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  • CTIA Updates Its “Consumer Code for Wireless Service”

    CTIA–The Wireless Association has released an updated version of its “Consumer Code for Wireless Service,” which was originally developed in 2003 to help consumers make informed choices when selecting and managing their wireless service.

    CTIA said that while they periodically review the Code to ensure it reflects the industry’s innovations and consumers’ needs and expectations, these updates reflect the new and increasingly popular offerings by carriers.

    The Code, which has been adopted unanimously by CTIA’s Executive Committee, includes new provisions that cover messaging and data services for both prepaid and postpaid wireless customers. It will be effective on January 1, 2011.

    Some of the changes to the Code include disclosure of data allowances offered in a service plan, whether there are any prohibitions on data service usage and disclosure of whether there are network management practices that will have a material impact on the customer’s wireless data experience.

    The Code also states that prepaid service providers must disclose the period of time during which any prepaid balance is available for use.

    Signatories must adhere to the Code’s 10 points, including commitments to disclose rates, additional taxes, fees, surcharges and terms of service; provide coverage maps; make customer service readily accessible; and allow a trial period for new service.

    Compliance with the Code is reviewed on an annual basis. Carriers complying with the Code will receive the Seal of Wireless Quality/Consumer Information, which they can display on their company’s website and collateral materials.

    According to CTIA, the Code has been widely supported by many national, regional and rural wireless carriers including AT&T, Cellcom, CellularOne of NE Arizona, Clearwire, Illinois Valley Cellular, SouthernLINC Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, Unicel, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless.

    The Code’s signatories cover almost 93 percent of U.S. wireless subscribers. Additional carriers have indicated they will comply with the voluntary code.

    “When we originally developed the Code, many of the great innovative wireless products and services that are now seamlessly integrated in our lives were non-existent. The Code’s updates reflect how consumers are using wireless and to help them make the most informed and personalized choices,” said Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA.

    He added that the new Code “provides consumers with a wide range of information about their service, disclosures in advertising and reflects the industry’s continued voluntary commitment to consumers’ best interests when it comes to wireless.”

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  • CTIA 2009: Samsung Launches First WiMAX-Enabled Mobile Internet Device

    Samsung Mobile announced at CTIA WIRELESS 2009 in Las Vegas the upcoming availability of the Samsung Mondi, advanced mobile WiMAX enabled handheld device. The touch screen Mondi is designed for use with the Clear mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire.

    The Samsung Mondi includes the following features:

    • Windows Mobile 6.1
    • Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mobile Office
    • WiMAX Mobile Internet Access
    • WiFi Access (BTv2.1+EDR)
    • GPS: Route 66 Navigation with Preloaded Maps
    • 4GB of Internal Memory
    • Direct Push/Mobile Email (POP3, IMAP, SMTP)
    • Supports Instant Messaging and MMS
    • 3.0 Megapixel Camera and Camcorder
    • Bluetooth ® 2.0
    • Opera 9.5 Web Browser
    • HDMI TV Out

    WiMAX (Worldwide Inter-operability for Microwave Access), the emerging next generation technology for wireless access is supposed to be, together with LTE (Long Term Evolution) a base of 4G networks.

    Samsung is the global leader in delivering mobile WiMAX Technologies. Beside cooperation with U.S. Clearwire, it is now preparing to deliver mobile WiMAX solutions to operators in Japan and Russia.
    Clearwire is building the first, nationwide 4G mobile Internet wireless network in U.S. Currently provides mobile WiMAX-based service, to be branded Clear, in two markets, and provides pre-WiMAX communications services in 50 markets across the U.S. and Europe.
    “The Samsung Mondi is an important step toward our goal of bringing 4G network speeds and connectivity to people across the U.S.,” said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile.

  • CTIA2009: Skype Coming to BlackBerry Smartphones in May

    After releasing its application for iPhone, Android-powered devices and other Java-enabled mobile phones, as well as for Windows Mobile, Skype announced at CTIA WIRELESS 2009 in Las Vegas that the lite version of Skype, a ‘thin’ Skype client for mobile phones, will soon be available as a free download for BlackBerry smartphones.

    A beta version will be available in May for the BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve smartphones, with support for other BlackBerry smartphones coming later.

    The lite version of Skype delivers core Skype capabilities to BlackBerry smartphones, including:

    • Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
    • Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups
    • Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones
    • Receive calls to your online number on Skype
    • See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat

    The application works without needing a Wi-Fi connection. It uses local air time and a mobile Internet connection to sign in to Skype, update contact list and presence and to send/receive calls or messages. As a result, it’s necessary to have both a calling plan and a data plan to use the lite version of Skype.

    Skype will be available to BlackBerry users worldwide. The ability to make calls will be available in 10 countries: Australia, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the UK.

    English will be supported first, with additional languages to follow. Those who download the beta version will be able to provide feedback on the application via an online survey.

  • CTIA 2009: First Full Office Suite for the iPhone

    Quickoffice for iPhone enables robust editing of Microsoft Word and Excel documents, cut and paste and file transfer.

    Quickoffice, Inc., provider of mobile office productivity software, announced at CTIA WIRELESS 2009 in Las Vegas, it will unveil the first complete Office suite to provide native Microsoft Word and Excel editing for the iPhone.

     

    Quickoffice is the first iPhone application to include robust document and spreadsheet editors, along with file access and content management functionalities. Quickword enables quick editing on-the-go, font formatting, content selection, bullets and cut, copy and paste within Word documents and modifying documents in landscape mode to leverage a wider keyboard. With Quicksheet Excel users can revise inputs and recalculate, insert and resize rows and columns within the application as well as use extensive mathematical and statistical functions, including advanced Excel formulas for spreadsheet processing.

    Quickoffice also includes file-sharing capabilities to transfer files to and from a desktop using Wi-Fi and remotely access their MobileMe iDisk account. In addition to Word and Excel editing, users can view iWorks, PDF and other common media files. The app also supports ‘Auto-Save’ and ‘Auto-Restore’.
    “We are dedicated to bringing the most robust, full-featured application to this platform and will continue to add capabilities and services” said Gregg Fiddes, vice president of sales and strategic partnerships at Quickoffice.

    Quickoffice for iPhone will be available in early April for $19.99 for a full package. Separate applications – Quickword Word and Quicksheet Excel – will cost $12.99 each. Quickoffice Files, that allows file transfer, will be available for $3.99.

    QuickOffice Website

  • Motorola to cut mobile staff by half


    Motorola is considering reducing the workforce in its mobile devices group by as much as 50 per cent.

    The company is reportedly set to start major layoffs this week that would reduce staff levels by half and is said to be dramatically scaling back its phone development as a whole.

    Nearly all development for smartphones is already believed to be switching exclusively to Android while Motorola’s own phone introductions may scale back to as few as 12 devices per year.

    The company is also reportedly shelving plans to have a booth at the CTIA show in April despite its being the premier cellphone event in the US, according to Phone Scoop.

    The cutbacks if accurate suggest increasingly desperate attempts to revive the company’s fortunes.

    In the last quarter, Motorola had a USD $397 million loss and phone sales by the American cellphone producer dropped by a third in just 12 months.

    Much of the blame for this has been put on substantial drops in high-end phones as well as the lack of a compelling low-end product.

    The company’s popular RAZR recently lost its top ranking in the US to the iPhone and BlackBerries.