T-Mobile unveils a mini 4G LTE booster for your home

Are you a T-Mobile Simple Choice customer who struggles to pick up a strong, reliable 4G connection in your home? If so, you may want to listen up, as the carrier has just announced its brand new 4G LTE CellSpot tower which provides extended LTE coverage for up to 3,000 square feet.

Here’s what T-Mobile had to say:

“The 4G LTE CellSpot delivers the complete T-Mobile LTE network experience, including the Un-carrier’s latest network advancements—like VoLTE, HD voice for crystal clear calls, advanced messaging, video calling and more. In fact, it’s the world’s first device of its kind that is 3G, 4G and VoLTE-capable, and any T-Mobile customer can connect to it automatically just like any other cell tower – no passwords or log-ins required.”

To bag yourself a 4G LTE CellSpot, you’ll need to pay a $25 deposit that’s fully refundable should you wish to return the unit or leave the carrier.

The full press release can be seen below.

Every day T-Mobile’s building a bigger, faster, stronger network and just last month reached more than 300 million Americans covered by the nation’s fastest 4G LTE—a virtual dead heat with Verizon and AT&T. But, T-Mobile isn’t stopping there. After amping up several of its iconic Un-carrier moves this summer, T-Mobile’s at it again, amping up another Un-carrier move—this one coming just a week before the company takes the wraps off its landmark 10^th Un-carrier move in LA.

Today, the company unveiled the T-Mobile 4G LTE CellSpot, the first-ever 4G LTE mini-tower available from a U.S. wireless provider. Think of it as your own 4G LTE mini-tower – with low power settings for indoor use – providing an average 3,000 sq. feet of glorious full-bar T-Mobile LTE coverage throughout your home, small business or virtually anywhere you need it.

Un-carrier 7.0 was all about giving customers personal coverage wherever they want it with the breakthrough Wi-Fi CellSpot Router. This new 4G LTE CellSpot takes that idea to the next level. While the Wi-Fi CellSpot Router uses Wi-Fi for calling and texting, now customers don’t have to use Wi-Fi to get coverage where they want.  The 4G LTE CellSpot delivers the complete T-Mobile LTE network experience, including the Un-carrier’s latest network advancements—like VoLTE, HD voice for crystal clear calls, advanced messaging, video calling and more. In fact, it’s the world’s first device of its kind that is 3G, 4G and VoLTE-capable, and any T-Mobile customer can connect to it automatically just like any other cell tower – no passwords or log-ins required.

The best part of today’s news is that this advanced technology is available to Simple Choice postpaid customers at absolutely no cost for as long as they’re with T-Mobile.

“Where the T-Mobile Wi-Fi CellSpot’s like a T-Mobile tower, this new 4G LTE CellSpot is a T-Mobile mini-tower—and it’s a huge feat of engineering,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “The big difference between us and the carriers is that they’ll do absolutely everything they can to bleed you dry. We’ll do absolutely everything we can and use every proven technology available to give you the best coverage possible.”

The wireless industry is all abuzz about “small cells,” but the carriers are choosing where to put their small cells and where their think customers should get better coverage.  With the 4G LTE CellSpot, T-Mobile is doing something classically Un-carrier – putting the power in customers’ hands who can now light up T-Mobile’s LTE network wherever they need it most.  This idea has been wildly popular with T-Mobile customers, who have already snapped up more than 1 million Wi-Fi CellSpot Routers since last year and are making more than 11 million calls every single day over Wi-Fi.

The T-Mobile 4G LTE CellSpot measures just 8.5” wide by 8.5” tall and is just 1.3” thick, so it fits just about anywhere. And it’s fully ‘plug-n-play.’ Just hook it up to the Internet, plug it into the wall and boom! You’ve got a clear, strong LTE signal covering 3,000 sq. feet on average.

T-Mobile’s 4G LTE CellSpot is ideal for small businesses who need to provide coverage for employees and visitors. The 4G LTE CellSpot supports up to 16 calls at one time; works with any 3G, 4G or LTE device compatible with T-Mobile’s network, including those that can’t use Wi-Fi calling; and can deliver 4G LTE even in places where cellular signals aren’t available.

The T-Mobile 4G LTE CellSpot is free to eligible Simple Choice customers − one per business or home location − with a refundable $25 deposit and a non-return fee. In stark contrast, the carriers make their customers pay hundreds of dollars and jump through hoops just to get their outdated 3G-based femto cell solutions.

The Un-carrier is relentlessly pushing the envelope when it comes to coverage—whether it’s delivering the first nationwide voice over LTE network, Wi-Fi calling and texting, nationwide HD voice, advanced messaging, Gogo in-flight texting or a range of personal coverage solutions. The 4G LTE CellSpot rounds out T-Mobile’s Personal CellSpot family, a set of products complementing  the Un-carrier’s blazing-fast 4G LTE network and available to Simple Choice customers at no extra charge, including:

Wi-Fi CellSpot Router: Announced at Un-carrier 7.0 in September 2014, this Internet-connected router provides customers with Wi-Fi coverage for calling and texting beyond the reach of any cellular network;

4G LTE CellSpot Signal Booster: This signal booster amplifies T-Mobile’s 3G, 4G and/or LTE signal throughout a home or business without an Internet connection; and,

4G LTE CellSpot: Announced today, this 4G LTE tower delivers a strong, reliable wireless 4G LTE signal for customers with or without an indoor cellular signal on compatible 3G, 4G and LTE handsets for up to 16 callers at one time anywhere a customer has broadband Internet and T-Mobile wireless spectrum.

