carriers related Press Releases

Press Release: MOTORAZR(2) Debuts With U.S. Wireless Carriers

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:36:16 -0400

MOTORAZR(2) Debuts With U.S. Wireless Carriers

Sleeker outside and more powerful inside, the next-generation MOTORAZR will soon be available to U.S. consumers from coast-to-coast

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug. 10 -- Motorola, Inc.'s much-anticipated MOTORAZR(2) is ready for its North American debut. Today, major U.S wireless carriers began announcing pricing and availability dates for the blade-thin device.

The MOTORAZR(2) will be available from Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless, with availability from certain carriers within 14 days. Consumers should check with their wireless carrier for specific availability dates.

"The Motorola RAZR(2) delivers the sharpest mobile experiences available -- and customers of every national carrier in the U.S can now own one," said Stu Reed, Executive Vice President, Motorola, Inc. and President, Mobile Devices Business. "With smart features available such as blazing-fast 3G wireless broadband, and modern style that's slimmer and stronger than the original, the Motorola RAZR(2) is the ultimate iconic feature phone."

The MOTORAZR(2) family -- V9 (3G HSDPA), V9m (3G EVDO CDMA) and V8 (GSM) -- will be available to users of all three major technology networks. The product features a larger internal screen for full HTML web browsing(1) and a best-in-class external screen that enables viewing media, music and/or messaging without opening the flip.

Consumers will also receive touch feedback on the external screen through "haptic" key technology. The product also features Motorola CrystalTalk (3) for better voice quality, up to 2GB of on-board memory (4), real-time point-to-point video(1) and ultra-fast menu navigation.

A great multimedia device, MOTORAZR(2) also supports the most popular music formats and media services. With built-in stereo Bluetooth wireless technology(5), users can enjoy a wire-free music experience when paired with the compatible lightweight ROKR(TM) S9 Bluetooth stereo headphones.

For more information, visit http://www.motorola.com/2 .

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.9 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com.

Certain mobile phone features may not be activated by your service provider, and/or their network settings may limit the feature's functionality. Contact your service provider for details. All features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.
(1) Network and/or SIM card dependent feature, not available in all areas. Airtime, data charges, and/or additional charges may apply.
(3) Feature available on the RAZR(2) V8 and V9
(4) Feature available on the RAZR(2) V8
(5) This device supports Bluetooth BIP-ImagePush, BPP-SenderDev, DUN-GW, FT-Server, GAP, GAVDP, Headset-AG, HFP (1.5) AG, OPP-Client, OPP-Server, A2DP, and AVRCP profiles profiles. In order for Bluetooth devices to communicate with one another, they must utilize the same Bluetooth profile. To determine the profiles supported by other Motorola devices, visit http://www.hellomoto.com/bluetooth . For other devices, contact their respective manufacturer.

Certain Bluetooth features including those listed may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices, or by certain wireless carriers. Contact your wireless carrier about feature availability and functionality.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by their proprietor and used by Motorola, Inc. under license. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. (C) Motorola, Inc. 2007.

SOURCE: Motorola, Inc.

Press Release: In-Stat Survey Reveals Heavy Wireless Business Users Churn More Because They Feel Unappreciated by Carriers

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:26:37 -0400

In-Stat Survey Reveals Heavy Wireless Business Users Churn More Because They Feel Unappreciated by Carriers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 6 -- Wireless operators are failing to make high average revenue per user (ARPU) users in North America feel special, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). More than 60% of these users do not feel that their wireless operator appreciates their business, and 80% believe that operators should do more, the high-tech market research firm says.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“The kind of appreciation these users would like to see include loyalty programs where subscribers earn points for awards, free or low-cost directory assistance, and free batteries and travel chargers,Ã¢â‚¬Â says Bill Hughes, In-Stat analyst. Ã¢â‚¬Å“The good news for operators is that these three awards could be turned into even more revenue. For example, directory assistance directly encourages more calling, and offering more batteries and charging options ensures that heavy users can always make a call.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

* Compared to all business users, road warriors are three times more likely to have an ARPU over $150, own a smartphone, and use several mobile data services.
* The ARPU for road warriors who are also smartphone users is over $200. This is more than four times the monthly revenue for US mobile phone users.

The research, Ã¢â‚¬Å“Road Warriors 2007: Love Them or Lose ThemÃ¢â‚¬Â (#IN0703554MBM), covers the results of an In-Stat survey of wireless users, primarily in North America. It provides analysis of survey findings, including characteristics of high ARPU wireless users. It contains insight into how these users view wireless services, and what they want from providers.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit:

http://www.instat.com/catalog/wcatalogue.asp?id=229 or contact a sales representative:

Eastern North America: Tina Sheltra, 480.609.4531; tina.sheltra@reedbusiness.com

Western North America: Erin McKeighan, 480.609.4551; emckeighan@reedbusiness.com

Outside of North America: http://www.instat.com/sales.asp

The price is $3,495 (US).

