Carrier IQ Sued in Delaware Federal Court

Apple, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Carrier IQ Sued in Delaware Federal Court in Cell Phone Tracking Software Scandal.

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 2, 2011- The law firms of Sianni & Straite LLP of Wilmington, DE, Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP of Edison, NJ, and Keefe Bartels L.L.C. of Red Bank, NJ, have today filed a class action complaint in Federal Court in Wilmington, Delaware related to the unprecedented breach of the digital privacy rights of 150 million cell phone users. The complaint asserts that three cell phone providers (T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T) and four manufacturers of cell phones (HTC, Motorola, Apple and Samsung) violated the Federal Wiretap Act, the Stored Electronic Communications Act, and the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

The carriers and manufacturers were caught last month willfully violating customers' privacy rights in direct violation of federal law. A technology blogger in Connecticut discovered that software designed and sold by California-based Carrier IQ, Inc. was secretly tracking personal and sensitive information of the cell phone users without the consent or knowledge of the users. On Nov. 30, 2011, the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary said in a letter to Carrier IQ that "these actions may violate federal privacy laws." It added, "this is potentially a very serious matter."

David Straite, one of the attorneys leading the action, noted "this latest revelation of corporate America's brazen disregard for the digital privacy rights of its customers is yet another example of the escalating erosion of liberty in this country. We are hopeful that the courts will allow ordinary customers the opportunity to remedy this outrageous breach." Steve Grygiel, co-counsel for the proposed class, agreed: "anyone who cares at all about their personal privacy, or the broader constitutional right to privacy, ought to care and care a great deal about this case." Barry Eichen added, "today's comment from Larry Lenhart, CEO of Carrier IQ, that his software is somehow good for consumers starkly demonstrates what is at stake."

A copy of the Class Action Complaint in Pacilli v. Carrier IQ, Inc. can be viewed on the Firms' websites at www.siannistraite.com, www.keefebartels.com, and www.njadvocates.com.

Plaintiffs are represented by Sianni & Straite LLP, a Delaware-based litigation firm with a branch office in New York, Keefe Bartels LLC, a New Jersey-based plaintiffs' rights trial law firm, and Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP, a leading plaintiffs firm with three offices in New Jersey.

Consumer Reports Cell Service Ratings by City

Does this Consumer Reports survey of 66,000 people have any credibility for a cell phone service shopper? This survey represents a narrow demographic of respondents. Even Consumer Reports states their “Findings might not reflect the general U.S. population.” Also, it is indeed a survey and does not contain any empirical testing of the type that has made Consumer Reports the respected entity it is today.

But the main reason these results are not meaningful, or fair for that matter, is the lack of information regarding smartphone users vs. old school phone users, broken down by the wireless provider being rated. Why is this important? Smartphones demand a much higher quality of service and bandwidth to operate. Even Consumer Reports implies that users who use their wireless devices primarily for talking and texting (non smartphone customers) are easier to please than those who have smartphones, who require more demanding tasks such as web surfing and watching videos.

Consumer Reports does not provide any data as to which providers in the survey were rated by smartphone subscribers vs. non smartphone subscribers. Thus, their results are comparing apples-to-oranges. For example, is it meaningful or fair to compare Provider A who, for example, was rated by customers who primarily use smartphones vs. Provider B, who was rated by customers who primarily use non smartphones? I think not.

Based on my years of running this web site, I can conclude that some wireless providers have a larger percentage of smartphone subscribers than others. These smartphone subscribers are, by nature, sophisticated, demanding and particular. Other providers have a larger percentage of non smartphone subscribers who are typically lower paying, less sophisticated customers who are happy with status quo and using older phones. These customers, of course, would be happier with their service.

My take? Consumer Reports should divulge the percentage of smartphone and non smartphones subs rating each wireless provider. This key information would allow readers to make fair and meaningful comparisons.

Deadcellzones.com surveys an audience of similar size of 60,000 but does so on a monthly basis. Thus we survey an audience that is 10 times larger than consumer reports. DCZ also provide searchable maps with very specific geographic information about coverage problems. Ask yourself which is more useful as a consumer shopping for service in your area?

Carrier IQ Claims to Ignore Personal Info

Connecticut-based systems administrator Carrier IQ has found itself in hot water of late. Gizmodo recently broke the story that revealed how the company tracked information on most Smartphones without users’ knowledge or ability to opt-out. This revelation came to light via the YouTube video posted by Android developer Trevor Eckhart which demonstrated that Carrier IQ circumvents web encryption to pick up on passwords, Google queries, and other web activities.

Predictably, wireless customers have been outraged, and carriers themselves have sought to distance themselves from the company. Furthermore, Senator Al Franken sent Carrier IQ CEO Larry Lenhart a stern letter warning of possible legal action and demanding an explanation by December 14.

CIQ has recently come to its own defense, however. They are insisting that their intentions are altruistic rather than malevolent. The company released a statement assuring the wireless community that they do not store SMS messages, e-mail, photos, audio, or video recordings. "We measure and summarize the performance of the device to assist Operators in delivering better service," they explained. Additionally, CIQ has claimed that the monitoring operations they undertake are totally on the behest of the carriers.

Andrew Coward, CIQ’s VP of Marketing told The Wall Street Journal’s All Things D that, while the software listens for specific, keystrokes to send diagnostic information to the carriers, they are not privy to the actual message.  They claim to ignore your personal information but still have access to it.

“If there’s a dropped call, the carriers want to know about it,” Coward clarified. “So we record where you were when the call dropped, and the location of the tower being used. … Similarly, if you send an SMS to me and it doesn’t go through, the carriers want to know that, too. And they want to know why — if it’s a problem with your handset or the network.”

