| Also Noted: Radisys
Spotlight On... Sprint, Verizon gear up for holidays with discounts on Galaxy S4 mini, LG G2, HTC One and other gadgets
Motorola confirms Android KitKat headed to Droid Razr HD, Maxx HD; Sprint announces Velocity Connect for automakers and much more... Industry Voices: Entner: Low-band frequency spectrum - a must-have or nice-to-have? 
The 25 Most Powerful People in U.S. Wireless and Wireline 2013
This list is a compilation of who we think are the innovators and leaders in the U.S. wireless and wireline markets. We realize that the telecom industry is a global business, and many of our candidates oversee international companies, but we selected people based upon their influence here in the United States. You may not agree with all our picks but we can assure you that this list was not compiled lightly. The Fierce editors scrutinized every person we selected to make sure we could justify their position. Let us know if you disagree with our picks or think we overlooked someone. Special Report  Grading the top U.S. wireless carriers in the third quarter of 2013
The following charts the top U.S. wireless carriers in the third quarter of 2013 by subscriber base, according to research firm Strategy Analytics, and includes major metrics--such as churn, ARPU and revenue--of each carrier. As the third-quarter reporting season comes to a close, it's time to start parsing the information to see which carriers slipped and which managed to get ahead. Special Report
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News From Across the Wireless Industry:
1. Verizon's Shammo: We won't buy other providers to expand internationally
2. AT&T responds as Wheeler sets pace for TDM to IP transition
3. TV Everywhere's game of catch-up
Today's Top News 1. Report: T-Mobile approached Verizon about buying 700 MHz A Block spectrum
T-Mobile US (NYSE:TMUS) has approached Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) about buying spectrum from Verizon, likely the carrier's 700 MHz A Block airwaves, according to a Reuters report. The report, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter, said although T-Mobile has broached the matter with Verizon, the process is still in the early stages. T-Mobile declined to comment, according to Reuters. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Barcelona, Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo reiterated that Verizon is open to selling the A Block at the right price. "The A spectrum is out there, and if someone walks up to me with an offer, we will entertain it," he said referring to the 700 MHz A Block. "This is not a fire sale though, so if we don't get the right offer, we'll deploy the spectrum in our own network." T-Mobile said earlier this week it will sell $2 billion in debt after raising $1.8 billion in a stock sale as part of a plan to build up its war chest to buy spectrum. The carrier said in a regulatory filing for the debt sale that it is "currently considering an acquisition of spectrum from a private party. If we reach agreement to acquire such spectrum, we anticipate that a portion of the net proceeds of this offering will be used to finance such acquisition." T-Mobile used the same language in describing its stock sale earlier this month. Verizon paid $2.4 billion for its A Block licenses, and T-Mobile would likely need to pay that much if not more, according to analysts. Additionally, T-Mobile is likely eyeing upcoming FCC spectrum auctions, including the incentive auctions of 600 MHz broadcast spectrum, and the auction of the AWS-3 bands, which are compatible with T-Mobile's existing AWS holdings. For more:
- see this Reuters article
- see this separate Reuters article
- see this Bloomberg article
Related Articles:
T-Mobile to sell $2B in debt to fund spectrum purchases
Sprint, T-Mobile, Dish and others urge FCC's Wheeler to let them get 600 MHz spectrum
Analysts: Sprint, T-Mobile ditched H Block to focus on other spectrum, avoid Dish complications
T-Mobile rules out H Block auction, willing to buy spectrum from 'a private party'
T-Mobile to raise $1.8B in stock sale, could use funds to buy spectrum Read more about: 700 MHz, T-Mobile USA
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2. Verizon unveils 'Destination' retail store to highlight LTE-enabled devices
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) unveiled a new retail concept meant to highlight connected devices on its LTE network, part of a broader national retail effort to educate consumers about LTE devices beyond smartphones, tablets and hotspots.  | | Click here for a slideshow of Verizon's new store. | Verizon Wireless COO Marni Walden took the wraps off the carrier's first "Destination" store here at the Mall of America. The company will soon introduce similar stores in Chicago and Houston and more cities in the future. In an interview with FierceWireless, Walden said that future Destination stores would be in "high-traffic, high-visibility" areas, but she declined to say how many Verizon will eventually introduce. In the meantime, Verizon is converting its retail stores to "Smart Store" concepts, which are not as grandly designed as the Destination stores but serve similar purposes in highlighting connected LTE devices. So far Verizon has converted around 100 of its 1,700 company-owned stores to that concept. Verizon plans to convert all its stores to Smart Stores over the next five years. The 9,715-square-foot Destination store here has six "zones" designed to emphasize particular aspects of LTE-enabled products. Essentially, Verizon is converting gadgets it has been developing with vendors and other partners at its innovation labs in Waltham, Mass., and San Francisco into products and easy-to-understand retail concepts. In some cases, the zones feature products Verizon has offered already but has not put together in the way they are displayed in the stores. As more and more carriers look to connected devices and the Internet of Things to power their growth into the years ahead, concepts like the Destination store could become more mainstream for carriers and vendors. Walden said the focus at Verizon is on trying to expose to the general consumer how LTE-enabled devices connect to their interests and lifestyles. "Clearly, we saw our moment in time to try to bring our experience together," she said. That experience includes devices, smart accessories and applications, she said. "We're trying to connect it [all] in a way that a customer thinks about," she said. "I think that's what we're doing differently than everyone else." The Destination store's zones include "Amplify It," focused on music on the go; "Get Fit," focused on health and fitness; "Have Fun," for toys and tech ideas; "Home and on the Go," for home automation; "Anywhere Business," for the enterprise market, especially those traveling for work; and "Customize It," focused on customizing and accessorizing devices. The device customization zone is essentially a real-life version of Motorola Mobility's "Moto Maker" online studio for customizing the look of the Moto X smartphone. Walden said the Destination store concept can't just be about the store itself, and so employees have been trained to embrace specific zones so they can impart real-world experiences about the zones to potential customers. Verizon is not the first carrier to test out a store concept that highlights connected devices. In September 2012, AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) opened a new 10,000-square-foot flagship store on Chicago's Michigan Avenue to serve as a showcase for the latest products available today and planned for tomorrow. The store has themed areas such as "Street Smart," which is devoted to navigation and safe driving; "Jam Session," which shows consumers how to download and stream music; and "Family Life," which demonstrates how users can manage their home and family with AT&T's connected devices. For more:
- see this Verizon page
- see this release
Related Articles:
Verizon brings innovation to life at San Fran Center
Is Verizon using Redbox Instant and Ellipsis to build a virtual pay TV platform?
Verizon launches Ellipsis 7 tablet, though converged service is still in the offing
Verizon trademarks ELLIPSIS for new video, voice, data device and service
Verizon, Outerwall to ramp up Redbox Instant marketing Read more about: LTE, retail stores
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3. Wireless carriers push back on 'kill switch' for stolen smartphones
Local law enforcement officials want wireless carriers and device makers to install so-called "kill switches" in smartphones to disable them remotely and render them useless if they are stolen. However, carriers and the CTIA have pushed back on the idea, arguing that such technology would be too vulnerable to hacking. Yet emails uncovered by CBS News and those reviewed by San Francisco's district attorney, George Gascón, reveal that the carriers are unwilling to buy into the idea of a kill switch, and Gascón thinks they are taking the stance to protect the profits they make from selling anti-theft insurance and replacement phones. "We're talking about a $60-billion-a-year industry, and about a half of that seems to be attached to the replacement of phones that are being stolen," he told CBS "So we're talking about a lot of money here." Gascón said he had been working with Samsung Electronics on a deal to include antitheft software with all its phones sold in the United States. However, Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ), AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T), Sprint (NYSE:S), T-Mobile US (NYSE:TMUS) and U.S. Cellular (NYSE:USM) rejected the idea, he said. In one email obtained CBS an industry executive who was involved in the negotiations tells Samsung that: "They've received responses from all five major U.S. carriers and they've all denied our preload in their image...," meaning the carriers rejected the kill switch idea. Gascón has worked with Eric Schneiderman, New York's attorney general, to form the Secure Our Smartphones coalition to press companies to solve the problem of stolen phones technologically. Gascón