About In-Stat

Technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals and market specialists, worldwide, rely on In-StatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s experienced staff and in-depth research to support critical business, product and technology decisions. In-StatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s insights are derived from both a deep technology understanding and comprehensive research, which examines each segment of the value chain for each market. Regular and ongoing end-user demand and primary research surveys underpin much of the analysis, enabling In-Stat to provide incisive market knowledge and guidance on future market opportunities via syndicated research products, custom consulting, and advisory services.

In-Stat is a strategic segment of the $9 billion Reed Elsevier global information network, with access to an expansive worldwide electronic network, extensive technology databases and well-informed personnel. As a member of Reed Business Information, In-Stat is a division of the largest business-to-business publisher in the U.S.

Contacts

In-Stat
Bill Hughes, Principal Analyst, 425-453-9917
E-mail: bill.hughes@reedbusiness.com
Elaine Potter, Marketing Coordinator, 480-483-4441
Email: epotter@reedbusiness.com

Study: 'Targeted' Support for Carriers Needed to Ensure Rural Consumers' Access to Affordably Priced Services (Press Release)

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:42:34 -0400

Study: 'Targeted' Universal Service Support for Telecommunications Carriers Is Needed to Ensure Rural Consumers' Continued Access to Affordably Priced Services

Competition in small towns increases need for USF support in outlying rural areas

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas, July 12 -- Four leading telecommunications companies serving small, semi-rural and rural communities today provided important new findings to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) regarding the need for explicit universal service support targeted to high-cost areas. The study was conducted by Balhoff & Rowe, LLC, in connection with a review of the Texas Universal Service Fund (USF).

The companies -- CenturyTel, Consolidated Communications, Inc., Embarq Corporation, and Windstream -- filed the study with the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. The study of the Texas USF offers important
insights to the Joint Board regarding emerging challenges in high-cost areas. The study is directly applicable to the Joint Board's work because the Texas USF addresses many of the same issues, and faces many of the same challenges, as the federal universal service system.

Indeed, Commissioner Tony Clark, who chairs the Telecommunications Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), commented that "[the] work is groundbreaking in that it finally starts to answer, 'what is truly rural?' 'what is truly high cost?' and 'how do we have a universal service system that is responsive to that reality?' It is a template for a discussion that should be happening coast-to-coast."

Key points in the study:
* There are clear signs that the current federal universal service system will soon fail to meet the needs of consumers in high-cost areas.

* Although competitors increasingly are serving consumers in rural towns where costs are lower, they generally do not serve consumers outside of those towns where costs are higher; importantly, competitors appear unlikely to offer services in those regions in the foreseeable future.

* Competitors are making the financially rational choice to avoid serving high-cost areas altogether, but carriers of last resort (like the four sponsors of the study) are compelled to serve the areas outside of rural towns -- often at a significant loss. With competition, regulators increasingly are unable to count on, among other things, averaging costs between rural towns and outlying rural areas to support universal service goals.

A copy of the report can be found at http://www.balhoffrowe.com.

About CenturyTel

CenturyTel is a leading provider of communications, high speed Internet and entertainment services in small-to-mid-size cities through its broadband and fiber transport networks. Included in the S&P 500 Index, CenturyTel delivers advanced communications with a personal touch to customers in 25 states. CenturyTel's web page address: http://www.centurytel.com.

About Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. is an established rural local exchange company (RLEC) providing voice, data and video services to residential and business customers in Illinois and Texas. Each of the operating companies has been operating in its local market for over 100 years. With approximately 232,000 local access lines, 56,000 DSL subscribers and 8,400 IPTV subscribers, Consolidated Communications offers a wide range of telecommunications services, including local and long distance service, custom calling features, private line services, dial-up and high-speed Internet access, digital TV, carrier access services, and directory publishing. Consolidated Communications is the 14th largest local telephone company in the United States. Consolidated Communications' web page is http://www.consolidated.com.

About EMBARQ

Embarq Corporation, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete suite of communications services. The company has approximately 20,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is included in the S&P 500. For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R). For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services including local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class DSL, wireless, enhanced data network services, voice and data communication equipment and managed network services. For more information, visit http://www.embarq.com.

About Windstream

Windstream provides voice, broadband and entertainment services to primarily rural customers in 16 states. The company has approximately 3.2 million access lines and about $3.2 billion in annual revenues. Windstream is included in the S&P 500. For more information, visit http://www.windstream.com.

About Balhoff & Rowe, LLC

Balhoff & Rowe, LLC, is a specialized professional services firm focused on providing financial-regulatory advice. The principals of the firm have more than forty years of combined experience in advising investors and regulators on complex investment and policy issues. Balhoff & Rowe's services include research, think-tank projects, advocacy efforts, and financial and transactional advice for various companies, carriers and policymakers.

SOURCE: Embarq Corporation