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'Nova' rumors point to Google launching its own phone service
Could your next cell service plan be with Google? According to a report by The Information, the answer is yes, as it's plotting out an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) service that could run on the networks of Sprint or T-Mobile. That's a similar approach to other companies like Straight Talk, MetroPCS or Virgin Mobile (owned by Walmart/Tracfone, T-Mobile and Sprint, respectively) but the rumors suggest the point of the "experiment" is to push down prices and improve the experiences customers have with their wireless networks. It all sounds quite a bit like Google Fiber, but by rolling out on existing infrastructure, Google could launch in many places all at once. On the other hand, it would still rely on its competitors to make the whole thing work, which has dragged down many such ventures in the past. It's the kind of thing such rumors have suggested Google wanted ever since it launched Android with the G1 in 2008, but now with the platform's marketshare secure it may not have to worry about angering telcos who would go from partners to competitors overnight. [Image credit: Jb Reed/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Vodafone's return to the US next year will be powered by T-Mobile
After selling back its stake in Verizon Wireless, British telecom Vodafone is planning a US comeback in a very different form late next year: a standalone wireless service as a MVNO on T-Mobile's network. This isn't something you'd likely be subscribing to, though -- Vodafone says it's aiming the unnamed service at enterprise customers. And it may also end up giving Vodafone subscribers from the UK and elsewhere better roaming support in the US. Since divesting itself of Verizon Wireless earlier this year, the company has been focused on offering better service to its European customers. Last month it upgraded its 4G service and added a bunch of new roaming countries (which it topped off yesterday). It was only a matter of time until Vodafone started tending to its customers' needs in the US.
TalkTalk ditches Vodafone to offer 4G plans with O2's help
As one of the UK's only quad-play providers, TalkTalk offers mobile plans alongside its TV, phone and internet packages. Since 2010, the company relied upon Vodafone's infrastructure to underpin its own network, but it's now decided it wants to try something new. In a joint announcement, TalkTalk and Telefónica (UK) today publicised an agreement that will see the UK media company switch across to O2's network, allowing the carrier to provide 3G and 4G services for its customers. With Virgin Media bundling mobile plans with its traditional home bundles and Sky thought to be readying the public launch of its own network (with Vodafone's help), TalkTalk now faces significant competition in the battle over low-cost tariffs. However, considering 9.5% of its total customer base already own one of its SIMs, the provider is already off to a pretty decent start. Update: Chatting with Bloomberg, TalkTalk's CEO said the partnership with Telefónica will go beyond simply using the latter's mobile network. With help from its new friend, TalkTalk wants to outfit its customers with femtocells (akin to small, indoor mobile masts), so they'll never have to worry about spotty mobile signal at home.
Sky could soon launch its own mobile network with help from Vodafone
When BT finally gets round to launching its own-brand mobile network running on EE's 4G infrastructure, it'll join Virgin Media and TalkTalk as a provider of all four main telecoms services: TV, internet, fixed-line telephone and mobile. This would leave Sky as the only rival telecoms company without a mobile offering, but a new trial with Vodafone suggests it, too, could be adding mobile to its product portfolio in the near future. As Mobile Today reports, 200,000 allegedly "handpicked" Sky customers were offered Vodafone's services as part of trial launched last month. It's not unreasonable, then, to hypothesize that this is the preliminary stages of Sky launching its own MVNO based on Vodafone's network.
GiffGaff to scrap most of its unlimited data bundles
GiffGaff, the network famed for its low-cost unlimited internet "goodybags," could soon face a backlash from some of its customers after quietly announcing it's axing some all-you-can-eat data plans. The O2-owned MVNO has said it will remove unlimited internet options from two of its three most popular pay-monthly tariffs and introduce new data caps instead. The new allowances, which include a 3GB or 5GB limit on GiffGaff's £12 or £15 bundles respectively, will come into force from September 24th, alongside new throttling measures (which include dropping speeds to 300Kbps at peak times) for those who remain on its unlimited tariffs.
Carphone Warehouse could launch its own mobile network with Three's help
Carphone Warehouse, like Phones 4u, is a retailer and reseller in one -- it's just as interested in flogging phones and tablets as it is setting you up with a mobile contract from any of the major UK carriers. According to The Financial Times, however, it might soon be getting into the carrier business itself, by launching an MVNO on Three's network. Carphone Warehouse has already partnered with Vodafone to resell low-cost contracts under the Talkmobile brand, though the network operator deals with all customers at its end. Sources claim various carriers have been approached as the now-merged Carphone Warehouse and Dixons look for new opportunities, but discussions with Three are at a more advanced stage.
