Free Texting on Verizon With Google Voice

Save $60-$240 per Year Using Google Voice on a Smartphone
Today, I went to the Verizon Wireless store to upgrade my wife's phone to the Motorola Droid Pro.  I realized that she was paying $10 per month ($120 per year) for her current text messaging plan which seems rather expensive given the costs to provide the service.  If you go over your text plan than you pay an extra .20 cents per message.  I asked the sales person if they had any bundled data plan packages for all data, voice and text?  The answer was no.

Apparently, everything at Verizon Wireless is sold "ala carte" and there are no bundled plans.  So for $30 per monthly unlimited data for email and $10 per month for texting plus $59 for 450 minutes per minutes of voice is pretty much the bare bones plan.  $100 per month or $1,200 per year is ridiculously expensive compared to the other carriers and about a 40% premium for what better coverage still?

Dump your text messaging plan and start using Free Google Voice Texting on Android if you have an Android Phone on Verizon. Also, switch you voicemail provider number to Google Voice which will allow you to use less airtime minutes for checking voicemail and you can download the audio and transcription into your email automatically for free.  See this video overview of Google Voice. 


Why Does Verizon Want You to Turn Off WiFi on Your Phone?


I had a strange visit to the Verizon Wireless store today to upgrade my wife's phone. I purchased her the Android Motorola Droid Pro and an "all you can eat" data plan for $30 per month. While in the Verizon store the salesperson encouraged us to turn WiFi off on our smartphone for some strange reason and had no reason to justify the request.

I think Verizon feels threatened by public Wifi and wants to make sure that smartphone users are discouraged from using WiFI. LTE does compete with Wifi and in many cases is much faster. Not only that but Verizon doesn't even have any phones that run on 4G LTE yet.

At the end of the tutorial, the salesperson asked if we wanted to purchase a MiFi device and create a mobile hot spot. Verizon is obviously training their salespeople that public WiFi is bad and their MiFi hot spots are the way to go.

I also received some strange looks when I said that I have the fastest 4G phone the G2 and it runs on HSPA+ which is 4G. I have been using an Android phone for almost 3 years and I highly recommend using WiFI whenever possible. WiFi connections can be 3 to 10X faster than Verizon's current CDMA and even new LTE network which is not available on any smartphones. Try going to Europe or outside the US and only use WiFi for VoIP Skype or Google Voice calls. Its free and can save you a lot of money.

Where is 4G Available Maps

T-Mobile 4G HSPA+ in 100 Markets in U.S.

Sprint / Clearwire 4G Wimax Network for 4G Phones & Data Cards

Verizon 4G LTE Cities in Yellow Dots 3G in Red 

MetroPCS LTE Map for Phones


What is the Best 4G Phone?

T-Mobile HTC G2 HSPA+ Phone

Who has the highest-rated smartphone?  T-Mobile has the best 4G HSPA+ and the largest 4G network and the best 4G phone which is the Google HTC G2 smartphone and the Froyo Android operating system. T-Mobile also has the cheapest unlimited data plans as well.  The G2's very fast smartphone has an 800 MHz processor and runs on T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network. It comes packed with applications like Google Voice, Google Listen for Podcasts, Swipe for texting with one hand, Google Places for finding locations easily, Google Goggles, PhotoBucket, and many enhanced contacts syncing features for Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail.

The best feature on the phone is its' Android tethering application which allows you to make your G2 device become a WiFi router or MiFi hotspot. The 2nd best feature of the device is the ability to make WiFi phone calls through your broadband or WiFi connection. It's like using a femtocell or having a cell phone booster built directly into the phone.

The G2 flip-up screen and the placement of the navigation bar are in the areas you would expect. The power button on top makes it easy to turn on a swipe to turn on. The screen is slightly larger than the G1 and it sits nicely in your hand to use without the keyboard. I had the Samsung Galaxy for a short time and returned and I have also tried the MyTouch.  Here is a comparison of the G2, MyTouch, and Nexus S phones and a comparison of the G2 vs MyTouch and Vibrant vs G2.

