American Roamer Changes Name to Mosaik

American Roamer Unveils New Corporate Name and Branding Strategy at Mobile World Congress - Branding strategy better represents the company as the global leader in geospatial network intelligence

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - BARCELONA, Feb. 27, 2012 – American Roamer, the global source for geospatial network intelligence, today unveils its new company name, Mosaik Solutions, at Mobile World Congress (Hall 2.0, Booth #2D26). The new name and brand launch is a culmination of efforts over the past several years as the company expanded its talent, scale, capabilities and clientele globally. The new name will help better reflect the company’s position as the leading source for coverage solutions for the global network ecosystem.

Mosaik Solutions maintains the largest mobile network coverage catalog in the world, including all common mobile technologies. In order to provide its clients with the most current intelligence available, the global coverage catalog is evaluated and updated each quarter.

Mosaik Solutions also provides telecommunications coverage patterns, wireless spectrum depth, network configurations, and licensing data. The company’s geospatial, analytical, creative and web solutions are tailored to meet each client’s needs. As the most comprehensive and accurate source for geospatial network intelligence, Mosaik Solutions helps clients acquire and retain customers, make sound business decisions and execute with a solid information base.

With more than 20 years of experience in the geospatial network intelligence industry, Mosaik Solutions has a team of graphic designers, computer scientists, GIS specialists and telecommunications industry experts. The company works with large clients such as Verizon, Time Warner, On-Star and Comcast while supporting the needs of smaller companies as well. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recognized Mosaik Solutions as the best available choice for wireless coverage intelligence in the United States.

“Mosaik Solutions has grown well beyond America – it is global. Our capabilities are beyond mobile and roaming – we have intelligence solutions for the entire network ecosystem,” said Bryan Darr, CEO, Mosaik Solutions. “As a company that provides the most robust, creative and technical solutions on the market, we wanted a name that clearly conveyed who we are and what we provide. We take disparate pieces of intelligence and create elegant solutions to help clients manage customer expectations and empower them to make better strategic and tactical business decisions.”

For more details, please visit www.mosaik.com.

About Mosaik Solutions Mosaik Solutions is the global source for geospatial network intelligence. The company maintains the largest mobile network coverage catalog in the world, including all common mobile technologies. To provide its clients with the most current intelligence available, the global coverage catalog is evaluated and updated quarterly.

With more than 20 years of experience, Mosaik Solutions also provides telecommunications coverage patterns, wireless spectrum depth, network configurations, and licensing data delivered through geospatial, analytical, creative and web solutions tailored to meet client needs. This comprehensive and accurate geospatial network intelligence helps clients acquire and retain customers, make so und business decisions and execute with a solid information base.

Best iPhone 4S Battery Charger Case


What is Cell Phone Data Throttling?

Data Caps vs Data Throttling
Cell phone data throttling works by limiting (throttling) the rate at which a phone accepts and sends data to the network.  Data caps work by charging you additional fees per MB you use over your allotted data plans.  Mobile phone data throttling is a reactive measure employed by the cell phone networks to regulate network traffic and minimize bandwidth congestion. 3G and 4G throttling occur typically when a heavy user of data has exceeded their monthly data limit. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint & now T-Mobile use wireless data bandwidth throttling to help reduce a user's usage of data. Carriers do this action to limit a user's upload and download speeds on mobile applications.

Some carriers like AT&T & Verizon may not throttle your data but will begin to charge you extra for exceeding data plans as well which we call data caps.  Carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint who offer unlimited data plans will limit or (throttle) your speeds if you exceed their monthly thresholds.  We think there is a need for carriers to provide better applications for measuring mobile phone data usage.

Mobile video is congesting networks  & continues to be 66% of network traffic volume.  Mobile video download traffic is already exceeding forecasts from 2010 and carrier networks are struggling to keep up with the growing data demand.  This is another reason why we think data caps are also killing the mobile phone application ecosystem.  

Why T-Mobile 4G Data May Download Slow

T-Mobile Throttling Data While Roaming AT&T's Domestic Network

Beginning on April 5, 2012, there will be a limit on the amount of data that can be used while a T-Mobile customer's device is connected to another provider's network ("off-network" or "domestic roaming"). Customers that are domestically roaming will receive free text message usage alerts for data. If the roaming data limit is exceeded for a Rate Plan, then data service will be suspended from off-network roaming until the start of the next bill cycle, or a qualifying change is made to the Rate Plan. This will not impact (1) voice usage, and (2) data usage on the T-Mobile network.

To determine domestic roaming areas, see the T-Mobile data coverage map by visiting T-Mobile.com/Coverage. The domestic roaming data allowance for each Rate Plan is outlined in the chart below. To use this chart, review the Current Rate Plan Full Speed Data Allotment column to identify the megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB) included in your Rate Plan, and then see the domestic roaming data usage limit that applies on the right. The megabytes of gigabytes for a Rate Plan can often be found by reviewing the Available Service section on page 1 of the bill (ex: Classic Simple 200MB Data Promo) or by dialing #WEB# send from your mobile phone.

