AT&T Mobility

Motorola launches new handsets ahead of CES

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:36:16 -0500

Motorola has launched a few new phones ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, one of which will be headed to AT&T Mobility and another to T-Mobile USA.

AT&T will be launching the rugged Motorola Tundra. The HSPA clamshell device features a 2-megapixel camera, push-to-talk and support for AT&T Navigator. The phone will be available Jan. 13 for $199, after a $50 mail-in-rebate and on a two-year contract.

In addition, Motorola will debut a phone called Renew, which has all of its plastic parts made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles. The phone will be headed to T-Mobile USA in the first quarter. No pricing details are available.

And finally, Motorola is debuting the touchscreen Surf A3100, a quad-band GSM phone, running on Windows Mobile 6.1. The device has 3G support, WiFi capability, a 3-megapixel camera, Google Maps and messaging and email support. Users can use a stylus, trackball or simply their finger to interact with the device. Motorola has not announced to plans to bring the phone to a U.S. carrier yet, but it will arrive in China in the first quarter.

For more:
- see this pic of the Moto Tundra
- see this pic of the Moto Renew
- see this pic of the Moto Surf
- see this article
- see this release on the Tundra

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Best Buy begins selling refurbished iPhone 3G devices

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:04:56 -0500

Best Buy, the first major independent U.S. retailer to sell Apple's iPhone 3G, has begun selling refurbished versions of the phone at a $50 discount, continuing the trend that started a few weeks ago by AT&T.

The retailer is selling the 8GB version for $149 and the 16GB version for $249. The refurbished phones are ones that were returned during the 30-day trial period and may have minor scratches.

For more:
- see this article

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AT&T sells refurbished iPhone 3G for $99

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:11:29 -0500

AT&T Mobility is currently selling refurbished versions of Apple's iPhone 3G for as low as $99 in an eye-catching post-holiday offer that marks the lowest price the phone has ever been sold.

AT&T is selling the 8GB refurbished version of the iPhone 3G for $99.99 and the 16GB version for $199.99 until Dec. 31 with a two-year service contract. AT&T began selling refurbished version of the phone earlier this month at prices $50 higher. AT&T said the "refurbished" phones are ones that were returned during the 30-day trial period and may have minor scratches. The phones have a 90-day warranty.

The news comes a day after Wal-Mart officially started selling the iPhone 3G. The retailer is selling the 8GB version for $197 and and the 16GB version for $297. Wal-Mart is now the second large retailer in the United States to sell the device; Best Buy has been selling it since September.

For more:
-see this article
-see this post

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2008 Year in Review: The iPhone 3G and iPhone clones

Phil Goldstein — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:38:40 -0500

The news: AT&T Mobility launched the Apple's iPhone 3G July 11, ushering in a new era of high-speed data capable smartphones. Apple's second-generation iPhone, which featured the same sleek look and innovative touchscreen user interface of the first-gen iPhone, now offered consumers the ability to surf the Web using AT&T's HSPA network and that sparked a flurry of iPhone clones.

T-Mobile USA jumped into the ring post-iPhone 3G, with the launch of the G1, the first phone based on Google's Android platform, which boasted a touchscreen and a QWERTY keyboard. Then came the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, formerly known as the Tube. Verizon Wireless followed up shortly thereafter with the Motorola Krave ZN4--billed as both a touchscreen phone and a flip phone.

Then, the deluge came: the Samsung Epix (AT&T); the HTC Touch Pro, a soup-ed up version of the HTC Touch Diamond (Sprint Nextel); the $800 Sony Ericsson Xperia X1; the Samsung Saga (Verizon) and Samsung Eternity (AT&T); Research In Motion's BlackBerry Storm--the first touchscreen BlackBerry (Verizon); the Samsung Omnia (Verizon); and the Nokia N97.

Why it was significant: It is easy to pronounce this or that as a paradigm shift, but the launch of the iPhone 3G truly was one. The genius lay behind its marketing, with each 30-second ad almost like an infomercial for how to use the multiple features and applications of the iPhone 3G, and then, at the end, reminding customers that it was a phone, too. Apple marketed the iPhone 3G as a mobile computer and digital media player first, and a phone second. And other handset makers felt they had to follow suit, launching a bevy of sleek phones with touchscreen UI's. While each pretender to the throne was looking to be an iPhone-Killer, so far the iPhone 3G remains at the top, simply by virtue that no other handset has achieved the same kind of brand recognition that the iPhone 3G has.

