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Karma's shareable hotspot service to support Sprint LTE
While Karma had a good idea when it launched its shareable hotspot service last year, it had to rely on Clearwire's WiMAX data -- not what we'd share with others when the technology is on its way out. The company is catching up, however, with a new deal to use Sprint's LTE. The upgrade gives the prepaid provider not just a much faster network, but also expanded coverage that blankets large parts of the US. Just don't expect an immediate transition. Karma says it will be giving hotspot owners "exclusive upgrade options" in the future, which hints that it will take some time (and likely money) before customers can take advantage of the speed boost.
iPhone 5c, 5s coming to Boost Mobile on November 8
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, considering that just about every other regional and/or prepaid mobile carrier in the US has announced that they'll soon have (or already have) the new iPhones. Today's addition to the long list of carriers is Boost Mobile, a prepaid mobile virtual network operator hosted on the Sprint network. The company will begin offering the iPhone 5s and 5c on November 8, and existing or potential Boost Mobile customers can get more information here. Show full PR text Boost Mobile to Offer iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on November 8 IRVINE, Calif. – October 21, 2013 – Boost Mobile, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry with its exclusive Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments, today announced it will offer iPhone 5s, the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world, and iPhone 5c, the most colorful iPhone yet, to customers beginning on November 8. For more information please visit: www.boostmobile.com/shop/iphone. For more information on iPhone, please visit: www.apple.com/iphone. About Boost Mobile Boost Mobile, recently recognized by J.D. Power as "Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers," offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its Monthly Unlimited with Shrinking Payments no-contract service, where the longer you stay the less you pay with on-time payments for unlimited voice, text and data[1]. Boost Mobile offers nationwide voice service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 278 million people, with no long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from BlackBerry, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola and Samsung, ranging from entry-level to Android™ smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Walgreens and Walmart, Sprint retail stores, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® Cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com. # # # [1] Monthly plans include 2.5GB of high-speed data and video streaming limited to 3G speeds.
iPhone 5s, 5c debuting on prepaid carrier Cricket October 25
It ended up taking almost no time at all for a prepaid wireless carrier to announce that it will begin selling the iPhone 5s and 5c, with Virgin Mobile jumping on the new phones at the beginning of October. Now competitor Cricket Wireless has announced that both of the newest iPhones will be available on the prepaid network starting October 25. Cricket hasn't announced what pricing will be like for the phones. At the present time, they sell the 16 GB iPhone 5 for US$600, the 16 GB iPhone 4S for $500, and the 8 GB iPhone 4 for $400. The company uses an installment plan to sell the phones, with an iPhone 5 going for $25 down and 23 payments of $25 -- similar plans with smaller down and monthly payments are available for the other phones. The Cricket network currently serves 6.2 million customers in the US, offering 4G LTE connectivity in some metropolitan areas. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on phone purchases.
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.
AT&T's prepaid subsidiary, Aio Wireless, is now available nationwide
You can go ahead and consider Aio Wireless an option the next time you're shopping among mobile carriers, because the prepaid subsidiary of AT&T is now available nationwide. Service plans at Aio feature unlimited voice, messaging and overage-free data, and start at $40 per month for simple phones. Smartphone users can expect to pay at least $55 at Aio, which fetches 2GB of high-speed data, whereas the $70 plan comes with a healthy 7GB allotment. As one potential gotcha, the carrier throttles its high-speed data to a relatively paltry 8 Mbps -- a shame if you're sporting an LTE handset. If you're on a budget, it's worth mentioning that Aio Wireless is one of the sole providers of the Lumia 620 within the US, and at just $100 outright, it's a very tempting proposition. [Thanks, Krishan]
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.
Nokia Lumia 625 reaches the UK on August 28th with LTE on three networks
Brits who've wanted Nokia's budget phone ambitions writ large -- namely, the Lumia 625 -- won't have to wait much longer. The 4.7-inch Windows Phone will be available on August 28th through EE, O2, Vodafone, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U. If you're interested, you can pick up the device for free on a £21 per month contract, or buy it outright for £179 on pay-as-you-go service; early adopters get a second colored back as a bonus. EE, O2 and Vodafone should all support the Lumia 625's LTE either immediately or the day after, so it's just a matter of choosing the 4G network you prefer.
