Tag Archives: CellularCarriers

Softbank to acquire competitor eAccess, expand LTE network by 50 percent

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Softbank to acquire competitor eAccess, expand LTE network by 50 percent

Softbank isn't content with being Japan's third largest wireless provider, so its scooping up competitor eAccess for $2.3 Billion (or $1.8 Billion, if you ask Reuters) to claim the number two slot. Bringing the other carrier into the fold will give Softbank a total of 39 million subscribers and infuse its network with 50 percent more LTE base stations. Picking up the new customers and additional LTE capacity comes at a premium, however, as the firm will purchase eAccess' shares for roughly three times their value. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son expects to launch a new tethering service with the aid of the new-found resources come this December. Ink on the deal won't fully dry until February, but Son is already dreaming of the number one spot. "I never liked third place," Son said in a statement. "We fought for No. 2, and someday, we will be No. 1." You've been warned, NTT DoCoMo.

[Image credit: Miki Yoshihito, Flickr]

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Softbank to acquire competitor eAccess, expand LTE network by 50 percent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 05:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Voyager Mobile shakes off network issues, launches a few days behind schedule

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Voyager Mobile launches

It's tough being the new kid in town -- ask Voyager Mobile, an up and coming MVNO that had its launch delayed by a "malicious network attack" last week. The tenacious firm may have missed its planned May 15th launch, but managed to pull things together in time for the weekend, piggybacking unlimited talk, text and data off of Sprint's CDMA and WiMAX network for $40 a month. A basic unlimited voice plan is also available to the tune of $20, without data allowances, of course. Phones are available too, albeit without subsidies -- Samsung's Epic 4G Touch or Galaxy S II will each set you back $550, though an assortment of more affordable devices can be had from $120 and up. Tempted to jump ship? Check out the source link below and let all your MVNO dreams come true.

Voyager Mobile shakes off network issues, launches a few days behind schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 16:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Voyager Mobile endures ‘malicious network attack,’ delays launch to the ‘very near future’

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Launch aborted. Wireless newbie Voyager Mobile has opted to delay its unveiling today to a "time and date in the very near future." A mysterious "malicious network attack" is to blame for the interruption, though that appears to be the extent of the explanation. The company also reinforced its commitment to bettering our planet, one $19 monthly unlimited plan at a time.

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Continue reading Voyager Mobile endures 'malicious network attack,' delays launch to the 'very near future'

Voyager Mobile endures 'malicious network attack,' delays launch to the 'very near future' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink FierceWireless  |  sourceVoyager Mobile  | Email this | Comments

New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up

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Competition among US cellular carriers is about to get a bit fiercer with a fresh national network that will actively encourage using your phone rather than setting hard limits. Newcomer (and MVNO on Sprint's network) Voyager Mobile is teasing a "frequent talker program" that will give all kinds of perks for the more talkative among us: call your Aunt Ruth a lot and you'll get phone upgrades, free months of service and smaller nice-to-haves like air mileage and gift cards. That's helped by Voyager starting off at $19 a month for unlimited voice, although picking a smartphone in the early catalog will hike that to a still rather thrifty $39 for all-unlimited voice, text and WiMAX data. If you're tempted by the price and don't mind an early phone roster that focuses on mostly Android-based carryovers like the LG Optimus S, Motorola XPRT or Samsung's Conquer 4G and Epic 4G Touch, Voyager will swing the virtual doors open for some states (with more to follow) when its countdown expires on May 15th.

Continue reading New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up

New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceVoyager Mobile  | Email this | Comments