Items tagged with NYSE: VZ
AT&T and Verizon have struck the latest blow in the battle between themselves and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC had given the telecommunication corporations until December 15th to respond to its concerns over net neutrality and zero-rating services. AT&T and Verizon have spat out their vituperative responses. First off, what is “zero-rating”? Zero-rating is when mobile network operators (MNOs) and ISPs do not charge customers for data used by specific applications or internet services through their network, in limited or metered data plans. According to the FCC, AT&T's Sponsored Data program “denies unaffiliated third parties the same ability to compete over...
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Apple Reportedly Throttling iPhone 7 Models With Qualcomm Modems To Match Versions With Intel Modems
This week, a report ousted Apple's decision to throttle the Qualcomm modem found in most of its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models to match the performance of the Intel modem found in other versions. Now, according to sources close to the matter, it's absolutely the case but is there a real issue? The issue involves Apple's need to dual-source the iPhone 7's modem block with either a Qualcomm X12 LTE modem or an Intel XMM 7360 chip. As a company that sells millions upon millions of smartphones, Apple needs to plan every launch and production roll-out very strategically and supply chain consistency is critical, hence the need for multiple sources of key components. Further, even...
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Verizon just launched LTE Advanced technology to bring 50% faster peak wireless data speeds. This launch includes 288 million people in 461 cities across the United States. Customers will be able to experience faster music, video, gaming, and VR streaming. How does Verizon’s LTE Advanced work? Verizon utilizes software that combines two or three bandwidth channels into one larger channel. This channel then sends out data sessions through the most efficient “route”. The technology is often referred to as “carrier aggregation” and it employs a combination of 700 MHz, AWS, and PCS spectrum. Two-channel carrier aggregations can produce peak download speeds of 225 Mbps, while three-channel carrier...
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If you're one of those rare folks that happen to have an unlimited plan without any caveats, you're in a very enviable situation. It's clear that most carriers don't want to offer unlimited packages at all, and if they do, they typically raise the price enough over time to encourage subscribers hop over to a metered package. And then we have those carriers that like to call packages "unlimited" when they're anything but. Are we ever going to live in a world where unlimited mobile data doesn't seem like such a luxury? Not if Verizon Chief Financial Officer Francis Shammo has anything to do with it. He's gone on record to say, "I've been pretty public saying the unlimited model does not work in...
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Since net neutrality rules went into effect last summer, some telecom companies have skirted the line of what's legal, but Verizon becomes the first to outright defy the rules, and now the world wonders whether this will be the straw that breaks the camel's (FCC's) back. When T-Mobile launched its Binge On service this past fall, some net neutrality backers claimed that it went against the spirit of the rules, given that select consumers would be given select content to be "zero-rated" - that is, data not counted towards the monthly limit. Where T-Mobile seems to be safe, though, is that this service is a major benefit to customers who have the right packages, so for many, having Binge On...
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T-Mobile might be the third largest carrier in the US, but looking at things through different angles can make it #1. We can see this with the help of the latest results out of OpenSignal, a firm that collects data through real users (who opt-in to use its mobile app). For overall coverage, Verizon reigns supreme. It also does well in overall download speeds, tying with T-Mobile. Beyond that, T-Mobile shows the best latency and download speeds over 3G, which gives it enough of an edge to beat out Verizon, and AT&T and Sprint, for that matter. In LTE speeds, T-Mobile also topped Verizon with average download speeds of 12.26Mbps versus 11.98Mbps. Out of five metrics, AT&T didn't place...
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It appears that Verizon's supercookie is indeed "super", as we're still unable to escape it. Earlier this year, Verizon came under fire for making use of a cookie that works even when offline, and was impossible to disable. After a bit of prodding, the company decided to let users disable it, but not without getting them to jump through some hoops. The reason this "cookie" is so notable is because it can send back a wealth of information to Verizon and its partners. This goes as far as being able to identify which apps you're using on your mobile phone, and where you use them. Simply put, the amount of information that can be gathered on you is quite outrageous, and the fact that it can...
