Recently in mobile broadband Category

Newly released forecasts by technology and media specialist Coda Research Consultancy show that mobile broadband search and display ad revenues in the US will grow to US$4.2bn in 2015, up from US$1bn in 2010.

The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects reaching all 50 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia.

Samsung and Clearwire have announced  the Samsung Mondi,  Mobile WiMAX-enabled handheld device aka Mobile Internet Device or MID.

The touchscreen Mondi, which is Latin for "world," is designed for use with the Clear Mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire in the activated markets of Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, OR and future WiMAX markets.

The Samsung Mondi can offer upload and download speeds that double comparable devices running on 3G networks while taking advantage of the widespread connectivity of Mobile WiMAX. The Mondi is also equipped with Wi-Fi.

Available in a solid black finish, this device slides open horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. The Mondi is packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to email, Internet, video content and business applications. The device also supports various services including Fring, Gypsii, and Windows Live Messenger. The Mondi is equipped for GPS Navigation through Route 66, providing turn-by-turn directions.

Coda Research Consultancy research shows that portable laptop and netbook users accessing the internet via mobile broadband will produce US$48bn in operator revenues in 2017, will number 418m worldwide, and will generate and consume an immense 1.8 exabytes of traffic per month - a forty fold increase over 2009.

Coda Research Consultancy's report into mobile broadband via netbooks and laptops shows that the most significant growth will occur in the Asia-Pacific region, where users will amount to 162m by 2017. Europe will account for 94m users, and North America for 58m users.

Impacts of Long Term Evolution (LTE) will be dramatic, with half of all mobile broadband via netbook and laptop users employing LTE worldwide in 2017. LTE users will hit 38m in 2013 after a ramp up in LTE production in 2012, and will rise to 209m by 2017, a 1100% increase over 2012. Three quarters of users in Europe and nearly two thirds of users in North America will employ LTE in 2017. This contrasts with just over half of users in Asia Pacific, and 12% in Central and South America. According to Steve Smith, founder of Coda Research, "LTE take up will be greatly skewed toward European and North American markets in the short to medium term, where ARPU will be highest. However, we will also see significant take up in China, and we may also see countries like India bypass 3G altogether, and move straight to LTE."

Verizon is now offering that the PC770 2-in-1 PC Card and Express Card  The PC770 is for the Verizon Wireless' Mobile Broadband service. It has an adapter so that it can be connected to your notebook computer and your PC.

Key features:

• Runs on Verizon Wireless' high-speed network, which uses Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) technology.
• Uses NovaSpeed technology that enables high-speed simultaneous uploads and downloads.
• Includes VZAccess Manager software for easy connection management and automatic installation.
• 2-in-1 card includes an adapter so the PC770 can be used with an ExpressCard or a PC peripheral interface slot and is compatible with both PC and Mac notebook computers.
  

Lifestyle features:

• Ideal for individuals and organizations making the transition from PC Cards to the newer ExpressCard format.
• Addresses the flexibility that enterprise customers require in their mobile broadband solutions.
  

Price and availability:

• The PC770 will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Aug. 2. It will be available for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. You can avoid the waiting for the rebate by ordering online using Wireless and Mobile News' $50 off online only coupon-link

MythBusters' Adam Savage did not understand clearly the limitations and roaming charges for his AT&T data plan while in Canada, managed to run up $11,000 in data charges using a USB modem on a laptop computer.

How did he bust the myth "You can't win with the phone company"?

He twittered about his disgust with tweets such as "AT&T is attempting to charge me 11k for a few hours of web surfing in Canada. Pls RT!," "Almost forgot: Hey AT&T! I will fight this bull****," and then "They're claiming I uploaded/downloaded 9 million kilobytes (9 gigs) while in Canada. Frakking impossible."

Savages' twitter feed titled donttrythis has 68,000 followers on Twitter which AT&T could not ignore.

Eventually, Savage busted that phone company myth and tweeted, ""Today the tweeps became twoops. Just got off the phone with AT&T and they've taken care of everything to my great satisfaction.#twitterrules."

Before traveling to another country this summer be sure to check with your wireless carrier if you will be charged roaming charges or additional fees. 

