| Today's Top Stories
1. Report: Sprint will confirm LightSquared deal in conjunction with Q2 earnings
2. Verizon Wireless CTO says company will consider different data billing models
3. Report: Amazon to release Android-powered tablet in Q3
4. House lawmakers consider new spectrum auction bill
5. Startup Phonebooks.com ditches nationwide cell phone directory Also Noted: Spotlight On... Motorola Solutions to expand services business
Sprint to sell Photon WiMAX Android smartphone for $199, AT&T to cheapen Amazon Kindle 3G and much more...  Is free the way to sell an app?
Of the top 10 grossing apps in Apple's App Store in June, six are free. In the Android market, eight of the top 10 grossing apps in June--including all of the top seven--are free. If mobile gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry, then how are developers making money from free apps? And if so many apps are free, why would users pay for apps at all? Special Report
News From Across the Wireless Industry:
1. Spotify goes live in the U.S. after clinching Warner Music deal
2. Virgin Mobile will throttle heavy data users
3. Operators lobby EU for ability to charge for content delivery
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* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Report: Sprint will confirm LightSquared deal in conjunction with Q2 earnings
Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) will confirm its reported network-sharing deal with LightSquared when it announces it second-quarter earnings on July 28, according to a report in CNET. The article, which cites unidentified sources who are familiar with the deal, said Sprint was supposed to provide an update on its next-generation network plans at mid-year but pushed back those plans and will now announce them when it releases its earnings. Last month Bloomberg reported Sprint had reached a 15-year network-sharing deal with LightSquared worth around $20 billion. Bloomberg cited a letter written by Philip Falcone to Harbinger Capital Partners investors that said Sprint and LightSquared will jointly build LightSquared's nationwide network, and Sprint will be a wholesale user of LightSquared's LTE network. However, neither Sprint nor LightSquared confirmed the reports. Sprint currently resells Clearwire's (NASDAQ:CLWR) WiMAX network for its 4G service so this rumored deal with LightSquared calls into question the future of that relationship. For Sprint, this deal with LightSquared could be the carrier's response to Verizon Wireless' (NYSE:VZ) LTE buildout and AT&T Mobility's (NYSE:T) planned LTE deployment. For LightSquared, the deal represents further affirmation of the company's business model and technology. LightSquared has inked deals with Leap Wireless (NASDAQ:LEAP), Best Buy, Cellular South and Open Range. However, an agreement with Sprint would certainly strengthen LightSquared's business strategy. Meanwhile, LightSquared's planned network is still under fire from the GPS community for potentially interfering with GPS receivers. For more:
- see this article Related articles:
Sprint consummates LTE network-sharing deal with LightSquared
NTIA blasts LightSquared's previous network design, pledges to review new one
Seybold's Take: Why LightSquared's proposed system will interfere with GPS
LightSquared CEO Ahuja confirms talks with Sprint
Two government agencies say LightSquared's network interferes with GPS
FCC's Genachowski: We won't let LightSquared operate without GPS interference resolution
Report: Sprint, LightSquared near $2B/year network-sharing deal Read more about: clearwire, LTE, network sharing, Gps
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2. Verizon Wireless CTO says company will consider different data billing models
Just one week after Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) changed its data pricing to a usage-based model, with several tiers of service ranging from $30 for 2 GB to $80 for 10 GB, Verizon Wireless CTO David Small told CNET that the company is considering other billing concepts, such as billing based upon time of day. "Maybe people would want to download a video at 1 a.m. when the network is not as busy. So time of day versus network utilization could be something we think about down the road," Small said. In the wide-ranging interview with CNET, Small also said that he believes data consumption on LTE networks is different than traditional data consumption, adding that many applications such as machine-to-machine, need the low latency of the LTE network, but aren't necessarily data-intensive. He also said that there are many techniques such as video buffering that can help ease network demand. When questioned about Verizon's support for operating systems beyond Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, such as Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone 7, Small said that as long as there is demand for a particular platform, the company will look at it. "I would never say never about any platform." Small's comments about different data pricing models were not the first time a Verizon executive has hinted at more billing models beyond usage-based. In May Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo hinted that Verizon will move to shared data plans for multiple devices after it introduces the usage-based pricing, though he did not give a timetable for doing so. For more:
- see this article Related articles:
Verizon confirms it will ditch unlimited smartphone data plans starting July 7
Verizon will switch to usage-based smartphone data pricing in July
Verizon CFO: We will combat heavy data users with overage charges, not throttling
Verizon Wireless to offer family data plans
T-Mobile unveils new tiered data plans for smartphones, details throttling speeds
Verizon CFO: We will move to tiered data pricing mid-summer
Rumor Mill: AT&T may introduce speed tiers for LTE
Read more about: data usage, David Small, Verizon Wireless, LTE
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3. Report: Amazon to release Android-powered tablet in Q3
Amazon.com will release a tablet product in the coming months running Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android platform, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, a move that would bring Amazon into closer competition with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and its iPad. The report, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said Amazon will release the as-yet-unnamed product before October. The device will sport a 9-inch display but will not have a camera, and will be designed by an Asian manufacturer. However, the report noted that Amazon is designing its own tablet model, which could be released next year. Consumers will be able to use the tablet to access videos, music and digital books they purchase from Amazon, which will allow Amazon to better compete with Apple's iTunes and iBooks offerings.