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It might have taken just short of "forever", but Verizon has finally opened up its arms to unlocked iPhone and Nexus 6 owners who want to activate their device on the carrier's network. It seems the fact that the company was effectively pushing customers away got to be too much, so it's reversed course. Flickr: Robert Scoble In order for someone to bring their iPhone or Nexus 6 in to Verizon and activate it successfully, it has to be unlocked. If you've never gone through the process of unlocking your device before and are not sure whether it actually is locked, you can use Verizon's activation tool to find out for sure. If you discover that your phone isn't unlocked, you'll have to get...
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Well, it sure didn't take long for the complaints to roll in. On Friday, we reported that Verizon would begin allowing FiOS TV customers to pick and choose channels on an a la carte basis, which is a great thing. Interestingly, the Canadian CRTC last month announced that beginning in 2016, cable providers would be required to offer a la carte offerings, so the appeal is clear. And let's face it, with the advent of services like Netflix, that might be the only way these cable providers could possibly attract new customers. Nonetheless, ESPN is raising a stink about Verizon's move, as it says it would be in breach of contract. The Wall Street Journal writes, "ESPN said that Verizon does not have...
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Now that Microsoft has fully consumed Nokia's mobile product division, this could go down as one of the final pieces of hardware to ever ship with the Nokia brand name on it. After years of catering solely to the smartphone market, Nokia has extended the reach of the Lumia line to cover tablets, too. The Lumia 2520 is one of the more eye-catching Windows 8.1 RT slates on the market, shipping with a full copy of Office 2013 Home & Student as well as Outlook RT. The tablet will be shipping to Verizon stores on November 21st, replete with 4G LTE and an off-contract price of $500. That's impressive for one major reason: it wasn't too long ago that tablets were being sold for nearly as much on-contract,...
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When my contract with Verizon Wireless expired a few months ago, I hightailed it over to Sprint, lured to the nation's third largest carrier by its guarantee of unlimited data for life. I could have had something similar with Verizon, as I had been grandfathered into the carrier's unlimited data plan, but that meant paying full price for a phone upgrade. So, I jumped ship, and according to Verizon chief Lowell McAdam, I'll sink with my new carrier because unlimited data just isn't feasible. During an investor conference today, he talked about how the wireless world is becoming more heavily focused on video, which is one of the reasons why unlimited data plans aren't sustainable. "With unlimited,...
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Good news, Verizon Wireless subscribers, the wait is over if you've been itching to get your hands on Motorola's Moto X smartphone. Big Red two days ago confirmed in a Twitter post it would be offering the Moto X online beginning August 29th (today) and in stores in the coming weeks for $200 with a two-year service agreement, and true to its word, the smartphone device is now available to purchase. This is a welcome site for VZW subscribers, considering their smartphone carrier isn't always the first to every smartphone party. Verizon was especially late in getting its hands on the HTC One and apparently was determined not to do the same with the Moto X. The caveat to owning a Moto X through...
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The HTC One has become something of a comeback device for a company that has stumbled upon tough times. While the HTC First has been forgotten, the HTC One has received tons of praise from both the technology press and consumers alike. That said, one giant American carrier has yet to carry the phone, which has no doubt hindered its ability to truly rival handsets such as the iPhone and Galaxy S4 in terms of raw unit sales. That carrier is Verizon Wireless, and it's finally hopping onto the HTC One bandwagon. Starting August 22, the LTE-enabled, Android-powered phone will hit Verizon shelves. The price? $199.99 on a new or renewed 2-year contract. Otherwise, specifications remain the same as what...
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Anyone who has tried to host their own website from home likely knows all-too-well the hassles that ISPs can cause. Simply put, ISPs generally don't want you to do that, preferring you to move up to a business package (aka: more expensive). Not surprisingly, the EFF doesn't like these rules, which seem to exist only to upsell you a product, and it's making its complaints very public. This time around, Google's Fiber service is targeted, as it's the latest ISP of the bunch to say "No!" to running your own "server" from home. The problem, though, is that all ISPs are deliberately vague about what qualifies as a "server". Admittedly, when I hear the word "server", I think of a Web server, one...
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At the moment, the rollout of gigabit Internet services, arguably spearheaded by Google last summer, has been modest. However, as we discussed just last week, it does seem to be picking up in pace, and with a fantastic side-effect: other ISPs are taking notice, and that's bound to mean good things for the consumer. With an announcement made by Verizon earlier today, this is already becoming evident. How does 500Mbit/s down and 100Mbit/s up sound? That's what Verizon is planning to rollout to seemingly all of its FiOS markets in the near-future, and it's sure excited to tell you all about it; the company has even created a neat-looking graphic that explains the whys and hows of its service versus...