Coward also maintained that CIQ does not share the data with any 3rd party operators, and thus consumers have nothing to fear.

Senate Investigation of Carrier IQ Spyware

U.S. Senator Al Franken just sent Carrier IQ a nasty letter. Today Franken fired off a letter to Carrier IQ CEO Larry Lenhart raising questions about the company's practices and demanding answers by December 14.  Earlier this week a story was launched by Gizmodo that Carrier IQ is Secretly Recording your Mobile Phone Actions.

It appears the Carrier IQ software captures a broad swath of extremely sensitive information from users that would appear to have nothing to do with diagnostics—including who they are calling, the contents of the texts they are receiving, the contents of their searches, and the websites they visit. These actions may violate federal privacy laws, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. This is potentially a very serious matter.  Read the letter below.  Click to enlarge.

Carrier IQ is Secretly Recording Your Phone

If you have a newer Android phone, everything you do is being recorded by hidden software lurking inside. It even circumvents web encryption and grabs everything—including your passwords and Google queries. Worse: it's the handset manufacturers and the carriers who—in the name of "making your user experience better"—install this software without any way for you to opt-out. This YouTube video, recorded by 25-year-old Android developer Trevor Eckhart, shows how it works. This is bad. Really bad.  See details of this article first posted by Gizmodo.

 

The spying software is developed by a company called Carrier IQ. On their site, the company says they are "the only embedded analytics company to support millions of devices simultaneously, we give Wireless Carriers and Handset Manufacturer's unprecedented insight into their customers' mobile experience."

Is this the best way to track user experience, dropped calls, and coverage problems?  I think there is a better way and Deadcellzones.com has demonstrated that consumers are capable of reporting problems directly to a web site if given the resources to do it.  Carrier IQ is a well funded VC backed company that tracks billions of anonymously reported coverage problems and dropped calls by passing along this data directly to the carrier.  They receive millions of dollars per year from carriers to track this.  However, does the carrier even do anything with the data despite the reported issues?  Is this the classic "deer in headlights" problems with billions of reception problems reported?  Isn't there a better way to prioritize the problems people are experiencing? How about trying crowdsourcing coverage problems from actual customers.  Deadcellzones.com is certainly a model to start thinking about.

Related Stories:
U.S. Senate Investigation of Carrier IQ
Carrier IQ: Mobile Service Intelligence ?'s 

Verizon Phones Suddenly Not Working

My wife's Droid phone keyboard suddenly stopped working and I am beginning to think there are other people who are having the same problem.  Typing on the keyboard is impossible and it stops after a few letters.  The arrow key does not work to go back as well.   She ran into a few friends also on Verizon and the store and it appears that they are having the same issue.  However, this time it was on a Blackberry phone.

Is Verizon making changes in their customer's settings remotely without telling customers? Is this a big conspiracy to get Verizon customer to upgrade their phone during the Holiday shopping period?  I am beginning to wonder if Verizon is tampering with their customer's phones in order to make them go into a store and upgrade.   Please share your experiences below if your phone settings are suddenly getting changed and causing technical issues.

After doing some research on Twitter it appears other customers are having similar issues.  See this Twitter search for "Verizon Phone Not Working".  

WiFi Only iPads & Apple Margins

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) disappoints Wall Street in their latest earning call beating guidance but not matching street expectations.  After looking at Mary Meeker's latest Awesome Web 2.0 presentation about the "State of the Web", this slide struck me the most as I listened to the Apple earnings call.

Apple's stock has risen over the last few years due to their close business relationships with the carriers and booming iPhone sales.  Have iPhone sales topped out due to insanely booming iPad sales?   iPads carry lower margins for both Apple and the carriers and have a incredibly better user experience than an iPhone.  Once you start using a tablet or an iPad you might only use your smartphone for tethering and essential messaging functions.  No longer are the thousands of iPhone applications relevant as the iPad has become the focus of my WiFi content data usage experience.   And yes its FREE!

Apple investors have also been expecting the iPhone 5 which technically is 2 years behind the curve on 4G standards. LTE and 4G phones have been on the market for a long time and Apple has not even announced the iPhone 5 yet as it just launched the iPhone 4S.  Surely Apple's inability to keep up with the pace of 4G data speeds on phones will catch up with them.

Carriers pay Apple handsomely for the right to sell the iPhone because the payback for the customer's data subscription is only in a few months.  Consumers are paying $50 to $100 for monthly data plan subscriptions and are NOT doing the same with iPads.  WiFi only iPad users are growing much quicker than the 3G iPad.  This translates into lower margins for Apple with a one time only sale price of $500 that will likely be lowered soon.  The current iPad selling at $500 will likely be forced to drop in price due to competition.

Amazon announced the Kindle Fire Android tablet at $200 and plan to make most of their money on data / content subscriptions.  Other Android tablet manufacturer including Google have grander visions of making money off of location based advertising which Apple is behind on as well.

This is the first earnings call since the passing of Steve Jobs where Tim Cook was alone at the helm.  Is he setting himself up for a great Holiday quarter? Apple could be sandbagging their next quarter before they release the iPhone 5 or have they run out of momentum?

Free 3G Amazon Kindle Fire Android Tablet?

Amazon Kindle Fire with Android OS is Coming for $199 

Amazon announced today a WiFi only 7 inch Android tablet that it will sell for $199.  However, will Amazon's next version of the Fire have free 3G wireless?  Amazon allows customers who have the black and white Kindle to access AT&T 3G for free.   The next Amazon Fire could have free AT&T 3G for $299 similar to the black and white Kindle for $79.  The current WiFi only Fire tablet has a 7 inch screen and weights only 14.6 ounces.  The Amazon does not include 3G and you can pre-order it for $199.  Shipping date is November 15, 2011.

