Why Did AT&T Acquire Carrier IQ?

Back in 2011, data collection developer Carrier IQ caused a firestorm of criticism after a security researcher discovered its kernel-level software could be used to track smartphone users without their consent or control. Four years later, the company has been swallowed up by one of the telecoms that used it. TechCrunch reports that AT&T has acquired the assets and some staff from the startup, effectively shutting Carrier IQ down.  It's been over four years since the company's data-logging mobile phone software was revealed, resulting in accusations of privacy violations, lax security, lawsuits both from and against the software maker and its partners, and eventually the removal of Carrier IQ code from phones via security patches. The months-long scandal basically killed Carrier IQ as a company... but now its corporate assets are owned by a carrier AT&T.

The fallout from the Carrier IQ discovery was swift and widespread, foreshadowing the privacy debate that Edward Snowden's NSA leaks would later engender. The tracking software was revealed to be on 150 million smartphones at the time, leading to numerous telcos and handset manufacturers like Apple, HTC, T-Mobile, and Blackberry either admitting to their installing CIQ or categorically denying that they did. Sprint went on to remove the software outright. After the imbroglio, the Mobile Device Privacy Act was introduced in Congress to prevent this exact kind of data collection. However, the legislation never passed.

It sounds like AT&T will continue to use Carrier IQ’s software to troubleshoot wireless signal issues and improve its network. And since Carrier IQ talent is jumping on-board, we can all assume will continue using the technology on AT&T phones.  See articles  Article 2

SiriusXM Radio Signal Interference Coming from T-Mobile Cell Phone Towers?

There have been instances where T-Mobile cell phone towers have been reported to cause signal interference with SiriusXM satellite radio reception. This interference occurs due to the proximity of the cell phone towers and the frequencies used by both services.

Which Carrier Has The Most Dead Zones?

How does our map database of dead zones break down by carrier. AT&T #1,  Verizon #2, Sprint #3, T-Mobile #4

Dead Zones Database Growth Chart History

Our website Deadcellzones.com gets visitors per day and 15+ years of collecting dead zones for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.  The FCC still ignores us as well.  

Why The Mobile App Business in Trouble Long Term

See Full Strategy Analytics Forecast Model

I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS GROWTH CHART MODEL

I am kind of a contrarian when it comes to the app business expanding over the next decade and don't agree with this chart.  I have been in the tech space for a long time and I am seeing a similar pattern to the .com crash of the early 2000's. Developers are tired and app publishers are having an impossible time getting discovered in the app store. I think the app store is a dysfunctional filter of information that should ultimately be controlled by search engines.

Thus, why I think HTML5 and apps the utilize the web heavily will ultimately win out in the long run. I think the 99/01 rule plays out in this industry and thousands of companies continue to go out of business. There are just far too many companies that are app only and don't have a web presence. Those that do both will succeed.

I say this also because the consumer is tired of having to constantly update apps. I think it is backfiring on pure app companies. People are deleting apps for space and apps are running secretly in the background. Pure web apps are accessible on demand and don't require downloads. We hear this frustration from consumers on our site Deadcellzones.com.

 Love to hear your thoughts.

What is Best for Wireless Consumers?

What might actually be the best thing ever for consumers could royally screw the carriers. Twenty years of wireless carrier stifling innovation and counting. I think there are two companies (AT&T and Verizon) plus the cable companies who have held back the US from technology innovation.

Google could become a voice service provider and would unquestionably piss off the carriers who are their "partners". Who wouldn’t expect them to eventually become a voice service provider for wireless maybe through a WiFI network? It's just a matter of time. Google could then make unlocked Android phones available in the U.S. online or through traditional retail channels. I am waiting for the day.

Leasing Land to Cell Tower Companies: Are You Getting Your Fair Share?

As people become more reliant on wireless services, property owners are increasingly being approached to lease their land for cellular site construction. Most landlords will readily accept a “market rate” offer and consider themselves lucky for the extra stipend. The fact of the matter is 90-95% of cell tower lessors are losing out on 200% revenue or more, due to lack of expertise. The fact of the matter is 90-95% of cell tower lessors are losing out on 200% revenue or more, due to lack of expertise.

Current market rates for cellular sites

The US has over 190,000 cell towers generating an average annual revenue of $45,000 for owners. Land assessment specialists reveal actual revenues could be as much as two folds more. Here we’ve collected sample revenues from leasing consultants and property owners across the nation.

