Latest news with #telecom
Phone Arena
2 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
How has AT&T fared in 2025? We'll know very soon
Is AT&T still a popular choice of network carrier in the U.S., or is it going the way of Verizon and losing subscribers by the hundreds of thousands? The numbers from the first quarter of this year paint a very promising picture for the company and, come July, AT&T will release the earnings report for the second quarter of anecdotal claims have alleged that AT&T , similar to Verizon , is performing much worse compared to T-Mobile. The 'un-carrier' remains a favorite for many new and old subscribers in the United States. People from multiple regions across the U.S. say that T-Mobile 's physical stores are packed with customers, while AT&T and Verizon 's stores look empty. However, that isn't even half of the full picture. A lot of users don't visit physical stores, and similar claims to the above exist in favor of AT&T stores outperforming competitor locations in other neighborhoods. AT&T has a massive network across the country, with many areas where it provides the best cellular service. While it's quite clear that Verizon is losing subscribers, AT&T is very likely doing quite well for itself, even if it's not as successful as T-Mobile for now. AT&T remains many Americans' choice of carrier. | Image credit — PhoneArena Q1 2025 went really well for AT&T , and I'd bet that the same holds true for Q2. The company will probably showcase further growth, and discuss how it can attract even more new customers. It also helps that T-Mobile has recently been in hot water for price hikes and its controversial T-Life app. Verizon is also making mistakes due to its new AI tools, and customers are fed up. Users claim that their bills often feature services that they never signed up for. This presents a golden opportunity for AT&T to swoop in and snatch away users from both of its biggest rivals. The earnings report will be released on July 23, and a conference call will be held to discuss the results. I also expect AT&T to talk about its collaboration with AST SpaceMobile to bring satellite cell service to dead zones and directly compete with T-Mobile 's partnership with Starlink. Switch to Total 5G+ Unlimited 3-Month plan or Total 5G Unlimited and get a free iPhone. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Buy at Total Wireless
LBCI
3 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Syrian Telecom Minister tells LBCI: No privatization, 'SilkLink' project to connect Asia and Europe through Syria
Syrian Telecommunications Minister told LBCI that there are no plans to privatize the Syrian telecom sector, clarifying that current efforts are focused on joint investments to enhance the industry. The minister revealed the launch of a new initiative by the ministry called 'SilkLink,' a strategic digital infrastructure project aimed at positioning Syria as a vital data corridor between Asia and Europe. 'This project places Syria on the global digital map as a strategic route for data traffic,' the minister said, emphasizing its role in strengthening Syria's digital connectivity and economic positioning. He added that further details about the project will be announced to the media shortly.
Android Authority
6 hours ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Do any prepaid US carriers offer truly unlimited data? Well, it depends on how you define it
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority A quick glance at all the major prepaid and postpaid mobile service providers makes it clear that almost everyone offers unlimited data nowadays. To make matters even more confusing for the average customer, these plans can range in price from as little as $25 to as much as $100 or more. How can there be such a wide price gap if all these plans offer the same thing? In short, they don't. The truth is that unlimited data means different things to different carriers. With no regulation around the term, providers define it however they want, sometimes stretching it so far that it's unlimited in name only. Are there any truly limitless plans? Not really. Even premium postpaid options often include throttling during congestion or streaming speed caps, though higher-tier plans may get better data priority or the option to bypass some limits. The bottom line: no matter how a plan is advertised, there are always restrictions in the fine print. The term 'truly unlimited' varies depending on who you ask. While some users expect no data caps at all, others look for UHD streaming or top-tier prioritization. A few carriers might allow massive usage before intervening, but even then, limits still exist in practice. To simplify things, I'm going to break unlimited prepaid data plans into four categories: High-priority unlimited data : These plans have no hard data caps and offer mid-tier or better postpaid-level priority. While speeds may slow during congestion, you're still above lower-tier users in the queue. : These plans have no hard data caps and offer mid-tier or better postpaid-level priority. While speeds may slow during congestion, you're still above lower-tier users in the queue. Unlimited with limited high-priority data : You'll get high-priority speeds up to a certain cap (usually 30-60GB), after which you drop to lower-priority access — still unlimited, just slower during busy times. : You'll get high-priority speeds up to a certain cap (usually 30-60GB), after which you drop to lower-priority access — still unlimited, just slower during busy times. Unlimited with no caps but low priority : There's no hard limit, but these plans have reduced priority compared to postpaid, so speeds may drop in crowded areas. Some users still call these 'truly unlimited,' though performance can vary. : There's no hard limit, but these plans have reduced priority compared to postpaid, so speeds may drop in crowded areas. Some users still call these 'truly unlimited,' though performance can vary. Unlimited with caps: These plans typically throttle speeds after hitting a usage threshold (often 20-60GB). They're unlimited in name but behave like large data-limited plans. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile each offer one or more postpaid plans that meet the 'truly unlimited' bar above. But can prepaid match that? Let's explore the best prepaid options in each category. These prepaid plans are the closest you'll find to truly unlimited data Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Below are prepaid plans that offer the closest experience to postpaid service, with minimal speed or latency restrictions. While these are typically the most expensive options in the prepaid world, they justify their price with higher network priority, fewer slowdowns, and overall better performance. This makes these plans ideal for those seeking a truly premium prepaid and unlimited experience. That said, each plan has its pros and cons. All are still subject to deprioritization during network congestion, but you'll generally be closer to the front of the line compared to lower-tier unlimited plans. Let's start with plans that offer truly unlimited data alongside high-priority access: Visible Plus — $35/month: Includes truly unlimited high-speed data and unlimited hotspot throttled to speeds of 25GB. There's also a Plus Pro tier for $10 more a month that adds higher priority streaming data and a few other extras like better international perks. — $35/month: Includes truly unlimited high-speed data and unlimited hotspot throttled to speeds of 25GB. There's also a Plus Pro tier for $10 more a month that adds higher priority streaming data and a few other extras like better international perks. AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Max Plus — $65/month: Offers unlimited data at QCI 8 (the same priority used by premium AT&T postpaid users), HD streaming, and 25GB of hotspot data. Upgrade to QCI 7 with the Turbo Upgrade. — $65/month: Offers unlimited data at QCI 8 (the same priority used by premium AT&T postpaid users), HD streaming, and 25GB of hotspot data. Upgrade to QCI 7 with the Turbo Upgrade. T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited — $50-$60/month: All three T-Mobile prepaid plans offer high-priority data. The main difference is hotspot: 3G speeds on the base plan, 3GB high-speed on the mid-tier, and 10GB on the top tier. All include HD streaming. There's also family discounts, which can bring pricing down further per line. — $50-$60/month: All three T-Mobile prepaid plans offer high-priority data. The main difference is hotspot: 3G speeds on the base plan, 3GB high-speed on the mid-tier, and 10GB on the top tier. All include HD streaming. There's also family discounts, which can bring pricing down further per line. US Mobile Unlimited Premium (Dark Star) — $44/month (currently $35): Unlimited high-priority data on the Dark Star network, with at least 100GB of hotspot before throttling. One of the best value 'truly unlimited' options. There's also a limited-time promotion that brings pricing down to $35 a month on this tier. — $44/month (currently $35): Unlimited high-priority data on the Dark Star network, with at least 100GB of hotspot before throttling. One of the best value 'truly unlimited' options. There's also a limited-time promotion that brings pricing down to $35 a month on this tier. Total Wireless 5G Unlimited & 5G Plus Unlimited — $50-$60/month (as low as $25/line with five lines): Offers Verizon postpaid-level priority, 15GB of hotspot access, international perks, excellent family discounts, and—on the Plus plan—unlimited hotspot and Disney+ Premium (no ads). Note: Streaming is capped at SD resolution. — $50-$60/month (as low as $25/line with five lines): Offers Verizon postpaid-level priority, 15GB of hotspot access, international perks, excellent family discounts, and—on the Plus plan—unlimited hotspot and Disney+ Premium (no ads). Note: Streaming is capped at SD resolution. Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plus — $60/month (as low as $32/line with five lines): Includes unlimited high-speed data on AT&T's network and the same priority as default AT&T mid-tier or higher plans. It also offers Max with Ads, international perks, 15GB of hotspot, and the option to disable HD streaming throttling via customer service. Also includes 150GB of cloud storage. It's important to note that AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cricket also require you to pay taxes and fees in addition to the above pricing. These are the next best, though you have limited priority data Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority One thing you'll notice is that most plans with unlimited higher priority data use Verizon's network, though there are a few exceptions. While unlimited priority data is great, these plans offer the next best thing. These plans give you a set amount of high-priority data before deprioritization, but with no hard data caps: AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Max — $55/month: 50GB of high-priority data, 25GB of hotspot, and HD streaming. — $55/month: 50GB of high-priority data, 25GB of hotspot, and HD streaming. Verizon Unlimited Plus — $60/month (or as low as $44/line for five): 50GB high-priority data and 25GB of hotspot, before dropping to deprioritized speeds. — $60/month (or as low as $44/line for five): 50GB high-priority data and 25GB of hotspot, before dropping to deprioritized speeds. Straight Talk Unlimited Gold & Platinum — $55-$65/month: Gold includes 30GB of hotspot; Platinum is unlimited. Both offer higher data priority and tend to allow very high usage (multiple TBs) before intervention. — $55-$65/month: Gold includes 30GB of hotspot; Platinum is unlimited. Both offer higher data priority and tend to allow very high usage (multiple TBs) before intervention. US Mobile Unlimited Premium (Warp 5G) — $44/month: 100GB of high-priority data, 50GB hotspot, and a free Apple Watch line. Slight differences from the Dark Star version, but just as competitive. These are your best bets for unlimited data with no cap Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority The options below provide unlimited data with no hard caps on usage, but the tradeoff is lower priority levels, meaning speeds can slow significantly during periods of heavy congestion. However, most of these plans cost well under $40 a month, making them far more affordable compared to many of the higher-priority, truly unlimited data plans. These plans can be an excellent value if you live in an area with low network congestion or primarily use Wi-Fi during peak hours. Mint Mobile Unlimited — $25/month (prepay for one year): Runs on T-Mobile. Previously capped at 40GB, now offers truly unlimited lower-priority data. — $25/month (prepay for one year): Runs on T-Mobile. Previously capped at 40GB, now offers truly unlimited lower-priority data. Straight Talk Unlimited Silver — $45/month: Unlimited data with lower priority than Gold/Platinum plans. Cheaper with multi-line or annual payment. — $45/month: Unlimited data with lower priority than Gold/Platinum plans. Cheaper with multi-line or annual payment. Total Base 5G Unlimited — $40/month (or $23/line for five): Unlimited Verizon-based data at low priority. Better value in low-congestion areas. — $40/month (or $23/line for five): Unlimited Verizon-based data at low priority. Better value in low-congestion areas. Visible Basic — $25/month: Unlimited data with no caps, low priority on Verizon's network. Speeds may slow down during congestion. — $25/month: Unlimited data with no caps, low priority on Verizon's network. Speeds may slow down during congestion. Verizon Prepaid Unlimited – $50/month (or $34/line for five): Includes 5GB of hotspot. Low priority. Honestly, for ~$10 more, the Plus plan is significantly better. – $50/month (or $34/line for five): Includes 5GB of hotspot. Low priority. Honestly, for ~$10 more, the Plus plan is significantly better. Cricket Wireless Unlimited — $55/month: Includes unlimited low-priority data. For just $5 more, the Plus version offers more features and higher priority. — $55/month: Includes unlimited low-priority data. For just $5 more, the Plus version offers more features and higher priority. Metro Flex Starter Plus or Flex Unlimited — $40-$70/month: T-Mobile-based and offers three tiers: Starter Plus, Metro Flex Unlimited, and Flex Unlimited Plus. All have unlimited lower-priority data with no caps, and discounts for multi-line setups. There are also family discounts that bring pricing down further. — $40-$70/month: T-Mobile-based and offers three tiers: Starter Plus, Metro Flex Unlimited, and Flex Unlimited Plus. All have unlimited lower-priority data with no caps, and discounts for multi-line setups. There are also family discounts that bring pricing down further. US Mobile Unlimited Premium (Light Speed) — $44/month: Same pricing as other US Mobile plans, but runs on a lower-priority network. Unlimited use, but slower speeds. Are there still any providers that have unlimited data but with caps? Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority If I'd written this a few months ago, there would have been plenty of major carriers fitting into this category. Recently, however, T-Mobile removed data caps from many of its sub-brands like Mint Mobile, and most popular MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T dropped caps long ago. Still, there are notable exceptions: Google Fi Wireless Unlimited — $35-65/month: All Google Fi Unlimited plans come with high-priority data from T-Mobile, but there is actually a firm cap that ranges from 30GB to 100GB. It also recently refreshed its plans, making its proposition more competitive than ever. — $35-65/month: All Google Fi Unlimited plans come with high-priority data from T-Mobile, but there is actually a firm cap that ranges from 30GB to 100GB. It also recently refreshed its plans, making its proposition more competitive than ever. Tello Unlimited — $25/month ($15 for first three months): 35GB cap, then severe throttling. — $25/month ($15 for first three months): 35GB cap, then severe throttling. Xfinity Mobile — $40-$60/month: Typically 30–50GB of data on Verizon's network before speeds slow to 1Mbps or less. Price varies by plan and bundle. — $40-$60/month: Typically 30–50GB of data on Verizon's network before speeds slow to 1Mbps or less. Price varies by plan and bundle. Spectrum Mobile — $40-$60/month: Same network as Xfinity, and very similar data policies as well, with data ranging around the 30-50GB mark with slower speeds thereafter. — $40-$60/month: Same network as Xfinity, and very similar data policies as well, with data ranging around the 30-50GB mark with slower speeds thereafter. Red Pocket Mobile Unlimited Premium / Elite — $40-$50/month: 50GB