This is a tremendous breakthrough for the industry where the device itself becomes a commodity and the services behind the device become the real value.  Subscriptions to content like Pandora, Netflix or Amazon movie become more important and thus will allow Amazon to subsidize the price of the device.

It remains to be seen if newspapers can get into the game of require subscriptions to view their content.  My speculations is they won't have much success getting people to pay for news and simply will have apps build in this Android platform that are filled with ads.

If you compare this device to the iPad 2 its $300 cheaper and does not have the following features.  Camera and GPS which are unnecessary for most tablet users.  Tablet users are primarily inside the home and office and only need WiFi.   Also, if you are a savvy user and have figured out how to tether WiFi devices to your 4G smartphone than the WiFi only version will also be sufficient.  

2G, 3G, 4G: WTF is 4th Generation Anyway?

Techies throw terminology around all the time, and often we have to pretend that we understand what they're referring to. In this post, we'll try to explain and elucidate some of the tricky lingo used frequently in today's circles. Specifically, we'll look at the G's, 2G, 3G, and 4G - what they are, and what they mean for us.

The Gs refer to stages in the development of cellular technology. G stands for "generation." 2G, therefore, means "second generation" cellular systems. Service providers have just begun to roll out fourth generation networks, the most advanced technology developed to date. We'll get to fourth generation in a bit, but let's back up to the beginning, with 1G.

The systems retroactively dubbed 1G were the world's first mobile telephone networks. The first 1G network surfaced in Tokyo, in 1979. Over the next ten years, mobile networks were slowly built in countries all over the world. 1G systems communicated with analog signals, using continuous radio waves to transmit information. The analog system was dumped for digital communication with the advent of 2G in the early 90s.

The second generation of cell phone technology improved system capacity, allowed mobile data service with text messaging, and lowered the radiation emitted from phones. Much of this was affected by the move to digital communication, swapping continuous analog signals with the short burst, message-style transmissions of digital technology. 2G is still used in many parts of the world today.

It would be another ten years before the debut of 3G onto the world stage. 2G systems were strengthened and altered, ushering in mobile internet, video calling, mobile TV, and videoconferencing. Officially, 3G is not a specific technology, but a standard—an outline of specifications for cellular networks. Several different systems have been built that all comply with 3G requirements, such as EDGE, CDMA2000, and UMTS. Different service providers, like AT&T and Verizon Wireless, build and use their own designs for their respective networks. It's the differences in this sort of network structure that define whether or not your phone uses a SIM card.

Recently, the wireless communications world has been abuzz about 4G, the latest development of digital communication. The fourth generation standard aims to increase the speeds and thus the capabilities of 3G-enabled tasks, like mobile internet. Before 4G, downloading or streaming movies, songs, or any significant amounts of data to a mobile device was an abysmally slow process, if at all possible. 4G minimizes the difference in user experience between using a top-speed computer and your smartphone. In fact, it's 4G technology that justifies smartphones' existence.

"So that was all very nice," you might say, "but how does that affect me?" Well, the sort of technology your phone or mobile device uses will affect what accessories, upgrades, and supplemental systems you can attach and sync with it. For instance, signal boosters, which enhance weak cellular signals, read very specific transmissions. To amplify the weak signal for your 4G phone, you'll need a 4G booster capable of decoding and transmitting 4G signals. It's all quite simple, really. You now have the power to take on those tech nuts and show them who's boss.

Related Article:
What does 1G 2G 2.5G 3G 3.5G 4G 5G mean

How to Find The Best Indoor Signal Booster

So you're tired of poor reception, dropped calls, and drained batteries. You know it's time to find a solution and someone recommended checking out signal boosters. But how do you navigate the sea of uninformative model numbers, strange names, and new technologies to find the solution that fits your setup at the most reasonable price? Here's a guide that will outline the factors to remember when going booster shopping. You'll be a cellular amplifier expert in no time.

There's one puzzle you should try to solve first before you start your booster search: Namely, why is my reception so poor? Coverage goes hazy for a variety of reasons. You might live adventurously close to the edge of the network, a good distance from the most far-flung cell towers. On the other hand, you might live in a city skyscraper behind thick concrete walls impenetrable to the strongest of cell signals. Or it's possible you live comfortably in suburbia well within cellular range but your house happens to rest at the bottom of an imposing hill, blocking most of the good reception from reaching your residence. Determining the primary obstacle to your cellular experience is key in reaching success with a signal booster.

The second puzzle to solve (and this is a lot easier than the first) involves determining how strong your natural, unamplified signal is, both indoors and out. Just open up your phone and check the bars of reception. Signal boosters vary in the degree to which they amplify a signal. Some simply modify a mediocre signal while others totally soup up a dead zone into a powerhouse. So why not go for the biggest and the strongest? Price, of course; those powerful amplifiers come with a hefty price tag for their fancy technology. You want to find the booster that suits your needs exactly to be financially sound and energy-efficient.

So, you’ve determined why your cell signal is poor and just how strong your unamplified signal is indoors and out, as described above. Now, you'll want to know exactly how much square footage you plan on blanketing with amplified signal before hitting the stores. The signal booster kit contains multiple pieces of equipment that serve different functions. The broadcasting antenna distributes the boosted signal throughout the desired space and these antennas come in a wide spectrum of strengths, each able to cover a different-sized space. Of course, the larger space, the more powerful and more expensive the antenna. It's important to keep in mind that some websites and product descriptions advertise maximum broadcast ranges that refer to tests set in open territory. However, when those antennas are placed indoors where it must battle through walls, staircases, and other obstacles, the antenna's range reduces significantly. Be sure to get help with an expert from the store to find the true indoor range of these amplifiers.