Lucky you if you were one of the many people who waited 3 months to get your Free T-Mobile G2 phone. If you are a new customer you can get it for free and if you are already a customer you can get it for $149.  Some Sprint customers have raved about the Epic and Evo 4G phones but honestly, they don't compare if you are a heavy Google user or love Android.

Does T-Mobile Allow Tethering?

Yes! T-Mobile Allows Tethering

Is HSPA+ 4G?

Yes!  HSPA+ is Now Recognized as 4G
T-Mobile is rejoicing the news that the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) now recognizes that HSPA+ will be considered as 4G speeds.  However, how does each carrier define 4G?  4G can be applied to a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial 3G systems now deployed.  T-Mobile started getting some industry flak promoting the HSPA+ network as a 4G network.  They would often use “4G” with the quotation marks in their advertisements as the acronym was not official by ITU standards.  Sprint, Clearwire, and Verizon have busy promoting their WiMAX and LTE networks as 4G networks, T-Mobile was always questioned if its HSPA+ network was a truly 4G.  T-Mobile does have the largest 4G network as of today and the speeds are very fast for smartphone users, unlike Verizon which has an LTE network for PCs only.

The ITU is a coalition that defines how wireless standards such as 3G & 4G mobile broadband technologies used by wireless carriers are marketed to consumers, has now backtracked on its earlier definitions of 4G really is. The ITU declared last month that Sprint’s WiMax, T-Mobile’s HSPA+, and Verizon’s and AT&T’s forthcoming LTE networks do not meet 4G specifications despite the carriers’ marketing pitches to consumers.  It now appears that 5G will now be equal WiMax2 and LTE-Advanced next generations of today’s LTE and WiMax networks.

Verizon LTE Network Problems

Verizon 4G LTE

Verizon has admitted problems with customers using LTE data cards and customers trying to use LTE modems on Macs don't have LTE drivers.  There is a lag between the 3G to 4G hand-offs that can take a few minutes and the transition is not smooth. Verizon LTE modem users have discovered that there is serious handoff lag when the modems switch between LTE and the more widespread 3G network, resulting in the modem holding onto its 3G connection for a while after it has entered an LTE area.

Testers have also reported that it was necessary to unplug the modem and plug it back in again in order to connect to the new network while traveling. It has been reported that can take up to two minutes to reconnect to the LTE network once you have dropped off.

This doesn't bode well for Verizon Wireless customers who were hoping for the iPhone. This reconfirms that Verizon is not getting the iPhone anytime soon and it also tells me that Verizon LTE smartphones are going to have some challenges on the network with dropping calls and inconsistent data connections.  

Sirius App for TV?

Where is the Sirius XM App for my Samsung TV

The satellite & internet radio distribution model is alive and well with Howard Stern renewing his contract with a 5-year deal and Pandora growing fast who has nearly 50M+ customers. With TV's directly connected to the internet and here are 10 reasons won't need a cable box anymore as the content is available for download & streaming on the internet. Sirius is working on the Sirius App for iPhone and Sirius App for Android and should be available soon.  Several million people now have TVs that are directly connected to the internet and can be used as a radio for streaming audio on Pandora.  I hope that Sirius starts the development and releases their app for TVs very soon.

List of 3D Channels

ESPN 3D - DirecTV Channel 106 & Time Warner Channel 1306 

N3D - Direct TV 103 - New content as it becomes available from CBS, Fox & NBC

On Demand 3D - DirecTV Channel 105

Pay Per View 3D - DirecTV Channel 104

3D channels were introduced in the late 2000s and early 2010s, aiming to provide a three-dimensional viewing experience for television content. However, due to various factors, including limited consumer demand and production challenges, many 3D channels have ceased their operations or reduced their offerings.

One of the major reasons for the decline of 3D channels was the lack of widespread adoption by consumers. While 3D movies gained some popularity in theaters, the demand for 3D content at home did not reach the same level. Many viewers found the use of special glasses uncomfortable or cumbersome, and the limited availability of 3D content further contributed to the diminished interest.