The Post Office will soon let you pick up a mobile SIM along with your stamps
No longer just a place to send letters and exchange money, the Post Office is set to add another service to its ever-expanding list of utilities: mobile contracts. The company announced today that it's joining the list of providers that rely on EE's network to launch its own mobile service in the UK. It'll initially be sold online, over the phone and in 50 Post Office branches this autumn, with a view to expanding nationwide later this year (if it's successful). The move will see it take on supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda, which all offer mobile packages in addition to home phone and broadband bundles, but also bigger players like Virgin Media. There's currently no word on cost, but given the large number of players in this market (currently standing at 24), the Post Office will likely need to price tariffs competitively to get customers to grab a mobile SIM along with their car tax renewal.
Virgin Media's 'quad-play' phone, TV and net bundles now available to all
Virgin Media launched the UK's first 'quad-play' packages earlier this month, which wrap all of its mobile, landline, broadband and TV services up into neat, pay-monthly bundles. These were only available for existing customers to upgrade to initially, but right on schedule, new customers can now get in on the action, too. Furthermore, there are two additional "Big Bundles," as they're called, that complement the £35 per month Big Bang and £50 per month Big Kahuna packages (excluding line rental) Virgin announced previously. The new entry-level Big Easy bundle starts at £25 per month, and for those that need the absolute fastest, biggest and best of everything, the Big Daddy package can be had for £100 per month (again, both prices exclude line rental). You can also create your own custom bundle by bolting "Big Extras" onto the standard ones, if getting everything from the same provider and on one bill is just that little bit too simple for your taste.
T-Mobile launching Spanish-language mobile network with Univision
Move over Jennifer Lopez and Verizon, as Univision has just partnered with T-Mobile to create a new Spanish-language cellphone service called Univision Mobile. Underpinned by T-Mo's network, the new partnership will target the 56 million strong Hispanic American market with "custom-built" plans. Like its parent carrier, those will be contract-free starting at $30 for unlimited texts and calls and $45 for a 2.5GB web plan. Both will get unlimited international texting and 100 minutes of free calls to mobile phones or landlines in Mexico and seven other Latin American countries. The new company may not have J-Lo fronting it like Viva Movil, but users will no doubt be able to catch her on their phones -- Univision will offer "insights and programming content" for the new venture.
Virgin Media bundles mobile, landline, TV and broadband into new 'quad-play' packages
Virgin Media has operated as a virtual mobile operator for some time now, but had never combined smartphone plans into the cost of its TV, phone and broadband deals. That's all about to change, however, after the company confirmed today it will launch a new range of bundles that will form the first true 'quad-play' packages in the UK. The packages will start at £35 with a mobile SIM (also excluding line rental) and are marketed under names like Big Kahuna and Big Bang. You'll get unlimited calls and texts but not data -- that's only applicable to VIP Tariffs, which do not come as part of the new bundles. Before today, it looked like BT was going to become the first provider to go all in, after it signed a deal with EE to provide connectivity for its own-brand 4G network. While the telecommunications giant is expected to roll out consumer packages later this year (returning to the mobile industry after it sold Cellnet back in 2001), it will now come to market some time after one of its major rivals. It could even be pipped to the post by Sky, which is rumoured to be exploring a deal with Vodafone. Virgin's quad-play packages are now available to existing customers and will roll out to the rest of the UK in June.
Google reportedly wants to offer mobile phone service in Fiber areas
Many see Google Fiber as an attempt to disrupt the stagnant world of internet service providers, and it now sounds like Google wants to shake up the wireless industry, too. Sources for The Information claim that the search firm wants to offer mobile phone service in Fiber areas. It's not yet clear how this would work, but Google reportedly told Verizon in January that it would like to become an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) piggybacking on Big Red's network. None of the companies involved are commenting on the rumor, and there are no guarantees that Google's dreams will become reality. We certainly wouldn't count on Verizon's cooperation given its vehement opposition to the net neutrality principles that Larry Page and crew hold dear. However, Google is the sort of company that's willing to supply internet access by any means necessary -- if it's really bent on offering phone service, it'll find a way.
Ting lets you bring your iPhone 5 to its pay-for-what-you-use cellular service
You haven't had many choices for non-Android phones if you've wanted to switch to Ting, where you only pay for the cellular service you use -- aside from the since-vanished HTC 8XT, you've had to bring over an aging iPhone 4 or 4S from Sprint. Your options just got a little better, though, as Ting now lets you activate a Sprint-compatible iPhone 5. That still leaves the modern iPhone 5s sadly out of reach, but Ting says that Sprint's device restrictions are keeping Apple's latest handset off-limits until September at the earliest. Even so, the newly expanded support is big news for eligible iPhone fans eager to trim their cellphone bills.