With this easy checklist, you'll be way ahead of the game when in the market for a signal booster. Try to look for boosters with the strength you need and antennas to cover the space you want. Remember, asking for help never hurts. There are cell booster experts available to answer specific questions and assist with large-scale installations.

Smartphones with the Longest Battery Life

Top 5 Smartphones with Long Battery Life

With over 25% of US cell phone users now using smartphones, cell phone companies have released new smartphones with features like bigger screens and more apps while leaving one of the most important features as an afterthought… battery life.

Because battery life is one of the more overlooked features in smartphones today, we have compiled a list of the top 5 smartphones that have long batter lives. In order to determine the top 5 phones, we researched phones with the highest overall expert rankings from sources like CNET, PC magazine, Wired, and PC world and that also had at least ten hours of talk time battery life.

1. HTC myTouch 4G: The top smartphone on our list was the HTC myTouch 4G because of its overall excellence with an expert rating at 4.37 out of 5, as well as its 10 hour talk time and 432 hour standby battery life.

2. Apple iPhone 3GS: Apple’s iPhone 3GS exceptional talk time of 12 hours can be attributed to its smaller screen that is measured at 3.5 inches, and even though this is the highest on our list, the standby life of the 3GS is a moderate 300 hours. With these features taken into account, the 3GS received an average expert rating of 4.25 out of 5.

3. Samsung Droid Charge: The Samsung Droid Charge was the only Verizon phone to make our top list for performance and battery life. Expert rankings came in at 4.23 out of 5 for the Charge, while its talk
time was measured at 11 hours, but its standby battery life was the lowest on the list at 280 hours.

4. Google Nexus One: The Google Nexus One is the most widely available phone on our top list, as it is available on Vodafone and Singtel in places like Singapore, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The average expert score on the Nexus One was 4.1 out of 5, with a talk time of 10 hours and a
moderate standby time of 290 hours.

5. Samsung Captivate: The Samsung Captivate from AT&T comes in at number five on our list receiving an average expert rating of 3.78 out of 5. The talk time on the Captivate is 10 hours with an amazing maximum standby time of 710 hours, which almost twice as much as any other phone on our list.

When put in a side-by-side comparison, these smartphones all prove to have great battery life as well as several differences in price and features that will allow shoppers to find the best smartphone that won’t die when their needed most.

Why iPad is Losing WiFi Connection

Turn Off iPad Notifications to Fix Wi-Fi Problem 

Cell Phone Tips to Prepare for Hurricane Irene

How to prepare for the next hurricane disaster?  Does your family have an emergency communications plan for when you cannot reach your friends and family with cell phones because the network is jammed?  Cell phone operators cannot prevent the worst from happening and consumers and small business owners should be prepared before and after the storm hits. Here are 10 tips that should help you be prepared for the worst during a disaster.

1. Have a two phones ready possibly from two different carriers. One corded or landline phone and one mobile phone. The landline phone is critical because it is not dependent on electricity in the case of a long power outage.
2. Make sure all of your local emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses are in your mobile phone. Police department, coast guard, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.
3. Keep your cell phone batteries charged at all times and keep an extra on hand. Have a plan to charge your battery in case of a long power outage using your car charger or generator.
4. Keep your wireless phone dry in a dry pack or waterproof housing. If you phone gets wet or is exposed to excessive humidity you might not be able to use it.
5. You can track the storm and access weather information on your wireless device but don't use too much phone battery power or data on the phone to jam the network. Try not to upload or download a lot of video during the storm.   Thousands of homes will lose power during the storm and if you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports through mobile TV.  
6. Download one of the many weather apps if you have smartphone to track your local weather Accuweather, Weather Undergound and Weather.com are some of the best apps to see the radar.
7. Have a camera and video phone on hand to take and send photos and video clips of damaged property or people in need of emergency help. It is also helpful to document the damage for your your insurance company.
8. Use location-based mapping technology from Google and other services to help with evacuation routes or avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines. Download and use location based friend applications to track a family members and friends on wireless device in case you get separated.
9. During an emergency cell phone networks are typically jammed by multiple people trying to use their phones at the same time. The increased calling volume or data traffic on the network can create network congestion, leading to a "fast busy" signal on your mobile phone or a slow dial tone on your landline phone. If this happens, hang up, be patient and wait several seconds and then try the call again. This allows your original call data to clear the network before you try again. Keep non-emergency calls and usage of video uploading and downloading to a minimum. If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates.
10. Use text messaging as much as you can during an emergency as messages may go through more quickly than voice calls. Text messages require fewer network resources and will get priority before voice calls.

Cell phone carriers do recognized the risk of their cell phone towers going down during an emergency and typically send out emergency teams and boost capacity in the area with additional towers.  This usually includes the installation of back-up generators at cell sites and switching facilities. They also try and locate critical communication equipment in less vulnerable areas and try to upgrade copper wiring with fiber optic cable. Also, elevation of switches on the network above expected flood levels and extra protection of physical facilities against flooding is also important.

Phil Falcone of LightSquared is my Hero

Phil Falcone of Harbinger Capital Partners has invested billions of dollars into building a satellite wireless 4G network that will disrupt the the large and corrupt incumbents AT&T and Verizon who want to crush him. These incumbents are making false claims and a gross misrepresentation of facts in the marketplace. Verizon and AT&T are not competing fairly once again by using their unfair lobbying strength in Washington to create obstacles for innovation. The incumbents are using their power to stamp out a new entrant into the marketplace. Is it ironic that the chief lobbyist for AT&T and Verizon in Washington is also the head of the GPS Council? Smells like corruption and a PR spin to me.

