Three promises UK LTE with no pricey data (but you’ll have to wait for it)

UK carrier Three has detailed its LTE price strategy, intending to charge no extra data premium for the use of its 4G network, though subscribers will have to wait until it actually gets rolled out later in 2013. LTE will be “available as standard” on every Three price plan, the carrier says, albeit requiring a device – such as the iPhone 5, BlackBerry Z10, or Nokia Lumia 920 – that can actually access the 4G frequencies.

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The pricing strategy is at odds with the only existing commercial 4G network operating in the UK, from EE. There, the strategy has been to charge a premium for faster access: although EE still offers Orange and T-Mobile UK contracts, subscribers on those plans only get to use the 3G networks at most. EE has been criticized for the expense of its agreements, along with the limitations of its data allowances, though given the captive audience there’s minimal motivation for it to be more generous.

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That’s all set to change later in 2013, however, when the other UK carriers aim to have their own 4G service up and running. Three has already begun paving the way to what it calls “Ultrafast” connectivity with DC-HSDPA, of which there’s currently around 55-percent population coverage. That will continue to spread ahead of LTE, with 80-percent population coverage expected by the end of Q1 2013.

Beyond that, Three intends to add in 1800MHz spectrum to its DC-HSDPA service. The carrier is known for offering “true unlimited” data on some of its packages, the promise of which is likely to get speed-freaks drooling when you factor in LTE.


Three promises UK LTE with no pricey data (but you’ll have to wait for it) is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

T-Mobile boosts its New Orleans 4G coverage ahead of Super Bowl and Mardi Gras

New Orleans is going to be exciting place in February, with the Super Bowl coming up in a few days and Mardi Gras coming a couple weeks later. The city will be inundated with people, most of whom will be wielding smartphones, a fair number of which will probably be T-Mobile customers. In preparation, the carrier has given its 4G in the region a boost, ensuring more customers can access and utilize the network.

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T-Mobile customers wanting to tweet, status update, upload, download, and otherwise share their real-life Super Bowl and Mardi Gras experiences in the digitalsphere will be happy to note that the carrier has determined areas around New Orleans where data and voice activity is expected to be high and has given the network a boost to ensure it can handle the extra load.

Likewise, to make sure that the T-Mobile users both inside and around the Superdome have access to the network, the carrier has installed a DAS (Distributed Antenna System) unit. The Weidenberg Park area will also benefit from what they refer to as COWs, which stands for Cells on Wheels. This will increase both voice and data load capacities in that specific area.

T-Mobile has also erected what it calls a Command Center, which is tasked with monitoring the network to make sure that all runs smoothly. Finally, it also has implemented special event parameters that will boost voice and data based on the fluctuating demand during the big events. As a service to customers, the carrier will also be provided a T-Mobile branded SUV that will roll around and serve as a charging station, as well as offering TVs and video games.

[via Android Community]


T-Mobile boosts its New Orleans 4G coverage ahead of Super Bowl and Mardi Gras is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Verizon Jetpack MiFi 5510L lands Jan 31: LTE sharing for twenty bucks

Verizon has updated its mobile hotspot range, adding the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE MiFi 5510L to its line-up of high-speed mobile data options. The new MiFi, made by Novatel Wireless, will go on sale from Thursday, January 31 through Verizon’s online store priced at $19.99 following a $50 mail-in rebate and assuming a new, two-year data plan agreement.

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According to Novatel, the MiFi 5510L will share its 4G connection with up to ten WiFi-tethered devices simultaneously. There’s also VPN support, including VPN Pass-through for enterprise users, and SPI Firewall.

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On the front there’s a display and touch-sensitive keys, and Novatel has added in real-time data use tracking so that subscribers can see exactly how much of their LTE allowance they’re chewing through. That’s particularly useful since the new Jetpack can be used with a Share Everything Plan, tapping into some of your overall data bundle pot.

The 5510L is the latest in a line of Verizon/Novatel Jetpack-branded models, most recently the 890L of mid-2012. Whereas that MiFi version promised up to six hours of active runtime on a single charge, the new Jetpack delivers up to eight hours of continuous use, so Novatel claims.

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Verizon Jetpack MiFi 5510L lands Jan 31: LTE sharing for twenty bucks is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Mobile Miscellany: week of January 21st, 2013

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

If you didn’t get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we’ve opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought a new smartphone from Xolo to India, HTC’s crackdown on a custom ROM distributor and the UK’s largest mobile spectrum auction to date. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the “best of the rest” for this week of January 21st, 2013.

