t already signed up for Project Fi, you’ll have to request an invite and get in line like everyone else. Like the Project Fi for smartphones, you’ll be charged a simple flat rate of $10 per gigabyte for the data you use. And since you only pay for what you use,...
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It looks as though Google isn’t the only big name in tech that plans to resell wireless service as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). According to a new report, Comcast is looking to become an MNVO with the help of none other than America’s largest wireless carrier: Verizon Wireless. In 2011, Comcast a number of other cable companies banded together to sell spectrum licenses to Verizon for nearly $4 billion. Under the arrangement, Comcast reserved the right to resell Verizon’s cellular service in the future if it choose to do so. That time has come, and Comcast is looking to cash in. Verizon CFO Fran Shammo seemed unfazed when presented with the evidence that Comcast was looking to invoke...
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Could you imagine if Apple launched a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service? Given the popularity of its iPhone lineup, it would make sense for Apple to try and take control of the service side of things as well, and there's been a persistent rumor of that happening. The rumor gained steam yesterday when Business Insider claimed to have heard from sources close to Apple that the company was actually trialing (in private) an MVNO service in the U.S., though Apple was quick to shoot it down."BREAKING: Apple says it has not discussed and is not planning MNVO cellular service following reports saying it was planning on doing that," CNBC reported via its official Twitter account. No other...
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In my best Ron Paul impression, all I can say is “It’s happening!” Google today announced its Project Fi wireless service, which has been the subject of much speculation over the past few months. However, Google has confirmed much of that speculation now that the full details of the service have been revealed. First and foremost, Project Fi — yes, that is its official name — is limited only to the Nexus 6 smartphone for the time being. That will severely limit the service’s reach at launch, but it does allow for Google to initially tailor the service for a hardware/software platform that it completely controls. If you can past that bit of disappointing news, Project Fi actually has a lot to offer....
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We’ve heard quite a bit about Google’s plans to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) over the past few months. The project, which is operating under the codename Nova, will “[push] the boundary of what's next” according to Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP of Android, Chrome, and Google Apps. When we last discussed Google’s wireless service, it was reported that it would initially be limited to the Nexus 6 smartphone. Launching a Google-based wireless service in a limited fashion with a device that features hardware and software custom tailored by Google makes sense for a company that is just looking to get its feet wet in the wireless market. Today we’re learning more about Google’s wireless...
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We’ve been hearing rumors of Google’s intention to step into the wireless carrier market as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Google’s Nick Fox is helming the project, which is codenamed Nova. None other than Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP of Android, Chrome, and Google Apps, has now confirmed what was previously just a rumor. But before you start envisioning the prospects of Google doing for wireless what it has done for home Internet connections (a la Google Fiber), you might want to tamper your expectations just a bit. During a live talk at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Pichai explained that its efforts in wireless will mirror its efforts in Nexus hardware, “[pushing]...
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We first brought you news of Google’s efforts to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) last week. According to sources for The Information, Google has plans to partner with both Sprint and T-Mobile (America’s third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers respectively) to provide voice and data service. Google’s Nick Fox is reportedly leading the development of the MVNO, which is currently operating under the codename Nova. A new report from The Wall Street Journal is shedding some more light on the service, which is expected to be available nationwide as early as the first half of 2015. According to the usual “people familiar with the plan,” Google’s MVNO would use intriguing new technology...
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When we last checked in with Republic Wireless, we found that the service itself was as advertised (inexpensive and very good), but the asterisk was the handset--the Motorola Defy XT, a decidedly midrange smartphone that was the only handset you could use with the service. Worse, the price tag was a mite steep at $249. Subsequently, however, Republic Wireless added two handsets to the lineup that changed the game with the Motorola Moto X and Moto G. Although neither are considered particularly high-end smartphones, we found the Moto X to be a well-made device with substantial performance capabilities. The question we’re asking today is whether or not the Moto G’s performance can equal...
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When we last checked in with Republic Wireless, we found that the service itself was as advertised (inexpensive and very good), but the asterisk was the handset--the Motorola Defy XT, a decidedly midrange smartphone that was the only handset you could use with the service. Worse, the price tag was a mite steep at $249. Subsequently, however, Republic Wireless added two handsets to the lineup that changed the game with the Motorola Moto X and Moto G. Although neither are considered particularly high-end smartphones, we found the Moto X to be a well-made device with substantial performance capabilities, and when it landed at Republic Wireless for $299, the MVNO started looking more legitimate....
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FreedomPop announced some big updates to its free (and almost free) mobile services. The MVNO has moved to Sprint’s LTE network to offer 4G service (and is launching commensurate handsets to take advantage of it) and is also rolling out a new $20 unlimited everything plan. The unlimited plan is notable in the MVNO world as not only does it offer LTE speeds, it also allows free tethering at 4G speeds. Once a customer uses up 1GB of data for the month, they’ll be throttled back to 3G speeds, but it’s a still a major, important feature. FreedomPop is expanding its lineup of devices to include the Samsung Victory, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy S4. With those phones in hand, users get an...
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The mobile industry is pushing out increasingly good service plan deals for consumers, and Boost Mobile won’t be left behind. The no-contract MVNO announced its “Monthly Unlimited Select” plans which offer customers unlimited talk, text, and (certain types of) data on any phone in the Boost Mobile portfolio, including the new Samsung Galaxy S5, which is coming to the service on May 19th, as well as the iPhone 5S and 5C and Motorola Moto G. Samsung Galaxy S5 There are three tiers, and all three offer unlimited talk and text, but they offer different amounts of high-speed data. For $40 per month, you’ll get 500MB of 3G/4G data; $50 per month gets you 2.5GB of the same; and...