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T-Mobile debuts 4G LTE CellSpot for enhanced in-home coverage

T-Mobile on Monday unveiled its latest hardware device, the 4G LTE CellSpot. In short, this is a mini cell tower that works in your house and draws coverage from your internet connection.

Designed specifically for indoor use, this is essentially a 4G tower that provides coverage up to 3,000 square feet. The CellSpot works on 3G/4G connections and works with voice over LTE (VoLTE) as well. It will also work with up to 16 devices at once, including those that are equipped for Wi-Fi calling as well as those which are not.

What does this mean to you? As a current or potential T-Mobile subscriber, this will lead to much better coverage in your home or office.

Slated to arrive on November 4th, this one is free to customers on a Simple Choice plan. Customers are required to put a $25 deposit down first.

T-Mobile

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T-Mobile wants to put a mini LTE tower in your home

T-Mobile has done a fair amount to get LTE into every nook and cranny of its coverage map, but that doesn’t matter much if there’s still a cellular dead zone in your home or office. You might not have that issue from now on, though. The Magenta network is launching a 4G LTE CellSpot that promises full-fledged LTE calling and data — you’re not making do with 3G here. You only need an LTE-capable phone and a broadband internet connection to fill in those gaps.

Source: T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s next Uncarrier move might be called BingeOn for streaming video from services

We’ve been hearing plenty of rumors about T-Mobile’s Uncarrier X move that’s set to be unveiled on November 10th, and we know it’s got something to do with video streaming. Now it looks like Evan Blass, better known as @evleaks on Twitter, has uncovered more details on exactly what that initiative entails.

The new service will reportedly be called BingeOn and will work with four major video streaming services; Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Sling TV. There will supposedly be some kind of discount from each of the four also, which might have to do with the actual service pricing instead of T-Mobile’s bill pricing. Or maybe T-Mobile will give you access to all four at a discounted rate, complete with unlimited streaming that doesn’t touch your data cap.

We still don’t know exactly what it’s going to be, but November 10th isn’t that far off.

source: Evan Blass (Twitter)

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Internet providers invest in networks despite net neutrality jitters

If you ask most big US internet providers, they’ll swear up and down that the newer, tougher net neutrality rules will kill investment in their networks. Surely the only way to promote growth is to loosen regulation, right? Well, not quite. After digging through carriers’ earnings, Ars Technica has determined that most big ISPs have been spending more on upgrading their networks in recent months. Comcast’s capital expenses increased 11 percent year-over-year, largely due to newer-generation home equipment; it’s also launching pushing hard on multi-gigabit service. Time Warner Cable also spent 10 percent more upgrading its network in the first nine months of the year. Telcos like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have seen mixed spending, but they’re still pushing harder than ever on services like gigabit internet and upgraded cellular data.

Source: Ars Technica

T-Mobile will reportedly give you free data for streaming video

T-Mobile is known for making bold moves at its Uncarrier events, and it appears the next one might be the biggest yet. According to the often-reliable @evleaks, T-Mobile will soon start offering unlimited, high-speed data for select video-streaming services, including Netflix. He also mentioned HBO, but it’s not clear whether that’s referring to Go or Now. Either way, the announcement is expected to happen at Uncarrier X, which is scheduled for November 10th in Los Angeles. Interestingly enough, T-Mobile tweeted about the event and mentioned there was “no reason to hit pause now,” in what could be considered a hint about the network’s upcoming plans. If the rumor’s true, this would be huge for people who have capped data services, as it would let them stream movies and TV shows free of worries — similar to what T-Mobile’s been doing with Google Play Music and others.

Source: evleaks (Twitter)

Un-carrier X to give T-Mobile customers huge benefits when streaming video

If Evan Blass is to be believed, T-Mobile will soon allow unlimited high speed data for customers watching content from select video streaming services. Blass tweeted this morning that Team Magenta’s Un-carrier X move will make it possible for customers to never worry about hurting their swift data speeds by streaming video from services like Netflix or HBO. The carrier intends to keep its network operating at full capacity so that video streaming isn’t hindered by buffering or poor image quality.

Source: Evan Blass (Twitter)

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MetroPCS adding Alcatel OneTouch’s new Fierce XL next week

There’s a new phone from Alcatel OneTouch coming to MetroPCS next week. On November 2, the carrier will add the Fierce XL to its lineup.

Alcatel OneTouch is still rolling with the Idol 3 as its flagship phone and that means the Fierce XL has mid-range specifications. This phone has a 5.5-inch 720p IPS display, Snapdragon 210 processor, 8MP / 2MP cameras, and a 2500mAh battery. The real kicker here is that the Fierce XL runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop behind Alcatel OneTouch’s own take on Google’s mobile operating system (which isn’t a bad thing). To enhance the phone’s Auto and HDR modes for photography, editing software from Polaroid is included.

