Here are the other stories we’re tracking today:
> A new GSMA forecast predicts that smartphones connected to 4G networks will account for four out of five mobile connections in North America by 2020, a higher proportion than any other global region. The report also predicts that the mobile ecosystem’s contribution to the North American economy will increase to more than $1 trillion by 2020. Release
> BMW Seattle, Detroit Pistons, MGM Resorts, Multiplus, Subway and Walgreens are among those showcasing Messaging as a Platform services based on the GSMA’s Universal Profile for Advanced Messaging at the Mobile World Congress Americas trade show. Release
> For the first time since 2009, the FCC said there is “effective competition” in the U.S. wireless market, in the agency’s annual report. Wall Street Journal article
> Telecom operator Nemont in Montana said it deployed Mimosa’s MicroPoP and GigaPoP architectures in order to offer fixed wireless services up to 100 Mbps services. Release
> AT&T said it will provide HBO Now for free to its $60 per month Unlimited Choice customers, likely a response to T-Mobile’s move to offer free Netflix to its customers. AT&T first offered HBO Now for free to its Unlimited Plus customers in April. Release
> Ericsson said it named Niklas Heuveldop as the company’s new head of its North American business. Release
> The Wall Street Journal reported that close to 4,000 of the 14,500 cell sites in Florida’s storm zone were offline yesterday. WSJ article