Let us know your thoughts about this episode!

Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

1. Wireless Carrier Competition and Promotions:

• AT&T Launches "Switch and Save" to Counter T-Mobile's "Carrier Freedom": The promo offers to pay off up to $800 per line for customers switching to AT&T who have an active account with their current carrier for at least 120 days and have made at least four payments on their phone's installment plan.
• T-Mobile Increases Prices on Legacy Plans: T-Mobile is implementing a price increase of $5 per month per line for some of its older, legacy plans, starting on April 2nd. This follows a similar price hike in May 2024.
• Go5G, Go5G Plus, and Go5G Next subscribers are reportedly not affected.
• Customers with a "Price Lock" guarantee are said to be exempt from this increase.
• T-Mobile Enhances Store Transparency: T-Mobile is mandating that its authorized retailers display clear signage to distinguish themselves from third-party retailers. This move aims to improve customer experience and address issues arising from inconsistent interactions at non-official stores. Failure to comply could result in store shutdowns.

2. Broadband Speed Upgrades and Offerings:

• Comcast Boosts Xfinity Internet Speeds: Comcast has announced free speed upgrades for over 20 million Xfinity Internet customers.
• Upload speeds will increase by 50 to 100 percent for most tiers, benefiting activities like working from home and social media posting. Download speeds will also see increases for many customers.
• New and existing customers on plans 400 Mbps or faster can receive a free line of Unlimited on Xfinity Mobile for a year.
• Starlink's "Residential Lite" Plan Not Seen as a "Gamechanger": Starlink has launched a more affordable broadband option, "Residential Lite," in 15 U.S. states, priced at $80 per month with speeds of 50-100 Mbps. However, analysts believe it won't significantly disrupt the rural broadband market.
• The service will be "deprioritized" during peak hours, potentially leading to slower speeds.
• Roger Entner, Principal at Recon Analytics, noted, "'no matter how you look at it $80 is still a high price,'... 'You almost always get more customers when you lower price, but I would not call it a game changer.'"

3. Re-emergence of "Landline" Services:

• AT&T Launches "AT&T Phone Advanced": AT&T is introducing a modern alternative to traditional landlines called "AT&T Phone Advanced" in Southern California.
• This service utilizes a cellular or broadband connection and comes in a special box that can connect standard phones, fax machines, or alarm systems. It includes a 24-hour emergency backup battery.
• AT&T's efforts to replace copper cables with modern infrastructure, citing an 82% decrease in landline service in California over the past decade.
• The service starts at $45 per month plus equipment costs.

4. Advancements in Audio and Accessibility:

• Android Integrates Auracast for Bluetooth Hearing Aids:
• Auracast enables multiple Bluetooth audio devices to connect to a single audio source, with rollout expected in public spaces.
• Google is adding a feature to Pixel phones to scan QR codes for joining local Auracast streams and has included Auracast location information in Google Maps.

5. Integration of Generative AI into Google Assistant:

• Gemini AI to Replace Google Assistant: Google is planning to integrate its Gemini generative AI model into Google Assistant across virtually all devices where Assistant is currently available.
• This includes older mobile devices, table

Thank you for listening!
-Mario Mejia

Let us know your thoughts about this episode!

I. Cable Companies and CBRS Spectrum

• Slow Public Offload Deployment: Despite Charter's CEO Chris Winfrey stating they have "deployed thousands of radios for CBRS" and plan to deploy more, data from OpenSignal indicates that commercial mobile customers of Comcast and Charter showed "no additional time on CBRS" compared to Verizon customers, who spent around 3% of their time on Verizon's CBRS.
• Verizon's CBRS Usage: In contrast to cable companies' seemingly slower public offload, Verizon states it has deployed more CBRS basestations ("CBSDs") than any other single user in the US, representing about 15% of the total, primarily for outdoor 4G network augmentation. However, Verizon emphasizes that its investments in CBRS are smaller compared to its high-power C-band spectrum investments, which are central to its 5G future.

II. T-Mobile's Strategic Initiatives

T-Mobile is actively pursuing multiple strategies to enhance its market position, expand its offerings, and engage customers.

Key Observations:

• Defining and Launching "5G-Advanced": T-Mobile has defined its own version of 5G-Advanced and has launched it nationwide. Their definition includes a standalone 5G core (launched 2020), multiple aggregated carriers on uplink and downlink, RedCap technology for IoT (launched last year), and L4S technology for reduced latency.
• "AI Phone" Development: Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile's parent company) and Perplexity are collaborating to build a low-cost "AI Phone" priced under $1,000, slated for release in Europe starting in 2026. The device will also feature AI from Google Cloud, ElevenLabs, and Picsart. Deutsche Telekom is also launching "Magenta AI," an AI assistant app for its existing customers.
• Acquisitions for Advertising Solutions: T-Mobile has completed the acquisition of Vistar Media (digital out-of-home advertising technology) and announced the acquisition of Blis (location-based ad targeting) for $175 million.
• Customer Data Breach Settlement: T-Mobile will pay $350 million to customers affected by the significant 2021 data breach that impacted approximately 76 million people.
• Enhanced Carrier Freedom Program: T-Mobile has updated its "Carrier Freedom" program, now matching AT&T's offer of up to $800 in credit for customers switching to T-Mobile.

