Is Unlimited Mobile Access Really A Better Deal?

The latest competition strategy amongst cell phone providers is Unlimited Mobile Plans. Meant to give customers "all you can use" service at one convenient flat rate, these plans are not necessarily the best deal.

Cellphone Carriers Test All-You-Can-Talk Menus

By: Brad Stone
New York Times
Published: February 21, 2008

A PRICE war among cellphone carriers is giving users a chance to stop counting their minutes.
In recent days, three large cellphone companies in the United States have introduced unlimited calling plans for $99 a month, a departure from the industry’s longstanding approach of charging customers for each minute used over a monthly allotment.
The moves, by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, are meant to turn cellphone use into an activity covered by a single predictable fee, like watching cable television. Sprint, the nation’s third-largest carrier, says it is testing fixed-rate plans in four cities and evaluating its own nationwide flat-rate offering.
The industry’s sudden fixation with flat-rate pricing speaks to the toll wrought by furious competition. As the wireless carriers jockey for a stagnating pool of customers and focus on building broadband data networks to support e-mail and Web browsing, rates for voice calls are dropping and generating less revenue. The new plans also demonstrate how difficult it is for the carriers to distinguish themselves on price....
The new $99 plans are not necessarily a good deal. An average consumer spends $63 to $77 for cellphone service, depending on the addition of data services like e-mail, according to a study by J. D. Power & Associates.
Instead, the fixed-rate plans are aiming for the small yet valuable group of customers who make lots of daytime calls....
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/business/21place.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

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Bundled Plans: more complicated than they sound

Just because they make is sound like a the "best" deal, doesn't always mean your going to save money. In some cases, bundled communications end up costing you more than separate providers. Before you decide to combine everything, make sure you know exactly what you're getting in to.

All-in-One Telecom Packages: The Savings Don’t Come Simple
By: Alina Tugend
New York Times
Published: February 16, 2008

This month, my husband and I decided to make a major move in our lives. We combined our cable television, high-speed Internet and telephone service under one umbrella — or if you are up on the lingo, we bundled our services.
It sounds sweet, doesn’t it? Like swaddling a baby. But don’t let it fool you — the communications version of bundling is not such a simple pleasure....

What is behind the recent push for bundling, or “triple play” as it is often called? Regulatory and technological changes over the last decade mean that cable and phone companies can sell you all three services.“Bundle plans are being pushed a lot by carriers because they’re moneymakers,” said John Breyault, research director of the nonprofit Telecommunications Research and Action Center in Washington. Also, “customers who subscribe to multiple services are less likely to leave.” Consumers can also be the winners, if they are careful and question the sales representatives thoroughly. Let me impart my hard-earned knowledge and suggest that anyone considering a bundled plan ask these questions:
¶Are taxes included, or is there a flat rate?
¶Is there a one-time installation fee? Is there a fee to keep your phone number?
¶Is a contract required? For what duration? Can the fees rise over the contract period? What will they go up to after the contract expires? (For example, Cablevision’s bundled service rises to about $125 a month after the first year.)
¶If I change or drop one of the bundled services, will I be penalized? (Generally, the answer is yes.)
¶Is there a termination fee? (Verizon, for example, may charge a $200 fee if you cancel before the end of a two-year contract; Cablevision requires no contract and has no termination fee.)....

In the end, after flailing my way through what seemed to be the world’s most complex word problem (if Company A charges x, but adds on y, times 12, and Company B charges z, then deducts n, divided by 24), it seemed to be a toss-up....Consumer Reports, in its February issue, looked at the bundling issue. It found that there were good deals out there, but sometimes they involve buying more services than you want or need....[If] you want only basic TV, minimum Internet and little or no long-distance calling, buying a triple play service may end up costing more than what you already have....
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/technology/16shortcuts.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=technology

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Phone Viruses: a threat that comes with convenience

With all the excitement surounding the mobile web, it is important to be aware of technological threats that may come with modern convenience. This article focuses on potential mobile viruses that may find their way to your cell phone:

Phone viruses to spread as telecom, computer worlds merge, say experts
By: Adam Plowright
AFP
Feb 16, 2008

