Americans pay far more for 4G service than much of the world, according to a report released Tuesday by a price-comparison firm. The cost for 1 gigabyte of LTE data in the United States costs almost twice the global average. And U.S. 4G service costs more than similar offerings in a whopping 187 other countries.
Verizon, Comcast and T-Mobile won’t cut off nonpaying customers before June 30
Verizon or T-Mobile won’t disconnect your iPhone if you can’t pay your bill because COVID-19 cost you your job. And Comcast won’t cut your Mac off from the internet either.
The companies committed on Monday to not terminate service or charge late fees through June 30.
Verizon again gives customers 15GB of free wireless data to stay connected during lockdown
In May, Verizon Wireless customers get an additional 15GB of mobile data for free for a second month of the COVID-19 crisis.
Many people under stay-at-home orders during the pandemic depend on their iPhone, Android or mobile hotspot to connect to the internet, and hence the world.
Carriers and retailers prepare for imminent ‘iPhone 9’ debut
There’s more evidence that the new low-cost iPhone alternately referred to as the iPhone SE/iPhone SE 2/iPhone 9 is about ready to launch, thanks to two pieces of fresh evidence which appeared over the weekend.
The first is a placeholder page on the major Chinese retailer JD.com. The second is a reference to the “iPhone 9” in a Verizon document about iPhone trade-ins. While there’s no more detail on the phone itself, it suggests that the new iPhone is indeed on its way.
AT&T lays out COVID-19 relief measures; includes extra 15GB for hotspot
AT&T on Monday laid out its COVID-19 relief measures for ensuring that customers can stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues while they’re stuck at home. Starting April 2, there will be a number of measures in place to keep subscribers connected — including 15GB of additional hotspot data.
Verizon gives subscribers 15GB of free wireless data during COVID-19 crisis
iPhones and Androids on Verizon’s cellular wireless network will get an additional 15GB of mobile data for free. The goal is to help this company’s subscribers keep in touch while working or schooling from home during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Earlier this month, rival T-Mobile went even farther by temporarily removing all data caps on customers who don’t already have an unlimited plan.
Verizon’s new Yahoo Mobile phone service boasts $40 unlimited data
A phone service Verizon launched today offers iPhone and Androids unlimited data for $39.99, including tethering. That’s significantly less than the cost of this carrier’s regular unlimited plan.
But, of course, there are limitations in the new service, dubbed Yahoo Mobile.
FCC plans to hit U.S. cellphone carriers with massive fines
America’s largest cellphone carriers are about to get hit with hundreds of millions of dollars in fines from the Federal Communications Commission according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
Officials at the FCC found the companies broke the law by selling customers’ location data to third parties and are prepared to make AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint pay big time. The companies have reportedly been notified that fines could be on the way.
AirPods Pro shipping times slip past Christmas on Apple.com
The new AirPods Pro are shaping up to be one of the most asked for items on peoples’ Christmas lists this season, there’s just one small problem: shipping times on Apple.com are showing units won’t arrive until after Santa Claus comes to town.
Verizon customers score 12 months of Disney+ for free
Disney is ready to tap into Verizon’s massive customer base to give it a massive influx of viewers for its upcoming streaming service Disney+.
Verizon revealed today that all of its customers will receive 12 months of Disney+ for free starting on November 12. The offer matches Apple’s own 12 free months offer for Apple TV+ to customers that buy a new Apple device.
AT&T gives free Spotify Premium to unlimited subscribers
AT&T is ready to sweeten the deal for some of its monthly subscribers by offering free Spotify premium as of its new entertainment perks.
The carrier revealed its new entertainment perks today that also gives customers the option to choose HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz or Pandora as their free entertainment options. Even if you don’t have a qualifying wireless plan, you can still get some other Spotify perks.
Verizon cuts the price of unlimited data plans
Verizon Wireless just did something telecoms almost never do: It lowered the cost of wireless service. This is part of the carrier’s renaming and changing of what it includes in all its unlimited plans.
Verizon’s super-fast 5G expands to four more cities
The number of people who can access Verizon’s 5G network takes a big jump today. The carrier just launched service in parts of Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis and Washington, DC.
