First LTE Smartphones for AT&T Customers Available Nationwide Nov. 6

Source: AT&T Press Release 

AT&T (NYSE:T) announced that starting next week, more AT&T customers will be able to enjoy fast 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) speeds on new devices – including the first AT&T 4G LTE smartphones – in even more markets.

Key Facts 

• AT&T introduced two new Android smartphones, the first to be AT&T 4G LTE-capable.
• HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket will arrive in AT&T company-owned stores and online Nov. 6.
• AT&T 4G LTE service will launch Nov. 6 in Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Athens, Ga.
• AT&T offers the only smartphones able to utilize both LTE and HSPA+ 4G speeds, for a consistently fast connection in and out of LTE areas.
• The Nov. 6 launches expand AT&T’s 4G LTE network to 9 markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, and it plans to reach 15 markets and 70 million Americans by year-end 2011.
• AT&T exceeds commitment to offer 20 4G devices in 2011, addition of LTE smartphones on Nov. 6 brings 4G total to 22.
• AT&T far exceeds commitment to deliver 12 Android devices in 2011; new LTE smartphones bring total to 21.

SOHO Smartphone Purchases will Increase Over 44% by 2015

Source: In-Stat Press Release

New In-Stat research forecasts that the proliferation of these devices will continue in all sizes of US business, but particularly in the Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) market where the an increase, in excess of 44%, is expectedin smartphone unit purchases.

“The SOHO market includes all firms with 1 to 4 US employees, and these businesses are realizing the benefits of having data access in their wireless handsets,” says Greg Potter, Analyst. “Employees can now work efficiently either on the road or at home, with access to email and other business applications from their smartphones. This creates a more connected and engaged workforce.”

Additional data includes:

• Non-smartphone unit purchases are set to decline 32% from 2010 to 2015.
• Over 27 million smartphones will be sold to businesses in the US in 2015.
• Enterprises will purchase over 19 million phones in 2015.
• The healthcare and social services vertical will grow from 3.9 million phones purchased to 4.5 million for the reporting period.

US Consumer Interested in More Wi-Fi Services from Mobile Operators

Source: Kineto Wireless Press Release

Seventy four percent of smartphone users in the United States are interested in a mobile operator-provided service that uses Wi-Fi to provide lower cost calls, according to a recent MarketTools Zoomerang survey of 420 smartphone owners. The survey, commissioned by Kineto Wireless, also showed 72 percent of smartphone users are interested in an application that uses Wi-Fi to improve cellular coverage.

Additional highlights from the online survey conducted May 2011 include:

• Nearly nine out of ten (89%) of respondents have smartphones with Wi-Fi.
• 77 percent have Wi-Fi at home; 54 percent have it at their place of work.
• 62 percent of people who own smartphones with Wi-Fi use the Wi-Fi four or more days each week.
• 30 percent say they use Wi-Fi because it is faster than the cellular network; 19 percent because it is easy to access the internet.
• 30 percent have smartphones with a Google Android operating system (OS); 26 percent use Apple iPhone OS; and 22 percent use a RIM OS.
• 44 percent of iPhone owners would “definitely” be interested in an application that could be used to boost mobile coverage; and 47 percent would “definitely” be interested in a Wi-Fi service offering discounted calling.
• Of T-Mobile subscribers, 55 percent use Wi-Fi on their smartphones four or more days each week or every day, 24 percent because it is easy to access the internet.
• Of AT&T subscribers, 68 percent of AT&T subscribers use Wi-Fi on their smartphones four or more days each week or every day, 32 percent because it is faster than the cellular network.

Alaska Communications Launches New Wireless Plans

Source: Alaska Communications Press Release

Alaska Communications (Nasdaq:ALSK) has added a new set of flexible wireless plans offering customers the ability to build custom fit plans. The new, tiered data plans, combined with updated voice and feature add-ons, give customers choices in talk, text and data, accommodating almost any budget.

"Alaska Communications is listening to Alaskans. Our research shows that customers are asking for flexible plans so they only pay for the data, text or talk that they actually need," said Eric Lazo, Alaska Communications vice president of marketing and product development. "As we prepare for our 4G LTE launch and increased data consumption, we've created tiered data plans, multiple points of entry for our customers and made the plans more customizable so customers have the product they want at a price that is just right."

In addition to customizable plans, Alaska Communications is offering several premium phones — including some of the latest Smartphones such as the Motorola Milestone X, Samsung Showcase Galaxy, HTC Merge and the HTC 7 Pro — along with the best customer service, knowledge, understanding and experience in Alaska.

US Cellular to Launch Eight Smartphones, Two Tablets and First LTE Device

Source: US Cellular Press Release

U.S. Cellular (NYSE:USM) plans to launch seven smartphones that run on the Android operating system, including its first 4G-enabled smartphone. Two mobile tablets are planned along with the carrier's first Windows Phone 7 device. U.S. Cellular will also roll out its first wave of 4G LTE devices in November.

In addition to its expanded smartphone selection, U.S. Cellular is launching two new messaging devices from Samsung that have a slide-out QWERTY keypad and the added convenience of 2.8-inch touchscreen.