wireless service

Blockbuster said to sell smartphones at its retail stores

When DVD rentals don't work, maybe sell... mobile phones? Rumor has it that Blockbuster is getting into the phone hawking business at its retail stores, according to Bloomberg.

What seems like a random choice might actually be a conscientious maneuver by Dish Network, which bought the struggling movie rental chain last year. Dish is primarily a provider of satellite-TV service, but over the past year it's been making moves to get into the wireless business.

Recently, Dish launched Blockbuster Mobile and started selling smartphones online. Blockbuster Mobile works with Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon and offers devices including Samsung'… Read more

RadioShack to launch 'no contract wireless' on Sept. 5, report says

RadioShack may be doubling down on the wireless game.

An alleged internal memo has started floating around the Web indicating that RadioShack will launch a No Contract Wireless service on September 5. According to Engadget, which obtained the alleged memo and posted an image of it, the service will be powered by Cricket, a wireless provider offering no-contract service.

Cricket offers similar no-contract service at other retailers. According to the leaked memo, RadioShack's service will be differentiated by the company offering "an exclusive 8GB SD memory card with all Muve Music phones."

RadioShack currently sells smartphones in … Read more

Is Google headed toward an Android Nexus PC?

Google's Android operating system for mobile devices has gained significant traction in the market. Will Google follow this success up by pushing the OS into more sophisticated computing devices? Or will it use its browser based-OS Chrome to take on Apple and Microsoft in the PC software market?

These are the questions I tackle in this edition of Ask Maggie. I also offer some perspective on why it's still important to choose a wireless based on network performance and reliability.

Googles big strategic decision: Android or Chrome

Dear Maggie, I was at Google I/O this year, and … Read more

Verizon to hand T-Mobile LTE spectrum, iPhone compatibility next year

Verizon has reached a deal with T-Mobile to do an an Advanced Wireless Services spectrum swap, a deal that promises to add much-needed LTE capabilities to T-Mobile's network.

The deal would be dependent on forthcoming Verizon spectrum purchases, currently being scrutinized by the FCC. But, if the deals with SpectrumCo, Cox, and Leap go through, T-Mobile will get its LTE groundwork.

For iPhone users, this deal is particularly interesting, especially if you've already been using Apple's smartphone on T-Mobile's existing HSPA+ network. T-Mobile already offers tremendous support for the iPhone on its network even though it … Read more

On your iPhone and Verizon, and selecting a service provider

Many AT&T iPhone subscribers are waiting with bated breath for Verizon Wireless to get the iPhone. But can these subscribers take their old iPhones with them to Verizon?

In this week's Ask Maggie, I break the bad news to one AT&T subscriber that his wife will not be able to use his old iPhone 3GS on the Verizon network once the iPhone comes to that network. I also offer advice about selecting the best wireless carrier for you, as well as advice for selecting a new 4G wireless broadband operator.

Ask Maggie is a weekly … Read more

AT&T 3G service disruption hits San Francsico

AT&T 3G wireless customers in San Francisco had problems making calls, sending and receiving text messages, and accessing data on Friday evening.

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said that starting at about 4 p.m. PT on Friday afternoon, AT&T experienced a hardware issue in San Francisco that disrupted its 3G wireless network within the city. The hardware issue, which he did not elaborate on, was fixed by around 6:15 p.m. PT. And the 3G network has been working fine ever since, he said.

The problem did not affect AT&T's … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: Mobile networks face logjam on Inauguration Day

More than 2 million people are expected to descend on Washington, D.C., this weekend for Barack Obama's inauguration as president. To prepare for the crush of traffic expected on the network from those in attendance, wireless-service providers have pulled out the stops.

CNET News' Maggie Reardon, who will be in D.C. for the event, joins us today to talk about what steps providers are taking to keep their networks up and running.

Also on today's podcast, Circuit City finally calls it quits, Nintendo continues to crush its competitors in video game console sales, another lawmaker asks … Read more

AT&T growth strong amid iPhone 3G optimism

Correction, 7:30 a.m. PDT Wednesday: This report mischaracterized the iPhone 3G's influence on AT&T's second quarter. The phone's launch came after the quarter's close.

AT&T reported nearly a 5 percent increase in second-quarter revenues, as it headed into the launch of the iPhone 3G.

The telecommunications powerhouse, which is the exclusive U.S. carrier of Apple's popular smartphone, reported that iPhone 3G sales nearly doubled within the first 12 days after its July 11 launch, compared with the initial launch of the iPhone in 2007.

"In the days … Read more

Do wireless companies care about contract customers?

Being what some would call a phone fanatic--I have multiple lines with multiple carriers--I never thought cell phone companies cared much about old customers. Most ads and gimmicks are geared toward drawing in new business, such as free phones and special plans for new lines of service. Since I'm a longtime customer, I didn't see where any of that applied to me.

Having to wait until my contract is up to negotiate a better plan or newer phone is always draining and time consuming; I wanted to know if there was anything out there for existing contract customers.… Read more