Verizon Wireless offers the new USB1000 Global Modem from Novatel Wireless, which gives customers high-speed data connectivity whether in the U.S. or beyond its borders.

he USB1000 Global Modem uses the latest technology for multiple frequency bands and multimode operations on CDMA and GSM networks. Customers can browse the web, access the Internet, download files, and send and receive e-mail wirelessly whether they are on Chicago's Magnificent Mile or in Paris on the Champs-Élysées.

The Verizon Wireless USB1000 Global Modem can be ordered beginning Friday in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at  for $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Or you don't have to wait for a rebate when you use the Wireless and Mobile News' special link Instant Phone Rebate Only Available with Online Purchase.

Virgin Mobile USA will launch Broadband2Go, a 3G nationwide prepaid wireless Internet service.

Operating on the Sprint Nationwide Network, Broadband2Go allows access to EVDO Rev. A coverage.  It will be available exclusively at Best Buy Mobile starting in late June for $149.99, and is the first prepaid broadband Internet access Best Buy Mobile is offering.

Using Novatel Wireless's Ovation MC760 USB device, Broadband2Go is the world's smallest EVDO Rev. A USB modem.  A new Broadband2Go-branded Top-Up card is available for $20, which customers may use to purchase 250MB good for 30 days, translating roughly into 12 hours of web surfing. Here are the pricing with the megabytes: --$10 for 100 MB of data usage --$20 for 250 MB --$40 for 600 MB --$60 for 1 GB.

Virgin Mobile USA's Broadband2Go requires no activation fee and there are no roaming charges. Customers have a real-time usage meter to monitor and check "Remaining Megabytes of Use" at any time - from the Broadband2Go provides customers with approximate estimates for how many hours of web-browsing or video-viewing and number of emails each plan will generally handle.

Even during the down-turn with contracting household budgets, US broadband subscriptions will continue to grow in 2009, according to analyst firm Strategy Analytics. In a report just published, “North America Broadband Forecast: 1H’2009,” the firm predicts that US Broadband Service Providers (BSPs) will add five million new subscribers during the course of 2009.

“All things considered, we’re still seeing a fairly vibrant consumer Broadband market in the US,” said Ben Piper, Director of the Strategy Analytics Multiplay Market Dynamics service. “Broadband subscriber numbers are expected to grow by a respectable 7% in 2009—a far cry from the double-digit growth of the past, but nonetheless pretty robust in today’s climate.”

While today over 50% of Americans receive broadband through their cable provider, the role of fiber-optic cable (FTTx) is becoming increasingly important, and will account for 13% of all broadband connections in 2013. Broadband household penetration in the US will exceed 80% in the next five years, according to the report.

Verizon has confirmed that it will start selling the HP Mini 1151NR Netbook heavily discounted with a two-year service agreement for wireless broadband services on Sunday May 17.

The netbook would fit in a large purse. The HP Mini 1151NR netbook weighs 2.4 pounds and measures 1" x 10.3" x 6.6" which is larger than a paperback book, and thinner and less wide than a hardback bestseller book. It uses the Qualcomm Gobi chipset (quad-band GPRS/EDGE/GSM and tri-band HSPA/UMTS) for wireless broadband access over the Verizon network.

Other features of the HP Mini 1151NR include builtin Wi-Fi, Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB Ram, a 80GB hard drive, builtin webcam, stereo speakers, microphone, SD/MMC card slot and Bluetooth.

Pre-installed apps on HP Mini 1151NR Netbook include:VZ Access Manager, Internet Explorer 7, Adobe Reade,  Flash Player,Microsoft Works, Windows Media Player 11, HP Wireless, Assistant and AOL AIM. The HP Mini 1000 series has been highly regarded for its great keyboard.

Customers using the HP Mini 1151NR can access the Internet, e-mail and browse the Web quickly and reliably with service plans that begin at $39.99 monthly access.

The netbook is priced at $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. If you you purchase the Verizon Mini 115NR online via Verizon online coupon-link you will get the rebate instantly with an online purchase and two year contract.

Verizon  Wireless also announced beginning Sunday, it will automatically increase the data allowance fivefold for all Mobile Broadband customers on its lowest priced monthly plan. In addition, the company will also introduce new pricing for its Mobile Broadband Connect customers.

If you opt to buy this kind of service please be aware that data adds up quickly.  There have been many a netbook owner who are shocked when they get their data bill especially when the roam. One guy got a $28,000 data bill to watch a Bears game and an attorney is suing AT&T for her $5,000 data bill.