told CBS the theft of devices is almost 50 percent of all of the robberies and thefts in San Francisco. Schneiderman has also pushed for the kill switch idea, according to CBS. The CTIA said in a June FCC filing that "a kill switch isn't the answer." According to the New York Times, the CTIA said that a kill switch would have drawbacks since hackers who took control of the feature could disable phones for customers. The trade group also said if a phone were deactivated and a customer later got it back, he or she could not reactivate it. However, that claim is not true in the case of Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) new antitheft feature, Activation Lock. The CTIA also points out that carriers have set up a national database to meant to deactivate phones that have been reported stolen. However, the Times notes that several police officials have said that the database has been ineffective in deterring crime because many of the stolen phones end up overseas, where the database is not in force. The trade group also said it supported legislation by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), which proposed to make it a federal crime to modify phones to circumvent the database. "When everyone--from the wireless companies, law enforcement, policy makers and consumers--work together, we will make a difference," Jamie Hastings, vice president of external and state affairs for CTIA, told the Times. Samsung, for its part, confirmed that it was working with Gascón and the carriers on an antitheft solution, but declined to comment on the emails he referred to. "Samsung takes the issue of smartphone theft very seriously, and we are continuing to enhance our solutions," Samsung spokeswoman Jessica Redman told the Times. "We are working with the leaders of the Secure Our Smartphones (S.O.S.) Initiative to incorporate the perspective of law enforcement agencies. We will continue to work with them and our wireless carrier partners towards our common goal of stopping smartphone theft." For more:
- see this NYT article
- see this CBS News article
- see this The Verge article
Related Articles:
AT&T, T-Mobile activate database to combat smartphone theft
AT&T to prevent stolen phones from accessing its network
Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile join forces to combat smartphone theft Read more about: wireless security, CTIA
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4. Qualcomm puts focus on Internet of Things with new IPQ chips
Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) is starting to put its money where its mouth is in terms of the Internet of Things and is introducing a chipset line designed specifically for connected devices inside homes. As part of a bevy of announcements tied to its annual analyst day in New York City, Qualcomm introduced new low-power chipsets called the Qualcomm Internet Processor (IPQ) to turn networking devices like home gateways, routers and media servers into what it dubbed "smarthome" platforms. Qualcomm said the new chipsets will let carriers deliver new content, applications and services such as security and surveillance, and also allow appliance and electronics makers to provide unique capabilities such as home automation and control. The chip is coming out of Qualcomm's Atheros unit; Qualcomm purchased Atheros in 2011 for $3.1 billion to give it a leg up in the Wi-Fi and home networking market. Amir Faintuch, president of Qualcomm Atheros, told the Wall Street Journal that the hybrid chips, which combine Qualcomm's 1.4 GHz Krait CPU with Atheros' networking chips, will expand the functionality of home networking products. Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs said that the company's Toq smart watch is one element of the silicon giant's ambition to get more into connected devices, and that appliance makers see smart watches as devices that could control other products inside the home. "We've been working with white-goods manufacturers," Jacobs said in a meeting with Journal editors Tuesday. "They are interested in having their goods connect to something on the wrist." Of course, Qualcomm isn't the only chipset company focused on the Internet of Things. In October, Intel announced new low-power chips under the Quark family name for connected devices. In addition to the Atheros-related announcement, Qualcomm also unveiled its Snapdragon 805 processor, which is designed to optimize mobile video, imaging and graphics experiences at "Ultra HD" or 4K resolution, both on mobile devices and Ultra HD TVs. Additionally, Qualcomm announced a new generation of its Gobi 3G/LTE modem chipset and RF transceiver chip, which it said will allow carriers to combine fragmented spectrum in all possible 3GPP-approved combinations of 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, and 20 MHz bandwidths to increase capacity. As Reuters notes, analysts are likely going to question Qualcomm executives about the company's growth strategy for emerging markets, where the demand for high-end smartphones--and smartphone chips--is not that strong.