Current Rate Plan Full Speed Data AllotmentNew Domestic Off Network (Roaming) Data Limit
1MB to 199MB5MB
200MB to 1.99GB10MB
2GB to 4.99GB50MB
5GB to 9.99GB100MB
10GB and above200MB
Mobile Web Pay Per Use10MB

Why Are Mobile Phones Mysteriously Dying

Cell Phone Industry Conspiracy Theory 

I am growing skeptical of an wireless industry that could be using shenanigans to make smartphones die.  Why would a carrier install a bug or make your software fail for a few select customers?  Because your phone is likely out of a contract and they want you to upgrade and need the revenue.  We have no idea or control over the software that is being installed on our phones.  Automatic updates happen frequently and have no control over it.  Therefore, we would never know if T-Mobile or Verizon in particular are purposely causing our phones to die with corrupt software and calling it a hardware failure.

I am a conspiracy theorist when it comes to carrier fraud and there is not reason why my laptop can last for 8+ years and my phone continually craps out after 18 months.  This has happened repeatedly and I am beginning to think that there is corruption within the industry to drive sales.  It happened to my wife who has a Verizon Droid and now me how has T-Mobile G2 Android phone.

I can't wait until the day something like this is uncovered by a techie similar to the Carrier IQ monitoring software that was being installed on our phones.  If anyone has any evidence to substantiate my claims I would like to know in the comments below or send me an email.   I can see a class action coming very soon if someone uncovers evidence.

The only evidence I have is that our phones have died on Friday or Saturday each time.  Anyone else experience this on similar days?  Super convenient for you to just run into a T-Mobile or Verizon store to boost their business.   SCAM!

I have not experienced or heard of these problems with Sprint or with AT&T.


Sprint Board Blocks MetroPCS Merger

Dan Hesse's Sprint Board Blocks Metro PCS Merger 
Today, David Faber of CNBC reported that Sprint (NYSE: S) and regional carrier MetroPCS (NYSE: PCS) were hours from announcing an $8 billion merger.  For some reason Sprint's board rejected it even after it had CEO Dan Hesse's blessing.  This is not exactly a vote of confidence by the Board and brings into question the longevity of Dan's current job as CEO.  I happen to like Dan and think he is a great CEO.  I would be curious to see who were the dissenting votes on the Board?  Where the dissenting votes simply trying to protect their Director jobs?  Does anyone know what happened with the Board of Directors and why they would have rejected the deal?

Sprint's Board of Directors including Dan Hesse includes:  Robert R. Bennett, Gordon M. Bethune, Larry C. Glasscock, James H. Hance, Jr., Daniel R. Hesse, V. Janet Hill, Frank Ianna, Sven-Christer Nilsson, William R. Nuti, Rodney O'Neal.
Robert R. BennettGordon M. BethuneLarry C. GlasscockJames H. Hance, Jr.V. Janet HillFrank IannaSven-Christer NilssonWilliam R. NutiRodney O'Neal

Does MagicJack Work?

Our Review of the Walt Mossberg Review of Magic Jack (DCZ)

By Walt Mossberg When I see a high-tech product (DCZ: with good PR people who get it to you first) that's advertised mainly via frequent hard-sell TV ads as if it were a diet pill, I tend to assume it can't be very good (DCZ: your late to the game if 4M people have purchased?), especially if its price is absurdly low. So, I haven't paid much attention to a product called magicJack, a small $40 adapter for your computer that claims to let you make unlimited domestic phone calls over the Internet with your home telephone free for a whole year—and for just $20 a year thereafter. (DCZ:  because it wasn't originally sold through mainstream retail and was hated by the big carriers?)

But after receiving reader requests to review magicJack (DCZ: Why?), I decided to do so. To my surprise, it worked pretty much as advertised. It has a few drawbacks, and extra fees for added services, such as vanity phone numbers. But I found magicJack easy to set up and easy to use, and it yielded decent, if not pristine, call quality. I even tested customer support—a source of complaints online—and found it friendly, fast, and responsive.

Magic Jack is a new device and service that allows you to make cheap phone calls through your computer. Overall, the product works as advertised, Walt Mossberg found. MagicJack looks like an oversized USB flash drive. On one end is a standard USB connector for the PC; on the other is a standard phone jack to plug in a phone. It's compatible with PCs running Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, as well as with all Intel-based Macs. It works with both corded and cordless phones, and comes with software for dialing, though you can also dial directly from a connected phone.

The low annual fee covers calls to and from any phone on any telephone network—landline or cellphone—not just phones connected to computers or to other magicJack. The only restriction is that the numbers called must be in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can also buy low-cost prepaid international minutes, or take your magicJack abroad to make free calls home. You can move it among different computers and locations.

