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Clearwire sneaks WiMAX into Las Vegas, won't admit it until Summer

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 10th 2009 @ 3:51AM

Clearwire's been slowly planting its WiMAX seeds around the country, and with nary a peep, it's rolled out the service into the Las Vegas area, designated by the image above. According to a company rep, the "official" launch -- including new store openings and a marketing blitz -- will begin this summer, but for now, it's operational and ready for those in the know. Portland and Atlanta vacationers, you can now watch your online bank account dwindle faster than you ever could before.

[Via Fierce Wireless; thanks, Zachery]

Read - Clearwire Goes Soft in Vegas
Read - Clear coverage map

Verizon Wireless to light up LTE in 20 to 30 markets in 2H 2010

by Nilay Patel, posted May 15th 2009 @ 10:13AM

Looking for some LTE news that's harder than those wishy-washy vibes you've been getting thus far? Listen up. On a recent conference call, Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam (shown) stated that its LTE network would launch commercially in around 20 to 30 US markets during "the second half of 2010." He continued by noting that a "nationwide buildout would be complete in late 2013 to early 2014," but failed to elaborate on the whens, whos and whys in between. For those locked into the 4G movement, you'll notice that these dates are slightly different than ones tossed out in April by the outfit's CFO, which leads us to believe that we could hear something else in just a few month's time if things don't go perfectly to plan. At any rate, McAdam did confirm that a tiny group of VZW testers would have access to 4G this year, with one "pre-commercial" network per US coast being activated during 2009. Bring on the bytes, baby.

[Via phoneArena]

Cisco signs on to provide infrastructure, build Linksys WiMAX routers for Clearwire

by Darren Murph, posted May 14th 2009 @ 8:41AM

Clearwire may not be as ubiquitous as you'd like it to be, but it's taking a huge step forward in hopes of wildly expanding by linking up with Cisco. In essence, the two have joined hands in order to "enhance and expand CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX services throughout the United States," with Cisco providing the core infrastructure and Clearwire providing the guidance. Potentially more interesting is the notion that Cisco's Linksys brand will soon be delivering "new mobile WiMAX devices," such as routers that will presumably tune to WiFi and WiMAX waves. Specific product details are sorely absent, though Clearwire does reiterate that it's hoping to have WiMAX service to more than 80 markets across the US by the end of next year.

Verizon Wireless closes Alltel acquisition, lays out path forward

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 14th 2009 @ 9:20PM

Welp, that's that. But not really, because acquiring a company as big as Alltel and shoving it into a company as gigantic as Verizon Wireless simply can't be easy. To that end, VZW has issued a release that details the steps forward now that the deal itself is closed. For starters, Alltel employees below executive level will continue in their present jobs as Verizon Wireless assesses staffing needs, and Verizon intends to re-brand Alltel operations in retained markets (read: the ones not divested by force) in phases, beginning in the second quarter and continuing through the third quarter of 2009." As for Alltel subscribers, they won't need to take any action at this time, with everything in their current plan -- My Circle included -- remaining the same throughout the transition period. If you're interested in the rest (we're looking at you, loyal Alltel user), hop on down to the read link.

[Via phonescoop]

Sierra Wireless intros 'ruggedified' AirCard 501 and 502 modems

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Dec 17th 2008 @ 1:07PM

Sierra Wireless has just announced two new ExpressCard modems for HSUPA wireless users. Sporting download speeds up tp 7.2Mbps and upload speeds up to 5.76Mbps, the AirCard 501 supports 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz bands, while the AirCard 502 covers 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz. Both are backward compatible with UMTS, EDGE and GSM networks world 'round, and they're being touted as "durable," meaning there are no little antennas or plastic pieces to break on you. That last part should be good news to all of you post-apocalyptic Road Warriors out there (or not -- they're still just regular ExpressCards, as far as we can tell). The AirCard 501 is slated for release later this month, while those of you interested in the AirCard 502 will have to wait until the first part of 2009.

[Via Slash Phone]

Ericsson partners with 3 Scandinavia to deliver 21Mbps HSPA network

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 10th 2008 @ 7:14AM

We're not quite sure if you really understand just how quick 21Mbps is, but it's fast -- really fast when you consider that we're talking about mobile broadband speeds. Ericsson and 3 Scandinavia have hooked up to upgrade the operator's current HSPA network to hit the aforementioned speed, though it'll be just Sweden and Denmark seeing the enhancements at first; of course, the duo has promised that the upgrade will eventually expand out to other locales, but details are scant beyond a 1H 2009 planned launch date.

[Via UnwiredView]

Sprint, Clearwire to finally get hitched thanks to FCC approval

by Samuel Axon, posted Nov 5th 2008 @ 3:31PM

We're relieved, here's why: we don't have to report on this on-again / off-again relationship like we're a celebrity tabloid rag anymore. Around the same time it gave the thumbs up to Verizon and Alltel, the FCC also decided that tumultuous lovebirds Sprint and Clearwire can finally get hitched. Their eventual offspring will be the WiMAX network they've been promising with a bunch of other partners -- the plan is to offer wireless broadband to 140 million people within 30 months' time, so today's a big day for WiMAX and corporate romantics everywhere.

