Virgin to continue using EE network

EE sent out a press release earlier confirming the long standing agreement between themselves and Virgin Mobile is set to continue and the MNVO will get access to both 2G, 3G and we believe soon 4G networks.

The original deal was signed 14 years ago between then T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile but was coming to an end, and with T-Mobile now being part of EE, it was agreed to carry on what has worked so well for them all these years

Virgin Media extends long-standing MVNO partnership with EE

Virgin Media customers to continue to benefit from the UK’s biggest and fastest mobile network 

21 October 2013, United Kingdom: EE and Virgin Media have announced that EE will continue to provide the network and services that underpin Virgin Media’s mobile service, Virgin Mobile, the UK’s leading MVNO with over three million customers.

The new and exclusive MVNO agreement is an extension of EE and Virgin Media’s longstanding and successful partnership, which dates back to the launch of Virgin Mobile in 1999 as the world’s first MVNO.

EE was selected based on the strength of its network, its strong industry reputation and its flexible and technologically advanced MVNO platform. EE offers the widest 3G and 2G coverage in the UK as well as the country’s biggest and fastest 4G network.

Gerry McQuade, Chief Marketing Officer, Non-consumer, EE said: “We’re delighted that following a competitive industry tender, Virgin Media has again chosen to partner with EE and build on our longstanding and successful relationship. By choosing the EE network, Virgin Media will ensure its customers and around 14,000 employees continue to have access to the UK’s biggest and fastest mobile network.”

Dana Strong , Virgin Media’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Combining the leading mobile network with our powerful broadband means Virgin Media customers get the best connectivity whether at home, out and about, or even beneath the streets of London. Having worked together for over a decade, this partnership between the world’s first virtual operator and what is now Britain’s most comprehensive mobile network is moving into an exciting new phase.”

Verizon accused of violating FCC rules by blocking Nexus 7 from its 4G LTE network

12:10 PM

Surprise, surprise: Verizon is being accused of ignoring the Federal Communications Commission’s rules on what it can do with its spectrum. Jeff Jarvis says that Verizon so far has refused to hook his unlocked Nexus 7 tablet up to its LTE network because the device is “not part of our lineup and can’t be activated.” As Jarvis notes, this seems to violate the regulations the FCC placed on Verizon when it first won the rights to operate on the 700MHz spectrum that it uses for much of its LTE network.

Some quick background: Way back in 2008, the FCC sold off several valuable chunks of spectrum on the 700MHz band and Verizon won the lion’s share of licenses for the so-called “C Block” of spectrum that just happened to be the most valuable in the entire auction. As part of the auction, the FCC slapped several open-access rules on the “C Block” that mandated Verizon allow any devices to connect to its LTE network and that barred it from blocking any applications on its users’ devices.

Jarvis notes that the FCC’s rules are written very clearly and leave little wiggle room for Verizon to not allow his Nexus 7 onto its network. What’s more, he says that the Nexus 7's LTE radios have been designed to run on Verizon’s 700MHz spectrum so there’s really no technical reason for the company to bar the device.

“So this is not a matter of anything Verizon cannot do,” he writes. “This is a matter of what Verizon will not do. And that is what makes this a violation of FCC regulations and Verizon’s assurances.”

For its part, Verizon has told AndroidCentral that the Nexus 7 is not yet “Verizon 4G LTE certified” and that it will let customers know when the device passes through certifications. Jarvis incredulously responds that the Nexus 7 was launched almost two months ago and that he can’t believe Verizon is just now getting around to starting the certification process for it.

View the original article here

Voxle is a new location based social network

The world around us is an interesting place, with many people and places existing without me ever realising. Voxle aims to end that and let you interact with things around you.

The developers describe it as follows:

Voxle is your new location based social network. Share your location and meet the people around you. Use our multi purpose platform for free communication, dating, organising parties, keeping you close to your friends and those who share your interests.

Features of Voxle in a Nutshell:
? thousands of new users join every day
? free texts,calls,search,interests sharing,profiles,photo gallery
? bark your status to your neighbours,discuss local topics,ask for help if in trouble
? Navigate to your friend or bark
? peer to peer secure communication
? easy registration with Facebook
? very low battery drain, smooth UI

Voxle sounds a bit like a cross between Facebook,Twitter, FourSquare, Google Places and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. If you work or live in a hectic city centre and you like interaction with randoms then this might be worth giving a try out.

If you have questions the faq section of the Voxle website might help.

Play Store Link – Voxle

I spend most of the day telling people to turn stuff off and back on again. Inbetween doing that I post news and reviews over here.

I currently have a Galaxy Note II, an Ativ S and an HTC 8X. I would rather like a 1080p phone. Thinking Oppo Find 5.