GSMA Open Gateway unlocks mobile network capabilities for developers

A new collaboration between the world's leading mobile operators will accelerate innovation across industries from finance and retail to transportation, healthcare, and beyond. The GSMA Open Gateway initiative provides developers simplified access to core network capabilities via open application programming interfaces (APIs).

Initially focused on security, new APIs for number verification and SIM swap detection are being implemented by operator groups across 42 countries so far....

23 February 2024 | 5G

Widespread cellular outage hits the US

A cellular outage has swept across large portions of the US, causing disruptions in services provided by major telecom companies including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

Data collected from outage tracking website Downdetector revealed that more than 32,000 incidents were reported with AT&T's service around 4:30am Eastern Time. The outage affected cities including San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago, according to information displayed on the website.

Users of...

22 February 2024 | 5G

Verizon deploys over 130,000 O-RAN radios

Verizon has deployed over 130,000 O-RAN capable radios – including massive MIMO antennas – as part of 15,000 O-RAN compliant cell sites utilising virtualised baseband units. This marks a major milestone in Verizon’s transition to Open RAN architecture, which promises greater flexibility, innovation, and supplier diversity in the radio access network ecosystem. 

The open and interoperable interfaces enabled by O-RAN standards allow different hardware and software components...

6 February 2024 | 5G

Verizon will maintain controversial surcharge despite lawsuit

Verizon customers may soon receive payments up to $100 each as part of a $100 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over its monthly "Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge." However, Verizon plans to continue charging the fee and may raise it further.

The settlement comes after a lawsuit alleged Verizon failed to properly disclose the nature and basis of the administrative surcharge, which helps fund regulatory compliance, taxes, and network operation costs. The fee...

16 January 2024 | Operators

Amazon could bundle wireless plans with Prime

Amazon is reportedly gearing up to offer wireless plans alongside its Prime subscriptions in the United States.

According to a Bloomberg report, the e-commerce giant has engaged in negotiations with major US operators including Verizon, T-Mobile, Dish, and AT&T to explore the possibility of leveraging their networks to provide wireless services.

The report further stated that Amazon could offer this service to Prime subscribers either as part of their existing...

5 June 2023 | 5G

Verizon finally shutters its 3G network

Verizon has switched off its 3G network following years of warnings to holdouts still relying on the legacy network.

Any customer using a 3G CDMA device that does not support newer technologies “will be suspended without billing and will lose the ability to call, text, or use data.”

The operator is the last of the US big three carriers to switch off its 3G network. The spectrum used for the network will be repurposed for newer technologies.

Customers have...

3 January 2023 | Networks

Verizon’s 5G UWB is now available in 1,700 cities

Verizon has officially launched its 5G Ultra Wideband (UWB) network, expanding coverage to parts of 1,700 cities.

The operator announced the “historic” day after switching on its C-band deployment which uses mid-band frequencies that it spent $52.9 billion acquiring in an auction back in March 2021.

Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, said:

“This massive launch will put incredible speeds, reliability and security in the hands of our customers and...

20 January 2022 | 5G

FAA eases 5G C-band restrictions but airlines warn of imminent chaos

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared around 45 percent of US commercial planes for low-visibility landings at some airports where 5G C-band will be deployed but airlines have warned that a “catastrophic” aviation crisis is now imminent.

Last week, the FAA issued more than 1,400 warnings to pilots that onboard aviation systems could be disrupted by 5G C-band operations. On Sunday, the agency approved two radio altimeter models that are installed in a wide...

18 January 2022 | 5G

Airlines warn upcoming 5G deployment will interfere with radio altimeters

Airline industry executives have ramped up their warnings that an upcoming type of 5G service will interfere with radio altimeters.

Radio altimeters measure the altitude above the terrain beneath an aircraft by timing how long it takes a beam of radio waves to travel to ground, reflect, and return to the craft. They are, of course, a key safety feature.

In February, the FCC completed a “C-band” (3.7–3.98 GHz) auction and issued licenses to several wireless network...

17 December 2021 | 5G

FCC: Verizon can acquire TracFone subject to ‘demanding conditions’

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Verizon approval to acquire TracFone, but it will be subject to “demanding conditions”.

Verizon announced its intention to acquire TracFone Wireless for $6.25B back in September 2020.

TracFone is the largest reseller of wireless services in the US and has around 21 million subscribers. The proposed deal naturally caught the eye of regulators.

One of the major concerns is that Verizon could hike prices...

23 November 2021 | Legislation & Government