Viruses and hacking on mobile phones are still rare but attacks are a looming danger as increasing numbers of people access the Internet and download files with their handsets, experts say.A survey released this week at the industry's Mobile World Congress showed that only 2.1 percent of people had been struck by a virus themselves and only 11.6 percent knew someone who had been affected by one.
The poll by IT security specialist McAfee, based on 2,000 people in Britain, the United States and Japan, showed that 86.3 percent had had no experience of mobile phone viruses.
The survey did suggest however that the more developed the mobile market is, with high use of the Internet and downloads, the more likely people were to be hit by bugs....The website http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/afp/tc_afp/storytext/telecominternetvirus/26365862/SIG=1131q1c0n/*http://www.mobilephoneviruses.com, which tracks incidents of mobile virus infections, lists a handful of examples such as Skulls, Velasco and Commwarrior.
The latter infected about 110,000 phones in Spain last year, attacking phones running Nokia's Symbian operating system. It spread via MMS messages, text messages containing an audio, video or picture file.
"Viruses aren't a huge issue now but they have the potential to be so in the future when Internet use is more widespread," said a telecom analyst at the Forrester market research company, Pete Nuthall.
The industry is keen for phone owners to use their handsets for more than just calls and texting -- for which profits are declining in developed countries -- with Internet and video, games and mapping the basis of new product offerings.
"It's a risk that we should be aware of but one shouldn't make it dramatic and worry people," said Emmanuel Forgues from Russian IT security group Kaspersky. "But it's a risk that exists and is certainly going to develop...."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080216/tc_afp/telecominternetvirus;_ylt=AiYsSR3kDmrSfJcwMJH2cBIjtBAF

To stay ahead on the latest mobile devices, service plans, and security features offered by different carriers, visit: http://1010phonerates.com/cell_phone_comparisons.html

Top Players Compete for Dominance of the Mobile Web

As Wireless Broadband comes of age, rivalry is fueled between tech giants. The Mobile World Congress that takes place next week in Barcelona will be a competitive show of the latest and greatest possiblities for the forthcoming Mobile Internet. The winner will determine how billions of users experience the web on their cell phones.

Wireless Fair Set To Stage Mobile Web Battle By: Georgina Prodhan, European Technology Correspondent Reuters Feb. 8th, 2008

Cell phone makers, telecoms carriers and Internet groups are squaring up for a fight for dominance of the mobile Internet, finally ready for market after years of promises and hundreds of billions in investments. Wireless Broadband is coming of age, making rivals of companies such as Nokia Oyj, Google Inc, Microsoft Corp, and Apple Inc, who previously could afford to coexist relatively peacefully.
Mobile networks are now capable of delivering the Internet as smoothly to a mobile phone as to a PC, with the clunky handsets, stuttering downloads and network jams of the recent past almost forgotten in many developed markets.
And the scramble to capitalize on that opportunity will loom over all other business at next week's Mobile World Congress....The outcome of the struggle to win the mobile Web will not only be crucial for the combatants but will decide how the mobile Web is experienced by billions of people.
At the fair, visitors will be on alert for sightings of prototypes of the Gphone -- phones built on a Google open software platform that will help it loosen up the market and extend its online advertising power into mobile search ads....Google rival Yahoo's alternative strategy of refining its mobile search and teaming up with operators to make it more visible to consumers, will also come under scrutiny, especially as it mulls a $45 billion bid from Microsoft.
Nokia is expected to give more details of its own push into Internet services, including gaming and music and video sharing offerings that it started to roll out last week.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080208/tc_nm/mobile_fair_preview_dc;_ylt=AruHI270G5Gi.JgXFDm6_8Ks0NUE

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Modu Unveils Modernized Cell Phone

Business Week reports the release of a tranformational cell phone. This remarkable device may revolutionize the way we use our mobile device. The sleek design is one of the first to explore the potential for "modular" cell phones made of detachable components that can be snapped on or off to suit specific needs and personal style.

Transforming the Cell Phone By: Olga Kharif Business Week Feb. 7th, 2008

It was back in 2002 that Dov Moran first began grumbling to friends about the modern cell phone. Why couldn't his phone suddenly sprout a keyboard and a large display on days when he needed to respond to a lot of e-mail? Why couldn't the phone shrink into a tiny little thing when he didn't? Why couldn't it…?
Well, now it can. On Feb. 7, Moran's new company, modu, unveiled a tiny new cell phone that can work on its own or be slipped into assorted "jackets" that transform it into different types of devices. Slide it into a jacket with a 3½-inch screen, and the device turns into a media player perfect for watching movies. Slip it into an iPod-like sleeve, and modu becomes a music player with dedicated buttons and a screen for album art.
From Personalization to Customization
modu is just one of several companies, including Sony Ericsson , that are exploring the market potential for "modular" cell phones made of detachable components that can be snapped on or off to suit specific needs. If they gain traction, this Lego-like approach would bring a sudden burst of customization to an industry where personalization has amounted to little more than detachable face plates to change a phone's color.
There would appear to be demand among cell phone users. A recent survey by CommScore (SCOR) found that 41% of the 18- to 24-year-olds and about a third of the 25- to 34-year-olds said personalization of cell phones was important. But for now, whether modular design will prove to be the next big thing in wireless is a big unknown. "We need to see how carriers respond," says Tim Luke, an analyst with Lehman Brothers (LEH).
The modu phone module, which weighs only 1.3 ounces and is smaller than a credit card, could conceivably serve as a sidekick to much more than handheld devices. It could, for example, be slipped into a bedstand alarm clock to display incoming text (SMS) messages. Inserted in a car's dashboard, modu could allow for hands-free calling over the stereo system or provide an address book for the car's GPS navigation system. Slipped into a laptop, modu could provide mobile Internet access. modu says Philips Electronics has shown interest in developing compatible products. Efforts to reach Philips for comment were not immediately successful. "This is the tip of the iceberg," says Moran. "This is a way to provide communications capability to any device."
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2008/tc2008025_771426.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_telecom

