Category: 5G

  • A Crypto-Powered 5G Wireless Plan Costs Only $5 a Month and is Backed By T-Mobile’s Network

    A Crypto-Powered 5G Wireless Plan Costs Only $5 a Month and is Backed By T-Mobile’s Network

    A cryptocurrency-powered 5G network running on crowd-sourced mini cell towers running unlicensed spectrum sounds like a confusing collection of buzzwords from the last few years, but it’s real thing. The service, called Helium Mobile, offers unlimited wireless talk, text and data for just $5 a month and is backed by T-Mobile’s nationwide network. Helium Mobile…

  • Is USCellular the Answer to Dish’s 5G Problem?

    Is USCellular the Answer to Dish’s 5G Problem?

    Dish Wireless is stuck with $21 billion in debt and an obligation to spend even more to build out its 5G network. USCellluar, which is dealing with its own problems, may represent a way out. Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen appeared open to the idea of buying parts of USCellular, noting on an investor call on…

  • Older Verizon Unlimited Data Plans Get a Price Hike

    Older Verizon Unlimited Data Plans Get a Price Hike

    Changes are coming to some of Verizon’s legacy plans, and no, it’s not a nifty new perk. Verizon is adding a $3 rate adjustment to select older Unlimited and Basic postpaid plans starting August 29. Verizon confirmed its Go Unlimited 2.0, Beyond Unlimited 2.0, Above Unlimited, and 5G Start will cost an extra $3 per…

  • Dish Shutting Down Republic Wireless and Moving Customers to Boost

    Dish Shutting Down Republic Wireless and Moving Customers to Boost

    Dish Wireless said the company plans to switch all Republic Wireless customers to its Boost Infinite service by the end of August. At the end of July, the company notified Republic Wireless customers of plans to move customers to Boost’s Infinite Unlimited plan, according to Fierce Wireless. The plan costs $25 monthly and includes unlimited…

  • Dish’s $21 Billion Mystery: How Does it Build a 5G Network With So Much Debt?

    Dish’s $21 Billion Mystery: How Does it Build a 5G Network With So Much Debt?

    Dish Wireless has spent a fortune building out a nationwide wireless network. But how many people will actually use it when it’s finished? That’s one of the key questions dogging Dish as the company is set to report its second-quarter results, expected later this month (Update: It lost another 188,000 wireless subscribers). The company is…

  • Straight Talk Unveils First Family Plan With Big Potential Savings

    Straight Talk Unveils First Family Plan With Big Potential Savings

    Straight Talk Wireless isn’t just for individuals anymore.  Last week, the prepaid wireless service rolled out new family plans offering a discount for each additional line.  The move is a first for the service, which is owned by Verizon through its Tracfone arm. It previously only offered single line price plans until now.  Straight Talk…

  • New Fees Coming to Verizon and AT&T’s Legacy Wireless Plans in August

    New Fees Coming to Verizon and AT&T’s Legacy Wireless Plans in August

    Customers of some of Verizon and AT&T’s older unlimited wireless plans will soon see a slightly higher bill starting in August. These plans, which are no longer available, are locked into a lower price. While the carriers aren’t technically raising those rates, the new fees effectively mean a price hike.  Verizon said Go Unlimited 2.0,…

  • Smartphone Sales Down 24% In Second Quarter As Early Summer Slump Hits Hard

    Smartphone Sales Down 24% In Second Quarter As Early Summer Slump Hits Hard

    No amount of new, flashy smartphones can get consumers excited right now. The smartphone market saw shipments fall by 24% in the second quarter, the third consecutive period in which they slipped, according to Counterpoint Research. The biggest losers were Samsung, Motorola and Alcatel, a budget phone maker better known for its TCL televisions. Apple…

  • Here’s Where Verizon Has Boosted Its 5G Speeds This Month

    Here’s Where Verizon Has Boosted Its 5G Speeds This Month

    Verizon Wireless, like all of the major carriers, is continuously working on the state of its 5G network, and July brought upgrades to several markets throughout the country. The upgrades, first spotted and rounded up by Droid-Life, utilizes a mix of its millimeter wave spectrum, which is a super high frequency airwave that allows for…

  • Why Everyone is Talking About 5G Home Internet

    Why Everyone is Talking About 5G Home Internet

    Wireless carriers Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T can barely agree on anything. But during this week’s round of quarterly conference calls, their CEOs echoed the same sentiment: Bullishness around the potential of 5G home internet. “People love what T-Mobile is serving,” T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said on a conference call Thursday.  “It’s performing well,” AT&T CEO…