Analysts said that the new tablet device could be a way for Amazon to get users to keep on buying digital content. "Mobility combined with online sales capability enables Amazon to be with the consumer at the time they want to purchase," Gartner analyst Gene Alvarez told Reuters. "Prior to mobile commerce, Amazon had to wait until you got in front of a computer." It's unclear if the device will feature built-in wireless connections. Amazon is closely tied to the wireless industry; the company's first Kindle ereader launched with built-in support for Sprint Nextel's (NYSE:S) network. ABI Research recently reported that 25 percent of Apple's iPads in the first quarter shipped with built-in cellular wireless connections. An Amazon spokesman cold not immediately be reached for comment, the Journal said. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos strongly hinted in May that his company will release a tablet based on Android. In an interview with Consumer Reports, Bezos said to "stay tuned" on the company's plans for a multipurpose tablet product. He suggested that such a device would supplement but not replace the popular Kindle. Although there has been some speculation that Amazon might license webOS from Hewlett-Packard, Amazon has given multiple indications this year that it is backing Android. Amazon formally launched its Amazon Appstore for Android in late March, offering consumers a new channel to download applications optimized for Android smartphones and tablets. Shortly after the Appstore launched, Amazon unveiled a cloud-based music service called Cloud Drive that initially targeted Android devices. Interestingly, the WSJ report also said Amazon will release two updated versions of its popular Kindle electronic reader in the third quarter. One will have a touchscreen display and the other will not, but will be an improved and cheaper version of the current Kindle. AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) said on Wednesday it will supply mobile broadband service to a $139 Kindle 3G, which will come with AT&T-sponsored ads and screensavers. The regular Kindle 3G will remain $189. For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
- see this Reuters article
- see this separate Reuters article
Related Articles:
Will other companies license HP's webOS? And will this strategy work?
Amazon chief Bezos strongly hints at tablet plans
Analyst: Amazon might be the best competitor for the iPad
Amazon touts Appstore credits with Android device purchase
Amazon Appstore to sell apps for less than Android Market
Amazon adding digital locker to Appstore for Android Read more about: Android, Amazon, Jeff Bezos, iPad
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4. House lawmakers consider new spectrum auction bill
House Republicans are circulating draft legislation that would authorize the FCC to conduct incentive auctions for broadcast TV spectrum. The draft, prepared by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on communications and technology, was made public in advance of a congressional hearing Friday on spectrum issues, and would authorize the FCC to conduct a single round of voluntary incentive auctions for TV broadcast spectrum, a long-sought-for goal of both the FCC and the CTIA. While the auctions are strictly voluntary, the draft legislation does not prohibit the FCC from forcing broadcasters to move from a UHF to a VHF channel. Broadcasters that decide to participate in the auction would have their identities protected until the auctions are concluded and the broadcasters vacate the spectrum. In addition to authorizing the incentive auctions, the draft said that an "unspecified amount" of the auction proceeds would go toward "construction" of a public-safety broadband network. While the bill does not explicitly call for the auction of the D Block, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the chairman of the subcommittee, has said the spectrum should be auctioned. That stance conflicts with the one put forward by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) in legislation that passed the Senate Commerce Committee in June. That bill, which also authorized voluntary incentive auctions, would reallocate the D Block directly to public safety and provide $12 billion for the buildout of a nationwide LTE network for first responders. Public-interest group Public Knowledge attacked the House draft because it would remove net neutrality rules on new spectrum auctions and, according to the group, would give too much leeway to broadcasters. The House draft is not yet final legislation, and has not been voted on by the full House. Moreover, it would have to be reconciled with the competing Senate legislation, and signed by the president, before becoming law. The CTIA has expressed hope that a spectrum bill will pass Congress and be signed into law this year. For more:
- see this draft legislation (PDF)
- see this Broadcasting & Cable article
- see this The Hill article
- see this IDG News Service article
Related Articles:
D-Block 700 MHz legislation closer to full Senate vote
FCC, NAB tangle over broadcast spectrum auctions