MagicJack can also be used without a phone handset, via a computer headset or the computer's built-in microphone and speakers.  There's nothing new about Internet (DCZ: VoIP) phone calls. Companies like Vonage and Skype have been doing it for years. But magicJack is different. It emphasizes calling to and from phones on regular wired and wireless phone networks, and its prices for calls to and from such non-Internet-connected phones are much lower.  (DCZ: MagicJack is 2X larger than Vonage with 2M customers and would be curious to see what the service quality performance record is compared to Skype)

For instance, the lowest plan advertised on Vonage's Web site for calling regular phones in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico is $17.99 a month, or about $216 a year, versus magicJack's $20. And Vonage gives you only 500 minutes a month, while magicJack sets no limit. Skype charges per minute or monthly fees for calls to regular phones and an added fee to receive incoming calls.  (DCZ: What about Google Voice?)

The maker of magicJack says its low prices are possible because the product is produced by a privately held Florida company called YMAX, which is also a phone carrier (DCZ:  also known as a CLEC). The company also runs ads inside its software. You can buy the device at a wide variety of stores, even drugstores and convenience stores. (DCZ: Do you think they might actually make more money off of location-based advertising eventually?)

I tested magicJack on both a PC and a Mac. The software resides inside the magicJack itself and installs each time you connect it.  In my tests, I made and received calls on both computers, using a single landline phone and using a cordless-phone system in my house after plugging its base station into the magicJack. In the latter case, I could make and receive calls from cordless phones all over my house. I exchanged calls with both landline phones and cellphones from the magicJack.  The call quality was good, except for a few times when the connection got scratchy for a second or two. Most of the people I called said they couldn't tell I wasn't on a regular call. The system offers voice mail, call forwarding, and conference calls, and you can save contacts.  A couple of times I didn't get an immediate dial tone and had to hang up and try again.

The biggest downside of the magicJack compared with regular phone service is that you have to be running an Internet-connected computer, with a magicJack installed anytime you want to make or receive calls.  (DCZ:  It also works with WiFi?) Also, as with all Internet phone systems, you have to register your address with 911 emergency systems.   With magicJack, you get a new phone number. The company says it is working on allowing you to port your existing landline number. You can keep your landline number for use on some phones or when you're not using magicJack.

I found magicJack worked better on Windows than on the Mac. (DCZ:  Not a shocker) At one point, magicJack customer support had to send me software to patch the Mac version. But the company claims it is fixing that with a new Mac version coming soon.

YMAX also says it plans to roll out this year a Skype-like service that won't require any magicJack hardware, just a PC or an iPhone. It also plans a new version of magicJack to turn cellphones into wireless magicJack handsets. (DCZ:  This is going to be called the Femto Jack)

I don't know if those diet pills in the TV ads work. (DCZ:  Direct response marketing works) But magicJack does.

Can Cellular Networks Handle Madonna's Super Bowl Half Time Show?

Madonna Super Bowl Half Time Show
As more than 150,000 people converge on Indianapolis for football’s biggest game of the year, AT&T has made a significant investment in permanent and temporary wireless network enhancements to support increased network traffic. However, will any carriers be able to handle 65,000 fans uploading photos of Madonna during the halftime show?  My bet is no and I will certainly be testing it during the halftime show.  

This is the classic case of everyone making a cell phone call during an emergency and no one can get through due to the congestion.  The has happened numerous times during Earthquakes and natural disasters and is a huge safety hazard.  But this time the congestion will be highly predictable and it remains to be seen if all of the networks still will crash during the mass upload, picture taking, phone call and text messaging half time show.  Here are some things that AT&T has specifically done in the Indianapolis to prepare for the massive Blackberry, Android, iPad and iPhone traffic: 

AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone, the company’s seventh major-market hotzone, serving parts of downtown Indianapolis. The new hotzone will provide fast and Wi-Fi near many popular locations along Capitol Avenue, Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets as well as East and West Georgia streets near the center of town, which consistently see high customer traffic and mobile data use. AT&T customers with high speed Internet, smartphone or LaptopConnect plans get unlimited access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zones at no additional cost. From most AT&T smartphones and devices, customers will be able to automatically connect and switch seamlessly between AT&T’s Wi-Fi and wireless networks. Wi-Fi use doesn’t count toward customers’ smartphone data plans.
AT&T has also launched an expanded Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Lucas Oil Stadium, which is among the largest of its kind in the U.S., enabling 4G LTE coverage within the stadium and carrying more traffic than 10 cell sites. In addition, AT&T has expanded its 4G LTE network to its DAS for media accommodations and has plans to enhance or install DAS systems in a number of other venues before the big game. 
“Events like the big game generate memorable experiences that our customers will want to share with friends and family through text messages, photos, status updates on social networks and calls from their mobile devices,” said Brian Ducharme, Vice President and General Manager, AT&T Indiana and Michigan. “We’re excited to provide significant network improvements – like our AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone and expanded or new DAS throughout the city – that will enhance the network experience for our customers in Indianapolis before, during and after the game.”
Further preparations for the big game include deploying nine Cells on Wheels (COWs) to support Lucas Oil Stadium, the downtown area, practice facilities and other places where large crowds are expected to accommodate increased wireless network demands from high concentrations of smartphone users. The company has also added capacity to nearly 200 cell sites throughout the Indianapolis market. The augmentations will help improve reliability and offer faster data speeds.

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