Mobile carrier Ting turns two, celebrates by lowering data prices
What would a birthday be without presents? Instead of receiving gifts, wireless provider Ting is celebrating its second birthday this week unwrapping lower data prices. Most data "buckets" on the service are now a bit cheaper, with the deepest discounts happening for its heaviest users. While traditional carriers are looking at new and different takes on mobile phone contracts, Ting ditches the idea of having a phone plan entirely. Instead of picking a plan, Ting bills you at the end of the month based on how much (and how) you use your phone. Usage is divided up like shirt sizes (from S-XL); and you're charged for messages, minutes and data based on your monthly usage. That could equal savings if your mobile mileage varies from month to month and there's decent Ting coverage in your area. XL data users already rocking one of the handsets on Ting's fairly impressive list of supported devices will see the most benefits from Monday's drop, scoring 100 more minutes and 800 additional messages each month for the same amount. New pricing automatically kicks off for existing customers on their next billing cycle, or for new customers starting today. Check out all the deets after the break.
Select Ting customers can now enjoy Sprint's Spark LTE
Wireless service provider Ting is launching four devices that support Sprint's Spark enhanced LTE service. Ting, an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that runs on Sprint's nationwide network, will offer Spark support for the LG G2, Samsung Galaxy Mega and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, along with the Netgear ZING mobile hotspot. As of now, the Mega and mini are available, with the G2 coming soon. According to the company, it's the first MVNO to offer devices compatible with the Spark network. Sprint's tri-band Spark LTE is currently available for carrier customers using the LG G2, Galaxy Mega or Galaxy S 4 mini (see a pattern here?) -- provided they're in one of a few select markets including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
BT taps EE for own-brand 4G network
More than ten years after it sold its shares to O2 and exited the consumer mobile market, BT may soon make a comeback as a UK carrier. The company announced today that it has signed an multi-year agreement with EE to use its 4G services to support both its customers and employees. While the company remains quiet on whether it plans to add mobile services to its existing media packages, BT CEO Ian Livingston remarked earlier in the year that it was "highly possible" that we'd see BT-branded 4G SIM cards bundled alongside its TV, broadband, fixed-line telephone and public Wi-Fi services. Let's not forget the fact that the telecoms giant also spent £186.5 million securing its own 4G spectrum. BT says it will focus on moving its existing clients over to EE's networks while expanding its "strong Wi-Fi presence" in the UK, but we believe it won't be too long until EE, O2, Vodafone and Three have some competition.
PureTalk USA debuts 150MB rollover data plans for prepaid market
Rollover minutes were a great idea last decade when capped minute plans were all the rage, but unfortunately rollover data never caught on when smartphones began getting popular. PureTalk USA, an AT&T MVNO, doesn't think it's too late to implement such a concept for its budget-minded customers who don't need to be constantly tied to the internet but still have varying data needs from month to month. The new offering is a $10 add-on to the company's Mobile Flex plans, and you get 150MB of rollover data each month that doesn't expire. We'd love to see options for more data, but this is at least a great opportunity for anyone hoping to keep a close eye on their wallet.
Target's Brightspot mobile service launches Sunday, starts at $35 per month
Ever tenacious retailer Target is once again nipping at Walmart's heels. Following the introduction of its Target Ticket video-on-demand service -- a direct competitor to Vudu -- the big box chain is now looking to get into the prepaid phone business with a service known as Brightspot. The MVNO is set to launch on October 6th, which will use T-Mobile's network and serve as Target's answer to Straight Talk. Brightspot will offer two service tiers, one for $35 that includes unlimited talk and text, in addition to a $50 plan that piles on unlimited data with 1GB of high-speed use. While Target's offering is a bit less tempting than Walmart's (which offers 2.5GB of high-speed usage for $45), the bullseye retailer will reward loyal subscribers with a $25 Target gift card for each six months of paid Brightspot service. Consider it one more excuse to kick your costly monthly phone plan to the curb.
Leak hints at iPhone 5c and 5s variants for Boost Mobile
Apple offers iPhones through both large and small US carriers these days, but it has so far given Boost Mobile the cold shoulder. That may soon change, however -- @evleaks has just leaked ads hinting that Boost will get the iPhone 5c and 5s in the near future. While the images don't reveal any launch dates or pricing, they suggest that both smartphones will be eligible for the provider's "shrinking" unlimited rates. The expansion isn't all that crucial given the upcoming 5c and 5s launches through Virgin Mobile, but it doesn't hurt to have another option for low-cost iPhone service.
Kogan Mobile to wind down after wholesale provider ispONE goes bust
Virtual carriers are only as healthy as the companies that provide their services -- and Australia's Kogan Mobile is learning this the hard way. Its wholesale cellular partner ispONE has just entered administration following a contract dispute with Telstra, ending all its deals for prepaid 3G services and leaving Kogan Mobile no choice but to wind down. Customers have already lost the ability to add or replenish services; they'll have up to 60 days after a Telstra notice to use any credit they have left, and 180 days to port their numbers elsewhere. While Kogan's shutdown may only affect about 100,000 people, it still represents an unfortunate loss of competition in a country with few major providers.
Mobile Miscellany: week of August 12th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought leaks of a smartphone that tips the scales with a 6-inch screen, an alternate ego to the oft-leaked Sony 'Honami' and the return of unlimited data to a certain AT&T MVNO. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of August 12th, 2013.