As a result, several broadcasters and cable/satellite providers gradually discontinued their 3D channels. Instead, they shifted their focus to other technologies and content formats that gained more popularity, such as high-definition (HD) and Ultra HD (4K) programming. These formats offered improved picture quality without the need for specialized glasses.

While it's possible that some 3D channels may still be available in certain regions or through specialized providers, the overall availability of 3D channels has significantly declined in recent years. The emphasis has shifted towards other technologies and content formats that offer enhanced viewing experiences.

Where Did The 3D Channels Go?


Where are the 3D channels consumers were promised this year on cable TV?  Cable subscribers of Verizon FiOS, Cablevision, Cox, Time Warner, Comcast, and AT&T U-verse are still waiting patiently for their channels. According to this blog, Direct TV has 4 3D channels, Time Warner has ESPN 3D while the other cable operators have 0. HDTV's success can be attributed to content and now 3D could draw the same road map. It is likely that nearly 1 million 3D TVs have been sold in the US and the number is growing by 50% per year and Samsung owns the majority of this market share.

ESPN broadcasted 3D programming on a dedicated channel for the World Cup Soccer but that is about it for content. Comcast subscribers were able to see the Masters golf Tournament in 3D.  I will admit that some sports are better than others for watching in 3D and stadium events might not be that compelling unless you are watching a camera from the sideline. 3D content is still lacking and ESPN will likely be the driver of more sports programming content with hopefully some more NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and college football games. Why isn't Fox carrying the Super Bowl at Cowboy Stadium in 3D? Golf to me is one of the greatest 3D viewing experiences having viewed the Maui open on a DVD at the store.

Sony, Discovery, and IMAX announced a 3D venture for programming this week to launch the first 24/7, fully programmed 3D television network in the U.S. Content includes a collection of 3D content including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, hard travel, history, hyper-reality, concerts, movies, scripted series and more.  So why isn't Samsung sponsoring more sporting events to get more people interested in buying 3D HD TVs?

3D channels were introduced in the late 2000s and early 2010s, aiming to provide a three-dimensional viewing experience for television content. However, due to various factors, including limited consumer demand and production challenges, many 3D channels have ceased their operations or reduced their offerings.

One of the major reasons for the decline of 3D channels was the lack of widespread adoption by consumers. While 3D movies gained some popularity in theaters, the demand for 3D content at home did not reach the same level. Many viewers found the use of special glasses uncomfortable or cumbersome, and the limited availability of 3D content further contributed to the diminished interest.

As a result, several broadcasters and cable/satellite providers gradually discontinued their 3D channels. Instead, they shifted their focus to other technologies and content formats that gained more popularity, such as high-definition (HD) and Ultra HD (4K) programming. These formats offered improved picture quality without the need for specialized glasses.

While it's possible that some 3D channels may still be available in certain regions or through specialized providers, the overall availability of 3D channels has significantly declined in recent years. The emphasis has shifted towards other technologies and content formats that offer enhanced viewing experiences.

Must Have Consumer Electronics for 2011

  • Survey Conducted by SmartBrief.com

    What will be the must-have electronics in 2011?
    Tablet 46.42%
    Streaming video box or app 19.89%
    Smartphone 10.88%
    Not sure 10.08%
    3DTV 9.02%
    E-reader 3.71%


    • Primary reason for to connecting device to WiFi or 4G?
      find exact content 41.47%
      no more wires in living room 20.74%
      cheap content 18.89%
      its new 14.75%

    Pandora vs Rhapsody Compared

    Rhapsody costs $10 per month and Pandora is Free

    Rhapsody has a few million subscribers and Pandora has 50M plus users

    Pandora has advertising and I assume Rhapsody does not

    Rhapsody has 8M songs on its playlist which is larger than Pandora

    Pandora customizes songs you might like based on other bands and songs 

    Rhapsody allows you to stream just about any song or album

    If you don't care about owning music and just want to listen Pandora is better

    Rhapsody is a spin-out of Real Networks & Pandora is a VC back startup

    Pandora is a human genome product looking for relationships

    Rhapsody is a very simple subscription based streaming service

    Both have Android, iPhone & Blackberry applications

    AdMob & Blogger Need to Help Publishers with Mobile Formats

    Google is forecasting huge numbers of mobile advertising dollars viewers who will be accessing content on mobile phones. However, there is one problem with this forecast in my eyes and that is the lack of mobile content that is properly formatted for viewing on a 3"-7" phone screen.