The carrier has a 5G hotspot for anyone who wants to speed up the connection of their Mac or iPad.
Most Americans are excited about 5G
A large percentage of Americans are happy that 4G wireless networks are being supplanted by faster 5G ones, according to a recent survey by a respected market-research firm. And a majority of US consumers are very interested in getting a phone that supports these speedier networks.
Verizon hotspot brings 5G to Mac and iPad today
Anyone ready to have 5G now can get Verizon’s latest mobile hotspot and connect their Mac or iPad to it. The Inseego MiFi allows up to 15 devices to simultaneously take advantage of these ultrafast networks.
A 5G iPhone isn’t expected until next year, but Apple fans don’t have to wait.
Verizon’s new truly unlimited data plan sounds too good to be true
Verizon Wireless is finally offering a truly unlimited talk, text and data plan through the company’s Visible brand. It only costs $40 per month and is powered by Verizon’s 4G LTE network.
Visible revealed full details of the updated plan today. And if you’re already a Visible or Verizon subscriber, you will want to jump on this ASAP.
Apple strong-armed cable companies into selling more iPads and Apple TVs
Comcast and Charter made some potentially high risk deals with Apple in order to secure rights to sell the iPhone on their struggling networks.
Even though they are the two largest cable companies in the US, Apple was able to strong-arm Comcast and Charter into selling large numbers of other Apple products. In some cases they had to agree to sell them at a discount and eat the subsidized cost.
U.S. carriers are no longer sharing customer location data
U.S. carriers have (mostly) put an end to the practice of selling customer location data to third-parties, a new report reveals.
This dodgy practice was previously carried out by giants including T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. They passed on this data to middlemen, which then sold the information to other companies without getting the necessary permission from users.
Early test shows the promise and perils of 5G
The first steps of the move from 4G LTE to 5G NR are underway. And tests with one of the first two handsets capable of connecting to Verizon’s version of this faster network show 5G offers amazing speeds but very, very limited range.
Gear4’s impressive iPhone cases now available from Verizon
You can now pick up Gear4’s impressive cases for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR at your local Verizon store.
Big Red has started selling a number of its popular products in-store and online — including the award-winning Piccadilly case that provides drop protection from up to 13 feet.
FCC tries to confirm carriers stopped selling phone location data
The CEOs of the big four US wireless carriers were asked by an FCC commissioner whether they’ve stopped selling their customers’ real-time location data, as they had promised to do.
Published reports in recent months indicated that the locations of Americans were being sold without their permission of even knowledge.
Pre-orders for Samsung’s crazy expensive folding phone start tomorrow
Samsung’s very experimental and pricey Galaxy Fold takes a big step toward its launch tomorrow. This will be the first wide release of a folding phone in the U.S.
In addition, Samsung promised the Galaxy S10 5G will debut in the U.S in May.
Verizon 5G goes live in Chicago and Minneapolis
Verizon’s rollout of 5G mobile data service is finally underway in the U.S. after nearly a year of hype about the technology.
Certain parts of Chicago and Minneapolis are the first two places Verizon customers will find 5G coverage, though it is fairly limited. At least 30 cities are expected to get Verizon 5G by the end of the year, but getting on the network isn’t so simple.
AT&T’s ‘5G E’ speeds are slower than LTE on other networks
Customers on AT&T’s ‘5G E’ networks aren’t getting the huge speed gains promised by one of the nation’s largest carriers.
In an attempt to get a headstart on the 5G wave, AT&T has renamed a large portion of its 4G network to ‘5G E.’ The carrier calls it 5G Evolution and says its the first step towards the 20Gbps speeds promised by 5G, but a recent study found that AT&T’s 5G E network is actually slower than LTE Advanced speeds on other carriers.
Look at how mediocre AT&T’s speeds are:
Verizon 5G ramps up for April launch
Well behind arch-rival AT&T, Verizon will begin rolling out its 5G wireless network in two cities early in April.
This is the carrier’s first step in having this faster replacement for LTE available in 30 cities by the end of the year.