News of Note—ZTE’s prepaid phones, FirstNet interoperability, HEVC and more

Here are the other stories we’re following today:

> Blu Wireless said it is working with LGS Innovations to “deliver gigabit wireless communications for 5G applications such as gigabit grade Fixed Wireless Access.” Release

> Revenue from Google’s hardware and Play Store businesses rose to $4.4 billion in the first quarter. MWL article

> U.S. wireless carriers that relied on ZTE for their low-tier phones will now have to shuffle their business to other handset suppliers. CCS Insight post

> Verizon and AT&T offered a look at their FirstNet interoperability work. Telecompetitor article

> Telarus will sell Kore’s IoT connectivity solutions and products through the company’s sales channel. Release

> The Supreme Court upheld a government review process intended to combat so-called patent trolls. Reuters article

> AV1 is the new and improved video compression codec on the block. Whether the sense of competition is real or just perceived between the AV1 and current video compression standard HEVC, the battle lines are being drawn. Can the two get along? FierceCable article

> AT&T strongly endorsed the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s recent proposal to establish a set of funds, totaling $954 million, to rebuild wireless communications infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FierceTelecom article