Carriers

Sprint’s 4G LTE will be slower than AT&T’s or Verizon’s

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

As Sprint, the nation's third-largest carrier, begins its long-overdue nationwide 4G LTE rollout, those keeping their fingers crossed for some crazy fast download speeds on a next-generation 4G LTE iPhone will be in for an unpleasant surprise.

While the carrier will keep unlimited data, whether or not the next iPhone has LTE (and we know the Now Network will be eligible for a 4G LTE iPhone), the handset will theoretically achieve much greater downloads speeds on rival AT&T's and Verizon's networks.

Here's why...

T-Mobile ad disses the iPhone 4S on AT&T’s network

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

As T-Mobile USA is getting ready to roll out an iPhone-compatible HSPA+ 19000 MHz network later this year (they already host more than a million iPhones on their network), the long overdue iPhone-friendly network expansion isn't stopping them to take potshots at Apple's smartphone and rival AT&T.

Their latest commercial, a part of the broader campaign dubbed 'Alter Ego', likens the speed of an iPhone 4S on the AT&T network to an ordinary motorcycle, which gets overtaken in a blink of a second by a badass 1000cc Ducati motorcycle....

T-Mobile: iPhone-compatible HSPA+ network coming later this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated July 24, 2016

Folks looking to move their iPhone service to the often-cheaper T-Mobile network will be happy to hear this. The nation's fourth largest carrier has just announced that it plans to roll out an iPhone-ready network by the end of the year.

According to a recent press release, T-Mobile is modernizing its 4G network this year by launching HSPA+ services in the 1900 MHz band. This will improve data speeds, in-building service, and yes, compatibility with Apple's smartphone...

AT&T CEO talks the iPhone, unlimited data and iMessage

Cody Lee ∙ May 4, 2012

The New York Times points to some interesting comments, regarding Apple, made by AT&T's chief executive Randall Stephenson at the Milken Institute's Global Conference earlier this week.

During an on-stage interview, the CEO discussed a wide range of topics including his regret for initially allowing iPhone users to have unlimited data, and how it affected AT&T's bottom line...

Straight Talk: the silent iPhone partner

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Carrier options for US iPhone customers have dramatically multiplied over the past two years. The handset, which was once only available from AT&T, is now offered on nine wireless providers across the country.

Actually, 10 carriers if you count Straight Talk. You may or may not know this, but the nationwide prepaid provider is compatible with the GSM iPhone. You don't even need to unlock your handset to switch to it...

Would you buy a carrier-subsidized iPad?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

In the midst of all of the talk regarding Apple releasing a smaller iPad to reach out to budget shoppers, one analyst has another idea on how the company could lower the slate's cost to infiltrate the budget tablet market. Carrier subsidies.

Analyst A.I. Houriani, of Seeking Alpha, believes that Apple could sell a lot more iPads if it could convince carriers to absorb some of the tablet's up front costs in exchange for multi-year contracts — similar to what they do with iPhones...

Analyst believes Apple will soon become a mobile operator

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

9to5Mac points to an interesting presentation given at the recent Barcelona Informa MVNO Industry Summit by Whitey Bluestein. The wireless industry analyst believes that Apple is about to launch its own wireless service courtesy of MVNO.

This isn't the first time we've heard rumors regarding the iPhone-makers becoming a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, but Bluestein believes this is set to happen in the "near future." And he makes a pretty convincing argument too...

Verizon to activate LTE in dozens of new markets this week

Cody Lee ∙ April 17, 2012

Did you recently purchase a new Verizon-flavored LTE iPad? Well if so, you'll be happy to know that the carrier is about to start a massive rollout that will make its high-speed 4G network available to dozens of new markets.

This morning, Verizon announced a number of new expansions and additions to its already vast LTE network. Want to know if your city was included? Keep reading for a full list of the carrier's new 4G markets...

Carriers to Nokia: Lumia cannot match the iPhone’s sexyness

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

You may have heard that some analysts consider Windows Phone a legitimate iPhone contender and have probably read nice things about the new Lumia smartphone brand from Nokia that debuted last October. Lumia is the ailing cellphone giant's inaugural Windows Phone lineup born out of their partnership with Microsoft.

The Lumia 900, Nokia's latest attempt to beat the iPhone at its own game, is backed by millions of Microsoft's marketing dollars and pushed with aggressive anti-Apple advertising. Nevertheless, the handset has apparently fell on def ear with both carriers and bankers.

AT&T lights up LTE network in St. Louis and Staten Island, NY

Cody Lee ∙ April 11, 2012

As noted by Cult of Mac, AT&T has announced that it has added two more major markets to its high-speed LTE network. The carrier flipped the switch this morning for its next-generation network in both St. Louis and Staten Island, NY.

The news comes just a week after AT&T activated LTE in Indiana and Bryan-College Station, Texas, reiterating its commitment to rolling out its long term evolution network to 12 new markets before the summer...

Verizon instituting $30 upgrade fee from April 22

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 11, 2012

Verizon Wireless, the nation's biggest carrier, announced today that it will begin charging a $30 device upgrade fee beginning April 22. It will be applicable to existing customers purchasing new mobile equipment at a discounted price with a two-year contract.

With AT&T and Sprint having both been charging an upgrade fee for awhile now, today's news means that now all major wireless operators in the United States are imposing a fee on customers upgrading to new devices.

Carriers to curb cellphone theft with joint database of stolen devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 10, 2012

Apple's own Find My iPhone service is great for finding your misplaced device, but it usually isn't much of a help when someone steals your brand spanking new iPhone to make a quick buck by reselling it.

Looking to contain an explosion of smartphone-related theft, major United States carriers have joined forces on an interesting nationwide initiative. They teamed up with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a joint database that would keep track of stolen handsets and those reported as lost.

This should drastically reduce resale value of stolen devices as those would be denied voice and data services...