A representative for Clearwire confirmed to PhoneNews.com today that inactive CLEAR iSpot 4G modems are, as of now, glorified bricks. They cannot be reactivated on any Clearwire service, nor can they be converted to standard Clear Spot devices.

This follows on our reporting, early this morning, that Clear iSpot devices on suspended monthly service plans have until February 10 to reactivate service, or face their devices being similarly bricked.

In Clearwire’s defense, the company does rightly note that the iSpot is an antiquated WiMAX modem. More modern devices like the Clear Spot Apollo provide superior reception, and faster connection speeds.

Clearwire also affirmed that users who maintain active service accounts can continue to use their groundbreaking, $25 per month unlimited WiMAX data plans. However, as Clearwire has cautioned previously, they cannot support future iOS devices (or even current models) due to Apple’s attempts to thwart the iOS-device-only plans. As we covered in our previous report, Clear iSpot faced several market issues, largely interference from Apple, that prevented iSpot from working with current and newer Apple iOS devices, without forcing Clearwire to offer Internet to unplanned devices such as MacBooks and iMacs.

However, it is rare for a wireless provider to completely deactivate devices, rendering them useless, before a network technology becomes obsolete. Clear iSpots, as the Clear Spot models they are based off of, are Mobile WiMAX Wave 1-compliant devices. Despite being inferior to newer WiMAX modems, the devices are fully-functional, and capable of providing Internet service with Clearwire’s network today.

It appears, though Clearwire did not elaborate, that they are simply trying to close the door on the failed iSpot devices. With rooting and other exploits readily available, Clear iSpots have been sold for hefty premiums on sites like eBay. PhoneNews.com has seen iSpot units sell for between two and four times the original no-contract price-point of the device. The reason is simple; a rooted iSpot can access Clearwire’s WiMAX network at half the standard price-point for unlimited mobile 4G data.

The iSpot wind-down also points to another failure of WiMAX as a technology, to usher in a future of unlocked device compatibility. Both Sprint and Clearwire, the two major WiMAX providers in the United States today, touted that their WiMAX networks would support activation of foreign WiMAX devices. However, neither Sprint nor Clearwire permit activation of each-other’s devices, despite running on compatible networks.

It appears that Clearwire Corporation is giving iSpot customers less than 72 hours to sign up for new service.

The carrier quietly let customers who have iSpot accounts in suspended animation (or inactive status) know that they have until February 10th to reactivate their service, otherwise their accounts will be terminated. The more shocking news in the email to customers is that after the 10th, any lapse in service will make it impossible to reactivate the iSpot in the future.

The Clear iSpot was Clearwire’s attempt to draw in Apple iOS customers, many of whom were facing metered data on carriers such as AT&T. The device was a firmware-modified version of the original Clear Spot, which featured an unlimited $25 per month 4G WiMAX plan, running at 6 mbps down, and 1 mbps up.

However, Clearwire faced several challenges that ultimately forced them to pull the product from the market. Apple, not having certified the device, began randomizing the MAC (network serial number) address ranges of iOS devices, and used ranges previously reserved for Macintosh computers. This left Clearwire in a bind, many iOS customers could not use iSpot.

For Clearwire to have allowed all iOS devices under the new MAC addresses, would have also required Clearwire to let Mac users have unlimited data for $25/month. Worse, some Mac models were already able to access the iSpot’s data plans, having MAC addresses close enough to the original iOS range, and were hampering the Clearwire network excessively.

To add to Clearwire’s woes, hackers quickly rooted the Linux-based iSpot, and removed the MAC address restrictions. Web sites even rolled out one-click rooting processes. Even if Clearwire were able to patch these firmware loopholes, it would not fully fix the problem. Jailbreakers had figured out how to use an $80 first-generation iPod touch as a relay router, feeding iSpot’s Internet to any computer, which could in-turn power a whole household with Internet for $25 per month.

