Hasta La Gadget!

When UK networks T-Mobile and Orange united under the Everything Everywhere umbrella, many people speculated if the two would become a single entity. That didn’t happen, but according to Sky News, that rollout of 4G services in October will also be part of a rebrand. The sources claim that new customers will join Everything Everywhere, with existing customers to be migrated around March 2013. A statement from Everything Everywhere acknowledges there was a confidential brand review, but refuses to comment on the speculation. Rival networks are already complaining that the approval of spectrum for use with 4G services gives the joint venture an unfair advantage, but the FT reports that the European competition authority has forced the pair to sell some of that spectrum — and is in “advanced talks” with competitor network Three. This could mean that there are two operators offering next generation services, but neither being Orange or T-Mobile, or rather, not as we know them.

Update: We’ve received the following official statement from Everything Everywhere:

Everything Everywhere confirms that we are planning to launch a new brand in the UK later this year. This new brand will sit alongside our existing brands Orange and T-Mobile. We will reveal more information on our exciting plans in due course.

So, it looks like the existing brands will remain, with a mysterious new addition in the mix. It’s also confirmed that the new brand won’t simply be “Everything Everywhere,” but instead something totally new. More as we get it.

Filed under: Cellphones

T-Mobile and Orange to rebrand as Everything Everywhere, sell 4G spectrum to rival Three (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 05:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Brits still languish at the back of the queue for LTE, there is at least a sliver of hope that regulator Ofcom is moving forward with plans for 4G provision. It’s announced today that carrier Everything Everywhere (the combined network of Orange and T-Mobile) will be allowed to use its 1800 MHz spectrum to push out next-generation phone services. Ofcom decided that the change to the UK network’s license would deliver “significant benefits to consumers, and that there is no material risk that those benefits will be outweighed by a distortion of competition.” Auctions for additional 800 and 2.6 GHz bands are still on track to happen later this year, aiming for a roll-out through 2013. Everything Everywhere will be allowed to use LTE and (bizarrely) WiMAX starting 11 September 2012, although this may not be the launch date for any commercial service — which could be unfortunate. The UK’s comms regulator goes into the specifics after the break.

Update: Vodafone UK has issued a statement regarding the decision (hint: it’s not happy), which can be read in full after the break.

Continue reading Ofcom approves Everything Everywhere’s early 4G plans, starting next month (update)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Internet

Ofcom approves Everything Everywhere’s early 4G plans, starting next month (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that we were on pins and needles wondering what Motorola’s September 5th event would contain, but what vestige of mystery was left may just have been sapped away. A quartet of Motorola tutorial videos newly uncovered by YouTube user revowii walk users through the unannounced XT926, better known in unofficial circles as the Droid RAZR HD. It’s all about the looks in this leak: other than the conspicuous link to Verizon, what’s mostly validated here is the expected use of a customized Android 4.0 with on-screen navigation keys, much like the Atrix HD in AT&T’s corner of the universe. Earlier murmurings have the Droid RAZR HD carrying the same Snapdragon S4, 720p screen and LTE as well, which could leave the CDMA voice network, NFC and possibly increased storage as the only real differences. We’ll know the full truth in about two weeks’ time, but those who don’t mind a peek into the possible future can hop past the story break to indulge in some video time traveling.

Continue reading Motorola Droid RAZR HD guides slip out to the web, pop the hype balloon (video)

Filed under: Cellphones

Motorola Droid RAZR HD guides slip out to the web, pop the hype balloon (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you were planning on attending the Pantech Beach Championships this weekend in Ocean City, MD, you might be able to catch a glimpse of an upcoming handset by the manufacturer. Dubbed the Pantech Flex, not much information has been given out by the manufacturer except to say that it will be a 4G LTE capable device and will be making its way onto AT&T’s network in the coming months. Apart from that, photos and additional specifications remain unknown at this point, although we guess it would be a safe assumption to think that it will at the very least be powered by Android, but it remains to be seen if it will prove to be a high-end phone capable of holding its own against devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3, or a low-mid ranged handset that will come with an affordable price tag. In any case the details should be provided this weekend at the Beach Championships event, so we guess we will learn more then. Smartphone users who have enjoyed Pantech’s previous offerings in the past, be sure to check back with us as we keep you updated with the details!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: AT&T expands 4G LTE coverage to new areas, Samsung SGH-I547 stops by the FCC with AT&T’s LTE radios on board,

Verizon has been fighting hard to get its acquisition of cable companies’ wireless frequencies past legal hurdles, and it just surged over the most important of the bunch: both the Department of Justice and the FCC have signed off on the agreement. To get the $3.9 billion deal through the door, Big Red will have to offload some of its spectrum to other companies. The DOJ, meanwhile, is more concerned that Verizon is getting a little too cozy with Bright House, Comcast, Cox and Time Warner Cable in terms of marketing and reselling bundles that include cellular and cable access. Closing the deal also requires setting up a new joint venture in technology research. We’re still working to learn the full details of the deal, but the spectrum handover will likely give a swift kick to Verizon’s 4G capacity — and anger a few rivals who wouldn’t have wanted any handover to go through.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

DOJ, FCC clear Verizon buyout of cable companies’ spectrum, require giving up some airwaves originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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