data caps, 5GB–20GB of hotspot. Cheaper plans offer far less and often misuse the term 'unlimited' pretty blatantly. While smaller providers may also fall into this category, those not listed here are generally less well-known, so always do your research before signing up. No matter what, though, you can expect most capped 'unlimited' plans to provide at least 20GB of high-speed data. Just be aware that some carriers stretch this definition: Red Pocket Mobile's 'Unlimited Essentials' and 'Unlimited Plus' plans, for example, offer just 1GB and 10GB, respectively. Despite attractive pricing ($10 and $20 per month), labeling these as 'unlimited' is misleading for customers. Don't settle for just any Unlimited plan With so many options, picking the right unlimited plan can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, here are the standout prepaid unlimited data plans in three pricing tiers — high, mid, and low. Each offers the best value within its price category based on priority, features, and overall reliability. Best all-around plan : Visible Plus is hard to beat with its low pricing and truly unlimited high-speed data — just be aware that it's a self-serve carrier and all interactions are done online. : Visible Plus is hard to beat with its low pricing and truly unlimited high-speed data — just be aware that it's a self-serve carrier and all interactions are done online. Best carrier-like experience with unlimited data : The Verizon-owned Total offers great family discounts, phone promotions, and a fairly carrier-like service complete with unlimited higher-priority data on select plans. Google Fi is a very close second. If you don't mind a cap of 30-100GB, it offers better promotions and plenty of other extras that make it a better deal as long as you don't need more data than this. : The Verizon-owned Total offers great family discounts, phone promotions, and a fairly carrier-like service complete with unlimited higher-priority data on select plans. Google Fi is a very close second. If you don't mind a cap of 30-100GB, it offers better promotions and plenty of other extras that make it a better deal as long as you don't need more data than this. Best budget pick: Mint is the best budget pick, as its unlimited plan starts as low as $25 a month (paid upfront yearly), and yet you get truly unlimited data. Just be aware it is lower priority and will likely see notable deprioritization during congestion. Of course, there are tons of great options on this list, but the most important thing is to truly do your homework and make sure you know what you are getting with your 'unlimited plan'. Also, consider any extra features a plan might have, including any hidden carrier features that we cover in our guide.
Al Bawaba
12 hours ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
du and Transguard Group join forces to drive digital transformation
du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transguard Group, the region's leading business support and outsourcing provider. The partners aim to collaborate across various domains, fostering innovation, efficiency, and digital transformation aligned with du's over eight years, Transguard Group has been entrusted with providing top-tier Facilities Management services across various du locations, including its headquarters in Dubai Hills. This new agreement expands upon their existing relationship, setting a foundation for future ventures in developing cutting-edge services and solutions that will revolutionize the Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer at du said: "We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Transguard Group, a collaboration that marks a milestone in our journey towards achieving excellence in the digital arena. This partnership aims to enhance our services in line with our commitment to embrace digital transformation, shaping the future of telecom solutions in the region."The partnership will explore innovative collaboration models, clearly defining roles and responsibilities with an eye towards crafting digital solutions that enhance operational efficiencies and drive transformative change. 'We are proud to be entering this collaboration with du, which will fortify our already robust digital transformation initiatives,' stated Rabie Atieh, Chief Executive Officer, Transguard Group. 'As longtime partners who have enabled one another's success on multiple occasions, this cooperative effort will have a positive impact on not only our operations but also on the welfare of our site-based colleagues.' The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations, combining du's expertise in telecom and digital services with Transguard's expertise in business support and outsourcing. It is a leap towards building a digital ecosystem that not only meets the evolving needs of customers but also sets new benchmarks in the industry.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Optiva, PlektonLabs and Qeema Showcase How APIs and Dynamic Pricing Transform Telecom Monetization at DTW Ignite
