Recently released FCC approval documents have confirmed the existence of LG's latest Viewty cellphone; however unlike the existing KU990 handset, which has 3G HSDPA along with its lauded 5-megapixel camera, the new KE990 will have merely dualband (850/900) GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity.  Three versions of the cut-down cameraphone will be made, differentiated by their suffix: the KE990, the KE990c and the KE990d. continued »

If there's one thing the FCC auction has shown us, it's that Google is pretty sneaky when it comes to getting their own way.  They set their sights on open-access - which would mean devices running Android, even if not officially picked up by any of the carriers, would be able to access the new 700MHz networks set to roll ... continued »

The 700MHz auction may be over (and the carriers looking anxiously in their wallets to see how they're going to pay for their new spectrum) but unsold Block D is still causing controversy.  The FCC has been asked to investigate accusations that an adviser from The Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corporation, who manage the public service aspect of Block D, ... continued »

The FCC has confirmed the winning bidders [pdf link] in their recently closed 700MHz spectrum auction, with Verizon Wireless taking the majority of the coveted Block C while AT&T picked up 227 licences from Block B.  The auction, which raised $19.592bn in total, concerns parts of the wireless spectrum that will be freed up once analogue TV is turned off and ... continued »

The FCC have ruled on an ongoing investigation into exclusive telephone agreements in apartment buildings, judging that the existing practise of landlords entering into limiting contracts with individual telcos is contrary to the consumer's best interest and, as such, is being banned.  Exclusivity contracts had been seen as a money spinner for landlords and developers, promising clients to the phone companies for ... continued »

After 261 rounds, the FCC's 700MHz spectrum auction has at last closed with final bids totalling $19.592bn [pdf link].  Unsurprisingly, the coveted Block C - which became known as "beach front" spectrum for its breadth and suitability for high-speed & long-distance data connections - pulled in the most publicity, finally selling for $4.75bn.  Meanwhile Blocks A, B and E sold for $3.96bn, ... continued »

Not the most inspiring diagram ever to have worked its way through the intestinal tract of the FCC, but the promise of a new Nokia clamshell handset - product code RM-324 - packing US-spec 3G/HSDPA is enough to get high-speed-starved users at least a little dribbly.  The device showed up in listings yesterday, with little more to show than this ... continued »

Verizon's CDMA version of the Samsung F700, the U940 (previously codenamed "Q-ball") that's supposedly set to launch in March this year, has had photos and its user manual put up on the FCC's site.  They confirm that, unlike the F700, the handset will have a 2-megapixel camera, but otherwise the casing appears to be the same.  continued »

Someone at the FCC is lacking patience: as of today, the 700MHz spectrum auction enters the so-called "Phase 2" where companies interested in taking away one of the five Blocks will have to be more forceful with their bidding.  To start, the commission has reduced the bid-increment from 5-percent of the existing figure to 2-percent, while it has also made ... continued »

Strange as it is to believe, Motorola have developed a fixed carphone.  The M990 "Smart Rider", spotted in an FCC approval document, is described as a "GSM high tier fixed mobile car phone" and is a quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset with integrated GPS and Bluetooth.  continued »