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Verizon will soon make it easier for customers to upgrade to a new smartphone. The company on Thursday announced a new "Edge Plan" designed to allow customers to upgrade to a new handset after just six months with their current device. That alone might be enough to get customers to switch to Verizon, but as with everything else, there's a catch. According to Verizon, in order to sign up for Edge, customers will need to choose a month-to-month service plan, and not the standard two-year agreement. The cost on that device will be divided over 24 months and added to the service bill. Upon picking up the new handset, the device's first monthly payment will be due. Once the six-month mark hits, customers...
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Investors who own stock in Verizon should feel tickled green today, the color of cash, which Big Red finds itself swimming in. The wireless carrier reported second quarter financial results, revealing it collected $29.8 billion in total operating revenues, representing a 4.3 increase compared with the same quarter a year ago. Wireless performance played a big role in Verizon's Q2 performance. Big Red added 941,000 contract subscribers, up 6 percent year-over-year, and now boasts 100.1 million total retail connections. The influx of wireless customers is due, in part, to Verizon's widespread 4G LTE network, which is now available to 301 million people in 500 markets across the U.S. "Verizon’s...
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Two security researchers from iSEC, Tom Ritter and Doug DePerry, have demonstrated the ability to hack into Verizon Wireless’ femtocells and spy on Verizon users with a simple wireless antenna. They say that they can intercept people’s phone calls, text messages, picture messages, and even data. The team used a software vulnerability in the femtocells (which are readily available from Verizon) to perform the hack, although they have opted not to reveal how exactly how they did to prevent others from exploiting the same vulnerability. However, they will demonstrate the process at the Black Hat conference and Def Con conference in Las Vegas soon. For its part, Verizon says...
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Things are getting a little hairy on the wild, wild Internet. With privacy fears at an all-time high and the whole Snowden episode stirring up worries that governments can easily convince companies to hand out just about any digital information in the world, the mere notion of whimsically cruising the Internet is becoming a little frightening for some. Now, a NYT report is shedding light on two Italian hackers who spend their days sifting through code in software used by hundreds of millions of people. Why? Because governments all over the globe are evidently willing to pay top-dollar to know about exploits, in order to attack and sift through databases on enemy soil. Image credit: Flickr / timonoko...
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When Google first unveiled its 1Gbit fiber Internet service last summer, it seemed unlikely that such speeds would become common anytime soon. However, there was great hope that with Google's pressure, other ISPs would be pushed towards offering their own 1Gbit services. This past April, we did see some evidence of that, with AT&T promising to roll out its own 1Gbit service in the Austin, Texas area. Things don't stop there. It seems that some of the biggest ISPs are being seriously slow to catch onto the 1Gbit option, with Verizon charging a staggering $210 in some areas for a 300Mbit/s connection. The gotcha here is that the upload is 65Mbit/s (as someone with 0.5Mbit/s home upload, it...
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You know the saying, "Be careful what you wish for?" Well, Verizon Wireless once wished upon a star that it could join the iPhone party, which at the time was exclusive to AT&T. Apple ultimately granted Verizon its wish, and according to an older filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Big Red may owe the Cupertino company a lot of money for unsold iPhone devices. Analyst Craig Moffett of Moffet Research wrote in a research note that Verizon's iPhone sales haven't kept up with its promised commitment with Apple, noting that the wireless carrier would have to sell $23.5 billion worth of iPhone devices this year to make good on its deal, The Wall Street Journal reports. Verizon...
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Motorola may have a one-track mind, as it's currently focused on promoting (well, teasing, actually) its customizable Moto X smartphone that's being assembled right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. at its Texas facility, but that isn't the only handset the company has up its sleeve. A leaked image of a Droid Maxx device headed for Verizon has made its way to the web. Twitter user @evleaks posted the pic of the Droid Maxx for Verizon and noted that it's due to release sometime in 2013. Here's what it looks like: Unfortunately there aren't any details accompanying the photo, though you can clearly see Motorola's sticking with a carbon fiber body. The rest is speculation, but if you look close, the...
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