Xolo A500 debuts in India with Android 4.0

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

A new Android 4.0 smartphone known as the Xolo A500 became available within India this week, and from all appearances, it’s entirely run of the mill. That said, with a price of ₹6,999 ($130), it may just turn a few heads. The Xolo A500 sports a 4-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, along with a dual-core 1GHz CPU (Snapdragon S4 Play) and dual-SIM functionality. You’ll also find a 5-megapixel rear camera, along with a front-facing VGA shooter. The device includes a 1,500mAh battery, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage and supports microSD cards up to 32GB in size. [Fone Arena]

Ofcom kicks off 4G spectrum auction in UK

The largest mobile spectrum auction to date in the UK began this week, which is set to nearly double the wireless resources available to Britons. In all, 28 lots of spectrum are available across the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands, which will add 250MHz of spectrum to the 333MHz in use today. Telefonica (O2), Vodafone, EE, Hutchison (Three), Niche Spectrum Ventures (BT), HKT and MLL are participants in the auction, which carries a total reserve price of £1.36 billion. According to UK regulator Ofcom, the auction will take place in several rounds over the coming weeks. [Android Central]

AT&T CEO reveals interest in smartphone financing

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

Verizon’s Lowell McAdam now has some company. During this week’s earnings call, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson revealed that AT&T is similarly monitoring T-Mobile’s shift to drop the subsidized business model and instead provide customers the ability to finance their new smartphone purchase. While Stephenson may lack grace with his words, the intent is clear: “We expect there to be some dynamics in the marketplace that — and we’ll have to respond to some of it — we find interesting, like the handset financing that they’re doing.” Curiously, Stephenson admitted that AT&T has considered the approach in the past, but like Verizon, much of how his company responds will depend on consumers’ reception of T-Mobile’s new approach. [FierceWireless]

US Cellular now offers carrier billing for online shopping

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

US Cellular announced this week that it now supports carrier billing for online purchases. The system was launched in partnership with Boku, and subscribers may pay for goods at participating merchants by entering their mobile number at checkout and then confirming the purchase with a text message. From there, customers will find the total amount of the purchase added to their wireless bill. [PhoneScoop]

AT&T working to integrate Data Sense for Windows Phone 8

Data Sense is one of the more unique features of Windows Phone 8, which allows users to monitor their data usage and squeeze more from their data plan through the magic of server-side compression. Verizon is the only carrier to support the feature within the US, but that may soon change, as AT&T has revealed that it’s “exploring Data Sense and how to optimize the experience” for its subscribers. About damn time, right? [FierceWireless]

HTC forces shutdown of custom ROM site

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

A provider of many popular Sense-based ROMs is no more. This week, HTCRUU closed its doors and took its repositories offline in acquiescence to legal threats from HTC. Historically, HTC has taken an admirably lax approach to distribution of customized Sense ROMs, which are popular among enthusiasts of the company’s smartphones. Naturally, many other sources exist for custom Sense blends, which raises the question of whether this move was but a one-off showing of legal force, or whether HTC will take a more active approach to ending the underground custom ROM community. Those interested can learn more of the situation on Reddit. [Android Police]

Other random tidbits

  • Following in the footsteps of Android and iOS, Microsoft has upped the mobile data cap of app downloads and updates for Windows Phone to 50MB. [WPCentral]
  • The Meizu MX2 is now available as a subsidized handset for customers of China Unicom. The smartphone can be gotten for free with all two-year plans of ¥226 or more per month, or with all three-year plans of ¥156 or more per month. [GSM Arena]
  • Colombia’s state-owned telecom, UNE EPM, announced that it would invest $2.5 million to bring LTE services to Barranquilla — the country’s fourth most populous city — which sports a population of approximately 1.8 million. [RCR Wireless]
  • An internal leak has revealed that the HTC 8S will become available at Bell Mobility on February 1st. [MobileSyrup]
  • Videotron has announced that it’ll begin selling the Nexus 4 on January 30th. Similarly, Fido is accepting reservations (and a requisite $40 deposit) for the smartphone, which it’s targeting for an early February arrival. [MobileSyrup 1, 2]

[Buy More Stuff photo credit: jbhthescots / Flickr]

[Mobile Miscellany photo credit: Thristian / Flickr]

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HTC One SV Review

Flagship smartphones may get us talking, but it’s mass market devices like the HTC One SV that get huge sales, and that’s just what UK 4G trailblazer EE needs to help push LTE to the mainstream. HTC’s mid-range Android ticks some high-end boxes, with its 4G support and slick design, but there are compromises in the mixture too, in order to hit a more affordable price point. Is the One SV the LTE Android for the everyman? Read on for our full review.

