M8trix Communications

Equinix’s Interconnections and the Mega DataCenter Unknown Current day cloud infrastructure services operate in a similar way to how corporate data centers have functioned since the 1960s. Large, centralized banks of servers deliver information across widespread networks. A recent slew of articles about Equinix Inc., the co-location provider, however, have pointed to its vision of better supporting the ever-increasing amount of data and processing that stems from the cloud,...Continue reading

Industry-Wide Fight over Wi-Fi Alliance Proposal to Stall LTE-U A fight involving wireless carriers, a Wi-Fi industry trade group, cable companies, Microsoft, and network equipment makers has erupted over a plan to utilize Wi-Fi airwaves for cellular service. Industry-wide cautions and warnings have been sounded over fears of disruption to existing Wi-Fi networks and radically slowing down service to their users. Generally, cellular carriers rely upon airwaves, which they hav...e exclusive licenses to. However, a new system dubbed LTE-Unlicensed would see the carriers sharing spectrum with Wi-Fi devices on the unlicensed 5 GHz band. This would allow cellular networks to boost data speeds over short distances without users having to log in to a separate Wi-Fi network. T Mobile US and Verizon Wireless both plan to boost coverage in their cellular networks by using the unlicensed networks. Verizon intends to deploy LTE-U in 5GHz next year; and T-Mobile initially hoped to utilize the technology on its smartphones by the end of this year. Companies that make wireless equipment like Qualcomm are already integrating LTE-U into their latest technology, intending to sell more devices as a result. However, industry trade group, the Wi-Fi Alliance, has expressed its opposition to the plans, concerned about the extent to which the new technology will interfere with existing Wi-Fi networks. The Wi-Fi Alliance propose that there are more testbeds of LTE-U and that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should allow for more time and testing by the Wi-Fi Alliance before allowing LTE-U into real-time networks. Yesterday, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and Qualcomm co-signed a letter to the FCC opposing the Wi-Fi Alliance’s request to stall LTE-U, stating their interest in extending the benefits of LTE on unlicensed spectrum to our customers and urging the need for permissionless innovation, arguing that this is what has made unlicensed spectrum as an open platform successful. One of the situation’s ironies is that the five companies that oppose the Wi-Fi Alliance’s request are in fact part of the industry trade group, which exists in fact to certify equipment and ensure it doesn’t interfere with other Wi-Fi equipment functioning in the same frequencies. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has now also waded into the debate because the cable TV and Internet providers it represents want to protect the networks of Wi-Fi hotspots around the country which they have helped set up; arguing that LTE-U would severely decrease the performance of any nearby Wi-Fi network and that the only companies to benefit would be those that already hold licensed spectrum. The debate will continue until the FCC make a ruling.

Sprint Attempts to Lure DirecTV Customers Away from AT&T DirecTV has over 20 million customers at the end of its second quarter this year. As AT&T commercials proclaim, DirecTV is now part of the AT&T family. The $49 billion deal struck in July was part of AT&T’s desire to convert DirecTV customers to its wireless service, lured there with an assurance of savings through a bundled offer. Sprint, however, is now offering an even more attractive deal to DirecTV customers, off...ering a year of free service if they move across to Sprint. Last week, Sprint announced that from August 28 to September 30, DirecTV customers who transfer to Sprint (or existing Sprint customers who add a new line of service through the Sprint Lease, its iPhone Forever plan, Sprint Easy Pay or via paying full retail price for a smartphone), will get 12 months of unrestricted voice texting and 2GB of data per line (for up to five lines) on the Sprint network. Following 12 months of the free service from Sprint, customers on the plan will automatically transfer to plans with unlimited voice texting and 2GB of data per line that will cost $50 per month, for one line and additional costs for further lines, going up to $180 for five lines; allowing Sprint to keep and benefit from DirecTV’s customers. In order to access the offer, all DirecTV customers need to do is upload their latest DirecTV bill to www.sprint.com/directvoffer. Then, they must call Sprint, go into a store or visit its website to secure the offer. Additionally, Sprint has offered to pay off customers’ old phone balances and contracts for a limited time only. Kevin Crull, Sprint’s Chief Marketing Officer, explicitly took aim at rival AT&T in a statement issued last week. DirecTV customers love their TV service he said, but they shouldn’t have to settle for AT&T wireless. Why not build the perfect bundle by combining with Sprint wireless? AT&T immediately sought to defuse Sprint’s direct targeting of its customers by dismissing its offer as a weak bid to attract customers, a spokesman telling the Wall Street Journal that this ranks right up there with a desperate Hail Mary pass to a petite defensive lineman. Earlier this year, Sprint lost is position as the U.S’s third-largest wireless carrier to T-Mobile. It now comes in fourth, behind T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T.