Filed under: Cellphones

We know, you’re just dying to say this is a complete shock, but we’re here to inform you that it’s not. If you’ll recall, Cox dug deep to snatch up a decent block of spectrum in this year’s 700MHz auction, and it even went so far as to promise a differentiated product that would eventually integrate with its other content and services. Sure enough, it’s keeping its word. After spending $500 million on wireless capacity in its markets, president Pat Esser says it’s time to turn things on. By relying on Cox’s own 3G network (along with Sprint’s, initially), the carrier will offer up an undisclosed amount of handsets that will “include a network address book that automatically synchronizes with home PCs” and allow remote programming of one’s DVR. Furthermore, users will be able to access e-mail and voicemail that they receive at home right on their mobile, and ideally, subscribers could watch TV shows right on their handsets. Get ready for an awkward new rival in the wireless space beginning, um, anytime now.

Cox to enter cellphone biz, link handsets to other cable-related services originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cellphones

Chalk this one up as just another rumor for now, but whispers around the Chinese web have it that China Unicom could be netting Apple’s latest handset (yeah, that 3G one) this August. If you’ll recall, Steve had issues in the past getting Chinese carriers to buy into his demanding revenue sharing model, but now that those days are gone, we suspect talks may go a little smoother. And c’mon, Apple didn’t add in Chinese character recognition for kicks and giggles, now did it? As of now, China Mobile has yet to make a peep on the rumblings, but we’ve only got a few months before finding out either way.

[Via IntoMobile]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Verizon has certainly courted Alltel before, but this time, the two could finally be rounding third base. According to a breaking report at CNBC, Verizon is “in deep in talks to acquire Alltel,” which of course is America’s fifth largest wireless carrier. It’s no secret that Alltel has been riding fairly high of late, and unless your memory is totally shot, you’ll likely recall that it was just recently “taken private by TPG and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners in a $27.5 billion deal.” Not surprisingly, officials at both outfits refused to comment on the rumblings, but if this does indeed go down, analysts are expecting Verizon to pay around 8x Alltel’s current EBITDA, whereas TPG / Goldman Sachs paid 9.2x. We’ll keep you posted on any developments.

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Filed under: Cellphones

Granted, we haven’t heard anything thus far about which carrier would be offering up the recently-made-official BlackBerry Bold, but we can’t say we’re too shocked to hear that it will indeed be AT&T. In a report highlighting the recent boost in RIM’s stock price, it’s noted that AT&T will be “the exclusive carrier for the Bold in the US,” though we have all ideas the other major US carriers will be following suit shortly, probably with redubbed handsets. We know, you’re hungry for a price to mull over, but sadly, it’s not meal time just yet.

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Filed under: Cellphones

We know, we know, it may be difficult to understand how companies that lock you in the moment you decide on a phone / plan — only to be about as helpful as a bottomless bucket the moment turmoil arises — could be hated. Nevertheless, we can’t say we’re shocked at all to hear that cellphone providers are among the least liked in all of the service industries. In a recent report released by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, it was found that “fewer than half of respondents were completely or very satisfied with their cellphone service,” and sadly, that’s hardly different than in years past. Among the biggest gripes were high prices and mandatory contract extensions, and while pro-rated ETFs are fine and dandy, there’s still a few less notable carriers that haven’t swallowed that pill just yet. As for internal rankings, Verizon and Alltel each scored higher than the rest, and Sprint was found bringing up the rear.

[Via Wired]
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