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Two LA TV stations will simultaneously share a single channel for broadcasts, as a pilot program to demonstrate not only that the technology works with no downside for viewers, but … Continue reading

Data caps have increased over the years, namely due to more people adopting smartphones, as well as apps these days connecting us more than ever, thus caps need to be increased, naturally. However for the less tech savvy, they might not know which app is consuming the most data and could find from time to time that their data is being eaten away faster than they would like, which sometimes could lead to bill shocks. Well the good news is that the CTIA has decided to do something about it by launching a website called Know My App.

The website basically shows how much data some apps can consume, and compares it against some of the data plans provided by the carriers in the US. They also teach consumers to switch to WiFi services whenever available, and how to adjust app settings to prevent it from consuming more data than it should. Like we said this information is probably more suited to the less tech savvy, but for those still grandfathering unlimited data plans or for those who know their way around a smartphone, well we suppose this information is probably known, but some of it might be useful anyway. For those who know someone who might have gotten a smartphone for the first time, like an elderly relative, Know My App could be a good place to start.

CTIA Launches Know My App Website That Details Potentially Data Hungry Apps original content from Ubergizmo.

US wireless industry group CTIA has announced that a stolen phone database launched last year by T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon is now final, including integration with international carriers. That’ll let foreign operators block stolen US device activations, a bone of contention for law enforcement officials stateside. They complained that the list was having no impact on thefts, since organized crime groups were simply dumping devices overseas where their serial numbers couldn’t be detected. Police would prefer to also see kill switches installed in handsets to truly put a dent in phone-knapping, but carriers have strenuously objected to that idea — strictly out of self-interest, according to some. For its part, the CTIA said that the completed database at least means there are fewer countries where gangs can hawk their stolen wares. Still, as the carrier group pointed out, if a stranger asks to “borrow” your phone for directions, just, don’t.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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The Verge

Source: CTIA

Congress, the White House and the FCC’s new chairman Tom Wheeler have all come out in favor of setting our phones free, but the telcos who can actually grant our handsets liberty have been slow to heed the governmental call. Because of that, Wheeler sent a veiled threat letter to the CTIA imploring it to amend its Consumer Code to include a policy ensuring our rights to get our phones unlocked once we’re off contract. Apparently, the FCC has been working with the CTIA for eight months to craft a policy that requires telcos to:

• provide a clear, concise and readily accessible policy on unlocking
• unlock mobile devices for legitimate owners of those devices once their service contract has been fulfilled
• notify customers when their devices are eligible to be unlocked and/or automatically unlock those devices for free
• unlock devices or provide an explanation of a denial of any unlock requests within two days
• unlock devices for military service men and women upon deployment

The two sides are in agreement with four of the five requirements, with the only sticking point being the bit about service providers having to notify us when our devices are eligible to be unlocked. Tom Wheeler, however, isn’t willing to see The Wireless Association’s side of things because “absent the consumer’s right to be informed about unlocking eligibility, any voluntary program would be a hollow shell.” Furthermore, he wants the new unlock policy put in place before the holidays this year, whether by the CTIA’s voluntary or the FCC’s regulatory action. Looks like we’ll be getting phone freedom for Christmas this year. We like the sound of that.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: FCC letter to CTIA [PDF]

Last week at CTIA, we sat down with Lixin Cheng — CEO of ZTE USA — for a candid discussion about the company’s future in the US. The conversation started with ZTE’s current portfolio in the US, which consists of 18 SKUs — primarily inexpensive Android smartphones (most with LTE) for the prepaid market. Mr. Cheng mentioned that the company’s doing quite well in the US thanks to an 85.7 percent year-to-year growth in market share. ZTE is now in third place among prepaid handset manufacturers with a market share of 17 percent. He explained that carriers are seeing revenue growth from prepaid services which now account for 22.5 to 29 percent of revenue. This puts the company in a strong position for the future, despite last year’s investigation by Congress. So we asked Mr. Cheng if and when ZTE would bring flagship phones like the Grand S or Grand Memo to the US in partnership with the four major carriers. His reply:

I have promised you at CES that we’re going to bring the Grand S or Memo series into [the] US, and we are working on that, and I think that very soon we will announce some good news.

That’s good news indeed. Hit the break for more, including our video interview and full transcript.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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