Ultra Mobile brings 1,000 international minutes to all plans with Ultra Zero
Phoning abroad just got cheaper thanks to Ultra Mobile pushing free international calling to all of its service plans. With Ultra Zero, even if you're only paying $19 per month, you get 1,000 gratis minutes to call Canada, China, Mexico, Singapore and the UK. If you manage to use that up, it's one cent for each minute thereafter. In addition to that huge chunk of voice time and being contract-free, all of the carrier's plans include at least 50MB of 4G data and unlimited global texting. The company also cut its rates for calling Cuba, Haiti, India, Nepal, Nigeria and Poland by as much as half -- you know people in those countries, right? As long as you're rocking an unlocked GSM phone and slip in an Ultra Mobile SIM card, you should be able to reach out and touch someone for a whole lot less.
Vodafone UK brings unlimited talk, text and data to Red Freedom Freebee plans
These days, carriers seem to be gravitating towards "less for more" -- as in, giving users less while charging more. For those situated in the UK, however, Vodafone's offering up a new pay-as-you-go arrangement that actually smacks of value. The Red Freedom Freebee plans are pretty simple. For instance, £30 a month nets you unlimited texts and talk within the United Kingdom coupled with 1GB of data. Cough up £40 each month, and that data cap doubles to 2GB. A couple of cheaper plans are available for those who need little more than text messaging and enough data to keep tabs on their email, all of which can be seen in detail at Vodafone's site.
Mobile by Sainsbury's launches in the UK with Nectar-earning prepaid plans
Mobile by Sainsbury's, a mobile virtual network operator affiliated with one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains, is officially open for business. The MVNO, which operates on Vodafone's network, will be accessible to customers at all Sainsbury's outlets. Offerings include a pay-as-you-go Basic plan, with domestic calls priced at 8 pence per minute, data at 50 pence per day for 25MB, UK texts at 4 pence each and double Nectar points on top ups. From there, a trio of Bundle plans give you monthly access for £10, £20 or £30, with 200 minutes and 250MB, 300 minutes and 500MB and 800 minutes and 1GB, respectively. All Bundle plans include unlimited texts and double Nectar points. Head over to the source link or hit up your neighborhood Sainsbury's to join up.
Nokia Lumia 520 comes to AT&T GoPhone on July 26th for $100 off-contract
Want a cheap gateway to the world of Windows Phone? In the US, it won't get much cheaper than AT&T's new version of the Lumia 520. Nokia's starter device will cost just $100 contract-free when it hits AT&T's GoPhone prepaid service on July 26th -- that's $50 less than T-Mobile's already inexpensive Lumia 521. There won't be LTE support or other frills, but we suspect that many customers won't mind at this price.
LG Optimus F3 comes to Virgin Mobile with LTE, $180 price tag
The LG Optimus F3 doesn't make much sense on Sprint, where a preference for contract pricing leaves the F3 competing with more advanced devices. It's a good thing that the 4-inch Android phone has launched on Sprint's contract-free Virgin Mobile brand, then. The smaller carrier's version offers everything we've seen before, including LTE, but costs just $180 up front -- a big discount over both the $250 Sprint variant and most 4G phones at Virgin. Combined with cheaper plans, Virgin's Optimus F3 should be a much better deal for those who want LTE on the cheap.
Boost Mobile ships Samsung Galaxy Prevail II for $180 off-contract
Well over two years after the original graced Boost Mobile's shelves, Samsung's Galaxy Prevail II is being announced for the same carrier. Available for just $179.99 in off-contract form, the handset ships with Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), a 4-inch WVGA touchscreen, 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing cam, and a 1.4GHz processor. You'll also find a 1,750mAh battery, inbuilt GPS / WiFi modules and Bluetooth 4.0. The prepaid carrier is hawking this on its contract-free $55 / month plan, which just so happens to shrink by $5 per month for every six on-time payments -- in other words, those who hang around long enough will eventually be paying as little as $40 / month for nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, as well as web access. Not too shabby, eh?
iPhone 5 heading to Virgin Mobile on June 28th
Contract-averse consumers itching for an iPhone 5 fix and wary of T-Mobile's brave new ways can now look to Virgin Mobile. The prepaid carrier has just announced plans to bring Apple's aluminum-bodied smartphone to its lineup starting next Friday, June 28th. The iOS device will be paired with Virgin's Beyond Talk plans, netting subs unlimited data (3G / 4G LTE) and messaging for $35 per month on the base tier. Only the 16GB model will be sold online and in-store for $550, so if you're in the market for larger storage, you'll have to head to the carrier's site where the 32GB and 64GB units -- priced at $650 and $750, respectively -- will be available. If you're tempted to go all in and plunk down the cash, just keep in mind, there's another better, potentially bigger and definitely 'S'-ier iPhone waiting just around the corner.
