Sep 14
Every month, your carrier calculates how much data you’ve crunched through on your cell phone and charges you accordingly. But a new study suggests that they might not be adding things up quite right. More »
Sep 11
EarthLink has been laying low since its Philly-wide WiFi project failed all those years ago, but now it’s back in the limelight with Clearwire’s 4G network under-arm. The companies have struck a deal for EarthLink to access Clearwire’s WiMAX infrastructure, initially to offer wireless, in-home broadband. This is expected to launch in early 2013, with mobile and small business markets being future goals. An LTE network is also in the pipeline, don’t forget, and when it goes live, EarthLink is likely to expand the agreement to cover it. The ISP is obviously putting its eggs in the 4G basket, because no one wants wires anymore, do they?
Continue reading EarthLink inks deal with Clearwire to use its 4G WiMAX network
Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Internet, Mobile
EarthLink inks deal with Clearwire to use its 4G WiMAX network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 05
The FCC is planning to test mobile broadband speeds across the entire US from September 21st, in order to provide consumers with detailed information and “spur competition among service providers.” More »
Sep 04
Just like the FCC is looking to the public to help define modern broadband, it’s similarly planning to arm citizens with more accurate information of mobile broadband speeds. The initiative is promoted as a natural extension of the Measuring Broadband America report, an annual publication of the FCC that currently only applies to wireline services. While still in the planning stages, the agency has already secured cooperation from CTIA and the major carriers. Come September 21st, the FCC will hold an open meeting to discuss the most appropriate methods for gathering and analyzing the data. It’ll likely be a rather dry affair, but if you’re really keen on attending, you’ll find the complete details after the break.
Continue reading FCC to begin testing and reporting mobile broadband performance
Filed under: Wireless, Internet, Mobile
FCC to begin testing and reporting mobile broadband performance originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Aug 23
FCC wants to know if it’s too modest about broadband, gives chance to fight caps and slow speeds
Posted in: Today's Chili 
A common complaint with the FCC’s National Broadband Plan is its conservative definition of the broadband in question: many would argue that the 4Mbps baseline is an anachronism in an era of 4G, FiOS and Google Fiber. If you’ve ever wanted the FCC to up the ante, now’s your chance. The regulator wants comments on its definitions of fixed and mobile broadband to gauge whether real-world trends like multi-user streaming video should lead to raised expectations for internet providers. Ever been burnt by a too-low bandwidth cap? It’s open season on that area as well, with the FCC asking if it should define a minimum acceptable cap and possibly call for better limits than we see today. We just share GigaOM‘s wish that we could ask if every cap is even necessary, although the Department of Justice might be answering that for us. Americans have up until September 20th to make their voices heard, so get cracking if you’d like to set a higher bar.
Filed under: Cellphones, Networking, Internet
FCC wants to know if it’s too modest about broadband, gives chance to fight caps and slow speeds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jul 18
As the average webpage/image/file on the internet has grown, most folks’ monthly allowance for mobile bandwidth has gotten smaller. (Exceptions: Sprint users and those grandfathered into an unlimited plan.) Today, it’s extremely easy to use a gigabyte of data in a month. The quantity will just keep rising—and with it, the potential for massive monthly bills. More »
Jul 16
Sprint bundles Lenovo IdeaPad U310 and a mobile hotspot: $850 plus a monthly bill (update: $799)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Looking to snag a mobile hotspot with your pending Ultrabook purchase? If so, Sprint is looking to be the first US carrier to oblige with a package deal. The wireless provider will bundle the Lenovo IdeaPad U310 with a 3G / 4G mobile hotspot for $849 $799 — plus a monthly bill of either $34.99 for 3GB of data or $49.99 for 6GB of the added connectivity. If that wasn’t enough to get you to pull the trigger, the outfit has also thrown in three months of service for free once you commit to two years of Sprint’s mobile broadband. You’ll be strapped with the Core i5 CPU version of the Ultrabook, but you’ll be able to decide between either a MiFi or an Overdrive Pro for the hotspot option. Itchin’ to take the plunge? Hit that second source link below to sign up and part with your funds.
Update: Although the Sprint website reads $849, we’ve been told by the company that the price will show up as $799 once the bundle has been added to your cart and that the product page should be updated soon.
Filed under: Laptops, Wireless
Sprint bundles Lenovo IdeaPad U310 and a mobile hotspot: $850 plus a monthly bill (update: $799) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jul 11
Tep Wireless unveils European-wide hotspot rental service for $5-a-day, 1GB of data included
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Hardcore jetsetters should still be turning to Xcom Global, iPhone Trip or a local mobile shop upon arrival, but those who won’t be burning up the megabytes now have yet another alternative when traversing European lands. The outfit best known for keeping those traveling to the UK connected is now branching out a bit, enabling a single rental hotspot to provide mobile data access across 38 countries in the EU. You’ll pay $5 per day for the privilege, but here’s the kicker: only 1GB of data is included, regardless of how long you stay. If you chew through that allotment, you’ll have to pay $55 for an extra 1.4GB or $95 for another 4GB. Granted, that’s significantly less than what AT&T and Verizon would charge, even if you sign up for their discounted global plans. (For those curious, the same pools would run between $180 and $250.) It ain’t ideal for those working on the go, but if you’re just looking to tear through a Foursquare Bucket List while Eurotripping… well, you can place your order today in the source link below.
Filed under: Wireless
Tep Wireless unveils European-wide hotspot rental service for $5-a-day, 1GB of data included originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jul 04
Samba launches ad-supported mobile data in the UK, makes you dance for your internet
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Want mobile data, but without the pesky monetary cost? Samba, a new virtual network in the UK offers just that, in a model similar to the Blyk virtual operator before it. You’ll need to stump up for a SIM (£2.99,) and an optional dongle, then sit back and soak up a few adverts to earn some internet “credit.” The MVNO uses Three‘s network, but keeps a record of your browsing as part of the deal (which, claims the BBC, you can prevent from being used for marketing purposes). To get online you’ll need to install a browser plug-in, or iPad app which will send you off to the commercials before sending you on your digital way. While technically free, it’ll cost you about two-and-a-half minutes of your time a day to get about 517 megabytes of data in a month. Additional credit can be earned through partner deals, or straight up cash if you just want to get on sans adverts. The “free”-dom doesn’t extend to what you can browse though, with some sites (those deemed offensive, or in breach of copyright) being off-limits. Still, if this sounds like a decent trade-off, or a good backup plan, head down to the source after these messages…
Samba launches ad-supported mobile data in the UK, makes you dance for your internet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 07:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jun 28
T-Mobile brings out new mobile data plans mainly for the suits and ties, makes overage optional
Posted in: Today's Chili 
T-Mobile just updated its prepaid data plans a month ago, and now it’s the corporate crowd’s turn for a shakeup. The new (and quite frankly daunting) array of primarily business-minded plans is based around whether or not you’d rather face throttling or overage fees if you push past a set cap. Overage Free plans for subsidized (Classic) and unsubsidized (Value) devices are largely self-explanatory and slow down that bandwidth cap-busting hotspot, modem or tablet until the next month. The High-speed plan range costs lower as a matter of course, but you’ll be dinged to the order of two to 10 cents for every megabyte over the limit. That said, there’s some bargains to be had versus other carriers, especially with the 5GB and 10GB plans. Provided you’re happy with T-Mobile’s coverage, it may be worth signing up to eke out a few extra dollars in savings every month.
T-Mobile brings out new mobile data plans mainly for the suits and ties, makes overage optional originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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