FCC waits on Congressional authorization for broadcast spectrum auction
FCC proposes rules to reallocate spectrum from TV broadcasters
NTIA report finds 115 MHz of spectrum for wireless
FCC report: New wireless spectrum may be worth $120B Read more about: Spectrum Auction, Public Safety, Congress, D Block
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5. Startup Phonebooks.com ditches nationwide cell phone directory
Florida startup Phonebooks.com said it will dismantle its cell phone directory a year after launching the effort. The company announced the move in a joint press release with Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ). "Phonebooks.com has been working with Verizon Wireless to take a joint stance in addressing consumer privacy," the company said in the release. "Until a utilitarian solution can be found, Phonebooks.com will no longer display information associated with phone numbers that were originally issued as a mobile phone number." Phonebooks.com caused a stir last year when it announced plans to build a national directory of cell phone numbers. The company launched the effort with 2.4 million cell phone numbers, which the company said it obtained from both third-party data providers (which derive information from property records, contests and subscriptions) and user submissions. "Even if a consumer's mobile number is obtained lawfully by Phonebooks.com, we believe that Verizon Wireless customers should have the opportunity to provide informed consent before it is published," said Steve Zipperstein, vice president of external affairs for Verizon Wireless. "We are pleased that the leadership team at Phonebooks.com agrees that the safety and privacy of all consumers is a high priority." Phonebooks.com's failure to make headway with its directory likely signals the death knell of a nationwide directory of cell phone numbers. The cell phone industry and trade group CTIA in 2004 began a push the creation of a national directory of mobile phone numbers, but quickly backed down following criticism from privacy advocates. The issue has risen to the fore several times since then, though no movement has been made on a national level. A CTIA spokesperson said last year the trade group currently is not pursuing a cell phone directory. For more:
- see this release Related Articles:
A new push for a nationwide cell phone directory
Verizon Wireless: Directory still "dumb idea" Read more about: Phonebooks.com, Verizon Wireless, CTIA
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Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Motorola Solutions to expand services business  | | Brda | Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) said it will expand its services business, which accounted for around $2 billion, or 25 percent, of the company's $7.9 billion in revenue in 2010. The company will set up a dedicated Global Services organization led by Senior Vice President Bruce Brda, who was until recently the head of Motorola's wireless networks unit (Motorola sold the unit to Nokia Siemens Networks for $975 million). Motorola's new services unit and focus means the company is aiming to compete in an arena where infrastructure giants like Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) have carved out sizeable niches. In the past, Motorola's services busin ess had been largely confined to installation and maintenance of equipment. The new business will focus more on consulting with customers, systems integration and even network hosting for first responders or private companies. "We want to expand beyond break-fix," Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown told Crain's. Release Quick news from across the Web @FierceWireless: RT @engadget: BlackBerry App World hits one billion downloads, finally. Article | follow@FierceWireless > Bob Dawson is retiring as CEO of SouthernLINC Wireless Oct. 1. He will be replaced by Don Horsley. Release > Boost Mobile will sell the BlackBerry 9670 Style for $199. Article > Apple paid compensation to a South Korean iPhone user over location-tracking concerns. Article > HTC promoted Jason Mackenzie to the newly-created position of president for global sales and marketing. Release > A judge declined to fast-track a legal battle between Apple and Samsung. Article > A new study found no link between cell phone use and brain tumors. Article > Sprint Nextel will begin selling the Motorola Photon 4G WiMAX Android smartphone for $199 with a contract starting July 31. Release > AT&T Mobility will sell the ad-supported Amazon Kindle 3G for $139. Article > Leap Wireless' Cricket subsidiary said it will sell the Kyocera Luno for $59. Release > Verizon Wireless by next week will cover 100 markets with LTE. Article