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Hardware and Design

For a mid-range handset, HTC has done a decent job with the One SV’s physical design. The back cover – removable, unlike many recent HTC phones – has the same soft-touch finish as we know from the 8X and One S, despite being plastic, while the scratch-proof Corning Gorilla Glass 2 up-front has smoothly curved edges which help the slightly angular sides nestle nicely into the palm of your hand.

Front and center is the One SV’s 4.3-inch display, using an LCD2 panel as per many other models in HTC’s range. It’s a bright panel, with decent viewing angles, but its resolution puts it at a disadvantage: at WVGA 800 x 480, it’s behind the qHD models in the same sort of price bracket, and leagues behind the 720p and 1080p displays other phones use (including HTC’s own DROID DNA, which has an excellent Full HD screen). The result is graininess from the clearly visible pixels, most noticeable when in the browser or viewing photos or video.

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There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top, alongside the power/standby button, while a microUSB port is on the bottom edge and a volume rocker on the right. We were slightly surprised by how slippery the One SV could be; placed face down, it quickly found a route off the edge of our sofa and onto the floor, though happily resisted the bump. On the plus side, it’s easily dropped into a pocket, and at 128 x 66.9 x 9.2 mm and 122g isn’t unduly bulky. The matte white back cover did pick up dirt and smudges easily, however, while the broad, ridged earpiece spanning most of the top bezel was an instant fluff magnet.

As for what’s inside the casing, the One SV runs Android on a 1.2GHz Qualcomm S4 dual core processor, with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. There’s triband UMTS/HSPA (up to 42Mbps down and 5.76Mbps up, network permitting) and quad band GSM/EDGE along with the LTE, together with WiFi a/b/g/n (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 (with aptX support), and NFC. A digital compass, GPS, GLONASS, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and light sensor round out the key features.

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On the back, a nugget of metal surrounds the 5-megapixel camera and LED flash. As per previous phones, HTC uses a backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor for improved low-light performance, along with an F2.0 aperture, 28mm lens. The front camera runs at 1.6-megapixels, and shoots 720p HD video compared to the 1080p Full HD supported on the back. HTC slots in its dedicated ImageChip for pre-JPEG-conversion processing and swifter back-to-back photography.

While One X+ and 8X owners have to make do with what storage HTC gives them (or what they can muster from the cloud), those picking up a One SV can slot in a microSD card instead. Up to 64GB cards are supported; the removable cover also means you can switch out the 1,800 mAh battery, handy given that LTE can be a power-hog.

Software and Performance

If the display resolution is HTC’s first real goof with the One SV, the version of Android the smartphone runs is definitely the second. Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich is loaded, complete with HTC Sense 4.1, an inexplicable decision given Jelly Bean has been around since mid-2012. It’s Android as we know and, generally speaking, love, though you miss out on Project Butter’s interface-smoothing magic, and that’s a real shame on a handset already running mid-tier hardware.

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Sense remains a mixed bag, certainly distinctive but feeling more than a little over-designed, certainly when compared to the crisp, near-minimalist simplicity of pure Android. First-time smartphone owners should find it reasonably user-friendly, however, and HTC preloads a number of applications, including Dropbox (which prompts you to set up an account and auto-sync your photos and videos with the cloud), Evernote, a video editing app, 7digital for music downloads, a flashlight, and others, most of which are familiar from a long line of HTC devices.

Familiarity is good, but we’re not convinced custom manufacturer skins and Android still make sense (excuse the pun), at least for users. HTC’s interface may help it differentiate from other Android OEMs, but it also introduces delays in owners receiving core OS updates. Given the One SV is a step or two behind on that front already, it means Sense is hardly welcome.

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The other differentiator is Beats Audio, though the One SV doesn’t get the power-amps of more expensive HTC devices. Instead, it’s more of a custom equalizer, ramping up the sound – particularly the bass frequencies – in a way that suits dance, RnB, and other genres, but conversely mangles classical and jazz. Thankfully it can be turned off in HTC’s reskinned settings page.

The 1.2GHz dualcore S4 processor may not be the fastest chip around any more, but it’s capable enough for everyday use. We ran Quadrant, the Android benchmarking tool, and the One SV scored 4446, putting it just short of the HTC One X (which has a 1.5GHz quadcore).

