More wireless news from across the web:
> Qualcomm announced its new Connected Car Reference Platform, which the company said is aimed at "accelerating the adoption of advanced and complex connectivity into the next-generation of connected cars." Release
> Verizon said it will discontinue its $2.99 per month visual voicemail service. PhoneScoop article
> T-Mobile's Stock Up offering, which promises to give customers shares in the company, could create tax problems for users. Washington Post article
> Verizon announced several promotions around Father's Day, including a free 50-inch Samsung smart TV for customers who purchase a new Samsung smartphone. Release
> According to a new survey from Nokia, the importance of a mobile provider's service and device portfolio has a 10 percent impact on customer acquisition, up from 6 percent in 2014. Release
> There are still a few people who are using Amazon's Fire phone. GeekWire article
> Yahoo is gearing up to sell 1,000 patents that could be worth up to $1 billion. Article
> AT&T said it reached an agreement with the Communication Workers of America for healthcare for its wireless employees. Release
> Microsoft is offering a monthly payment plan for its Surface devices, similar to the EIP offerings from wireless carriers and Apple's iPhone upgrade program. Engadget article
> Pandora announced a new series of mobile ads the company hopes will boost its ad business. Release
> Vivendi is moving forward with its hostile takeover of the French mobile gaming company Gameloft. WSJ article
> Dish Network announced it will offer $750 million in senior notes, and the proceeds of the offering are intended to be used for "strategic transactions, which may include wireless and spectrum-related strategic transactions." Release
Telecom News
> AT&T's Ethernet footprint expansion is being complemented with a group of higher speed 40G and 100G speeds that are starting to be adopted by more of the carrier's customer base, whose bandwidth needs are exceeding initial expectations. Article
Online Video News
> Facebook and games maker Blizzard are teaming up to integrate social login and live video streaming into its latest major title, Overwatch. Article
Installer News
> The Carolina Panthers, working with CommScope and Beam Wireless, are already seeing upsides to running its own DAS, which already supports three wireless operators. Article
European Wireless News
> TIM became the latest European operator to sign an agreement with a leading vendor as part of efforts to boost the development of future 5G technology through a deal with Ericsson. Article
> Vodafone said narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) could be one of the fastest rollouts of new technology that it has ever completed as it continues to upgrade its core and radio network ahead of a planned commercial launch in several markets during 2017. Article
Cable News
> Huawei Technologies has introduced what it's billing as the broadband industry's first 10 Gbps hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) access platform. Article
And finally… The wireless account of the technology chief for the FTC was hacked, prompting her to call for better authentication. Article