Verizon Wireless will introduce the  MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot on May 17. The MIFi 2200 made by Novatel Wireless creates a Wi-Fi mobile broadband hotspot to share 3G Internet with up five Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as notebooks, netbooks, cameras, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players.

The MiFi 2200 is small enough to fit in a pocket, measuring 3.5" x 2.3" x 0.4" and weighing 2.05 ounces. It combines a variety of features into its streamlined form factor, including integrated internal CDMA and Wi-Fi antennas, advanced security and authentication technologies. When one device is connected through Wi-Fi, the MiFi 2200's rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.

AT&T is expected to upgrade its HSPA network to be able to download of 7.2Mb/s and is doubling its capacity.

AT&T has doubled the existing speed in two test markets via software upgrades will do the same in all its markets.

AT&T  will start migrating its 3G networks to HSPA+ technology, which would offer peak download speeds of up to 21Mb/s.

In March, AT&T announced plans to invest between US$17 billion and US$18 billion this year, with its mobile operation earmarked to receive a significant proportion of this sum.

AT&T will eventually move on to LTE technology later than Verizon Wireless, which plans to commercially launch LTE networks next year.

"We expect AT&T's results to reflect wireline continuing to be pinched by the weak economy, while certain segments of the wireless business remain resilient," JP Morgan analyst Mike McCormack wrote in a report.

Sprint Mobile Broadband is now offering the  2-in-1 Card by Sierra Wireless, the AirCard 402 .

The AirCard 402 supports PC and Mac notebook computers with EV-DO Rev. It's designed for  Mobile Broadband users who want to use the card slot on their laptop instead of a USB port for mobile broadband connectivity.

The AirCard 402 is designed to work with both ExpressCard and PC Card slots, the AirCard 402 includes a locking 2-in-1 adapter to go from PC Card to ExpressCard slots with ease.  It costs $99 with a two year contract and rebate.

The AirCard 402 includes high-performance GPS capabilities for a quick and accurate fix on your location. With the latest version of Sprint SmartView software, the AirCard 402 provides access to desktop GPS applications and/or location-based services to "locate and search" the nearest bank, restaurant or gas station. Simply open Sprint SmartView and click the GPS bar in the Mobile Broadband window. A GPS drawer then opens up, offering One-Touch access to search categories.

comScore released the results of a study of U.S. Internet usage via mobile PC data cards, which showed that the subscriber base - which previously had been growing strongly - began to decelerate noticeably in Q4 2008 with a meager 5% increase.

The study examined the usage and characteristics of mobile PC data card users through data collected from computers where Internet access via mobile broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) occurred. Mobile broadband employs cellular telecommunication networks, where users pay subscription fees for access and the connection is made using a PC card, built-in adapter, or connections can be tethered via a cell-phone or PDA, and is different than Wi-Fi access, which is predicated on the availability of short range "hot spots" where access fees often apply incrementally for each connection.

PC Data Card Growth Pulls Back in Q4 2008

PC data card adoption grew 63 percent overall in 2008, down from the 157 percent growth rate in 2007. A decrease in growth is expected as the relatively small base grows; however, Q4 2008 showed notable signs of softness in the market as sequential quarterly subscriber growth fell to just 5 percent, following sequential growth of 22 percent in Q3 2008 and several preceding quarters of double-digit growth.

 

Mobile Broadband Subscriber Growth by Quarter Q2 2007 - Q4 2008 Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations Source: comScore, Inc.
Quarter	Growth vs. Prior Quarter
Q2 2007	11%
Q3 2007	27%
Q4 2007	28%
Q1 2008	12%
Q2 2008	14%
Q3 2008	22%
Q4 2008	5%

 

AT&T changed its terms of service to limit video streaming, last week. It caused an uproar from consumer advocacy groups. AT&T has changed its change back to its original wording.

The bold text is what was added:

This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited.

Those bold additions have been removed.

The company sent Engadget the following statement:

"The language added on March 30 to AT&T's wireless data service Terms and Conditions was done in error. It was brought to our attention and we have since removed it. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

AT&T is offering netbooks aka min-laptops with built-in AT&T 3G wireless access for as little as $49.99 a month to Atlanta and Philadelphia as part of a trial. It has plans to do the same kinds of promotions in all of its service areas.

