Apple fined $2.29 million over ‘4G iPad’ claims in Australia

Australia's federal court has fined Apple for "deliberately" misleading customers on local 4G capabilities of its latest iPad. The Cupertino-based company recently agreed to the terms, which included AU$2.29 million fine and a cool AU$300,000 in costs. Despite its 4G claims, Apple's new iPad can't connect with existing Antipodean next-generation phone networks, although it can hook up to US-based networks. Apple offered refunds for any customers that felt deceived and even adjusted its advertising to reflect its cellular capabilities, but the judge still deemed that the company had contravened Australia's consumer law in the ensuing confusion. Fortunately, Apple still has plenty left in the bank.

Apple fined $2.29 million over '4G iPad' claims in Australia originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 04:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobilicity to upgrade network to HSPA+ 21Mbps later this year

Mobilicity moving to 4GCanadian AWS provider Mobilicity is moving up in this world -- up in speeds, at least. The carrier announced its intentions to upgrade its network to "4G" later this year, offering peak download speeds of 21Mbps. When we reached out for clarification, we were informed that Mobilicity is actually deploying HSPA+ 21Mbps: according to a spokesperson, it "will leverage the full capabilities of our HSPA+ network." It's a hefty improvement over its current 7.2Mbps status, but the usual "4G or faux-G" argument still applies here. No specifics on exact timing or breadth of coverage were given, but feel free to peruse the press release below.

Continue reading Mobilicity to upgrade network to HSPA+ 21Mbps later this year

Mobilicity to upgrade network to HSPA+ 21Mbps later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple closes in on $2.25 million settlement in Australia for disputed 4G iPad claim

The legal drama surrounding Apple's 4G labeling of some iPad models in Australia might be coming to an end. The Australian reports that Apple has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle claims that the company's use of the term "Wi-Fi + 4G" was misleading because the tablet doesn't work with the country's 4G networks. Apple already offered to provide refunds to consumers who felt deceived by the labeling. The company also renamed the aforementioned model to "iPad WiFi + Cellular" in several territories. Apple hasn't quite made it across the finish line, however -- the settlement still requires court approval before it can be finalized and the Judge has adjourned the case until Wednesday to gather more information.

[Thanks, Matt, Clayton]

Apple closes in on $2.25 million settlement in Australia for disputed 4G iPad claim originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 01:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceThe Australian (subscription required), The Age  | Email this | Comments

Apple’s iPad WiFi + 4G renamed ‘iPad WiFi + Cellular’ across many of its stores

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Remember Apple's new iPad WiFi + 4G? Well, forget that moniker, as this variant of the company's latest slate has been quietly re-dubbed as the iPad WiFi + Cellular. As noticed by 9to5Mac, the change occurred within the last "24-48 hours" across many of Apple's region-specific webstores (update: and retail locations), including (but not limited to) those for the US, UK, Australia, Canada and various countries in Asia. If you'll recall, in many regions the best you'll get out of the slate is HSPA-connectivity, even though it's also equipped for LTE -- something that Apple itself had considered good enough to market it as 4G despite offering refunds to customers in Australia who (like many others) couldn't officially partake in its LTE. Interestingly, 9to5Mac also notes that a similar change hasn't made its way over to the iPad 2, which still has its cellular-equipped variant named, iPad 2 WiFi + 3G. We've reached out to Apple for comment, but the meantime, feel free to hit up the source links below for more insight.

Apple's iPad WiFi + 4G renamed 'iPad WiFi + Cellular' across many of its stores originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 May 2012 17:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 9to5Mac, Twitter (@markgurman)  |  sourceApple  | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile reports customer growth for Q1 2012, tries not to think about Q4 2011

T-Mobile reports customer growth for Q1 2012, tries not to think about Q4 2011

T-Mobile USA took a bit of a hit back in Q4, following its failed merger with Ma Bell, but things are looking up for the magenta network. It still took a 2.8 percent hit in terms of raw revenues, taking in $5 billion including service and equipment sales, but it's still proud to report a net growth of 187,000 customers and diminishing reports of customer losses when compared to previous quarters. T-Mobile's branded net customer loss of 510,000 marks a 28-percent improvement over its 706,000 Q4 loss, and is bolstered by a 13 percent increase in prepaid customers, totaling 249,000. The firm blames its previous quarter contract losses on the widespread availability of the iPhone 4S on its competitors' networks. It's also assuring investors that its lauded 4G rollout is still underway, and noted that it has signed agreements with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Network to upgrade 37,000 cell sites with LTE hardware over the next two years. The company hopes a brand relaunch (and the availability of handsets like the Galaxy S Blaze 4G, Nokia Lumia 710, and HTC One S) will drive customers to the high-speed network as it fills out over 2012 and 2013. Hit the break for all of the financially riveting details.

Continue reading T-Mobile reports customer growth for Q1 2012, tries not to think about Q4 2011

T-Mobile reports customer growth for Q1 2012, tries not to think about Q4 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42, picks LTE vendors and notches 1 million VoIP users

T-Mobile rolls out more HSPA+ 42, picks vendors for LTE and notches 1 million VoIP users

With CTIA 2012 getting under way, T-Mobile is the latest company to check in with an announcement, proudly informing the world of the latest developments in its 4G expansion efforts and Bobsled VoIP service. On the 4G (not faux G) front, it's selected "Release 10" hardware from Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks to support the $4 billion LTE rollout the company is undertaking (using AWS spectrum acquired from AT&T) starting this year and will continue through 2013. While nationwide LTE should be reality next year, right now T-Mobile is delivering HSPA+ to new markets, with HSPA+ 42 live today in Fayetteville and Little Rock AR, Lake Charles LA and Springfield, MO. Due later in the year, as expected, is 4G HSPA+ on the 1900 MHz band that should bring faster speeds, better building penetration and 4G access for the iPhone. While we're still not sure how the free Bobsled VoIP service figures into the company's plans, the company announced it has already broken through one million users. According to its stats, 95 percent are not T-Mobile wireless customers and 80 percent of calls originate from outside the country, however 90 percent of text messages sent are domestic. All the numbers and locations are in the press releases after the break, if you want to hunt down some high speed data action for yourself.

Continue reading T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42, picks LTE vendors and notches 1 million VoIP users

T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42, picks LTE vendors and notches 1 million VoIP users originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 22:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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