ANNUAL REVENUE GENERATED WITH CELL TOWER LEASES
State	Actual	Potential
T-Mobile
New Jersey	$15,000 - $18,000	$30,000 - $36,000
Los Angeles	$15,600	$31,200
San Diego	$16,800	$33,600
AT&T
Pennsylvania	$9,000	$18,000
Virginia	$6,000	$12,000
Verizon Wireless
New Jersey	$19,800	$39,600
Pennsylvania	$6,000 - $7,200	$12,000 - $14,400
Arizona	$14,400	$28,800
Michigan	$6,000	$12,000
Florida	$6,000 - $7,200	$12,000 - $14,400
Washington	$14,400	$28,800
Clearwire
New Jersey	$13,200	$26,400
Texas	$10,800	$21,600
Metro PCS
New York	$15,600	$31,200
Large Tower Companies
Virginia	$12,000	$24,000
Warner Communications
Missouri	$36,000	$72,000

The numbers are astounding, and the loss is even greater over 25 years. Our message to potential landlords who are reading this to get revenue figures: market comparison is not the way to go.

Factors that influence cell tower lease rates

Today’s tower leasing rates depend on a number of important factors. Here are some questions to ask when assessing leasing revenue:

1. Can acquisition companies avoid construction fees?

In the case of lease renewals, extensions, and antenna add-ons where new tower construction fees can be avoided, rental rates are higher.

2. Is the area densely populated with heavy traffic?

Dense area makes your location prime for providing wireless service and more valuable to tower companies.

3. Are there alternatives?

A tower acquisitionist is more likely to shop around for lowest bids when faced with other options.

Terms of Agreement affects leasing revenue

Failure to decipher the leasing contract is one of the biggest mistakes for any property owner.

With a contract that spans 20-30 years, the slightest change in terms of agreement will affect revenue remarkably. And when profit figures are a fraction of a million, relying on a telecom leasing specialist in cell tower leases sector is worth the nominal fee.

Strategize to earn more

Don’t get into a poorly negotiated long-term contract you’ll have a hard time getting out of. It’s understandable that owners don’t want to risk losing a leasing deal, but that doesn’t mean they must accept lowballers.

Increasing media exposure has landlords stepping up their game. In response to this, there have emerged a number of independent leasing companies like Lease Advisors, which provide expert consulting to potential and current lease holders.

Most importantly, we hope this call to action will prompt national firms to practice better business ethics and offer all contributors, including land lessors, a fair share of the market.

Are You A Sucker for Marketing Scams?

Have You Purchased Cellular Service Based on Coverage Maps?

Do You Buy Products Because They Labeled As Green?

Trust the Financial Press & Sell Stock in 2009?

Do You Believe the Nielsen TV and Internet Ratings Are Accurate?

Get Cash For Gold for Only 30 Cents on the Dollar?

Invest in any Hedge Funds of Mass Destruction?

Did You Buy Real Estate With No Equity or Money Down?

Have Anything But the Highest Deductible Health Insurance Plan?

Did You Believe The Iraq War Was For Safety or Money?

Did You Believe These Old Cigarette Ads?

Can You Drive Testing Indoor Coverage?

In our ever more transparent and tough economic environment don't you would think Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint should take a look at new innovative ways to better serve their customer's needs as more customers are using their mobile phones indoors. Our mashup DeadCellZones.com collects thousands of carrier indoor and outdoor cell coverage complaints from customers each month with zero advertising. If our website is collecting this data for free it appears the carriers are all overlooking a very simple way of listening to their customers. Ask!

Wireless service providers (especially in the U.S.) do drive testing to build theoretical coverage maps and test their networks for cell signal strength. Drive Testing or wireless data collection is used to provide coverage analysis, network weakness information and to aid in finding specific problem areas reported by consumers. Most drive testing companies are specifically tasked with simulating the actual call experience of customers during weekday periods to simulate capacity issues outdoors. Such companies include GWS, LCC, and WFI. Most carriers outsource this capability to third parties, unlike Verizon who has its own in-house drive testing team. Drive testing companies usually spend between $15-25 per mile in over 300+ U.S. markets benchmark testing signals. These companies provide a tremendous service to the carriers and deserve every penny for their efforts but how do they efficiently acquire in-building coverage data where customers use their phone the most?

DeadCellZones.com will be a the forefront of the carrier femtocell revolution and will start helping drive testing companies get better visibility of in-building coverage problem areas. U.S. carriers are starting to roll out femtocells and the number of worldwide subscribers is rising rapidly, jumping from 1.7 million in 2007 to 9.7 million in 2008. The number of femtocell phone units is expected to nearly quintuple in the 5 years from 2007 to 2011.

I think the current recession is going to demand cost-cutting measures that we have never seen from these companies since churn is more prevalent than customer growth. The carnage could be huge from suppliers and vendors beneath the umbrella of these giant companies of those who do not innovate. Its widely known throughout the industry that working with carriers is not much different than working with government bureaucrats because of their proprietary networks and huge customer bases. The lack of leadership of the wireless communication giants to is the primary reason why the U.S. is way behind Europe and Asia in wireless telecommunications.

How To Remove Dead Zones From Map?

1)  Click on + to Add Pin

2)  Add Address or Click on Map Directly in Area to Remove

3)  Describe Reason for Removal of Pin 

- Network Upgrade

- Coverage Fix 

- No Longer Have Issues