Cricket offers EV-DO access for $40 per month... with no contract

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 13th 2008 @ 1:21PM

We'll be honest -- we weren't all that jazzed about Cricket's unlimited video clip service at $5 per month, but this is something we can get into. The animalistic carrier has just launched an unlimited mobile broadband package in several Texas cities, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City and St. Louis (all of its other cities will get gifted by year's end) which users can tap into for just $40 / month. Interestingly, the company is actually encouraging consumers to really take advantage of that "unlimited" bit, noting that it is aiming to put EV-DO (read: broadband) into the hands of lower-income (or budget-minded) citizens that can't afford to be strapped down by a contract. Of note, there are two big limitations: you can't use the service to make VoIP calls, and you can't run a server. Fair enough, Cricket!

[Via phonescoop]

Virgin UK gearing up for laptop data in fourth quarter

by Chris Ziegler, posted Aug 13th 2008 @ 4:54AM

Apparently feeling a little celebratory after negotiating lower wholesale rates for voice and data, British MVNO Virgin Mobile has said that it intends to start offering broadband data cards some time in the fourth quarter of the year. In the UK, Virgin operates on top of T-Mobile's wireless backbone, so customers of the new data service should have a pretty nice HSDPA footprint with which to work -- a totally upside-down version of the US picture, where Virgin uses Sprint, offers no data cards (hell, they barely admit the existence of data on their handsets), and rocks CDMA to the core. Weird how the world works sometimes.

Sunrise offers pay-per-hour HSPA access in Switzerland

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 12th 2008 @ 4:18AM

Remember those days when you'd beg your mom to hop online and watch GamePro.com load for 15 minutes in order to read the latest reviews, only to be shut down by pops who refused to pay $.50 per minute to be on the world wide web? Thankfully, Sunrise's latest mobile broadband plans aren't that bad, but each precious hour of surfing over HSPA will set you back 3 Swiss francs (or $2.97). On the upside, there's no commitment attached to the USB modem, and there aren't any data usage caps either, so who knows, maybe this deal will float your boat after all.

[Thanks, Jay]

Sierra Wireless intros Compass 597 EV-DO USB modem

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 5th 2008 @ 10:45AM

Truth be told, there's nothing extraordinary about Sierra Wireless' latest EV-DO USB modem. It plays nice with Rev. A networks, includes a microSD slot, and comes with TRU-Install to simplify the setup procedure. Granted, it is "the only product in its class to include a connector for an external antenna (saywha?)," and it is remarkably small, so it's still worth a look if you're currently doing without. As expected, you'll reach downlink speeds of up to 3.1Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1.8Mbps, and the built-in GPS antenna is a nice bonus, too. Unfortunately, we've no idea how costly this one will be, but be on the lookout for a Q2 launch.

[Via MobileBurn]

Digi Connect WAN 3G: yet another portable HSDPA / EV-DO router

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 30th 2008 @ 12:29PM

Yeah, we're starting to feel slightly bombarded with portable cellular routers, but we can't help but crack a smile each time one of these wonderful creations rolls into the commercial realm. Today, we've got Digi unveiling its new Digi Connect WAN 3G, which is hailed as an upgradeable 3G WWAN router for "primary and backup connectivity to remote sites and devices." Besides supporting both EV-DO and HSDPA standards, it also aims to provide "a fast and easy Ethernet-to-3G wireless connection" and even includes a built-in VPN. Sadly, no price is mentioned, but we're sure the folks at Digi wouldn't mind coughing up that information if you called up with the right tone of voice.

iBox2Go trumpets portable Sprint EV-DO router

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 22nd 2008 @ 9:23AM

It's not like we haven't seen truckloads of portable WiFi routers before, but iBox2Go seems pretty jazzed up about its iteration. The dubiously named HotSpot in a Box arrives in a relatively large case that's sure to make avid travelers scratch their heads, and looks to include Sprint's Novatel U727 EV-DO card along with all the required cabling. Consumers can select from a trio of routers: the iB100 features USB only and a single Ethernet port, the iB300 adds PCMCIA and the iB500 tacks on an ExpressCard slot, 802.11n support and three more RJ-45 ports. Reportedly, each unit can handle up to ten simultaneous connections, and you can grab one now for $249.99, $199.99 and $349.99, respectively. Oh, and click on through for a video chock full of enthusiasm about this thing.

Continue reading iBox2Go trumpets portable Sprint EV-DO router

Wateen Telecom launches massive WiMAX network in Pakistan

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 17th 2007 @ 3:49PM

Good news for those in Pakistan hungry for another link to the 'net: Wateen Telecom has officially launched its WiMAX / HFC services for the consumer market. Reportedly, Motorola played a huge role in deploying the "first 802.16e commercial WiMAX network in Pakistan," and according to Wateen, it's the largest WiMAX network "ever installed." In case you hadn't already guessed, Wateen Telecom is indeed a Abu Dhabi venture, and the service will initially be made available in 22 cities. For more details on exact coverage and rate plans, be sure and check out Wateen's website.

[Via Metroblogging Karachi, thanks Zainuddin Z.]

CradlePoint reveals PHS300 portable hotspot

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 9th 2007 @ 8:53AM

Merely months after cranking out the CTR-350, CradlePoint has upped the ante with the even more portable PHS300. This bugger enables a selection of handsets and USB cellular modems to create a "personal WiFi hotspot," and unlike its sibling, this one sports a built-in Li-ion to keep the connection alive (for a few hours, anyway) where there's no AC outlet in sight. Furthermore, you'll find WEP / WPA security features, an integrated firewall and the ability to charge up your phone via USB if necessary. Sound like just the thing you need? If so, you can drop your pre-order in now for $179.99 and patiently await the December 20th ship date.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]