The ridiculous drama surrounding LightSquared's attempts to launch its terrestrial/satellite network continues to unfold in the court of public opinion, and more importantly in the halls of the FCC. The corrupt FCC is in the midst of trying to decide if LightSquared should be allowed to commercially launch its satellite cell phone service. There is some minor evidence that the spectrum to be used will cause interference with commercial GPS systems that do not have proper filters. LightSquared has said that the interference issue is being caused by GPS devices not equipped with the proper filters, and in addition has filed a new spectrum plan that would see the company initially use a different chunk of its spectrum in order to reduce interference issues in the near term.

See this video on Light Squared from RCR Wireless

Are Verizon Customers Dropping More Calls?

Here is a letter from a 10 year Verizon customer in Virginia, who wrote to customer care.  This issue has been escalated to the President level in the organization to resolve the problem.  This an example of what is happening for millions of Verizon customers who previously had good coverage and are now suffering from more dropped calls.  It just so happens that this customer is very persistent about getting the problem resolved but not everyone has the time or the skills to do this.  Nor does Verizon have the resources to pursue every customer service problem in this manner.  It is worth reading and just another reason that the current theoretical wireless coverage maps should be outlawed?  Its false marketing and degradation once good coverage areas is becoming a big problem now that Verizon is moving to 4G / LTE.  Wireless networks are breathing more than ever to optimize network capacity and thus why you might see 5 bars and then none standing in the same location.  Read the full letter below about a Verizon trouble ticket resolution and please share any other examples in the comments or send us an email. 

1st Customer Letter to Verizon

Dear Verizon,

Is it possible to request a physical visit to the area in question (below), with measurements taken and reports made?  My family and I drive this area a total of 12 times or more per day.  We have been doing that for over ten years.  WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE DROPPED CALL IN THIS AREA FOR ALL THOSE YEARS.  Why did we begin to drop most calls, suddenly, two months ago?  I am specifically speaking of my driveway, 123 XYX Drive.  Could an area suddenly, as if by magic, become "marginal", after working well for all those years?

My suspicion is that Verizon, by upgrading to the higher "G" coverages and has made equipment changes in this area.  This new equipment places voice communication second to all the other services which the new smartphones sold.  I believe that is what has caused my problem with 123 XYX Drive, etc.

I'd like to have a definitive answer, from Verizon, not some nonsense about secondary coverage areas, explaining why I still get a five-bar signal AND drop calls all the time?  That doesn't sound like a coverage problem.  It sounds like a Verizon equipment problem to me.

As far as being in a marginal coverage area, I've seen Verizon make those claims before.  Any problems Verizon doesn't want to address are suddenly in a marginal coverage area.

Please see below, coverage maps copied from the Verizon published coverage map,
The map below is location 123 XYX Drive.  As stated above, coverage just perfect for ten years.  Suddenly, two months ago, the signal stays the same, calls are dropped constantly.  Is it magic?

Below is another paste from the same Verizon coverage map showing the four-mile area east of my driveway on Rt. 221 where past wonderful coverage has degraded to many dropped calls with no loss in signal.  

The last pasted map below is an area that Verizon knows is bad and has elected not to fix it.  We get dropped calls in that area on a daily basis. The specific area is on 221 between Mays Farm Road and the upside-down question mark looking little road, just east of the 221 shields.  To quote Verizon's answer on past complaints about the area, "This is an area of known problems."  That's it, no fixed date, no nothing.

Please re-submit my complaint to the proper parties and include these Verizon coverage maps.  I really would appreciate some sort of meaningful answer regarding the sudden degradation in service.

1st Verizon Response Letter

Mr. Customer,

Your trouble ticket for service problems in your home area is now resolved. The ticket states: “located in a marginal coverage area due to distance from cell sites; there are plans for a new site in your area but not estimated time of when that will be up and running. There were currently no issues found w/ the surrounding cell sites.”

Feel free to email me back with any other questions or concerns and we can move forward or see what the next step may be.

Thanks,
Nate – Verizon Wireless Tech Support
woodana@NE.VerizonWireless.com

2nd Verizon Response Letter

Mr. Customer,

From previously speaking to members of our Network Repair Bureau, I have been told that coverage can change. The majority of the time the coverage is increasing but I’ve been told that may not always be the case. I’m going to forward your email over to one of our NRB representatives and try to re-escalate this issue. I’ll email you back once I receive additional info about this problem. I also wanted to make sure that you were still marking the affected calls by dialing ### - SEND.

Thanks,
Nate – Verizon Wireless Tech Support

Customer Response to Verizon Wireless 

Nate – Verizon Wireless Tech Support,

Unfortunately, I've been doing ***** Send, or something close to that. Does it matter as long as I do something strange after a dropped call or do you want exactly ###SEND? Sorry for the error.

The coverage matter is a convenient out for Verizon. Their disclaimer really removes any value from the coverage maps they issue. (These Coverage Locator maps depict predicted and approximate wireless coverage. The coverage areas shown do not guarantee service availability and may include locations with limited or no coverage. Even within a coverage area, there are many factors, including customer’s equipment, terrain, proximity to buildings, foliage, and weather that may impact service. Some of the Coverage Areas include networks run by other carriers, the coverage depicted is based on their information and public sources, and we cannot ensure its accuracy.) This really makes any coverage argument totally invalid and a waste of time; except, of course, for Verizon to put forth as an unreal sales tool.

However, I might think that the cessation of service is a valid argument, and, as "supplier", Verizon would be held liable to continue the past level of service, unless they announce a change. In this instance, no change was announced to me.