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Republic Wireless announced that it now offers Motorola’s Moto G smartphone with its mobile service packages, and with this move, Republic Wireless has found an elusive sweet spot in the industry--a mobile plan that offers great functionality for the price with a smartphone that you can be glad to have but costs very little. When Republic Wireless first debuted, the inexpensive MVNO’s weak spot was its smartphone--a middling Motorola device that cost $249. Since then, Republic Wireless added the Moto X to its stable, which an improvement to be sure in terms of the quality of the phone but pushed the out-of-pocket cost for the handset up to $299. The Moto G costs just $149. It’s...
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There’s a rumor that Google may jump into the wireless provider game, which would be huge news except for the fact that Google wouldn’t be launching a fifth competing wireless network; it would simply function as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), reselling one of the big four’s services. The rumor comes from The Information (behind a paywall), and according to the site’s sources, Google may partner with Verizon to be an MVNO and launch wireless services in areas that have Google Fiber. Verizon Coverage Map MVNOs are terrific for the industry, and services like Republic Wireless and FreedomPop are doing a great job disrupting pricing and service structures. But...
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As we mentioned yesterday, mobile service providers are in a dogfight for our business and all of a sudden are offering sweet deals left and right. We feel like the prettiest belle at the ball, and more suitors are lining up. Ting is an MVNO using Sprint’s network and offers simple service options and a range of devices that runs from very inexpensive to “ouch”. You can also bring your own device with you when you sign up for the service. Sampling of available devices on Ting In a blog post, Ting’s Michael Goldstein, in as deadpan a style as you can communicate in the written form, said, “Current customers do not need to weigh a move to a new plan. New customers...
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The last time we were in a RadioShack, we were looking for a Piezo element and were told that our local store no longer carries them, which begged the question of what RadioShack is still around for if it doesn’t even carry hobby electronics anymore. The answer is that it appears as though Radioshack fancies itself a wireless carrier. Becoming an MVNO seems like the fashionable thing to do if you’re an electronics retailer facing the harsh realities of the evolving electronics and computer marketplace. According to an anonymous tip sent to Engadget, RadioShack is going to use Cricket Wireless’ network to launch RadioShack Mobile, which will feature the HTC One V (featuring Android...
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Well bully for Ting; the MVNO announced its latest product roadmap, and there are lots of goodies coming down the pike. First off, Ting has scored the Samsung Galaxy SIII (pictured below), which it will launch in tandem with its LTE service. Ting uses Sprint’s LTE network, so users will get smoking fast mobile broadband wherever Sprint customers enjoy it, and they can do so on a nicely appointed smartphone. The SIII has a delightfully large 4.8-inch display (1280x720), runs Android 4.0 ICS, and sports a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor, 8MP HD camera, 16GB of storage, and 1GB of RAM under the hood. The phone can also function as a mobile hotspot for up to ten devices and enjoys Samsung’s...
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Yep, you read that headline right--GameStop is getting into the mobile service provider business, with its new GameStop Mobile MVNO. The company will sell you a SIM card (you’ll need your own unlocked phone) and set you up with a contract-free service plan while it entices you to snap up some used console game titles. GameStop is using AT&T’s network and offers up a variety of plan options, all of which include domestic long distance, nationwide coverage (with no roaming), voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting. There are no activation charges, and you keep your service as long as you let GameStop deduct its money every month. The two highest-prices plans, Smartphone Unlimited...
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If there's one thing Sprint's good at, it's leasing their network space to others. Virgin Mobile, Common Centers and tons of MVNOs that have come and gone select Sprint for their services, and it looks like American needs one more option. Elevate is the newest company to sign an agreement with Sprint Nextel, whereby Elevate will sell mobile voice and data services to consumers and businesses using the Nationwide Sprint Network. Elevate's MVNO agreement, which was executed at the end of December, will enable the Company to provide mobile network connectivity and the latest Android and Windows-based devices to over 274 million consumers on both a prepaid and postpaid service basis. "We're excited...
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Well, another one's biting the dust. In a sense, anyway. MVNOs have had a terrible time catching on in America, and it's hard to pinpoint why. The 2-year contract model dominates, despite being one of the most consumer-unfriendly models we know of. That tantalizing up-front discount just keeps people coming back, despite the fact that no one enjoys being tethered to a carrier for two solid years. Sprint has their toes dribbling in a number of prepaid options, and as of last year, they'd added one more: Common Cents. It was a prepaid brand that was to be sold in Walmart stores, offering contract-free calling at $0.07 per minute. But a year into things, Sprint is reportedly pulling the plug on...
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There was a time not too long ago where pretty much every Android phone was "high-end" in terms of price, and it was hard to find one for less than $199 on a 2-year contract. A lot changes in a couple of years. This week, Samsung and Boost Mobile took the opportunity to release the Samsung Galaxy Prevail, which is the first CDMA Android device to come to the MVNO. Boost is unique in that they do not require contracts, and usually have a smaller selection of top-tier phones. But the Prevail bucks that trend somewhat. It's a 3.2" touchscreen-based phone with Android 2.2, access to the Android Market, a 2MP camera (with video), GPS-enabled, Bluetooth, Telenav navigation (free and unlimited), and...
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