The company did make clear though that anyone who keeps a Clear iSpot active going forward will be grandfathered into the $25/month plan, provided they maintain continuous service going forward. This will likely remain until Clearwire shuts down the Clear WiMAX network, expected by outsiders sometime within the next 12 to 72 months. Clearwire has not yet given any timeframe for when they plan to roll out their LTE network fully, and when they plan to dismantle their WiMAX network.

Clearwire is clearly trying to close the door on iSpot. We have emergency calls into Clearwire as to if fully-deactivated iSpots can be reactivated at this late time, or if only those on hibernation plans can reactivate. We’ll update this report when we hear back from Clear.

Update: Clearwire has confirmed our initial report, which we have expanded on in a follow-up article.

An eBay seller is offering the remaining supplies of Verizon’s leather cases, originally designed for the first-generation iPad. It’s a case we’ve highlighted in the past.

The case was designed to allow for the Wi-Fi first-generation iPad, as well as a Novatel MiFi, which Verizon marketed as a pairing at the time. The CDMA-based iPad would not come until iPad 2, and Verizon created special MiFi plans that would compliment the original Wi-Fi iPad.

The case has been found to perfectly fit several other tablets including the HP Touchpad and Motorola XOOM, as well as the newer iPad 2. It’s a case we use regularly in our offices.

Shipping is free on the item, and the seller also offers a return policy. While some have offered two of these for $5, it’s the best price we’ve seen for a single unit offering.

Simplexity, best known for providing the infrastructure necessary to enable virtual operators has announced that it has reached an agreement with Sprint to resell the entire line of services with the goal of serving as the back end for new virtual operators wishing to launch branded services using Sprint’s network. The multi-year agreement spans Sprint’s complete line of services and operates at the wholesale level, meaning that any future MVNOs would have to go through Simplexity to build the infrastructure necessary to launch a new virtual operator.

The announcement of the new agreement follows last week’s launch of Ting from the company behind the Tucows portal and the January announcement of a similar agreement with Clearwire in January. Simplexity also has such an agreement in place with beleaguered network LightSquared, but the likelihood of that agreement becoming viable is slipping by the day as it fights to gain FCC approval.

LightSquared is currently working to maintain agreements with Sprint in relation to its LTE network and fighting potential insolvency, as the parent company in Harbinger Capital Partners sustained a 47% loss stemming from the writedown of LightSquared assets for the fourth quarter of last year since the assets are not being actively used, pending final approval from federal regulators following the results of interference testing that have shown that LightSquared’s satellite based network causes problems with navigation systems.

With LightSquared coming up against its last deadline from Sprint before the termination of its LTE agreement, it remains to be seen whether the entire venture can be saved at this point, as LightSquared makes up the majority investment vehicle for Falcone and Harbinger Capital Partners with a 62% stake.

Shareware software portal operator Tucows has officially taken the wraps off of its latest venture in Ting, which is a new virtual operator powered by the Sprint network that brings two key features to cellular service in usage based billing and has done an end run around carriers such as AT&T and Verizon in implementing shared data plans.

Other key features of the service include support for up to 20 lines for an additional fee, included mobile hotspot and tethering access. Continue reading for a breakdown of the new service.

As Ting does not feature standard service agreements, phones must be purchased at full price and consist of the following in the Kyocera Zio ($105) LG Optimus S ($155) Samsung Transform ($245) Conquer 4G ($295) HTC Detail ($395) and Motorola Photon 4G ($545). Two feature phones are also available the Samsung Reclaim ($45) and the M360 ($65). Each of the 4G-capable handsets may use Sprint’s WiMAX network as well as EVDO for data access and tethering and is reflected in the pricing for monthly data access which starts at $3 for 100MB and goes all the way up to $42 for 3GB per month.

Monthly pricing for messaging is broken down in a similar manner for 100 messages at $3 all the way up to 6000 messages for $14. Plans can be selected individually based on initial needs, but this is where Ting’s approach to usage-based billing is different from other attempts. When plans are initially selected for the first month of service, if usage falls far below the limits for each particular plan, whether it be voice, messaging or data use, the remainder of each plan is carried over to the next month and the difference is credited to the monthly cost.