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All We Are Saying Is: Give Sprint A Chance

Now's the Time to Go Sprint

As Sprint scrambles to regain market share in the wireless industry, you can take advantage of unbelievable deals on handsets and plans. If you haven’t tried Sprint, don’t knock it. Their customer service is excellent and the call quality is superb. Not only that, but Sprint has recently released some exciting new phones like: the Blackberry Pearl, the Treo 755P, the LG Rumor (which is really great for text messaging) and my personal favorite, the Katana DLX. The design of this phone is fantastic. It is very slim and the reception is unbelievable! I get reception with the Katana while others,using a variety of carriers, are dropping out.
Just in case you didn't know, Sprint is the also the only wireless provider that allows you to roam on any other available network at no additional cost to you.
Another thing to note about Sprint is that their data component, dubbed: POWER VISION or POWER PACK, is the least expensive add-on data plan of any carrier. And, Sprint still has the fastest data in most states.
I highly recommend that you try Sprint for yourself. There is a 14-day, unconditional cancellation period for Individuals and 30-days for Business plans.

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http://convergence.cellbenefits.com/

Canada Ministry Encourages Workers: Lay off the BlackBerry

In an unprecidented effort to reduce stress and promote higher well-being amongst employees, the Canadian government ministry is encouraging workers to cut back on using their BlackBerry smartphones.

'BlackBerry blackouts' aim for life/work balance
By: Randall Palmer
Reuters
Feb. 2, 2008

It may be wishful thinking, but a Canadian government ministry has sent out a directive to its employees urging them to relax and not to use their BlackBerry smartphones at night or on weekends and holidays.
Trying to re-establish a proper balance between work and life, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is starting by trying to cut the chains to what some have called CrackBerries.
The department's deputy minister, Richard Fadden, sent out a memo asking employees to implement a BlackBerry "blackout" between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and on weekends and holidays.
"Work/life quality is a priority for me and this organization because achieving it benefits us both as individuals and as a department," Fadden wrote....BlackBerries, made by Canadian-based Research In Motion, are handheld communication devices that can be used to send e-mails and make phone calls -- thus allowing people to bring the office to their homes, vehicles or even the ski slopes.
They have become an essential workplace tool in politics, business and the professions.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080202/wr_nm/blackberry_dc;_ylt=AjF2AUrjRVyz7e0VUjH3gOCSxLEF

Sprint To Re-Vamp with iDen & Smarter Devices

Sprint Nextel is commited to their investment in the iDEN network. In effort to attract new customers and secure the loyalty of current subscribers, new phones and more features will be revealed this year.First will be the anticipated push-to-talk system for Sprint's CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) customers. It will work on new handsets and between all existing iDEN devices. Two of the latest phones are cited in this article.

Sprint Sticks with iDEN, Push-to-Talk Customers By: Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service PCWorld.com Feb. 2, 2008

Sprint Nextel will pour more money into the iDEN network it inherited from Nextel, coming out with new handsets and adding features to its popular push-to-talk system.The struggling mobile operator, whose subscriber base is third-largest in the U.S. but declining, has been operating two networks since the merger of Sprint and Nextel Communications in 2005. The new company then said it would cap off investment in iDEN after the end of 2007. But even though Sprint is losing subscribers faster on iDEN than on its CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network and average revenue per iDEN user is falling, the company last year said it would keep investing in the network until at least 2012....Direct Connect isn't standing still. The more immediate change, coming early this year, will be the introduction of a long-awaited push-to-talk system for Sprint's CDMA customers. It will work on a set of new CDMA handsets, and people will be able to use it between those new phones and all existing iDEN devices, she said.
Building on the combination of Direct Connect and Sprint Mobile Broadband services, Sprint is planning new features such as "push-to-x," which will let people send text messages, images and other data through a simpler process than current messaging systems, said spokeswoman Stephanie Greenwood....While restating its commitment to iDEN on Wednesday, Sprint highlighted two handsets recently introduced for the network. The Motorola i570, introduced this month, is designed for tough environments and offers voice-activated dialing and one-touch shortcuts to phone features. The Motorola i335, introduced last November, is built to military specifications for dust, shock and vibration. http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20080202/tc_pcworld/142123;_ylt=AowxZKaqUyZpBtBRpS0pRwes0NUE

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