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Even for the midrange, 5-megapixels is beginning to look conservative, though we’re the first to admit that a good sensor performs beyond the sheer number of pixels it collects. Unfortunately, despite HTC’s choice of BSI chip and lens pairing, the One SV’s camera performance is middle-of-the-road.

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It’s not that the camera isn’t fast; it loads quickly (though we’d still like a dedicated camera key on the side, as HTC’s Windows Phones get) and captures frames right when you tap the on-screen control. Simultaneous photo and video capture is supported, with both buttons shown at once, and if you keep your finger pressed on the shutter release, the One SV will keep snapping at 4fps until you’ve taken 60 shots.

No, what lets the One SV down is the fact that the resulting photos and video simply aren’t that great. The stark scenes of snowy London certainly weren’t the easiest of things to capture, but the HTC’s camera struggled unduly with contrast and exposure, shedding detail by the handful as it tried to balance the brighter and darker elements of the frame. Meanwhile, points of brighter color – the red “STOP” sign, for instance – lost their vitality as the One SV opted for a more muted reproduction.

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Close-ups proved a little more impressive, with the One SV able to lock onto nearby subjects with accuracy, but again color temperature proved troublesome. Holding the camera still, we watched as the preview flipped between warm and cool settings, making capturing a decent frame a matter of perfect timing in hitting the button.

As for video, there’s some judder in the frame and the same exposure issues as affected stills show themselves in footage, too. Clips can be grainy, and colors flat and muted.

Phone and Battery

The One SV’s sizeable earpiece makes for loud calls, and our callers had no issues hearing us or being heard. Calls are only made over 2G/3G networks, not EE’s 4G LTE network (as per the UK model we were reviewing; in the US, the One SV is a Cricket exclusive), and you lose 4G connectivity for data while on a voice call.

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LTE performance unsurprisingly varies depending on where you live; EE’s fledgling network has huge ambitions, but so far is limited to denser-populated patches of major cities. With only one bar showing out in London’s Zone 2, we saw high speeds of around 13Mbps down and up to 17Mbps up, though EE is certainly capable of faster. Still, it’s worth remembering that 4G isn’t the magic bullet for mobile data today, and in fact HSPA+ networks can still outshine it in some locations.

The mid-range specifications translate to only moderate draw on the battery, as long as you don’t make too much use of the LTE connection. HTC rates the One SV as good for up to 8hrs talk time or 12 days of standby, though it’s worth noting that those are 3G figures.

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In practice, with push email turned on, automatic photo uploads, some media streaming and local playback, a little web browsing, GPS in Google Maps, and Facebook/Twitter checking, we got a day out of the One SV. Turn on the mobile hotspot, however, which allows you to share the HTC’s 3G/4G connection with WiFi-tethered devices like your laptop, and you’ll see the phone exhausted far quicker.

Pricing and Value

SIM-free, the HTC One SV will set you back £350 in the UK; Cricket will sell it to you, off contract, for $349, and then offer you month-to-month service on a rolling agreement. EE, meanwhile, will give you the One SV free upfront, if you’re willing to spend at least £36 per month over a two-year agreement. That only includes 500MB of data, mind; figure on spending £41 or £46 per month if you want 1GB or 3GB respectively.

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Overall, then, it’s a cheap phone with expensive service, at least in the UK. Factor in that EE will sell you a Samsung Galaxy S III on the same monthly contract, albeit with a £49.99 one-time payment for the device, and the One SV starts to look out of place.

Wrap-up

You can certainly see HTC’s strategy: make a neatly styled, midrange device that balances battery life with the usefulness of 4G, and help push LTE connectivity out of the premium tier. Unfortunately, some of the company’s decisions – or, perhaps, the corners cut in order to meet the target price – take their toll on the One SV proposition overall.

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We could live with the last-gen processor, and even the WVGA display only really proved glaringly disappointing when viewing media, but the lackluster camera is a serious blip. HTC first debuted its ImageChip technology with research suggesting mobile photography was one of the key factors buyers weighed in picking a new phone; unfortunately, that’s where the One SV falls most short.

Couple that – in the UK at least – with some expensive tariff pricing from EE that puts an altogether more appealing handset within easy reach, and the HTC One SV loses more of its shine. It’s not a bad device, but it demands too many compromises from cutting-edge users tempted by 4G, and can’t compete on price with more affordable HSPA+ phones on other networks.