Conversely, if usage tends to be above the limits for each plan up to XXL, the account is automatically moved to each successive plan and usage is charged based on the rates in each plan up to XXL levels. If usage happens to surpass the XXL  plans for voice, messaging and data, the additional  charges then move to individual overage rates of $0.02 for voice, $0.0025 per message and $0.0225 per MB.

While the service may not be conducive to single line use based on the regressive rates of the standard service plans, the capability to add up to 20 lines of service and shared data access plans means that Ting undercuts family plans from AT&T and Verizon when factoring in the additional $6 fee for four lines, making it a better deal for families. Individual plans can exclude voice service and can be activated with data and messaging only, though per minute rates without a voice plan end up being more expensive in comparison.

With Ting, Tucows may have stumbled on the perfect hybrid of plan options while adding additional flexibility not seen since the days of Sprint’s Fair and Flexible plan and expanded to include both messaging and data access without the need for service agreements. Time will tell whether Ting will make an impact, but the initial plan seems to work in its favor, as AT&T and Verizon have yet to roll out their own shared data plans and the Ting implementation may be the best example of the idea.

Ting Official Site 

Straight Talk has confirmed on its Facebook page that it will offer a SIM-only option for the first time along with its sister brand in Net10 within the next few days. The dedicated page for the offering is now live and features options for regular full-size SIMs as well as the increasingly popular microSIMs used in newer smartphones, including the iPhone. Read more for all the key details and the full breakdown of the service.

The offering also marks a shift for Tracfone as the service provider typically bundles service with its SIM capable phones while binding them together with questionable legalese and locks that would prevent usage on unlocked phones. The new offering may in fact be a response to the increasing popularity of purchasing Straight Talk Nokia smartphones with unlocked SIM cards that would work on unlocked or AT&T branded phones. The new service is also similar to the SIM-only option offered by competitor Simple Mobile which works exclusively on T-Mobile’s network and  has the advantage of also being compatible with both networks, unlike the aforementioned Simple Mobile.

The terms also indicate that Tracfone is taking advantage of the new UMTS roaming agreement signed between AT&T and T-Mobile in the wake of the blocked AT&T/T-Mobile purchase and merger to offer the new service option. Minor caveats to this option begin with the exclusion of Tracfone-branded hardware, BlackBerry and branded SafeLink, NET10 or Straight Talk phones. The BlackBerry exclusion makes sense as Tracfone does not hold a license for BlackBerry services and would need to either negotiate directly with RIM or sublicense via carrier partners for access to BlackBerry service.

With the forthcoming launch of SIM-only service on Tracfone, the provider may at last be taking steps to end its legally nebulous practice of locking SIM cards to hardware with equally questionable legalese while offering a solid alternative to contracts with the potential bonus of 3G roaming.

As the service requires the purchase of the $45 unlimited service plan and a credit/debit card, Straight Talk and Net10 are clearly targeting enthusiasts and current SIM swap users that are looking to keep using unlocked smartphones without the repercussions normally associated with such usage, which include account termination for using the SIM in an unauthorized device.

Now that Tracfone is offering SIM only service, this will undoubtedly force carriers to compete with their own prepaid services, though it remains to be seen whether they will respond in kind. A request for comment on the extent of AT&T and T-Mobile compatibility has also been sent to Tracfone’s PR company and the post will be updated with any additional confirmation received. The service will launch next Tuesday for both Straight Talk and Net10 at the prices listed in the above linked images while the support pages list manual data/MMS settings for each network.

Straight Talk SIM Page

Sprint has announced its first Android tablet sourced from Chinese device maker ZTE in the Optik. The tablet features a 7-inch touch display at WXGA resolution, Mobile Hotspot support, dual cameras with a front facing 2.0 megapixel camera and 5.0 megapixel rear main camera with 720p video capture, microSD slot, Bluetooth, Android Honeycomb 3.2 with pinch to zoom support, 16GB of internal memory and full access to Google services.

The tablet will be available for $349.99 or $99.99 after new 2 year agreement and rebate. It will be launched this weekend in all Sprint sales locations. Continue reading for the full list of specifications.