III. Verizon's Strategic Adjustments

Verizon is also making moves in its fixed wireless and cybersecurity offerings.

Key Observations:

• 5G Home Plus Price Increase: Verizon has increased the price of its 5G Home Plus internet service by $10 per month for new customers who bundle it with a qualifying wireless plan, bringing the price to $55.
• Focus on Cybersecurity for Businesses: Verizon Business has partnered with Accenture to provide new comprehensive cybersecurity solutions for mid-market and large enterprises. This collaboration aims to speed up the development and delivery of services such as identity and access management (IAM), managed extended detection and response (MxDR), and cyber risk services.

IV. Qualcomm's Fixed Wireless Access Advancement

Qualcomm has introduced its Dragonwing Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Gen 4 Elite platform at MWC 2025.

Key Observations:

• High Performance FWA Platform: The new platform features the Qualcomm X85 5G Modem-RF.
• Enhanced Speeds and Range: Dragonwing FWA Gen 4 Elite delivers peak 5G download speeds over 12.5Gbps and an mmWave 5G network range of up to 14km.
• Versatile Application: Qualcomm states that the technology in the Snapdragon X85 Modem-R

Thank you for listening!
-Mario Mejia

Let us know your thoughts about this episode!

Briefing Document: Telecommunications Industry Trends - Early 2025

Overview:

• Innovative Billing Solutions: AT&T's introduction of SplitPay℠ for multi-line accounts.
• 5G Advancements & Network APIs: Improvements in 5G technology and the launch of advanced network APIs by major carriers.
• Market Dynamics: Subscriber growth for Boost Mobile, despite losses in the pay-TV sector.
• Service Reliability: Outages affecting T-Mobile and Mint Mobile users.

1. AT&T's SplitPay℠: Simplifying Bill Splitting

• Key Features: SplitPay℠ allows account owners to assign a payor for each line, sending each designated user a text message with a secure link to pay their portion of the bill.
• Convenience & User-Friendliness: The service aims to eliminate the "headache of bill splitting," making it "simple and pain-free."
• Limitations: Account owners remain responsible for the total bill amount, and AutoPay via credit cards is excluded.

2. Satellite Connectivity: Bridging Coverage Gaps

• AT&T & Verizon Partnerships: Both carriers are working with AST SpaceMobile to build a "space-based cellular broadband network." They recently completed their "first satellite to cellular-enabled video call" using AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellites.
• Key Milestones (AT&T & AST SpaceMobile): The partnership has achieved several milestones, including the first two-way voice call (April 2023), the first over-the-top video application call (June 2023), and the first direct-to-cellular 5G call (September 2023) over AT&T spectrum.
• Eutelsat, MediaTek & Airbus: These companies have conducted the "world’s first trial of 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology" over Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellites. This aims to "result in future satellite and terrestrial interoperability" and enable "ubiquitous connectivity with economies of scale."

3. 5G Advancements & Network APIs: Enhancing Performance and Innovation

• Verizon's Speed Record: Verizon, in collaboration with Ericsson and Qualcomm, achieved a "US record-breaking 480 Mbps uplink speed" using C-band spectrum and uplink MIMO technology. Faster upload speeds are "critical for time-sensitive applications like healthcare diagnostics, remote robotics, and live broadcasting."
• Advanced Network APIs: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are launching advanced network APIs for Number Verification and SIM Swap in the US through a collaboration with Aduna and Ericsson. This is designed to empower enterprises and developers with "carrier-grade, standardized network API capabilities" for secure authentication and fraud reduction.

4. AI Integration: Reshaping Networks and Customer Experience

• Network Optimization
• Customer Service: Customer service bots are evolving into more intelligent systems, providing personalized support.
• Verizon & AI: Verizon is developing an AI strategy to power next-gen AI demands. The company also launched AI Connect, providing low-latency edge computing for AI workloads.

5. Market Dynamics: Boost Mobile's Growth

• Subscriber Gains: Boost added 90,000 subscribers in Q4 2024, and 105,000 when adjusting to the 15,000 it lost due to the demise of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

6. Service Reliability: T-Mobile Outage

Outage affecting T-Mobile and Mint Mobile users in Indiana.

• Prolonged Disruption: Cell phone service was disrupted for three days, starting on February 24th.

Thank you for listening!
-Mario Mejia