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HTC One SV Review is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

EE adds 20GB plan for 4G power users, pricing starts at £46 per month

Want to take advantage of blazing-fast LTE speeds in the UK? You better be prepared to drop a few dozen quid, each and every month. The nation’s only LTE provider is clearly taking advantage of that exclusivity with gigantic tariffs, like £31 (about $50) per month for 3 gigs of SIM-only data (and “unlimited minutes and texts”). If you speed a lot of time pulling down content on your mobile, though, a new 20GB plan makes the carrier’s pricing structure a bit easier to swallow. Customers who sign up for the new 12-month “super-user” plan between now and February 28th will pay £46 (about $73), while a smaller-cap 8GB offering will be available for £41 (about $65) each month. Keep in mind that these are SIM-only tariffs — you’ll pay much more if bundling in a smartphone subsidy. Still, if you have a need for mega bandwidth for home use or on the go, the price per gig of this new plan makes EE seem a bit more reasonable. You’ll find a few more details in the PR after the break.

Show full PR text

EE ANNOUNCES NEW SUPERFAST 4GEE PRICE PLAN OFFERS

· £31 per month superfast 4GEE promotional price plan to launch on the 31st January

· New 20GB ‘super-user’ 4GEE plan also introduced from £46 per month on SIM only for a limited period

22 January. London. EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced a range of new 4GEE promotional price plans. The new packages are designed to provide consumers with an even greater choice of 4G options to suit their needs.

As a special promotion from 31 January until 31 March, a range of entry-level 4GEE plans is being introduced. For only £31 per month on a 24 month plan, customers receive unlimited UK calls and texts, and 500MB of mobile data, as well as the option to choose from a range of 4G smartphones for a one off fee such as the HTC One SV LTE or Nokia Lumia 820 which are available from just £29.99 (a saving of £90 on existing EE deals). Customers on 24 month plans can also take their unlimited calls and texts abroad with them to select destinations for just £5 more per month1 while those looking for flexibility can get a 12 month plan for only £41 per month.

Additionally, after listening to customers, EE will be launching a new plan offering 20GB of mobile data. The plan addresses a small number of ‘super-users’ (currently fewer than 1% of 4G customers), who have shown a desire to use more than the 8G of mobile data that is currently available on EE’s largest 4GEE plan. The 20GB plan, which is rolling out across retail channels from today, will be available on a 12 month SIM-only plan at a special rate of £46 per month for the full length of the plan if they sign-up between now and the 28 February2. The bundle comes with unlimited UK calls and texts and is also available with the very latest 4G handsets for £61 per month on a 24 month plan to customers who sign-up by 28 February3 . EE is also introducing a new SIM-Only 12 month 8GB plan for £41 per month.

Pippa Dunn, Chief Marketing Officer at EE, said: “It’s our aim to offer consumers the most comprehensive range of 4GEE price plans. With these new options we’re looking to not only make 4G smartphones even more accessible, but offer even greater value for the small number of super-users out there – ensuring EE really does offer a package that’s tailored for all customers 4G needs.”

EE’s superfast 4G offers a revolutionary mobile internet experience, delivering speeds typically five times faster than 3G4. The power of 4G enables tablet users to push the limits of their devices even further, allowing them to download, stream and browse the content they want, even quicker than before. In addition to superfast speeds, EE customers will also benefit from:

· EE Film – the UK film service that combines 2 for 1 cinema ticketing, listings, trailers, film downloads and streaming in one place

· EE Wi-Fi – access to millions of wireless hotspots across the UK, at no extra cost

· Discounted superfast EE fibre broadband – so they can enjoy blistering speeds at home and on the move

EE’s 4G service will be available in 35 towns and cities by the end of March 2013, bringing superfast speeds to even more consumers and businesses across the UK.

Full details on the new promotional plans, including terms and conditions, will be available shortly in EE shops as well as on www.ee.co.uk

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Source: EE

Phones 4u’s LIFE Mobile hits UK in March with EE’s help (but no 4G)

UK mobiles retailer Phones 4u will launch a new network, LIFE Mobile, in March 2013, using EE‘s network as its backbone, though subscribers will miss out on 4G support initially. The deal, EE’s 25th MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) agreement, will at first offer only 2G/3G support to subscribers, presumably since the 4G carrier wants to keep its LTE goodness as an exclusive feature itself.

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That will change later in the year, however, with EE saying that it “will make 4G available for LIFE Mobile customers later in 2013.” Until then, subscribers will get the run of EE’s combined Orange and T-Mobile UK airwaves, which were coupled together back when the Everything Everywhere partnership was settled.

