Verizon Wireless

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Verizon, others bring 4G to more Illinois areas

A number of metropolitan areas in Illinois are getting wireless speed boosts this year as Verizon Wireless, Clearwire and T-Mobile expand and upgrade their 4G networks.

Verizon announced Tuesday that it is adding 59 markets to its 4G network, launched in December in Chicago and 38 other markets. By the end of the year, Bloomington/Normal, Carbondale, Champaign, Rockford and Springfield will also be on the network. Get the full story »

Verizon hints at new iPhone

A Verizon Communications executive hinted at a new version of the iPhone and said Verizon Wireless will replace its unlimited mobile data plans with usage-based pricing around the middle of summer.

Verizon’s shares fell 2.4 percent on Tuesday after its chief financial officer, Fran Shammo, said a new iPhone would hurt quarterly margins whenever it arrives. Get the full story »

Verizon spent more on Illinois network in 2010

Verizon Wireless said Tuesday it spent more than $179.7 million on its Illinois network last year, more than the roughly $166 million investment the carrier made in the state in 2009.

In 2010, Verizon built 57 new cell sites and installed equipment at more than 560 cell sites in the state to boost capacity. The company said it also put in new equipment for the launch of its 4G network, which went live in Chicago in December as part of a broader launch in 38 U.S. cities. Get the full story »

Ahead of iPhone, Verizon says it may slow data

The Verizon version of the Apple iPhone is displayed on Jan. 11, 2011. (Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)

On the day the iPhone went on sale for Verizon Wireless customers, the carrier delivered a warning to its heaviest data users: Verizon reserves the right to slow down your access speed.

For the subscribers that fall within the top 5 percent of the network’s data users, Verizon said it may reduce their download speeds for the current and subsequent billing cycles, according to a memo on the carrier’s website. The company said the slow-down would most likely be periodic and during peak hours.

“Our proactive management of the Verizon Wireless network is designed to ensure that the remaining 95% of data customers aren’t negatively affected by the inordinate data consumption of just a few users,“ the memo said. Get the full story »

With earnings glow over, Motorola Mobility shares fall

Shares in Motorola Mobility Holdings were down more than 11 percent, to $30.67, Thursday, a day after strong smart phone launches boosted the handset maker’s results in the fourth quarter.

Bloomberg reported Thursday that the imminent arrival of Apple Inc.’s iPhone at Verizon Wireless had slowed sales at Motorola’s biggest carrier.

To blunt the effect, Bloomberg reported, Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Jha said the company is introducing new phones including the Atrix, trying to sell more handsets through other U.S. carriers and bulk up sales in China and Latin America.

Get the full story »

Verizon to offer unlimited iPhone plan — for now

Verizon Wireless added fewer smart phone customers in the fourth quarter, before getting the Apple Inc.  iPhone, as the carrier also announced plans to initially sell the iPhone with a $30 unlimited plan, its standard smart phone plan.

The news comes as Verizon Communications Inc.  reported a 2.6 percent decline in fourth-quarter revenue, hurt by its declining wireline business. The telecommunications company’s per-share earnings missed Wall Street’s expectations by 1 cent. Get the full story »

Verizon stock seen as pricey after iPhone news

Investors in Verizon Communications Inc. have been betting big on the company’s newly announced deal to sell Apple Inc.’s iPhone product — pushing the stock to some of its highest valuation levels in the past decade.

That has sparked debate on Wall Street about how economically beneficial the device will be to the carrier, despite widespread projections calling for the sale of 10 million units or more this year.

In particular, the iPhone likely will be heavily dilutive to Verizon’s earnings this year, given the subsidies the carrier will have to shell out to Apple for the device. Get the full story »

Verizon to sell $200 iPhone starting in February

Verizon Wireless has announced that the iPhone will be available on its network in early February. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

After waiting three-and-a-half years, Verizon Wireless customers will finally get their hands on Apple’s iPhone next month.

The top U.S. wireless operator ended months of speculation and anticipation from impatient consumers on Tuesday by announcing that it would begin selling a version of the iPhone on Feb. 10 at the same prices as AT&T.

“I’m going to switch right away. I’m going to go back to Verizon,” said Raheem Noble, 24, a New York City rapper, who was on his way to buy the device before being told that preorders would not begin until Feb. 3. Get the full story »

Verizon to sell Motorola 4G phone

Verizon Wireless will distribute a smartphone made by Motorola Inc. to run on its new 4G network, the carrier’s chief operating officer, John Stratton, said in an interview Tuesday. The comments mark the first time the carrier has identified a handset maker for the closely watched launch and represent an important vote of confidence in Motorola. Get the full story »

Discover, carriers partner on mobile payments

Riverwoods-based Discover Financial Services is working with a new joint venture, created by three national wireless carriers, to develop a national network for payments via mobile phones.

AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless announced the joint venture, called Isis, on Tuesday. The group named Michael Abbott, a former executive at GE Capital, as its CEO. Get the full story »

FCC fines Verizon Wireless $25M for spurious fees

Federal regulators say Verizon Wireless has agreed to pay a fine of $25 million and at least $52.8 million in refunds to customers who inadvertently racked up data charges on their phones over the last three years. Get the full story »

T-Mobile to debut Samsung Galaxy, subsidize price

T-Mobile USA said it would be first to offer Samsung Electronics Co.’s  Galaxy Tab tablet-computing device, and plans to subsidize the price for those who sign up for a wireless contract.

T-Mobile USA, the U.S. wireless arm of Deutsche Telekom AG,  plans to sell the tablet for $399.99 with a two-year service agreement, similar to the deal that will be offered by Sprint Nextel Corp.  T-Mobile USA is scheduled to sell the device Nov. 10, a day before it is offered by Verizon Wireless,  selling the Galaxy Tab at the unsubsidized price of $599.99, and four days before Sprint begins to offer it. Get the full story »