I guess, unless they do something for me, my only recourse is to leave Verizon and go over to US Cellular who, according to "hearsay" has this area buttoned down tight. As you see from my record, I don't often change carriers, so I'm loath to do that.

Do let me know about the ##### or the *****.

Thanks, Nate,
Customer

Commentary & End Result

Lots of developments. After calling both Wireless and Landline executive offices at Verizon, a work order for both of my problems was issued and has gone away. A Verizon engineer surveyed my area of dropped calls and found that the PN on a tower about 18 miles away, was taking my calls and disconnecting them. They finally agreed on a new PN and the dropped calls problem is solved!

The more annoying problem is still in the works. That's the one where all calls, originated from a Verizon cell phone, within my area, showed "out of area" on my landline caller ID. If I called my Verizon landline from the same room, as my local Verizon cell phone, the landline caller ID showed "Out of area". This is annoying because "Out of area" calls are usually from salespeople and we never answered them. Now, seeing it might be one of us calling, we get to speak to an inordinate amount of salespeople!

Emily's note from Sprint is very pleasing. Not only does she seem to really care, but she is also reaching out across the Country. Not too many people around like that anymore. Sprint has always had minimal coverage in our area. I do not know what she's referring to when she says "granular detail", I've not heard that term used before. I'll give her a call, but, don't hold out much hope - unless they've increased their coverage.

Customer

Cheap Unlocked Used iPhones For Sale

There are between 20 - 30 million inexpensive unlocked iPhones on the used market today and many of them are being sold on Amazon and eBay for $100 - $500.  Smart mobile phone shoppers can save lots of money buying a used phone that is unlocked.  Buying a cheap iPhone can save you lots of money using a cheaper data plan from T-Mobile or another GSM carrier.  We discovered do research that one-third of the iPhones being sold on eBay were unlocked.  Unlocking the iPhone is the process of using software to modify the iPhone to work with other GSM carriers if purchased from AT&T or CDMA carriers if you purchased a Verizon phone.

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LightSquared Satellite 4G LTE Network

LightSquared’s is a new high speed data only wireless company with a mission to revolutionize the U.S. wireless industry. Light Squared has created the first-ever, wholesale-only nationwide 4G-LTE network integrated with satellite coverage.  ightSquared offers customers the speed, value and reliability of universal broadband connectivity, wherever they are in the United States. Placing calls over satellites is expensive and impractical compared with using cell towers, so the FCC allows spectrum holders to back up satellite coverage with towers. That gives LightSquared a "back door" to building out a conventional ground-based network of cell towers. Its integrated LTE-satellite network will serve critical public sector needs such as emergency preparedness and seamless communications in times of crisis.

The key competitive advance for Light Squared is its satellite coverage. LightSquared's satellite network (Boeing) was launched into geostationary orbit over North America in November 2010. Among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever launched, this space-based network will provide coverage to users when they are out of cellular range. LightSquared's next generation satellite with its 22-meter-diameter reflector will allow for connectivity to mobile devices without penalizing form factor, battery life, or performance. Other cellular providers are limited to offering wireless and mobile broadband services to customers strictly via cell phone towers or limited satellite connections. By integrating a national LTE network with ubiquitous satellite coverage, LightSquared will not only offer its partners a new wholesale revenue platform, but will also provide end users with a reliable and fast experience, regardless of where they are in the United States.  Don't be surprised to see Direct TV (NYSE: DTV) as one of the first re-sellers of Light Squared's 4G/LTE service.

The LightSquared network is designed to support present-day and emerging wireless devices without restrictions or the hassle of buying a new phone locked to a specific network. Its open wireless ecosystem removes existing barriers to the development of innovative applications and services in the mobile Internet space. As a wholesale-only operator, LightSquared will deploy an open 4G network to be used by existing and new service providers to sell their own devices, applications and services, at a competitive cost and without retail competition from LightSquared. Mobile phone consumers will not buy 4G/LTE data service directly from LightSquared. Instead, it will wholesale to other companies like cable, regional phone companies and broadband providers that can resell it to consumers.

LightSquared plans to start selling the service in the second half of 2011 in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver and Baltimore. The deployment and operation of LightSquared’s network represent more than $14 billion of private investment from Harbinger over the next eight years to cover 92% of the U.S. popluation. For more information about LightSquared, please go to LightSquared.com, facebook.com/LightSquared and twitter.com/LightSquared.

Verizon Wireless Tiered Data Plan Scam

Pay As You Go:  1000 Megabytes ($1.99) = 1 Gigabyte ($1,000)

Beware of Verizon Wireless's new tiered data plans that will be launching on July 7, 2011.  I can already tell that their data plan is going to be a huge scam praying on customers who don't understand how to calculate megabytes and gigabytes.  There are 1000 megabytes in a gigabyte.  Will they automatically bump you up into  a 75 MB or just be silent and let the bill arrive in your mailbox.  Most likely the later knowing Verizon's unscrupulous billion practices.

Verizon wants charge you $2 for every megabyte on a Pay Per Use plan.  However, if you committed to to the 2-5GB plans you will be paying $30 to $80.  So beware if you are on the $1.99/MB plan and use 1000 megabytes or a Gigabyte you will be charged $1000.   Someone in Verizon's accounting department clearly either doesn't understand the economics of pricing or byte and bits. Their tiered data plans charge .01 cent per megabyte which sounds expensive as well.

For example:  I use about 2 GB per month on T-Mobile HSPA+ 4G and I pay $25 per month for unlimited data.  That would be $30 per GB Verizon and $10 per GB after the plan allowance.   However, if you don't have credit or pay as you go that would have cost me $2,000 at $2 per megabyte.  Verizon is surely going to have some lawsuits from this scam if its not corrected soon.