In partnership with project Champions, AT&T, Bell, stc, TELUS, GCI and Acronym Solutions, the TM Forum Catalyst project demonstrates how telecom operators can evolve APIs into scalable, high-quality, on-demand services to unlock powerful new revenue opportunities. TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optiva Inc. (TSX:OPT), a global leader in BSS software for the telecommunications industry, PlektonLabs, a trusted leading system integrator serving global telecom industry and Qeema, a leading ICT solutions provider and systems integrator, today proudly announced a collaboration on a TM Forum Open Innovation Catalyst project to be showcased at DTW25 Ignite in Copenhagen June 17-19. The project, INFINITY: Unlocking revenue with APIs & dynamic pricing, introduces an innovative dynamic pricing solution. As cloud computing and AI advance rapidly, customers expect personalized, high-quality, on-demand services. INFINITY provides pricing flexibility that enables real-time adaptability, allowing telecom companies to meet diverse customer needs and changing consumption patterns. This approach satisfies evolving demands and creates new revenue streams to help telecoms stay competitive. "The need for dynamic pricing and billing is critical in today's rapidly evolving telecom landscape," said Bernhard Kraft, Head of Product Management at Optiva. "INFINITY empowers operators to move beyond fixed pricing, monetize their API ecosystem, and generate new revenue streams by adapting to demand and opportunity in real time with dynamic prices. It transitions networks from cost centers into responsive, agile profit engines." Traditional static pricing models limit operators' ability to maximize their 4G and 5G network capabilities, resulting in underutilized bandwidth and lost revenue. In contrast, dynamic pricing allows operators to adjust prices in real time based on network utilization and service demands, capitalizing on the advanced features of network slicing. During low utilization, operators can offer discounted or promotional slices to optimize resource allocation and increase revenue. During high network usage, it allows for monetization of premium network resources, offering enhanced services or dedicated slices at higher prices. This approach increases revenue while meeting user demands for network capacity and features, offering on-demand boosts at additional costs and unlocking significant upside revenue potential. INFINITY leverages proven industry standards, TM Forum's Open Digital Architecture (ODA) framework and Open APIs, and uses real-time network telemetry and GenAI-driven chatbots to deliver dynamic pricing capability. It allows customers, partners and cooperations to request QoD services, paying only for what they use, when they use it, optimizing network capacity and delivering premium, customer-centric user experiences. Operators can unlock untapped potential, address variable demand and leverage the solution's real-time adaptability for ongoing revenue growth. 'This project empowers CSPs to unlock real-time monetization through intelligent network strategies,' said Wahid Mohammad, CEO at PlektonLabs. 'Infinity becomes a rising standard within the TM Forum Framework, enabling telcos to propel their businesses forward.' Key Benefits of INFINITY: Enables dynamic pricing: Adapts pricing to real-time demand, customer needs and network capabilities and resources. Generates new revenue streams: Monetizes API ecosystems and tailored packages for B2B2C. Optimizes costs: Maximizes and prioritizes network capacity, aligning with customer intent and experience. Accelerates dynamic pricing with AI: Simplifies API discovery and easy adoption to use new CAMARA APIs on an AI-driven portal and supports dynamic quote management for easy monetization and real-time ordering. 'INFINITY showcases how collaborative design and real-world integration unlock measurable value from dynamic pricing and API ecosystems. This Catalyst proves that monetization isn't just about technology, it's about how seamlessly it fits into operations and delivers outcomes at scale,' said Ahmed Soliman, Chief Commercial Officer at Qeema. The Catalyst project, INFINITY: Unlocking revenue with APIs & dynamic pricing, will be showcased at DTW Ignite, kiosk 1.5. To learn more, visit TM Forum's INFINITY project page. About Optiva Inc. is a leading provider of mission-critical, cloud-native revenue management software for the telecommunications industry. Its products are delivered globally on the private and public cloud. The Company's solutions help service providers maximize digital, 5G, IoT and emerging market opportunities to achieve business success. Established in 1999, Optiva Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:OPT). For more information, visit For additional information, please contact: Media: Misann Ellmaker, media@ Investor Relations: investors-relations@ About PlektonLabsPlektonLabs partners with telecom leaders to unlock new possibilities through smarter architecture, agile integration, and dynamic monetization models. With deep expertise in API ecosystems and future-ready environments, we help communication service providers accelerate innovation and streamline operations. As the lead visionary behind the Infinity Catalyst project, PlektonLabs pioneered the concept and framework that reimagines how telecoms generate value through real-time pricing and intelligent APIs. See how we make the impossible, the inevitable at For more information, please contact: Media: Diana Cubas, About QeemaQeema is a leading system integrator and software house driving digital transformation across the Middle East. Headquartered in Saudi Arabia with a major presence in Egypt and operations across KSA, UAE, and Oman, we specialize in delivering value through advanced data management, AI, and enterprise solutions. With 300+ experts and strong references in telecom, utilities, healthcare, and education, Qeema partners with top-tier technology vendors to build scalable, future-ready platforms. We move with purpose — built on trust, driven by efficiency. For more information, visit For more information, please contact: Media:
