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| CTIA SmartBrief |
| February 23, 2012 |
After a poor Q4, T-Mobile plans LTE rollout in 2013
T-Mobile USA will introduce high-speed service based on Long-Term Evolution technology in 2013, the company said, even as it reported losing 802,000 contract customers in the fourth quarter in the aftermath of the iPhone 4S launch, in which the carrier did not take part. Revenue declined 3.3% during the quarter. T-Mobile said it would invest $1.4 billion to help build its LTE network, which will also be aided by spectrum from AT&T and "refarmed frequencies." All Things D (2/22)
Microsoft attacks Motorola in EU, alleging FRAND patent failure
Microsoft has ratcheted up the patent wars in Europe by filing a complaint with regulators that Motorola Mobility -- and its buyer, Google -- have failed to compete fairly in licensing so-called FRAND -- or fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory -- patents, standard technologies that companies are expected to license to competitors at fair and reasonable prices. Microsoft alleged before the EU that Motorola has set unfairly high prices for such licenses. The Wall Street Journal (2/23) CNET/Business Tech blog (2/22)
T-Mobile, MetroPCS aim to stop Verizon's cable deal
T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS Communications have asked the Federal Communications Commission to prevent Verizon Wireless from buying Advanced Wireless Services frequencies from cable operators under a $3.6 billion deal that includes a joint marketing agreement. In its filing, T-Mobile said the deal would concentrate too much spectrum with Verizon, while MetroPCS argued that the agency should halt the proceedings until it has studied the bundling agreements between partners to determine whether they are in the public interest. Light Reading Cable (2/22) The Hill/Hillicon Valley blog (2/22) The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/22)
Mozilla wants to change the app world with cross-market store
Mozilla will introduce its Mobile Apps Platform next week, under which developers could sell their software in a new marketplace that would cater to users across various devices and operating systems -- those that support the HTML5 programming language. Besides the Mozilla Marketplace, the platform will contain application program interfaces that the Firefox developer hopes will become an industry standard. CNET (2/22) ReadWrite (2/22)
More shoppers rely on smartphones before buying
Nearly 30% of shoppers rely on their smartphones, according to a Nielsen survey, which also found that 71% of those who download applications would use mobile-payment systems at the checkout counter. The study found that 29% of those surveyed described themselves as "mobile shoppers" under Nielsen's narrowly defined term, with many people turning to their phones to conduct in-store research. WebProNews (Lexington, Ky.) (2/22) Wired.com/Epicenter blog (2/22)
JPMorgan will test mobile payments with GoPago investment
JPMorgan Chase will join the rush to the mobile-wallet sector by testing a service in April using software from GoPago. The software enables customers to order and pay for local products via their mobile phones, after which they show an on-screen receipt to the retailer. JPMorgan is investing in the company, although the startup says it plans to seek partnerships with other banks. Reuters (2/22)
Other News
Amazon, others sign on to mobile-app privacy pledge
Amazon, Apple and Google are among six companies that have agreed to a privacy protocol in California that requires mobile-application developers who collect personal information from users to have a privacy policy in place and to inform users before they download apps. "There are apps that once downloaded by the consumer, will also download the consumer's contact book. I'd suggest most consumers don't know that's happening and don't want it happening," said Kamala Harris, the state's attorney general. CNET/Security blog (2/22) Bloomberg Businessweek (2/23) Computerworld/IDG News Service (2/22)
Samsung, SAP are said to join on Android security push
Samsung Electronics reportedly will partner with SAP on a venture aimed at making Android devices more secure to encourage businesses to deploy them. A published report says the maker of enterprise-management software will announce its plans with Samsung next week at an industry conference in Spain. The deal would mark SAP's first with an Android phone manufacturer. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/22)
Kineto will take on Skype, Google with VoIP app
Kineto Wireless has expanded on its VoIP partnership with T-Mobile USA by introducing its Smart VoIP application, which will compete with Skype and Google Voice by allowing cellphone users to make calls over Wi-Fi networks on Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7 devices. Kineto says the app allows carriers to determine whether they can collect revenues from VoIP calling without cannibalizing their existing business. PCWorld Business Center/BizFeed blog (2/22) GigaOm (2/22)
Other News
Tech venture firm sees growing appetite for telecom vendors
Telecom equipment-makers will become a major target of technology-tilted private-equity firms this year, according to Silver Lake, which predicts a wave of deal-making involving makers of telephone gear and mobile devices. Industry observers see these vendors as ripe because many are undervalued. Bloomberg Businessweek (2/23)
Other News
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BIG Idea Contest now accepting submissions
CTIA's second annual BIG Idea Contest is now accepting submissions! Enter your idea, vision or concept for the wireless product, application or service that you think demonstrates the transformative power of wireless. The deadline for submission is 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on March 5. In mid-March, all BIG Idea submissions will be posted to a public site to allow wireless and telecommunications industry professionals to vote and determine the top five finalists. Winners will showcase their big ideas on the Exhibit Innovations Stage at International CTIA WIRELESS® 2012, May 8 to 10 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Find out more information and learn how to submit your BIG Idea. Blank (2/23)
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