    Now that publishers are starting to see a huge proportion of their readers using iPad's and Android tablets to view their content its going to be critical for Google to start thinking about mobile formats for their customers. 15% of our readers are accessing our blog content DeadZones.com using a mobile browser and this number is growing quickly.  Below is a chart of the various mobile operating systems of our readers.


    I have been a Blogger.com publisher for as long as I can remember and there are likely millions of other publishers like me who make money off of AdSense.  Blogger a great content management system (CMS)  for small publishers and I have always resisted moving to WordPress which is the largest competitor.  However, Blogger seems to be falling behind the times and needs to help publishers start formating for mobile content.

    Google purchased Ad Mob to start monetizing content used n mobile platforms for advertisers but publishers are still trying to figure it out how to properly format their content.  I don't want to use a developer to format content for hundreds of different mobile platforms because I will never see an ROI for me effort.  This should be something that is included in the Blogger.com platform if they truly want make more money from mobile advertising.

    So I recently went through the exercise of signing up for Ad Mob which was easy already having an Ad Sense account and I created a mobile WAP-based site.  See our site at m.deadzones.com which we built using our Deadzones.com RSS feed and sending that to Mippin.com for formating.  This was very easy to do but still requires my users to click on the WAP link to view the content in a mobile format.  This is not efficient and the thus the bounce rate is very high for my mobile users.  Blogger should be helping me auto redirect my users by detecting the browser.  I am not an engineer but this seems like a simple fix that could add thousands of mobile advertising impressions to their inventory.

    Auto-redirecting is one technique of automatically sending visitors who click on a link to your website to view a properly formated web page at a different URL without the need to click a link. Building a mobile app is another technique that requires users to download and application in an app store and is costly to develop.  Embedding mobile content publishing techniques into any CMS platform seems to me like the next step for Blogger, Wordpress and any other platform.  It should not be limited to developers or enterprise applications or servers and would like see it trickle downstream to the little guy. 

    How is Best Buy Mobile Doing?

    Best Buy Mobile
    The largest electronics US retailer in the world today announced earnings that Wall Street did not like and sent the stock tumbling 15% during market trading to $35 per share.  The company stated slow TV sales hurt the company's growth and didn't give a rosy outlook for sales in the future. However, it was very difficult to gain any information about how their mobile phone sales were going and how much this sector of their business is growing.

    Best Buy Mobile is a partnership will Car Phone Warehouse based in Europe and was designed to provide a better shopping experience for the mobile phone customer.  You would think that with all of Best Buy's mobile phone deals with carriers that this sector of their business would start taking off with smartphone sales increasing and tablet PCs becoming the new craze.  If you do a search on Amazon Wireless you can find many 7" tablets and 10" tablets.  When I asked Best Buy Mobile how many tablets they carried it was only 3.  iPad & Verizon Galaxy and one other one I cannot remember.  This was quite disappointing to see and I immediately went down the street to Fry's Electronics to see what they had.  It's clear that Best Buy Mobile has an inventory and selection problem and can't decide what to recommend to its customers.  Too many phones and not enough recommendation value.

    However, on my visits to Best Buy recently I typically see the mobile section of the store empty but see great deals.  So what is missing?  I think they are missing a hook to get consumers in the door and also provide real value to the shopping experience that cannot be done at a dedicated T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T or Verizon store. It's not just about pricing deals anymore and I know the management at Best Buy Mobile knows that.  However, they are lacking in their execution of helping their customers make better buying decisions.  How about rolling out your Best Buy Mobile coverage maps you have been working on for all of these years?  How about a closer partnership with Google Nexus S  like you did for the Nexus One?