Carriers are clearly losing momentum to consumers who are using WiFi only and not willing to pay for expensive 3G data plans.  Also, these are the same carriers that are asking you to offload your data onto free WiFi because their networks are congested.  It has become crystal clear to me that we will be using 4G and LTE in the coming decade as a last resort and not as the primary means for data access.  Its not getting cheaper and the networks are getting worse about handling the traffic.  I suspect that we will soon have wireless armageddon in 2012.

The only thing you can do as a consumer is to use your data plans sparingly, connect to WiFi and open hotspots whenever you have the opportunity.

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How to Boost a WiFi Signal Using an Electrical Powerline Extender

If your home or office Wi-Fi isn't performing well you might consider improving the signal using an electrical powerline extender.  

Coping With Separation and Divorce: How to Get Your Self-Esteem Back

Divorce can throw your whole world out of orbit and leave you wondering who you are. There isn't much you can do to keep it from hurting, but you don't have to let it destroy your self-esteem either.

Plenty of people have had to endure a divorce in their lifetime—unfortunately, it's pretty common. One of the more common difficulties that come with going through a divorce is that people tend to suffer a hit to their confidence. Once your mojo goes, you just aren't you anymore. Continue reading to get some tips to help you get your self-esteem back after a divorce.

1. Let go of feelings of being a failure.

The first step to regaining your confidence is to stop thinking you're a failure because your marriage didn't work out. You are not what happened to you, and you can't base your identity on your divorce.

The important thing is to learn from any mistakes you may have made in the relationship and carry those lessons with you into your future relationship(s). If you're open to it, you can find love again—your divorce doesn't define you. You're not a failure—hold your head high knowing that you have what it takes to succeed in all areas of life.

2. Get in shape.

Have you wanted to get in shape for a while but lacked the motivation? Well, now is the perfect time to attack your fitness goals and use your newfound freedom as your fire.

You deserve to love what you see when you look in the mirror, and that's true on both a physical and spiritual level. Start going to the gym and busting a sweat. Exercising boosts mood and confidence, so you'll get back into shape mentally and physically.

If you haven't exercised in a while, then it's best for you to start lightly and pick up the pace and intensity with time. Also, you should consult your physician before beginning any workout routine.

3. Bring your sexy back.

We all know that "people make the clothes" rather than vice versa, but few things make people feel better than getting new, fashionable attire. If you're down and looking for a quick pick-me-up, then treat yourself to a shopping spree.

Ladies, treat your self to some chic lingerie that will bring your sexy side back to life. Soma is an online lingerie shop with premium nightwear at affordable prices. They also have swimwear and apparel for every occasion.

Even if you're not dating anyone, you can get something just for yourself. When you see how desirable you look in your new lingerie, your confidence will soar.

4. Don't air your dirty laundry on social media.

Depending on your situation and emotional state, social media can be your best friend or your worst enemy. When you're hurting or angry with someone, it's much more likely to be your worst enemy.

During this difficult period in your life, the best thing you can do is keep your personal life off social media. You don't want to subject yourself to undue criticism and make your situation a subject of public commentary. So avoid social media traps for your sanity's sake.

5. Get to know you again.

Even though your divorce has been hurtful and stressful, you can still use it as an opportunity. For the first time since you were married, you have the chance to get to know who you are apart from your former partner.

Rather than sulk, try some experiences and give yourself a chance to discover new passions. You may find a new hobby or even a side hustle!

Also, don't be afraid to put yourself back on the market. You may wonder if you'll ever find love again, and the answer is a resounding no if you aren't willing to get back out there and risk being hurt again. It's important to make sure that you have enough love for yourself before you decide to love someone else but when you're ready, you'll know.

How to Listen to Pandora on Your TV

Listening to Pandora on your TV brings your favorite playlists, stations, and podcasts to the big screen, perfect for parties, background ambiance, or simply enhancing your home audio experience. Here’s how to set up and enjoy Pandora on different TV platforms.

Ways to Access Pandora on Your TV

1. Streaming Devices

• Apple TV: Open the App Store, search for “Pandora,” and download the app.
• Amazon Fire TV: Go to the Amazon App Store, search for “Pandora,” download, and launch the app.
• Roku: Go to the Roku Channel Store, search for “Pandora,” and add it to your channels.
• Android TV: Open the Google Play Store, find the Pandora app, and install it.

2. Smart TVs

• Samsung Smart TV: Many Samsung TVs support the Pandora app, which can be downloaded from the Samsung App Store.
• LG Smart TV: You can download the Pandora app from the LG Content Store if available.

3. Casting from Your Phone

• Chromecast: If you have a Chromecast-enabled device or built-in Chromecast support on your TV, open the Pandora app on your phone, tap the Cast icon, and select your TV.
• Apple AirPlay: For TVs with AirPlay support, open Pandora on an iPhone or iPad, select AirPlay, and choose your TV as the streaming device.

How to Sign In and Start Listening to Pandora on TV

1. Open the Pandora App on Your TV: Once the app is downloaded, open it and select “Sign In.”
2. Log In or Use Activation Code: Some TVs require you to enter an activation code at pandora.com/activate, while others may prompt you to enter your credentials directly.
3. Browse and Play: After signing in, explore your stations, create playlists, and listen to recommended music based on your preferences.

Benefits of Pandora on Your TV

• Home Audio Enhancement: With your TV’s audio system, Pandora becomes ideal for parties, relaxation, or background ambiance.
• Personalized Playlists: Your saved playlists, stations, and recommendations are accessible, making it easy to find the right music for any mood.
• Variety of Content: Explore curated playlists, artist radios, and Pandora podcasts directly from your TV.