Jon Maron, VP of Marketing and Communications for Alcatel OneTouch, pumped the phone’s value:

“A smartphone has to be more than a respectable list of specs, it has to deliver an engaging and value-focused consumer experience, and this is where Fierce XL delivers.”

MetroPCS will be joined by T-Mobile, its parent company, in selling the Fierce XL to customers sometime this winter. For now though, MetroPCS customers will be able to purchase the Fierce XL online and in stores for $139.

FIERCE™ XL FROM ALCATEL ONETOUCH® LANDS AT METRO PCS IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, COMING TO T-MOBILE LATER THIS WINTER

Packed with feature-rich experiences, the Fierce XL delivers a powerful smartphone for the value-focused customer  

IRVINE, Calif. – October 29, 2015 – ALCATEL ONETOUCH, a top five mobile phone manufacturer in North America[1], todayannounced availability of the Fierce XL™ LTE smartphone powered by Android, available at select Metro PCS stores nationwide and online at MetroPCS.combeginning November 2, 2015, and later this winter at T-Mobile. With a standard retail price of $139.00, the Fierce XL delivers the high-quality, value-packed smartphone experience Metro PCS customers have come to expect from ALCATEL ONETOUCH. More than just a large HD display and powerful all-day battery, the Fierce XL also has a few tricks up its sleeves, including enhanced Google Translate and Polaroid camera mode experience integrations.

“A smartphone has to be more than a respectable list of specs, it has to deliver an engaging and value-focused consumer experience, and this is where Fierce XL delivers,” said Jon Maron, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for ALCATEL ONETOUCH. “By bringing the Polaroid camera mode and enhanced Google Translate features easily to the hands of our customers, we’ve ensured that not only will they get a great quality smartphone in Fierce XL, but that they’ll also get awesome experiences for greater value from their smartphone purchase.”

“Alcatel has a stellar track record of bringing their A-game when it comes to designing affordable Android smartphones with great specs that our customers want,” said Roger Brown, Vice President of Marketing at T-Mobile. “Top it off with the nation’s fastest 4G LTE network for both MetroPCS and T-Mobile customers, you’ve got yourself a recipe for customer satisfaction this holiday season.”

Polaroid Photo Editing Software:
In addition to Fierce XL’s Auto and HDR photo modes, ALCATEL ONETOUCH has also partnered with Polaroid to bring a unique photo experience to our latest feature-rich smartphone. Easily activated through the phone’s photo options, the Polaroid camera mode allows users to instantly apply easy-to-use filters, borders – including the Polaroid Classic Border Logo – and date/location/text tags to their photos. Shots can also be captured in either single, double or multi-shot layouts, so users can go from snapping pics to creating custom layouts to share with their friends and family in a flash. 

Google Translate:
Never feel lost with Google’s enhanced Translate features found exclusively on Android powered smartphones like Fierce XL. With this, users can instantly translate to or from any of 89 languages[2] simply by speaking, writing or scanning with the Fierce XL camera.

Fierce XL Key Features Include:

• 5.5-inch HD IPS Display (1280×720 pixels)
• 1.1GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 210 Quad-Core Processor (MSM 8909)
• 4G LTE Cat 4 150Mbps (B2/4/12)
• Android L 5.1.1 OS
• 8MP Auto Focus Main Camera with Flash + 2MP Front-Facing Camera
• 2GB of RAM + 16GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB with MicroSD)
• 2500mAh battery for up to 12 hours of talk time and 360 hours of standby time
• Fierce XL will also maximize user value with support for the latest mobile technologies including Wi-Fi Calling, HD voice support and VoLTE

For more information on Fierce XL, or to learn more about ALCATEL ONETOUCH, visit www.alcatelonetouch.us.

About ALCATEL ONETOUCH
ALCATEL ONETOUCH is a brand within TCL Communication, an international multicultural company which designs, develops, and markets globally a growing range of mobile and Internet devices. TCL Communication is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2618.HK) and part of TCL Corporation one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world.

For more information, please visit www.alcatelonetouch.us.

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T-Mobile planning UncarrierX event for November 10th

T-Mobile is having a busy few days, especially after posting a very solid third quarter for 2015. But T-Mobile didn’t add millions of customers to its network without making some bold moves, and they’re keeping things going with UncarrierX on November 10th.

T-Mobile hasn’t said what the new Uncarrier move will be, but the tweet that mentions the date for it says there’s “no reason to hit pause now.” That could just be a bold claim, but knowing these types of announcements it’s likely some sort of hint at what the next big T-Mobile feature will be.

If T-Mobile didn’t already offer Music Unlimited, I’d guess that the comment would refer to music. There’s always a chance that it expands on that program, but I think it’s pretty likely we see T-Mobile do something to offer a better video streaming experience on their network. Unlimited Netflix, anyone?

November 10th is just a few weeks away, so we won’t have to wait too long to find out.

source: T-Mobile (Twitter)

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