AT&T and Verizon finalize asset swap

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:41:12 -0500

AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless finalized their wireless asset swap, which was first announced last December, after getting regulatory approval from both the FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The deal, which gained approval from the Federal Trade Commission in March, gives AT&T some former Rural Cellular licenses and network assets in the Burlington, Vt., metro area as well as areas in upstate New York and Washington State. Verizon acquired Rural Cellular in late July 2007. Verizon gets some assets in Kentucky that AT&T acquired when it merged with Dobson Communications in October 2007. Verizon also gets 10 MHz of PCS spectrum and additional cash from AT&T.

For more:
-see this release

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2008 Year in Review: Verizon Wireless acquires Alltel for $28.1 billion

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:34:01 -0500

The news: On June 5, Verizon announced that it would acquire Alltel for $28.1 billion.

The deal sent ripples through the wireless world because it meant Verizon would pass AT&T Mobility as the nation's No. 1 carrier and would pick up coverage in 57 markets that it did not operate in. It also made sense in a number of ways--Alltel had been a roaming partner with Verizon for years, and both used CDMA technology and Qualcomm's BREW platform for content delivery.

By early October, despite concerns about Alltel's debt, the deal seemed to be on track. Then, a coalition of rural wireless carriers, led by Leap Wireless, petitioned the FCC to deny the deal, saying it would reduce competition. A group of public interest groups, under the auspices of the Public Interest Spectrum Trust, urged the FCC to consider rules that would prevent the newly merged company from violating open access rules that apply to wireline ISPs.

The U.S. Department of Justice approved the deal as long as Verizon divested 100 markets in 22 states where the two carriers overlapped. On Nov. 4, after a marathon open meeting, the FCC approved the deal, creating a new company with 83.8 million subscribers. The FCC required that Verizon divest from five additional markets, and though some commissioners said they worried about reduced competition, the deal was sealed.

Why it was significant: Consolidation in the wireless industry had been happening for some time, with Tier 1 carriers gobbling up smaller operators. But Verizon Wireless' decision to acquire carrier Alltel and, in turn, become the largest carrier in the United States, put a whole new spin on the concept of what a wireless behemoth could be. The deal changes the national wireless map and raises questions about how the other major carriers would respond. Would they have to push for acquisitions to keep up? AT&T certainly thought so, as it sought to acquire Centennial in the wake of the deal. It also raises the question of competition. With Sprint bleeding subscribers and T-Mobile USA's footprint not as extensive as its rivals, is the wireless business about to become a two-player game?

AT&T workers to pay higher share of healthcare

Phil Goldstein — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:24:22 -0500

An arbitrator has ordered 43,000 union employees who work for AT&T Mobility to begin paying 20 percent of their healthcare costs in 2012.

The union, the Communications Workers of America, sued AT&T Mobility and other units earlier this month, accusing the company of trying to avoid providing benefits by restructuring business units to reassign union workers, something the union says would have put the workers in greater financial risk.

AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp said the arbitration decision is unrelated to the lawsuit and is the result of a months-long negotiations process. The employees in question currently pay 11 percent of their healthcare costs, and will see that percentage rise three points every year beginning in 2010. New employees will pay the 20 percent rate.

AT&T Inc. announced earlier in December that it would cut 12,000 jobs, mostly on the wireline side in the face of worsening economic conditions. This healthcare decision represents one way companies may look to curb costs going forward by passing on a greater burden of the cost of healthcare to employees.

For more:
- see this article

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AT&T begins selling refurbished iPhone 3Gs

Phil Goldstein — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:23:00 -0500

AT&T Mobility has started selling refurbished versions of Apple's iPhone 3G for $50 less than it sells new versions of the phone.

The 8GB model is going for $150 and the 16GB model sells for $250. AT&T says the phones are those that were returned during the 30-day trial period. A two-year service contract is still necessary.

"Each refurbished phone is independently quality tested and loaded with the latest software to meet current factory standards. Some refurbished iPhone 3G devices will have minor scratches." The warranty is said to be "90 days or more" which differs from the usual one-year warranty offered for the iPhone 3G.

For more:
- see this article
- see this post

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Ad wars: Here's our take on the holiday wireless commercials

Phil Goldstein — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:11:47 -0500

It seems that as the number of days in the holiday shopping season dwindles, the number of holiday-themed wireless commercials or web ads increases. This is true of most consumer and retail goods, but with the wireless industry it's slightly different because all of the companies are essentially selling you the same thing. But that's not what the Tier 1 operators and handset makers would like you to believe: each of their products are faster, better, shinier than all of the others. Or, maybe, simply, their commercials are just better.

