Sep 19, 2006 | blog
So the latest FCC wireless auction ends after 28 days of intense bidding. T-Mobile did well, gaining significantly needed spectrum across the country.
T-Mobile USA Inc. was the big spender of the auction, winning 120 licenses with bids totaling nearly $4.2 billion. The fourth-largest U.S. carrier gained spectrum across the country, including licenses in the large markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. As soon as the auction closed, T-Mobile USA put out a statement saying that it will not immediately reveal its plans for the spectrum.
This is very exciting news for me as a T-Mobile subscriber. While their EDGE data service is great, I can’t wait for 3G data speeds!
Read more at: RCRNews
Sep 1, 2006 | blog
So I’ve yet to get the Cable service hooked up yet, and we’ve been using my MDA’s EDGE connection for Internet access. Overall, I’ve been happy with the speeds I get with my EDGE connection, one time peaking at 200kbps – quite fast compared to my old phone’s (Nokia 6600) 40kpbs.
At our new home though, I get about a peak (so far) of around 127kbps, with an upstream of 74kbps. Not too much to brag about, but right in the range that I’ve seen overall for EDGE service from T-Mobile. I can live with this quite well. This is the first real need for this type of connectivity, though I have used my MDA as a modem on many occasions, it was more of a W?BIC.
So I’ve seen the best-case speeds and the average EDGE speeds, and I am happy with the service. I’ve had mobile data service with my phones for at least 3 years, GPRS was a huge improvement over the original 9.6kbps that you could get out of the standard GSM line, and again with EDGE, it is at least a threefold improvement in speed.
Will I upgrade to a UMTS or HSDPA phone when T-Mobile provides service? Yep! The ~400kpbs of UMTS and multi-megabit speeds of HSDPA will be a great experience. Of course, we’ll have to see what the service charges will be, but at the moment, you can’t get a better deal for mobile Internet access than T-Mobile’s unlimited Internet plan ($20 – its called the BlackBerry Internet plan) and for an additional $10, you can add all their WiFi hotspots as well.
Cool stuff – can’t wait for the broadband connection though!
Aug 31, 2006 | blog
According to MobileCrunch, Nokia is finally making it easier for their customers to upgrade the firmware in their phones.
It really makes me laugh, Windows Mobile devices (including phones) have had this capability from day one. Whenever the device OEM developed an enhanced or updated firmware, the customer was able to download and install within hours.
On rare occasions such as an OS upgrade from PPC 2002 to 2003, some OEMs charged a nominal $30 or so for the upgrade, but the option to do this was always there.
In the end its a good thing for Nokia customers, and I can only imagine that they will incorporate this in all future phones/devices in addition to as many shipping products that they can. Good move Nokia.
Link to MobileCrunch » Nokia Unveils Phone Firmware Updater
Aug 24, 2006 | blog
This is a great opportunity if you have ever wanted to be a phone beta tester!
Applicants must work as a professional and be technically savvy. Selected testers will be able to access access e-mail, the Web and even corporate networks on one of the fastest CDMA networks. Users must have a POP e-mail account, or use an Exchange Server. More information and instructions on applying to the beta program can be found on the Centercode Callout.
They are specifically looking for testers in Venezuela and Mexico.
Link to BetaNews | Centercode Seeks EVDO Phone Testers
Aug 23, 2006 | blog
I have a hard time believing this – they only went into beta a week or two ago.
Still, if its true, this would be the first commercial implementation of Unlicensed Mobile Access. This service allows subscribers to use either cellular service or WiFi service to place & receive phone calls.
With T-Mobile having such an extensive WiFi Hotspot network, in addition to supporting free access points, and in conjunction with their GSM network, would allow users to make inexpensive calls many additional locations.
Via Pocket PC Thoughts
