AT&T, Verizon boost lobbying; CTIA rebrands fall show

 @FierceWireless: CTIA is rebranding its fall show as "CTIA Enterprise & Applications." Release | Follow @FierceWireless

> Analysts expect prepaid to catch fire in the first quarter, with carriers like MetroPCS and Sprint Nextel scoring gains. Article (sub. req.)

> FiberTower will provide Ethernet-based backhaul for MetroPCS' LTE buildout, the two companies announced. Release

> AT&T, Verizon and Google dramatically increased their respective spending on legislative lobbying. Article

Handset News

> Intel is poised to buy its way into the market for smartphones. Article

> Research In Motion is prepping a flip-style BlackBerry with a full Qwerty keyboard for CDMA networks, according to leaked images of the device. Article

 @FierceWireless: AT&T is offering a new HSPA 7.2 Sierra Wireless AirCard 890. Article | Follow @FierceWireless

Mobile Content News

> Rumors indicate Microsoft is in talks to acquire Millennial Media. Article

> Retailers are turning to mobile content startups to lure and retain shoppers. Article (sub. req.)

> Adobe plans to discontinue investments in Flash-based development tools for iPhone app developers. Article

> Mobile ad firms partner for unified rich media platform. Article

> Apple tempers revenue expectations for iAd's first year. Article

> AT&T's mobile data revenues were up nearly $1 billion in the first quarter. Article

Networks News

> Ericsson said it will purchase Nortel Networks' stake in its networking joint venture with LG Electronics, LG-Nortel, for $242 million. Article

And finally... Steve Jobs (the puppet) responds to Gizmodo's lost iPhone story. Video