For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
- see this first Qualcomm release
- see this Reuters article
- see this The Verge article
- see this second Qualcomm release
- see this third Qualcomm release
Related Articles:
Qualcomm pitches Gobi modem as device differentiator
Qualcomm's revenues jump 33%, but firm warns of coming slowdown
Qualcomm acquires Arteris' NoC tech assets, team
Qualcomm's new Wi-Fi platform targets Internet of Everything
Despite LTE push, Qualcomm promises CDMA enhancements Read more about: LTE, Gobi
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5. FreedomPop launches limited Sprint BYOD program, but iPhone remains MIA
Sprint (NYSE:S) MVNO FreedomPop is launching a limited bring-your-own-phone program for its nascent freemium phone service, allowing customers with off-contract and older Sprint smartphone models to bring their phones over to its service.  | | Sprint's Galaxy S III is one of the devices now supported by FreedomPop. | Under the program, the device can't be under contract with Sprint, and, according to GigaOM, FreedomPop is going to be steadily adding support for the 500 or so phones that currently run on Sprint's network. The report said FreedomPop is currently supporting devices including the HTC Evo 3D and Evo 4G, the Samsung Galaxy S III, Epic 4G and Epic 4G Touch and the LG Optimus S. FreedomPop CEO Stephen Stokols said last month the company sold out it its first batch of its FreedomPop-branded HTC Evo Design Android smartphones within a day and a half of availability, which he said was "far better than expected demand." Stokols declined to provide the exact number of phones that FreedomPop has sold so far. He said the figure contains five digits--putting the number of phones sold anywhere from 10,000 to 99,999. The phone marked FreedomPop's entry into the phone business; previously it sold wireless data through hotspots and other devices. Stokols told GigaOM that the company now has waiting list of 200,000 people for its phone service, which is still in beta. In October FreedomPop started selling refurbished Evo Design WiMAX smartphones for $99 without a contract. Evo buyers got access the company's signature 500 MB of free data per month, but also got 500 text messages and 200 anytime voice minutes free every month for life. Users can also pay $10.99 per month to upgrade to unlimited calls and texts. FreedomPop first launched a year ago offering 500 MB of free wireless data (mainly through USB modems and hotspots) in the hopes that customers would pay for extra data and other services. Currently, the Sprint BYOD program from FreedomPop does not involve Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhones, though the goal is to eventually add iPhones. FreedomPop is still trying to optimize its VoIP and SMS client to work on iOS and Sprint also has a distribution deal with Apple that prevents it from activating iPhones with a partner. (However, earlier this month Sprint MVNO Ting, which is owned by Tucows, confirmed it is now providing service to Sprint-issued iPhone 4 and 4S smartphones. The company described the support as a beta program, which Ting said means that it can provide the service to any new and existing customer but that it cannot promote it or market it on its website.) Stokols also suggested FreedomPop may sign an MVNO deal with an additional carrier, though he did not say much more on the subject. "We're doing enough volume now that we could support multiple carriers," Stokols told GigaOm. The company today counts well over 100,000 customers.
For more:
- see this GigaOM article
- see this 9to5 Mac article
Related Articles:
Sprint MVNO Ting supporting - but not advertising - iPhone 4/4S in beta program
FreedomPop sees 'better than expected demand' for HTC Evo phone
Sprint MVNO TextNow launches LTE smartphone as part of expanded phone service
FreedomPop intros $99 smartphone, $11/month unlimited talking, texting plan
FreedomPop crosses 100K subs, adds support for Sprint's LTE network Read more about: MVNO
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Also Noted | This week's sponsor is Radisys. |  | eBrief | Partnering for DPI Deployment Analysts project DPI in the marketplace will boom in the near term to secure networks and manage available bandwidth. See how carriers are teaming up with vendors for successful deployment. Learn more today! |
SPOTLIGHT ON... Sprint, Verizon gear up for holidays with discounts on Galaxy S4 mini, LG G2, HTC One and other gadgets Sprint (NYSE:S) and Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) are starting to roll out deals on smartphones and other devices as part of their promotions for the holiday shopping season, and other carriers are sure to be close behind. Sprint said beginning Nov. 22, customers who bring a line to Sprint from another carrier will get up to a $100 instant discount on the purchase of any phone with a new, two-year contract. Additionally, beginning Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, and going through Dec. 2, customers shopping at Sprint stores, online or via phone can get a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini for free (after a $50 mail in rebate via reward card)--a $100 savings with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service contract. Customers can also purchase the LG G2 for $49.99--$150 in savings with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year contract. Separately, according to a leaked version of a Verizon ad for Black Friday, the carrier is going to be offering discounts for several Android devices including the Galaxy S4 and HTC One. Additionally, there likely will be savings on a range of accessories, including the Jawbone Jambox, headphones and Bluetooth headsets. AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) and Sprint kicked off the frenzy earlier this week with an iPhone price war ahead of the holiday shopping season. Both operators are offering the 16 GB iPhone 5s for $100 to customers who purchase the phone online and agree to a two-year service contract, $100 less than normal. Quick news from around the Web. @FierceWireless: ICYMI: The 25 Most Powerful People in U.S. Wireless and Wireline 2013! Special Report | Follow@FierceWireless > Apple has been giving the green light to begin work on its new campus in California. Article > Google is now selling a wireless charger for the Nexus 5 and 7. Article > Nokia added "LiveSight" to its HERE Transit application to help users more easily find public transportation options. Article > Macy's plans to use Apple's iBeacon technology in its stores. Article > Tom Wheeler, the FCC's new chairman, wants to get the TDM to IP transition moving and has proposed that the regulator issue an order on the matter at its upcoming meeting in January, a move that AT&T applauded. Article > Glu Mobile announced a game specifically designed for Google Glass. Article > Google's Motorola confirmed that Android version 4.4, called KitKat, is headed to its Droid Razr HD, Maxx HD and Razr M. Article > Sprint said it will expand its Velocity provide for connected vehicle services for automakers with its new Sprint Velocity Connect. Release > MediaTek announced a smartphone chip with eight cores. Article > C Spire Wireless announced its own handset upgrade program, which will cost $20 per month. Article > Lawyers for Apple and Samsung offered their closing arguments in the patent infringement case between the two smartphone vendors. Article > The owner of Sprint MVNO Ting announced the business added 11,000 accounts and 16,000 devices during the fourth quarter, and that it remains on track to break even during the fourth quarter. Transcript Telecom News > Verizon sees continual momentum for expanding its enterprise services outside of the United States, but according to Fran Shammo, EVP and CFO, the telco can do it without having to purchase other service providers. Article Cable News > Time Warner Cable is seeing an increased number of subscribers order wideband Internet tiers, along with customers who cancel pay TV service but keep a cable modem, CFO Arthur Minson said. Article > Three years after unveiling a second-screen application, DirecTV may be preparing to launch a mobile application called COPILOT, according to a trademark application it filed last week. Article Online Video News > TV Everywhere's game of catch-up. Editor's Corner > Comcast is getting into digital movie sales. Article And finally… LG's new G Flex, a smartphone with a flexible screen, recovers from a knife attack. Article
Entner: Low-band frequency spectrum - a must-have or nice-to-have?
 | | Roger Entner | There has been a lot of talk about "high-frequency spectrum" and "low-frequency spectrum" over the past week, as Sprint announced it was not going to bid in the upcoming PCS H-Block auction (high frequency). I am sure Sprint has several reasons for this decision, whether because it already has twice as much spectrum as any other carrier in the United States or it doesn't want to get into another tussle with Dish Network, which already committed to bid $1.56 billion for the nationwide license, substantially more than what Sprint indicated it was prepared to pay. All three companies--Dish, Sprint and T-Mobile--hold very large amounts of high-band spectrum and have been using it to support lots of network and service innovations as a way to compete against AT&T and Verizon. So, why is there such a resurgence of commotion about the virtues of "low-band spectrum?" The pundits are right in that lower frequency spectrum travels further in flat territory compared to high-frequency radio waves, using the same amount of power. These lower frequency cells therefore cover more territory with their spectrum than their higher-band brethren. For example, a cell tower operating in the 850 MHz band can provide up to one third more coverage area than a 1900 MHz band cell, but they handle the same amount of capacity. Regardless of coverage area, both the low band and high band cell sites provide the exact same amount of data bandwidth. Thus, the issue for areas where people are making lots of calls and using their mobile devices to get on the Internet to watch movies or send data packets, is how much bandwidth the spectrum supports, not how large the coverage area is...Continued  More
Read more about: DISH Network, roger entner
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