    The best deal I could find in the Best Buy Mobile store was their Verizon HTC Incredible for $0. Another thing I liked was their Google TV display but they should have rolled this out earlier in the Summer and it seemed late to get consumers excited about it for the Christmas shopping season in late October.  Another thing Best Buy is missing is the ability to get consumers excited about using apps on their TV just like their iPhones and smartphones?  They should be doing a deal with Pandora and other application companies to show customers how they can cut their cable cords and save money.

    Many of these recommendations go "against the grain" of traditional marketing because some of the technologies that are hot are not necessarily good for big business.  Cable companies and wireless operators are about to get squeezed in a big way and I would suggest that Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile start to think about getting further in bed with the manufacturers of the hardware and think less about the cable and wireless operator dumb pipes that are dependent on them.  Consumers want to save money and reduce their dependency on cable and wireless subscriptions now that WiFI and the internet is a limitless marketplace of channels.

    Why is Business Broadband So Expensive?

    "Deals" for Office Business Broadband are a Rip Off
    Why would any business want to lease office space when you know that your broadband provider is going to shove a huge bills like these up your _ss.  I can understand why businesses are becoming distributed and having their employees to to work from home at these costs. Most offices are paying 10X more for broadband at the office for speeds that are 10X less.  This advertisement from AT&T shows office speeds or "10-50 mbps for $1,000-$1,500 per month". Speak Easy has advertisements for a "Full T1 + Speakeasy Voice as low as $269/month" and "3x3 Mbps Business Ethernet for $379".  

    This is 10-20 times more expensive than you would pay for the same service in your home if you had U-Verse home broadband + TV.  It just doesn't make any sense and I am surprised that no businesses have tried to disruptive it the ridiculously expensive market pricing.  This pricing scream government intervention and unfair market pricing and surprised that our FCC does do a damn thing about it. Listen to this great interview with Walt Mossberg with the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on how US consumers and businesses are getting screwed by US broadband providers.

    Can 4G or LTE service be disruptive to operators who like to charge $250-$500 per month for upload and download speeds for less than 5 mbps.  Do you really need customer all the customer support that they bundle into the pricing?  Are real estate landlords putting secret money in their pockets from the broadband providers?  Is this one of the reason that Google is buying fiber all throughout the US? 

    For example . . . if I am paying $50 per month for 25/25 mbps up and down at home on FiOS.  Why am I paying $250-$500 per month for a T1 or dedicated Ethernet that has speeds of less that 1 to 3 mbps per second.  It would cost me about $1,000 per month to have comparable speeds that I get at home.

    Office Building Broadband Speeds Available

    Why is Broadband in the US So Expensive?

    Report from Multiplayblog.com
    Why does the US have the most expensive and yet the slowest broadband speeds compared to other countries around the World?  The US is paying $16 per mbps where in Korea they pay $2 per mbps, Japan $7 per mbps, Russia $7 per mbps, UK $10 per mbps?  

    Broadband household penetration is approaching near 45% and hopefully, this will allow the market to mature and cause some competition.  However, this is unlikely because most industries start to consolidate when they mature and within the next 3 years the US penetration will be near 75%.  Can wireless broadband like 4G, LTE or Wimax help bring some of these costs down in the future and help provide some healthy market competition?

    Free 3G on Kindle & Nook Ebook Readers

    No AT&T Monthly Data Plans Required
    Its actually worthing paying a little extra for the Kindle 3G or Nook 3G when the Kindle WiFi & Nook WiFi are priced about $50 less than the 3G. The Kindle & Nook 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) is the easiest option because there is no wireless monthly data plan fee from AT&T to use their 3G network.  Each ebook reader has a built-in free 3G connectivity which uses the same cell phone towers & there are no monthly fees or commitments. Amazon & Barnes & Noble subsidizes AT&T's 3G service while you are traveling and you can also use your WiFi at home and don't have a 3G signal. 3G enables you to download books anytime without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot connection. With wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories, Kindle 3G is a great option for travelers.