PRODUCTIVITY

• Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Books™ and YouTube™
• Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync) and personal (POP & IMAP) email
• Mobile Hotspot capability supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
• Android Market for access to more than 400,000 useful applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
• Wi-Fi^® (802.11 b/g)
• Integrated GPS

• Dual cameras – a rear-facing 5MP auto-focus camera with camcorder and a  front-facing 2MP camera
• Sprint Zone, Sprint TV, Sprint Music Plus, Sprint Navigation, Sprint Football Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile^SM
• Media player with 3.5mm stereo headset jack
• Bluetooth v2.1+EDR
• Stereo speakers

Sprint has announced the forthcoming launch of the Kyocera DuraPlus DirectConnect phone.

The phone is the third in Kyocera’s line of rugged push to talk handsets with an M810G certified bodyshell  for resistance to dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, blowing rain and water immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter of water.

Along with the bodyshell, the phone has an embedded LED Flashlight with a dedicated button and a remote speaker microphone jack allowing the use of heavy duty remote speaker microphones and it features an external charging port that enables the device to be used with a single or multi-bay charging station which will be sold as an additional accessory and is targeted to fleet purchases for commercial use.

The phone features the following specifications:

SPRINT DIRECT CONNECT FEATURES

• Sprint Direct Connect – Instant, one-to-one push-to-talk calling nationwide on the Sprint network, with any other Direct Connect subscriber. Direct Connect is the core push-to-talk feature and is designed for interoperability across Sprint and Nextel network platforms.
• Guaranteed Talk Permit – The assurance that when you hear the push-to-talk “chirp” that your call was successfully transmitted.
• Call Alert with Text – Send an audio alert with an optional text message to let another Direct Connect subscriber know you are trying to reach them and why.
• Group Connect® – Communicate with up to 20 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers all at once – nationwide, at the push of one button.
• TeamDCSM – Communicate with up to 200 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers at the same time nationwide2.
• NextMail® – Send a recorded message to any email worldwide or mobile handset via text message by using the Direct Connect button.
• Availability Notification – Request the availability status of another push-to-talk member and, if they are busy, request a notification when they are free.

KEY FEATURES

• Military Standard 810G Spec compliance for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, blowing rain and water immersion (up to 30 minutes in up to one meter/3.28 ft. of water).
• Encased in rubber, non-slip Dura-Grip® material for sure hold and extra durability.
• Additional connectors for a remote speaker microphone and charging bay (optional accessories not included).
• Robust, front-ported speakerphone for excellent sound quality in noisy environments.
• Embedded LED Flashlight with dedicated button.
• Non-camera phone for jobs where cameras are prohibited.
• Ultra-efficient display produces superior brightness and contrast using less power, making it ideal in outdoor settings.
• Flat, stable bottom for freestanding operation.
• Limit Use – a great tool for business managers that restricts users from utilizing certain functions on the phone
• Sprint Mobile Sync – add and edit all your contacts and groups, including TeamDC groups, online. Also allows you to transfer contacts to a new phone and erase contact information from a lost phone.
• Bluetooth® connectivity 2.0 + EDR (includes support for Bluetooth capable PTT headsets and barcode scanners).
• SMS and MMS messaging.
• Browser-based email for access to POP3 and IMAP accounts.
• 2.5 mm headphone jack (supports PTT headsets).
• Multiple language support – English, Spanish.
• Hearing aid compatibility (HAC): Rating M4/T4 TTY capable.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.2 x .93 inches, weight: 6.67 oz
• Display: 2.0-inch QVGA TFT (240 x 320 pixels)
• Removable 1650 mAh battery for up to xx hours continuous talk-time

The phone will be released during the first half of the year.

T-Mobile is preparing a harsh wave of new data roaming limitations, which will curtail data usage on roaming networks.