Aio Wireless gains LTE support, intros the ZTE Overture to match
Now that AT&T is willing to offer LTE on budget services like GoPhone, the floodgates are open: it just extended the faster cellular data to its Aio Wireless prepaid brand. An automatic update is rolling out that enables LTE on Aio customers' existing SIM cards when they're in one of the provider's coverage areas. To mark the occasion, the carrier is launching the ZTE Overture, a 4-inch phone packing LTE alongside a 4-inch display, Jelly Bean, a 5MP rear camera and an unspecified front shooter. Aio hasn't divulged pricing for the Overture, but we wouldn't expect a large outlay when the handset ships within the next month.
Samsung Galaxy Ring arrives at Virgin Mobile, delivers Jelly Bean for $180
Jelly Bean has been making its way to ever cheaper phones in recent months, and that's very conspicuous with the launch of Virgin Mobile's new Samsung Galaxy Ring. For $180, you're getting Android 4.1 in a price range where 4.0 is still common. You're also getting a surprisingly capable device under the hood -- while there's no LTE, the prepaid handset carries a reasonably quick 1.4GHz processor, a 4-inch screen, a 5MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front-facing sensor. We'd still consider shelling out a little more cash for a future-ready 4G device, but Virgin users determined to scrimp and save can pick up the Galaxy Ring today.
AT&T GoPhone plans to support LTE, drop most data add-ons on June 21st (updated)
AT&T hinted that it was shaking up its GoPhone plans later this month, and it's making good on its word. As of June 21st, customers using the prepaid service will have access to the same LTE service as their subscription peers; AT&T will mark the occasion by selling the Samsung Galaxy Express to GoPhone users at $250 off-contract. The simplified smartphone plans are here as well, although they're better than previously expected. The carrier is dropping all data add-ons except for the $5 / 50MB pack, which is only available for a $25 monthly tier with 250 voice minutes and unlimited messaging. However, it will only cost $40 a month for a plan with 200MB of data and 500 minutes, and a $60 plan will offer 2GB of data with unlimited voice. AT&T's new strategy won't appease some data lovers, but those trying to avoid long contracts and harsh upgrade policies should be happy. Update: To be clear, this is the official launch of LTE -- some customers have had the faster service in advance. The plans should be new. Also, the company has told reader Jian that those with older Pick Your Plan rates can't join the 4G ranks without switching to a capped plan first.
AT&T adding iPhone, 4G LTE / HSPA+ support to GoPhone starting tomorrow
AT&T's official GoPhone prepaid policy has always officially prevented network data access for iPhones (and other 4G devices except for BlackBerry), but a tipster reports that will change tomorrow. The new policy adds 4G HSPA+ and LTE support as well as Visual Voicemail access to the GoPhone package, with customers able to bring their own device or buy a new one at off-contract unsubsidized prices. According to the details, existing customers with iPhones will be automatically updated with network access on June 21st, however they'll be able to call in and make the switch manually before that. The new features work on the $65, $50 and $25 monthly plans, however the two lower priced options will require data packages to work. You can get a peek at the leaked terms after the break, although we'd wait for an official announcement before picking up your 4G-capable handset and requesting service. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Cricket launching Galaxy S 4 on June 7th, starting at $55 down
The Galaxy S 4 is now readily available in the US, but it hasn't had much sway with the prepaid crowd so far. Cricket should be addressing that deficit soon, as it just narrowed down its launch of the Samsung flagship to June 7th. The contract-free carrier is making up for being late to the party with a low up front price: customers can plunk down $55 to start an installment plan rather than pay the GS4's full $600 cost in one shot. Would-be adopters will need to live in one of Cricket's LTE coverage areas to pick up a GS4, but those who do may get a rare discount on a (mostly) fresh device.
AT&T-owned Aio Wireless launches prepaid service in Houston, Orlando and Tampa
Aio Wireless, a prepaid subsidiary of AT&T, is launching with a nationwide "unlimited" voice and data service. (As is so often the case, that buzzword comes in quotes because speeds will be throttled once you meet your plan's data cap.) The three plans range from $35 to $70 per month, and 4G downloads will reportedly top off at 4 Mbps. Customers can either choose from Aio's modest selection of handsets -- including the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 620 -- or bring a compatible, unlocked device of their own. The service will kick off in Houston, Orlando and Tampa, with additional markets launching later this year. Head past the break for the full press info.