Another new feature that is the Internet at Home and On the Go package that combines home and mobile broadband starting as low as $59.95 per month, including access to  the 3G network and unlimited domestic access to the nation's largest Wi-Fi network with nearly 20,000 AT&T Hot Spots.

The AT&T Communication Manager is pre-installed on mini laptops, enabling customers the ability to manage their mobile and Wi-Fi connections.

Mini laptops available in AT&T stores include the Acer Aspire One, Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and Mini 12, and LG Xenia. Promotional prices range from $49.99 to $249.99 with the purchase of an AT&T Internet at Home and On the Go plan, which includes an AT&T DataConnect plan and AT&T Fast Access DSL, starting at $59.95 per month. Without those AT&T services, these mini laptops range in price from $449.99 to $599.99.

Brenda Rainey, Verizon spokeswoman said Saturday that Verizon will be selling 3G-enabled netbooks by the end of the second quarter, or by June. She did did not disclose the make or model.

Boy Genius Reports revealed that it is the HP Mini 100 which usually sells for around $329 will be sold by Verizon.

The HP Mini will have, EV-DO Rev A and run on Windows XP Home edition.  The  netbook was approved by Verizon Wireless on March 24th.  It is expected to sell for $99 with a 2 year contract.

HP Mini is available with an 8.9" or 10.1" diagonal display, weighs only 2.25 lb., and has a nearly full sized keyboard.

Wireless broadband is usually capped and causes problems for unknowing owners . One guy got a $28,000 bill for watching a Bears game while an attorney is suing AT&T after getting a $5,000 wireless broadband bill. Wireless networks cap data usage, and then charge by the kilobyte and well watching a video could cost a lot.

T-Mobile has started selling  the T-Mobile webConnect USB Laptop Stick that connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi or T-Mobile's 3G wireless broadband service.

The new T-Mobile webConnect USB Laptop Stick, manufactured by Huawei Technologies accesses T-Mobile's 3G high-speed data network HSDPA and accessible Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) network, which includes access to more than 10,000 convenient locations across the U.S. in the T-Mobile HotSpot Network.

Laptop users plug the webConnect laptop stick into their laptop and the built-in Connection Manager software automatically finds the best available Internet connection.  It also has 8 gigabytes of storage for documents, music or movies -- eliminating the need for an additional USB memory stick.

With tri-band 3G connectivity, the webConnect laptop stick is compatible with mobile broadband networks worldwide. For use in areas where 3G coverage is not yet available, the webConnect laptop stick is also compatible with T-Mobile's nationwide EDGE network as well as EDGE/GPRS frequency bands used worldwide.

T-Mobile webConnect USB Laptop Stick costs $49.99 with a two-year contract after rebate; $99.99 with one-year contract; or $249.99 with no contract.

Market research firm Infonetics Research released the fourth quarter (4Q08) edition of its Mobile Broadband Cards, Routers, Services, and Subscribers report.

­The report found that worldwide, the number of mobile broadband subscribers (including W- CDMA/HSPA and CDMA2000/EV-DO) jumped 125% in 2008 over 2007, hitting 210.5 million, and are expected to top 1 billion by 2013.

The study also found that sales of mobile broadband PC cards and embedded mobile broadband cards topped $4.1 billion worldwide in 2008, and are expected to continue gathering momentum in 2009. Worldwide mobile broadband router manufacturer revenue grew 114% in 2008 over 2007, although sales slowed in the second half of the year.

According to Investor's Business Daily, AT&T will continue its subsidy band wagon for all sorts of devices including netbooks, cameras, portable video games, GPS and anything that eats up data.

"The economics for us are terrific. We're willing to invest to get a customer," said Glenn Lurie, AT&T's president of emerging devices. "We're very comfortable with the margins we're going to receive on these netbooks, in the deals we're talking about."

Currently with  AT&T rebates, consumers can buy netbooks from Acer and Dell for $99. AT&T is in talks with other computer makers. They also heavily subsidize iPhones.

The fee for data is $60 a month up to 5 gigabytes and then after that the data charges really add up, especially for video viewing, or research needed by attorneys.

One attorney has started a class action lawsuit because she received a $5000 data bill for a $100 netbook.  Then there was the surprised Bears game watcher who received a $28,000 bill for data used while on a cruise ship in port in Florida.