NXP Semiconductors announced a silicon tuner that can handle any terrestrial TV signal anywhere in the world, as well as cable TV reception. The device has significance for gateway manufacturers, allowing them to use a single chip for different gateways aimed at multiple worldwide markets, while simultaneously supporting OEM price flexibility by supporting a variable […]
Telecommunications
Sprint lights up 1st multimode LTE base station
The first base station for Sprint’s massive $5 billion network upgrade project went live in Branchburg, N.J., Monday as the operator prepares to move forward with its LTE plans. The base station runs LTE, CDMA 1X EVDO and will also be compatible with LightSquared’s planned mobile broadband network, Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer said during an […]
Clearwire embarks on $300M stock sale
Clearwire plans to sell $300 million worth of Class A common stock to raise cash for its planned TD-LTE network, which will be used to add capacity to Sprint’s LTE network. Sprint, Clearwire’s largest shareholder, will buy a matching number of Class B shares. Clearwire also has the option to sell an additional $45 million […]
Verizon Wireless nixes Google Wallet in new phone
Verizon Wireless is blocking the new flagship phone running Google’s Android software, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, from running Google’s in-store payment application, the Wallet. The smartphone is the first to run a new version of Android and is due to be released soon by Verizon. Examinations by Wired and other publications reveal that the international […]
Cox’s iPad app lifts off
Cox Communications’ iPad app, which features live linear streaming, is ready for primetime with today’s launch. At last month’s SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, Cox President Pat Esser said his company would deliver on its iPad app during the holiday season. The free app, which Cox calls Cox TV Connect, is available for downloading from the Apple […]
Comcast’s Smit, TWC’s Britt saddle up on Verizon Wireless deal
While the shockwaves from Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks’ decision to sell their wireless spectrum – through their joint venture of SpectrumCo – continue to settle, company execs hit their respective blogs to provide additional insights. Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt said the $3.6 billion sale to Verizon Wireless didn’t mean […]
Microsoft rolls out Xbox TV platform
Microsoft is rolling out a new interface for its Xbox game console, one that allows you to navigate through music, movies, TV shows and games with the wave of your hand or the sound of your voice. The interface, first demonstrated by CEO Steve Ballmer in September, is set up similarly to Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating […]
Carrier IQ controversy continues; 2 lawsuits filed
Carrier IQ is still working to temper privacy concerns over its software, which is preloaded on smartphones and used to log information about dead zones, glitchy applications and network congestion. On Friday, two separate class-action lawsuits were filed against the company alleging it violated federal laws on wiretaps and consumer privacy. Questions over how the […]
mFoundry lands $18M in new funding
Provider of mobile banking and payments services mFoundry today announced $18 million in growth capital from MasterCard, Intel Capital, FIS and Motorola Mobility. mFoundry says the capital will be used to fund the development of new payments – related mobile products and services targeted at financial institutions and mobile network operators. mFoundry also will use […]
Deal with Verizon Wireless could have many implications
The $3.6 billion sale of AWS spectrum by Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks to Verizon is mind-boggling on many levels, so here are a few additional thoughts. The cable operators involved aren’t going to back off of their large-scale Wi-Fi build-outs, but sharing national Wi-Fi hotspots across Bright House’s, Time Warner Cable’s, […]