Details on the LIFE Mobile service itself have not been revealed, with Phones 4u saying that it will have more news – including pricing – closer to launch. However, the MVNO is described as “great value” and to “include data packages as standard.”

Thanks to the combined network, LIFE Mobile will be able to boast 98-percent 3G coverage of the UK population when it launches. Meanwhile, Phones 4u will continue to sell service from the existing UK network players – including EE – alongside its own LIFE Mobile options.


Phones 4u’s LIFE Mobile hits UK in March with EE’s help (but no 4G) is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

EE paring back store saturation: 78 locations to close

UK 4G network EE will close 78 stores across the UK, the carrier has confirmed, as it pares back unneeded retail floorspace following the harmonized rebranding of T-Mobile and Orange locations. The shuttering will affect more than 10-percent of EE’s total retail locations, the FT reports, after the common branding led to some EE stores being just a few paces apart.

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“Where we have two EE stores in very close proximity to each other – in some places they are just a door away – we have decided to consolidate” an EE spokesperson confirmed. “This makes commercial sense and will also help us manage the high levels of demand in our stores and improve the customer experience.”

EE – also known as Everything Everywhere – is the combined brand of T-Mobile UK and Orange, which began back in 2009. However, it was only late last year that physical stores lost their individual branding and were brought in line with the EE scheme; ironically, EE refurbished all its stores first and then apparently decided on which to close.

Staff in the affected stores are, for the most part, expected to be transferred to other nearby EE locations. Subscribers of the two networks began sharing each others’ airwaves back in 2010, but only new EE subscribers get LTE service.


EE paring back store saturation: 78 locations to close is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

AT&T weighing Euro carrier acquisition tip insiders

AT&T is weighing European carrier acquisition options, insiders claim, hoping to boost its performance by reaching outside of the increasingly smartphone-saturated US market, despite the risks inherent in such expansion. Potential targets – with the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands cited as likely candidates – are being explored, sources tell the WSJ, though AT&T’s executive team isn’t entirely convinced that it’s even the best strategy. UK carrier Everything Everywhere – the UK’s first 4G network – and the Netherlands’ Royal KPN are tipped to be on the watch-list.

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For those in favor of such a deal, it’s said that the lure of international expansion is its potential to unlock a new market of smartphone-upgraders and push AT&T’s strategy of tiered data plans. AT&T’s thinking, so the suggestion goes, is that while European carriers still rely on voice call and SMS messaging revenue, it could carve itself a new business by pushing 4G adoption and more revenue from data plans.

On the flip-side, however, is the potential risk of diluting AT&T’s focus on the US market. There, while AT&T spars with Verizon for the biggest subscriber base, the segment grows increasingly cut-throat, particularly as the potential market for smartphone and/or data plan adopters narrows. AT&T also faces increasingly organized competition, with US rivals being acquired by foreign firms, such as Softbank’s grab of Sprint.

No confirmation of whether any talks have begun, or which exact carriers are in AT&T’s sights, could be garnered, the newspaper reports. It’s also unclear as to how well AT&T’s traditional US pricing strategy – which demands both an upfront payment for the handset as well as a two-year agreement – would work in the European market, where it’s common for devices to be free-on-contract.

Nonetheless, word from the top is that international expansion is pretty much a certainty. “I think it is inevitable” AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson told Texas Monthly [subscription required] earlier in January, when asked whether an overseas acquisition was on the cards to ensure the company’s growth.


AT&T weighing Euro carrier acquisition tip insiders is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Cellular iPad Mini to Hit China January 18

Until I actually played a bit with an iPad Mini, I could see no reason why anyone would want to own an iPad and an iPad Mini at the same time. Though once I saw one up close, I like the small form factor, and lightweight, especially when you compare it side-by-side, to the iPad.

ipad mini 4 cellular release china

While the iPad Mini has been available for a few weeks in China, the cellular models haven’t yet hit the market. Apple has revealed they will release the cellular models starting this Friday, as well as the fourth-generation iPad.

ipad mini 4 cellular release china side

As much as I love the design of the lightweight Mini, one thing that’s I’d like to see changed ASAP is the screen. In order for me to buy an iPad Mini, it needs to have a Retina screen. I won’t buy a mobile device from Apple without one, having had these on both my phone and my tablet already, I’m now spoiled for the image fidelity.

[via Apple]