The carrier has, for years, touted transparent roaming terms; customers were educated to treat domestic data and voice roaming as same-as-home network functionality, albeit with the restrictions that came with other GSM networks. Namely, other networks would function at 2G, GSM/EDGE speeds. AT&T, the largest GSM carrier in the country, is compatible with T-Mobile, but their 3G UMTS/HSPA network runs on an incompatible frequency.

While AT&T and T-Mobile have finally negotiated roaming agreements that include 3G devices, so those on pentaband phones (like select Nokia devices) would finally enjoy 3G roaming, that’s all about to end. T-Mobile has stated in internal memos that domestic roaming could be curtailed to as little as 5 MB on April 5. One situation remains unclear, which is for customers that have grandfathered unlimited data plans. Internal memos affirmed that the change affects only handset users, not mobile broadband card/hotspot holders.

Unlike Sprint, which has a roaming rate for additional data over its roaming data cap (typically 300 MB, lower on some plans), T-Mobile is advising employees that customers will simply lose data access. Data will be barred on roaming after exceeding the cap, until the following billing cycle. AT&T and Verizon treat most roaming as on-network coverage, with no penalties for considerable usage.

Customers will be notified via free SMS text messages when they hit 80% and 100% levels of their plans caps. Notifications of the change will be mailed out in customer’s bills starting tomorrow.

This change comes as T-Mobile tries to cut costs, and shore up cash for an eventual deployment of LTE. Many will view this as an ETF Out, as we do here at PhoneNews.com. However, T-Mobile probably will not chime in on if they will waive Early Termination Fees for this material change to customers until late March or early April. Customers have 30 days from when a material change to their takes effect, to request that their service be cancelled entirely.

Some other carriers have offered creative language as to what they consider to be material changes, we’ll continue to keep the carriers honest on what actually is a material change. You can help by exercising your right to terminate service, ETF-free, if you object to changes like these.

According to the latest internal Sprint employee documentation, the carrier will begin the second phase of its Network Vision initiative by “retuning” iDEN cellsites in order to repurpose spectrum for CDMA and future LTE service beginning next month, with a wider retuning in April.

The newsletter breaks down what Sprint will do for customers that will be affected by the gradual phase out of iDEN, which includes migration offers to CDMA service, but does not mention any such process for Boost Mobile users that still rely on iDEN for domestic and International DirectConnect service.

Courtesy of BriefMobile

It should be stressed that the phaseout occurring next month will not shutdown iDEN, but it will reconfigure the service to the point where indoor service may be adversely affected, as the cell sites will not be broadcasting at full power and will be gradually moved to CDMA until the planned complete shutdown of the iDEN network in 2013. Customers near and in New Orleans are the most affected by this part of the phase out, with ETF Out currently open to the end of March for those customers in that market that don’t wish to migrate and the rest of the nationwide iDEN customer base can begin exercising ETF Out options from next month to the end of July.

Sprint is actively seeking to push those affected by the phase out to CDMA with Sprint Direct Connect, but is making an exception for those that rely on International Direct Connect and will not actively target those customers for migration until April, when International Direct Connect support via Sprint Direct Connect will be deployed and will speed up the migration/iDEN phase out process.

Sprint has taken great strides to de-emphasize iDEN since the last major upgrades to the network in 2008 which allowed it to offer unlimited flat-rate service and proved unexpectedly popular, so much so that it was able to increase ARPU on the network and draw in more customers than expected.

The offering also led for a new lease on life for iDEN, with new phones and devices being offered while Sprint worked out development of the first iteration of Direct Connect on CDMA, which did not fare well and was shelved while more development work was conducted. With iDEN now being phased out after years of maintenance and QChat finally working as hoped, the days of maintaining the iDEN network are now numbered.

Of course, this will also leave Boost Mobile customers that use iDEN in the lurch, since they will have to buy new phones and it is not known whether Sprint will extend Direct Connect service to Boost Mobile with new compatible CDMA models. Should Sprint decide to expand Sprint DirectConnect service to Boost Mobile, it would give that virtual operator a reason to exist aside from its Shrinkage service plan as it was originally a Nextel MVNO that offered pay per use unlimited push to talk for a daily flat rate.