Subscription Options

Pandora offers both free, ad-supported streaming and premium subscriptions. If you have Pandora Premium, you can enjoy on-demand listening and offline playback, which can be especially useful for uninterrupted listening.

Enjoying Pandora on your TV adds a whole new dimension to your music experience, transforming your home into a personalized concert hall or relaxed music lounge!

Why Pandora Could Be The Next Google

Pandora is Not Just About Music

Personalization of the web is the next big thing and its just as big as search was 10 years ago!  That is why I am so happy to hear that Pandora raised $250M in an IPO this week after being rejected by hundreds of "smart venture capitalists" who said the company will never make any money and be successful. That is the same thing many said about Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) back in 1999 before they found their search advertising model Adsense and Adwords.  I am still kicking myself for not buying Google's stock at $95 per share and not making the same mistake buying Pandora at $13 per share below their IPO price of $16.  Aside from the obvious economics issues all of the short sellers and negative analysts are point out, I think the company could be disruptive to three huge industries who may resist the change (Telecom, Advertising, Entertainment).  This is why I love the company and I am not making the same mistake this time and buying the stock (NYSE: P).   Here are reasons why I like the product, stock, growth, the vision and the industry disruption.

1. Pandora is FREE and buying music via Apple iTunes is very expensive
2. Discovery of new brands, products, bands and music is endless 
3. Its not JUST about music.  Pandora will recommend TV, Movies and Videos? 
4. The Music Genome Project can apply to other things using 1's and 0's
5. Ad-supported cloud-based business models are red hot
6. The average person listens to 13 hrs of radio & 3 hours of owned music/week
7. Pandora currently has 94M registered users up, up from 77% from 53M
8. The company operating almost break-even only losing $6.8 million
9. Revenues of $51 million, up 131% from $21.6 million in qtr
10. Projected revenues of $250M in 2011
11. Active listeners of 34 million, up 88% from 18 million
12. Average listener hours up 127% to 1.6 billion hours from .7B hours
13. Pandora’s adoption driven by Apple iPhones, iPads and Android Phones
14. Pandora 94M users with only 1% of customers are paying (huge upside) 
15. Netflix 25M subs paying $100 per year forecasting 50% growth (Market Cap 13B)
16. Sirius 25M subs paying $100 per year forecasting 40% growth (Market Cap 8B)
17. Only a $5 CPM covers the cost of running the Pandora service (upside)
18. Pandora hasn't even started to sell local advertising yet (huge upside)
19. Pandora's display advertising is targeted, relevant and not annoying. 
20. Entertainment & telecom companies hate change (upside)
21. Wireless carriers may up sell data plan packages Pandora mobile data plans
22. Small stock float only 9.2% of shares outstanding compared to 24% tech avg
23. An interesting short squeeze opportunity with all the negative sentiment
24. Reed Hastings of Netflix says WiFi in TVs is a revolution.  (huge upside)
25. Pandora TV app eliminates need for the expensive home audio system
26. Pandora is another reason you don't need a cable box anymore 

This is ongoing list I will continue to add to.  Please submit your suggestions below.  See this company presentation on Slideshare about what the Genome project is measuring for recommendations.  Its not just likes.   

Pandora and the Music Genome Project

View more presentations from CAMT

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How Much Data is Used Streaming Pandora?

If you are like me and like to use your Android or iPhone to stream Pandora in the car.  How much data are you using and should you worry about going over your data allotment.  It would take an average user 4.5 hours of streaming Pandora on a slow AT&T 3G connection (578 kbps) to max out the entire 200MB monthly data plan limit.  Be careful if you are using the AT&T $15 per Month 200MB data plan on might recommend with the 2GB per month plan.  The 2GB per month plan is just $10 more for the $25 per month on the AT&T DataPro plan?  The 2GB data plan prof will get you 45 hours of Pandora music instead of 4.5.  However, I always recommend using free Wi-Fi when streaming Pandora possible.  T-Mobile HSPA+ has works pretty well around the LA area for streaming and would appreciate any feedback from others on their experiences streaming Pandora on Verizon, Sprint and AT&T in other parts of the U.S.

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Grand Canyon Cell Phone Reception

The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the World. The canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in Arizona and sits nearby Lake Mead. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park one of the first national parks at receives more than 4.5 million visitors per year. This glass Skywalk opened in 2007 which allows visors to view the Canyon straight down thousands of feet.  

You will have to enjoy the view without being able to upload your favorite photos to Facebook and Twitter because cell phone reception in the canyon is almost non-existent. One would think with all these visitors and the "broadband stimulus" from the Obama Administration that this National park might be on the list to provide wireless reception for your phone safety?  Cell service from Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile is hard to find in the area.   We would appreciate your contribution to the Deadcellzones.com map of areas where you found reception in the park.  Click on the map below and type in Arizona or Grand Canyon Village, AZ to find the spot on the map to start adding complaints.

See also this map of Grand Canyon Cell Phone Coverage 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cell Reception

With more than 800 miles of protected trails the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is a natural wonder hosting nearly 10 million hikers and vacationers last year. Don't count on your phone working working in the area. Some have reported reception in the city of Townsend but anywhere toward a hill or mountain it was non-existant. In Wears Valley if you're high enough on a hill you might get a faint signal. What carrier works best in the area? Feedback is appreciated below and feel free to submit your dead zones directly on this map below after typing in Smokey Mountains National Park into the search menu. Some cell phones like Verizon make work better in the town areas, but do not work much at all inside the National Park. Do not depend on a cell phone if you may need 911 help.

Great Smokey Mountains Reported Cell Phone Dead Zones