    Google TV Sony Logitech Demo at Best Buy


    Google TV Logitech, Sony Blue-Ray are on display at Best Buy showing off the capabilities on Sony TVs. I really like the concept and the fact you can use your TV display to surf the internet and watch YouTube vides but its not compelling enough for me to buy.  Sony was the first manufacturer to jump onto the tidal wave of Google Internet TV and now indications are that Samsung will be the second.  I just purchased a Samsung 3D TV and love the idea of having applications directly on the TV and having a display directly connected to the internet.  Its great to see technology finally trying to disrupt cable monopolies who control video content distribution.

    The capabilities on display at Best Buy demonstrates some nice functionality but nothing too complicated that couldn't be accomplished in a applications similar to Pandora or Hulu.  However, I really don't want to have another device like a Logitech keyword to do it.  I would prefer having the capability to control the Google TV app with my laptop or iPad that is directly connected through my wireless network to the TV.  That is the holy grail of being able to use a huge plasma, LCD or LED to surf the internet.  Let's hope that some is working on it because I don't see lots of consumers buying this product in its current form.

    Listen to Howard Stern on iPhone or Android Phone

    Get the Sirius iPhone or Android App to Listen to Howard Stern

    Howard Stern signed a new 5 year deal and so iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android owners can finally start subscribing to him on the internet or listen to him on your phone using 4G, HPSA+, Wimax or LTE.  I download the Sirius mobile application and then was prompted to call customer service and subscribe for $2.99 per month extra on top of my contract.  Sirius has always had questionable customer service and would recommend being patience to get access to your streaming content.  The company seems to be extra paranoid about digital rights management and piracy of its content.  This is one reason you won't find the app in the Android or iPhone marketplace.

    We made a prediction in 2009 that Howard Stern would leave Sirius for Pandora but its likely he simply used their existence as leverage with Mel Karmazim to negotiate his new deal.  Satellite distribution for the content is not longer necessary as companies like Clearwire, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and AT&T expand their 4G networks. We get a lot of people who find our web site via Google searches looking for Sirius coverage maps  so coverage must be spotty in some areas.  I have heard they plan to add a few new Satellites to their current fleet but don't know any other details.  However, no longer do you need a device hooked up in your car to Satellite if you have 4G, HSPA+ or LTE on your phone.  However, if you are still one of the few people who don't have a smartphone you can buy one of these devices for your home or your car and get his voice delivered via satellite.

    Android is for Touch Computing & Chrome is for Netbooks & PCs

    Android and Chrome (OS) operating systems are both Linux-based operating systems. However, Android is designed for touch computing on phones & tablets while the Chrome OS  is for Netbooks. Both operating systems focus on security and use a common set of methods to make them more secure they call "sand boxing".  Here are some ways each are different yet complimentary and will change security, browsing and mobile application development.  

    The Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the Web and will be used with keyboards and light computers or PCs. It will be used mostly for cloud services and no applications will be downloaded to use them on the web. The OS is designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems and will likely turn on about 10X faster than your current Microsoft XP or Window 7 operating system and 5X faster than any Mac Book or laptop. The Google Chrome OS looks and operates similar to the Chrome Web browser and it is much faster than Firefox, Safari or Explorer.

    The Android operating system is designed mostly for touch computing and will work on screens that range in size for 3 inches to 12 inches and don't have keyboards. The Android marketplace has application written for the operating system in the marketplace for download. How long will the marketplace last as Chrome becomes more popular and the cloud become the computing standard for mobile. I think the days are number for the iPhone App Store and the Android Marketplace as the mobile web becomes a seamless browsing experience.  

    What Does LTE Stand For?

    LTE = Long Term Evolution
    Long Term Evolution (LTE).  It is a new radio platform technology that will allow carriers to give you higher wireless upload and download speeds currently between 5-12 mbps but expected to increase. Verizon Wireless,  AT&T & MetroPCS in the United States and several worldwide LTE carriers began rolling out the new network in 2009.  The world's first publicly available LTE service was opened by TeliaSonera in the two Scandinavia in December of 2009.