> Mobile measurement and analytics firms Umber Systems and Ground Truth merged. Release Mobile Content News > Twitter updated its Android app to support push notifications. Post > Spotify's digital music platform is finally live in the U.S. Article > Can branded apps make a comeback? Commentary > PayPal jumped into the Near Field Communication game with a new peer-to-peer mobile payment service that will initially work on Android phones. Article > Nuance updated its speech recognition offering, Dragon Go, for the iPhone. Article > Amobee named Trevor Healy as its new CEO. Release > Umber Systems and Ground Truth, a Fierce 15 winner, announced a merger. Release > Hulu said its Hulu Plus service is expanding to more Android phones. Post Broadband Wireless News > When asked if they plan on picking up a 4G-equipped smartphone this year, 34 percent of iPhone owners and 24 percent of BlackBerry owners said they already had a 4G device. Article European Wireless News > A comprehensive survey of European consumers indicates that 40 percent opt to purchase their Internet, phone and TV services as a bundle. Article > A report from European mobile industry heavyweights will ask the EU to allow operators to charge content providers for delivery of the content. Article > Bouygues Telecom, France's third largest operator, is joining the Partners Programme run by Telefónica, the giant Spanish telecoms provider. Article And finally... Police are getting facial recognition technology through the iPhone. Article > The Muther! of all Hackathons + DevCon: Innovation trumps sleep. Always. Silicon Valley - June 24/25 The Muther! is coming and YOU don't want to miss it! A real mashup where Hackathon meets DevCon in a fun, informative format! The real world doesn't focus on a single technology, phone or solution, so neither will the Muther! Join hundreds of Developers, Tool companies, Carriers, Investors and other mobile fanatics for a two day adventure of Master Classes, UnPanels, Coding, New APIs, Prizes, a BBQ and more. Attend! > TC3: Telecom Council Carrier Connections - Sept 15 - Mountain View, CA Sponsored by Huawei, Blue Coat, and Qualcomm, TC3 connects you to what the carriers are thinking, what they are looking for, and how they find innovation and work with entrepreneurs. It's 15 carriers with 20 strategies in 1 day. Details at http://telecomcouncil.com/tc3 > CTO Telecom Summit - September 18-21, 2011 - Montelucia Resort, Scottsdale, AZ The CTO Telecom Summit, September 18-21, 2011, will bring together CTOs to discuss IT topics and trends currently affecting the industry. The 2011 agenda has been revamped to include focus groups, think tanks, and analyst Q&As, all of which encourage meaningful conversations between delegates, analysts and solution providers. Learn more. > BlackBerry DevCon Americas - Oct. 18-20 - San Francisco, CA The showcase event for mobile developers. Join thousands of BlackBerry enthusiasts & experts for sessions, hands-on labs, demos and much more. Learn how you can maximize your investment in mobile development for the BlackBerry platform. Register early & save at www.blackberrydevcon.com. > The Open Mobile Summit: NEW DATES ANNOUNCED - November 2-4 2011 - San Francisco, CA > Appcelerate: At the Open Mobile Summit - November 4, 2011 - San Francisco, CA Mark your calendar for the app economy event of the year. In its first year, Appcelerate brought 600 of the leading mobile innovators together to explore how to build and monetize a killer app business and featured CEOs Smule, BottleRocket, ngmoco, Shopkick, Disney Mobile and more. Don't miss 2011.. Click here for more info
| > The workhorse of the WiMAX industry is finally available to the rest of the telecom world! The OOD-54DX-GP-42 WiMAX enclosure from DDB Unlimited, Inc. is the superior design in 4G Telecomm cabinets, constructed of aluminum which is as rigid as steel. This enclosure is NEMA rated at class 250 type 4X and offers the protection needed for any severe outdoor environment. With a large stock and "best in the industry" pricing, this enclosure is top of the line in the 4G telecomm industry. For more info on our full product line click here > eBook: Path to 4G In this eBook we will explore the current state of 4G deployments in the U.S., the role of devices in attracting consumers and more. Download this new eBook brought to you by FierceWireless. > New eBook: Building a Better Backhaul Network This eBook from FierceWireless we will look at how operators are designing better backhaul networks and planning ahead for the next round of capacity constraints. Click here to download today. > eBook: OTT Delivery: An Online Video Revolution That Changed TV Forever This eBook from FierceOnlineVideo, will look at which segment stands to benefit the most from this new delivery vehicle, and which stands to lose, as the nascent video revolution marches forward.Click here to download today. > Turbo charge your apps with direct access to network API's from Sprint Network services such as LBS, SMS, MMS, geofencing, presence and more are available through the Sprint Services Framework via a simple Web 2.0 web service. These services can be used for any development interface including browsers, servers, embedded devices and mobile applications. Sign up today! > New Fierce eBook: Cashing in on the Cloud Services Opportunity This eBook from FierceTelecom we will explore the trends, benefits and challenges service providers have in building a profitable cloud service business.Click here to download today.
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