Items tagged with wireless broadband
The FCC upset a lot of people when it voted to repeal net neutrality rules. The Commission then wanted to reduce the speed that is considered to be broadband in some areas, however, the backlash to that move saw the FCC step back and stop its attempts to reclassify broadband speeds in some areas. The FCC has worked to ensure that it's easier for broadband providers to get their speedy services to more people; Google Fiber in particular benefitted from a change in FCC regulations regarding utility pole usage. The FCC has now announced that it is launching an investigation into one or more major wireless carriers. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that the agency is launching an investigation...
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Verizon Wireless continues to expand its 4G LTE network. Recently, the carrier added nine new metropolitan areas to its growing list of LTE coverage areas. The new markets include Mobile and Montgomery Ala.; Greater Fairfield and New Haven, Conn.; Gainesville, Pensacola and Tallahassee, Fla.; Fayetteville-Lumberton, N.C.; and Bryan-College Station and Temple-Killeen, Texas. Verizon Wireless also expanded the 4G LTE network in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans and Philadelphia. With these additions, Verizon Wireless' LTE network is now available in 55 metropolitan areas. Verizon Wireless Launches Nine New 4G LTE Markets Today And Expands 4G LTE Network In Five Major Cities 05/19/2011 - BASKING...
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Sprint is continuing to broaden its portfolio of 3G and 4G mobile broadband devices. Recently, the wireless carrier added the Sprint 3G/4G USB U600. This small USB drive delivers 4G speeds (where available) and also works on the carrier's 3G network. The Sprint 3G/4G USB U600 will connect automatically to Sprint's network. The USB stick even has LEDs to let you know if you've made a 3G or 4G connection. ADVANCED FEATURES: Supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Mac OS 10.5, 10.6 with Intel Easy installation of Sprint SmartView software on a CD for Windows and Mac OS External antenna ports available for both 3G and 4G Rotating USB connector Supports Hands-Free Activation via OMA-DM 3G...
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Clearwire, Comcast, and Sprint plan to make their respective 4G mobile Internet services available in additional cities this summer. Cities scheduled to get the new service include Jacksonville and Daytona, FL; Kansas City, KS; Nashville, TN; St. Louis, MO; Salt Lake City, UT; Merced, Modesto, Stockton, and Visalia, CA; Wilmington, DE; Grand Rapids, MI; Eugene, OR; and Yakima and Tri-Cities, WA. Each of the companies plans to offer 4G under their own 4G brand. Clearwire, Comcast and Sprint to Expand 4G Mobile Broadband Service This Summer 4G Coming to Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, KS; Nashville, TN; St. Louis, MO; and Salt Lake City, UT among Others Clearwire to Offer CLEAR® Comcast to Offer...
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Time Warner Cable Business Class announced a new service called Business Class Mobile. This 4G wireless high-speed data service will initially be available in Texas with additional markets to be added throughout the year. The Business Class Mobile service is designed to give mobile professionals high-speed Internet access when they are outside of the office. As Time Warner puts it, "Business Class Mobile allows employees who are out of the office to download large files, as well as access intranet sites, customer relationship management tools, and other company-related information. The service also eliminates the added expense and service limitations of pay-for-use, limited range Wi-Fi...
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Broadband speed tests are nothing new, but the FCC is offering Internet users a chance to weigh in on just how fast connections are across the country. Unlike regular speed tests, the FCC's program records the street address from which the program is run (no other personal information is requested). I'd really prefer a plan that didn't make me download through a river and upload through a strawWe've talked quite a bit about the FCC's initiative and comprehensive national broadband plan it will present to Congress in a manner of days; if you're interested in contributing real-world data to the Federal Communication Commissions own measurements we suggest you hit the site and take the test. There's...
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As smartphone use has increased, we've seen more and more instances where wireless networks get jammed as data-hungry users attempt to surf the Web and perform other tasks from their handhelds. These wireless carriers could soon get relief from a somewhat unexpected source—cable companies. Time Warner Cable is trying to sell wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless on a service that uses its underground cables to carry mobile calls and Web downloads. This service would ease the load on the wireless carriers' networks and help to avoid some of the jams. The service is known in the industry as wireless backhaul. After revenue tripled last year, it has become the fastest-growing business...
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Verizon's Chief Technology Officer Dick Lynch says wireless companies will eventually have to change how they bill customers. More specifically, Lynch is talking about charging customers based on the amount of bandwidth they use. According to the Wall Street Journal, Lynch recently said current flat fee data plans with unlimited Internet access encourage overuse of wireless networks by a small number of bandwidth hogs. Although wireless carriers should be able to handle the increasing demand for Internet usage over the next few years by simply upgrading to the next generation of wireless technology, Lynch expects that carriers will need additional spectrum and new ways of billing in the long-term....
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There’s a good chance residents of Boston and Seattle will have a new high-speed wireless broadband option before the end of this year—Verizon Wireless recently announced plans to test its 4G wireless broadband service in these cities. The new wireless data service promises speeds that are five to 10 times faster than the service used today by popular handsets such as Apple’s iPhone. While today’s 3G networks are adequate for checking email or surfing the web, they’re not fast enough for high-quality video or real-time video gaming. Simply put, 3G services can’t match the speed of a hard-wired connection such as what is offered by telephone and cable TV providers. 4G services are set to change...
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We’re accustomed to hearing reasons why one cellular carrier is better than another, but now, Sprint has even more of a reason to brag. According to a 3G comparison test conducted by PC World, Sprint has the most reliable network, beating out Verizon and AT&T in 13 cities examined by the magazine. This test is good news for Sprint and backs up the company’s claim of having the “most dependable 3G network.” PC World conducted the tests in March and April in 13 major markets around the country. Cities included in the test were Boston, Baltimore, New York, Orlando, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, New Orleans, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, and San Jose. Testers measured download speeds,...
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