    LTE and is part of the GSM evolutionary path beyond 3G technology, following EDGE, UMTS, HSPA (HSDPA and HSUPA combined) and HSPA Evolution (HSPA+). LTE is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) which was introduced in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 8.  HSPA Evolution is a stepping-stone of speeds to LTE for many carriers that will be rolled out slowly. Carriers began working on LTE in 2004 3GPP and the initial deployment of LTE is targeted for 2010 and 2011. The objective of LTE is to provide a high-performance radio access that offers good signal coverage in vehicles that are moving and that can coexist with HSPA and earlier networks. Carriers can scale bandwidth to migrate their networks and users from HSPA to LTE over time in areas that need it most.

    Related Articles:
    List of Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Cities
    How Does 4G & LTE Compete with Free?
    LTE Cell Phone Tower Industry Growth
    How Each Carrier Defines 4G
    3G & 4G Coverage Parity by 2013
    Will AT&T's New Faster HSPA+ Data Network Result in Fewer Dropped Calls?
    Wireless Network Armageddon in 2012
    Who Has the Best 4G Coverage?

    Better Business Bureau Gives AT&T an A+ Rating?

    After yesterday's Consumers Reports review of AT&T the company has issued its own review sponsored by the Better Business Bureau of bureaucrats. AT&T highlights that according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) its wireless service network is the best in the US by way of their subscribers complain the least.  AT&T thinks because they have the most customer that they have the most complainers.  According to the release in a 12-month period AT&T had the lowest number of complaints made to the BBB among the top four cellular carriers in the country. Verizon Wireless had 34% more complaints, Sprint had 115% & T-Mobile had 207% more complaints.

    My presumption is that none of AT&T's customers even care that the BBB even exists and realize it is worthless to complain to a bureaucratic government agency that has no authority or power to do anything to help.  AT&T customers are a smart sophisticated audience and realize that complaining to the BBB more appropriate for cases like when your laundry mat steals your clothing and rips you off.  AT&T users are not dummies and this report tells me absolutely nothing other than it would behoove AT&T customers to also cover their bases and call the BBB about AT&T during the next 12 months.  We will follow up on a report in the next 12 months to see how the complaints stack up after their customer base actually knows now that the BBB is a resource for complaints.  

    How Each Carrier Defines 4G


    4G is as confusing as ever to the average consumer.  Verizon and MetroPCS are launching their 4G LTE network and three out of the four major US carrier Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile promote the fastest 4G data networks.  However, each company defines 4G differently and none of them meet International Telecommunication Union standards. The ITU defines 4G as a connection capable of 100 mbps to 1 gbps. The cellular data network's 4G speeds don't even come close to this and the only marketing thing each carrier seems to agree upon is that 4G is just what comes after 3G. While the title of 4G isn't accurate by International Standards is meaningless the carriers now have created a new step of planned obsolescence.  Here is an article from Life Hacker which will try to simply each offering.  Read More.

    List of T-Mobile Phones That Have UMA WiFi Calling


    Right now T-Mobile is the only US carrier to offer UMA WiFi calling on Android phones.  Here is a list of phones that currently support the Kineto application that is not currently available in the Android marketplace.  The application is free but minutes are deducted from your total plan if you make calls over WiFi which is reasonable.  Other carriers like AT&T, Verizon & Sprint have largely ignored this demand from consumers because of their growing femtocell businesses where they would like to sell you a piece of hardware for around $250 plus a monthly data plan. See: AT&T Microcell, Verizon femtocell & Sprint femtocell sales.

    Kineto Wireless is an innovator and leading supplier of solutions that enable delivery of mobile services over broadband. They have deploy Smart Wi-Fi Application for Wi-Fi Calling to their customers for free improve indoor coverage through the use of existing Wi-Fi access points. This list is constantly being updated so please check back for further updates and and become a Facebook fan to stay informed.

    After speaking with T-Mobile's customer service team we came up with a list of phones that currently have UMA on the device:  G2, MyTouch Phones, Samsung Vibrant, Behold 2 Katalyst, Most Blackberry Phones, Nokia e73 and Nokia 6086, Motorola Cliq and Cliq XT

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