FierceWireless compiled a sampling of the commercials that are airing right now from some of the operators and handset makers. They run the gamut from merely informative (such as a 3-minute spiel about how best to buy an iPhone 3G for someone) to entertaining (the AT&T Mobility gingerbread men strike back!) to the simply zany (a swarm of Santas in a Motorola commercial).

Some of the ads hawk products that are doing extremely well in the market, but are flops as commercials because they fail to tell the consumer much about the product or why they should buy it. Other commercials are for products that are not doing as well but offer up some zip and pizazz that make them entertaining.

To be clear, we are not critiquing, reviewing or otherwise passing judgment on the products or services being offered, but merely on the commercials. FierceWireless has offered a critique of both their aesthetics and effectiveness, and they are divided up by carrier or company. Check out our list and post a comment telling us which one is your favorite and why. Click here for FierceWireless' Holiday Themed Commercial Review. --Phil

Garmin Nuvifone gets FCC approval

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:46:51 -0500

The Garmin Nuvifone may be getting one step closer to reality, as it recently got FCC approval and is being tested on 3G bands for North America. The device is being tested on 1900 MHz and 850 MHz bands, but there is currently no word on whether it will be paired with a specific U.S. carrier.

The long-awaited touchscreen device, which Garmin announced in January but then said was delayed until early 2009, is supposed to combine smartphone technology, mobile web browsing and Garmin's personal navigation tools. There were rumors this spring that Garmin and AT&T Mobility were considering a $500 price point for device plus a two-year contract and $19.99-a-month unlimited data and GPS plan. That rumored plan has not become a reality--yet.

For more:
- see this post

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RadioShack to sell $99 Acer netbook with AT&T service

Phil Goldstein — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:10:27 -0500

RadioShack will sell a $99 lightweight Acer netbook with a two-year wireless data contract from AT&T.

The netbook, the Acer Aspire, will be available beginning Dec. 14 for $99.99 for customers who sign a two-year AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband contract. The offer will be available in 4,400 RadioShack stores through Dec. 24. The netbook will have an 8.9-inch LCD screen, an Intel Atom processor, a gigabyte of RAM, a 160GB hard drive.

AT&T has recently been aggressive in its embedded laptop push. The company also is working with Ericsson and Lenovo to offer HSPA-enabled laptops.

For more:
- see this article
- see this release

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Wireless networks remain mixed on WiFi

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:15:56 -0500

The Tier 1 U.S. operators remain conflicted over offering WiFi in their phones. But as WiFi support picks up steam from chipmakers and customer demand for more ways to get broadband access on their phones increases, that paradigm may shift. Special Report

AT&T, TeleNav launch embedded GPS tracker

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:52:58 -0500

AT&T Mobility added TeleNav's Vehicle Tracker into its portfolio of enterprise mobility devices, pushing further into the embedded devices market.

The device can be hardwired or embedded into a vehicle and allows companies to monitor fleet operations and locations, with GPS-based information sent over AT&T's network. Once the device is installed, it remains active and does not need any additional driver interaction or resources.

TeleNav said the device is available on AT&T's wireless network and will cost $399, with a monthly service charge of about $34 per device with qualified AT&T data plans and TeleNav Vehicle Tracker service plan rates.

For more:
- see this release

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AT&T looking to consolidate smartphone platforms

Phil Goldstein — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:48:01 -0500

AT&T Mobility is considering moving toward standardizing the operating system on all of its branded smartphones, and may be settling on Symbian as the chosen platform.

As part of a "dramatic consolidation" of its mobile platforms, the carrier expects to, over the next few years, standardize the OS on its smartphones, which will make up the majority of its portfolio by 2014, said Roger Smith, director of next generation services for AT&T.
Smith, speaking at the Symbian Partner Event in San Francisco, said he thinks Symbian is "a very credible and likely candidate" to become the carrier's platform of choice.

Smith reiterated that the change is related to completely AT&T-branded smartphones, and not third-party products like Apple's iPhone 3G that use AT&T's network. Smith said he worried about how platform fragmentation going forward would affect AT&T's ability to manage its portfolio. "Whose support nightmare is that?" he asked. "It's ours."

For more:
- see this article

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T-Mobile, AT&T offer Black Friday discounts

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:05:05 -0500

In the midst of widespread economic unrest, some of the carriers are launching Black Friday deals and products to try to lure in customers.

T-Mobile USA announced today that for the weekend of Nov. 28 to Nov. 30 it will offer the Motorola ZN5 for free after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract. AT&T Mobility will offer two of its quick messaging phones, the Pantech Matrix and the Samsung Propel, on a buy-one-get-one-free basis after a mail-in rebate. The phones normally sell for $79.99 after a mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract. Alltel is also launching a phone on Black Friday, the Motorola Hint, a vertical slider phone with a QWERTY keyboard. The phone is selling for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract.

