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Is AT&T Going to End 2G service?

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It really is inevitable that old-school technologies will eventually be abandoned in favor of newer technologies. Sony has already done it in the mobile market with its decision to stop production of feature phones and just focusing on smartphone production. AT&T is also doing the same with, this time with mobile services.

AT&T has begun sending out notices that, while not announcing it outright, points to the fact that it is going to be abandoning its 2G network. The company has already talked about the need for additional wireless spectrum and it may follow T-mobile’s strategy of just using parts of the 2G network for 4G LTE development. [Read more…]

Originally posted on March 6, 2012 @ 8:26 pm

AT&T Reveals 3G pricing for PS Vita

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One of the cool features of the PS Vita, Sony’s new handheld gaming console, is 3G connectivity. This allows for online features to be built into the Vita without the need for WiFi. Of course, with a 3G feature, it’s logical that that this new console will be offered through mobile service providers.

Last year, Sony said that the PS Vita will be offered through AT&T. No further information were given up until this week when AT&T finally revealed the details of the PS Vita 3G service. The plan is actually similar to what AT&T already offers. [Read more…]

Originally posted on January 11, 2012 @ 11:33 am

Devil’s Advocate: Why T-Mobile Users Will Love Their AT&T Overlords

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In a move that surprised tech pundits, business insiders and the press, AT&T announced that they have purchased all of T-Mobile USA for almost $40 billion.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Deutsche Telekom AG (FWB: DTE) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $39 billion. The agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. […]

With this transaction, AT&T commits to a significant expansion of robust 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) deployment to 95 percent of the U.S. population to reach an additional 46.5 million Americans beyond current plans – including rural communities and small towns.  This helps achieve the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and President Obama’s goals to connect “every part of America to the digital age.” T-Mobile USA does not have a clear path to delivering LTE. (via Mobilize Everything by AT&T).

AT&T will face an uphill battle getting this deal approved by the feds as acquiring T-Mobile will make the company the sole GSM carrier in the US (not to mention make it even harder to resurrect net neutrality).

Although a majority of T-Mobile customers have expressed outrage regarding the deal upon Facebook, there are at least a few reasons why they may end up loving their AT&T overlords (at least in the near future). [Read more…]

Originally posted on March 21, 2011 @ 1:28 pm

Verizon iPhone One Up’s AT&T iPhone

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The oft rumored Verizon iPhone has finally made its debut to the public to the delight of many frustrated AT&T users.

While the iPhone’s are practically identical save for the different radio chips (as Verizon uses CDMA), AT&T’s nemesis is promising one feature that may convince users to ditch Ma’Bell for Big Red.

The Verizon iPhone 4 will launch on February 3 exclusively first for current Verizon customers. It will launch on February 10 for everyone else. It will be the same $199.99 price for the 16 GB model and $299.99 for the 32 GB model. One key difference from the AT&T version is that will be able able to be used as a personal hotspot. (via TechCrunch)

Currently AT&T customers can only tether their iPhone to a laptop through a wire unless if they want to use it as a personal modem.

The fact that Verizon is allowing users to use the device as a hotspot means that users will potentially be able to connect more than one device to the iPhone as well as give them one less item to carry around with them.

While users can create a hotspot with an AT&T iPhone, they have to jailbreak (or hack) the device in order to utilize it.

Verizon’s iPhone page is already live, and it will be interesting to see if AT&T offers customers the ability to create hotspots in the future (as simply reducing iPhone prices may not convince many users to stay).

Update: Just talked to a Verizon representative, and it looks like FaceTime is unfortunately not available over Verizon’s network.

Originally posted on January 11, 2011 @ 12:50 pm

AT&T Goes to Infinity and Beyond with New Social Recommendation Tool, Buzz.com

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AT&T has launched its newest interactive product called Buzz.com. Interestingly, aside from the similarity with Google Buzz, it seems that both service might tend to overlap in terms of function and purpose. AT&T’s Buzz is a social recommendation site with a dash of local search function. It’s a new service for sharing local tips or “buzz” with your friends.

Similar to most social media sites, Buzz.com also taps into the growing social networks. Hence you can register using your Facebook credentials. So, once you register to Buzz.com using your Facebook profile, you don’t really need to build a new community of friends or sift through rants and raves from strangers.

Buzz.com also provides personalized local search based on the recommendations of people you know and trust. Again, another vital ingredient of a successful social recommendation site.

David Krantz, AT&T President and CEO Interactive said that Buzz.com was built on the strong foundation influnced by AT&T Interactive’s leadership and success in local search.

“By offering buzz.com alongside our other local search properties like YP.COM, we create opportunity to reach a broader – and growing user segment that relies on their community to make decisions. For favorited businesses, it means immediate recognition of a loyal customer and positive exposure among a network of friends,” said Mr. Krantz.

[Read more…]

Originally posted on April 20, 2010 @ 5:47 pm