"Black Friday has traditionally been a big day for retailers," said analyst Avi Greengart of Current Analysis in an interview with FierceWireless. "And we tend to forget that carriers are retailers." What they are selling these days, and this season especially, he added, is convergence devices. "Some people are buying advanced cell phones in lieu of other gadgets," he said, so it is not surprising that the carriers are offering discounts similar to what a retailer such as Best Buy would do on Black Friday.

Greengart said T-Mobile was making a strategic move in highlighting the ZN5, which, with five-megapixel camera, is one of the top camera phones on the market, and something the other carriers cannot really compete with. He also said the AT&T decision was smart because quick-messaging phones are a growing market segment.

For more:
- see this AT&T release

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Verizon, AT&T launch new Samsung phones

Phil Goldstein — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:31:28 -0500

Both Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility launched new Samsung phones, adding to their holiday lineup as the holiday shopping season sets to kick off.

Verizon debuted two global phones, one a high-end smartphone and the other a lower-tier flip phone. The Samsung Saga is a QWERTY-keyboard toting smartphone with quad-band GSM/GPRS capability, an optical mouse, WiFi capability, the Opera browser and Windows Mobile 6.1. It also has a 2 megapixel camera, a microSD slot capable of holding 16GB and stereo Bluetooth. The phone will sell for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a $70 mail-in rebate and will be available Dec 1.

Verizon also launched the Samsung Renown, a a quad-band flip phone that has all of the basics. The phone has a 2 megapixel camera, visual voicemail and a microSD slot capable of holding 8GB. The phone will retail for $179.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate and will be in stores Dec. 1 and available through business sales channels Nov. 19.

AT&T is also getting into the mix, and launched the Samsung Eternity, a MediaFLO phone that has access to AT&T Mobile TV. The HSDPA touchscreen phone has a full QWERTY keyboard, an accelerometer and Samsung's TouchWiz user interface. The phone also has a 3 megapixel camera and GPS with AT&T Navigator. The phone is selling for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate. AT&T is also offering new AT&T Mobile TV subscribers a 30-day free trial of the service.

For more:
- see this Verizon release
- see this AT&T release
- see FierceWireless' Holiday Handset Guide

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FierceWireless details Q3 carrier metrics

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:41:29 -0500

Now that all of the major U.S. carriers have reported their third quarter earnings, FierceWireless has compiled all of the top metrics--ARPU, churn, net additions and total subscribers--for a fuller view at where the operators stand. Metrics charts

AT&T launches HTC Fuze

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:02:54 -0500

AT&T Mobility launched the HTC Fuze, the same hardware as the HTC Touch Pro that Sprint Nextel launched, adding another high-end handset to its holiday lineup alongside Apple's iPhone 3G.

The HSDPA phone has a 2.8-inch VGA screen that uses the TouchFLO user interface which allows customers to use gestures to access tabs on the screen. The phone runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 and uses the Opera web browser. It is WiFi capable and has a five-row slideout QWERTY keyboard. The phone also has a 3.2 megapixel camera, access to Cellular Video and later this year will be compatible with Good Mobile Messaging and BlackBerry Connect.

The phone is selling for $299.99 with a two-year service contract and after mail-in rebates.

For more:
- see this release
- see this pic of the Fuze
- see FierceWireless' Holiday Handset Guide

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AT&T acquires Wayport, boosts WiFi presence

Phil Goldstein — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:00:50 -0500

AT&T will acquire the WiFi service provider Wayport for around $275 million in cash, greatly expanding its WiFi footprint into the hotels, airports and other areas where Wayport currently provides services.

The move boosts the number of AT&T WiFi hotspots in the United States to close to 20,000, and AT&T customers will get access to the hotspots Wayport operates at many hotels, including ones in Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club and Four Seasons hotels, HealthSouth and Sun Healthcare locations and McDonald's restaurants.

This past week, AT&T allowed its iPhone users to get free WiFi access to all of its hotspots in the country.

For more:
- see this release

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AT&T, Firethorn launch iPhone mobile banking app

Phil Goldstein — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:58:06 -0500

AT&T Mobility announced that it had partnered with Firethorn Holdings to bring the company's mobile banking software to Apple's iPhone. Some of the banks that are part of the deal are America First Credit Union, Arvest Bank, BancorpSouth, Carolina First, FirstBank, Mercantile Bank, SunTrust, Synovus, USAA and Wachovia. Release