Telecom News in the US, this week (March 17)

Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

1. Wireless Carrier Competition and Promotions:

• AT&T Launches "Switch and Save" to Counter T-Mobile's "Carrier Freedom": The promo offers to pay off up to $800 per line for customers switching to AT&T who have an active account with their current carrier for at least 120 days and have made at least four payments on their phone's installment plan.
• T-Mobile Increases Prices on Legacy Plans: T-Mobile is implementing a price increase of $5 per month per line for some of its older, legacy plans, starting on April 2nd. This follows a similar price hike in May 2024.
• Go5G, Go5G Plus, and Go5G Next subscribers are reportedly not affected.
• Customers with a "Price Lock" guarantee are said to be exempt from this increase.
• T-Mobile Enhances Store Transparency: T-Mobile is mandating that its authorized retailers display clear signage to distinguish themselves from third-party retailers. This move aims to improve customer experience and address issues arising from inconsistent interactions at non-official stores. Failure to comply could result in store shutdowns.

2. Broadband Speed Upgrades and Offerings:

• Comcast Boosts Xfinity Internet Speeds: Comcast has announced free speed upgrades for over 20 million Xfinity Internet customers.
• Upload speeds will increase by 50 to 100 percent for most tiers, benefiting activities like working from home and social media posting. Download speeds will also see increases for many customers.
• New and existing customers on plans 400 Mbps or faster can receive a free line of Unlimited on Xfinity Mobile for a year.
• Starlink's "Residential Lite" Plan Not Seen as a "Gamechanger": Starlink has launched a more affordable broadband option, "Residential Lite," in 15 U.S. states, priced at $80 per month with speeds of 50-100 Mbps. However, analysts believe it won't significantly disrupt the rural broadband market.
• The service will be "deprioritized" during peak hours, potentially leading to slower speeds.
• Roger Entner, Principal at Recon Analytics, noted, "'no matter how you look at it $80 is still a high price,'... 'You almost always get more customers when you lower price, but I would not call it a game changer.'"

3. Re-emergence of "Landline" Services:

• AT&T Launches "AT&T Phone Advanced": AT&T is introducing a modern alternative to traditional landlines called "AT&T Phone Advanced" in Southern California.
• This service utilizes a cellular or broadband connection and comes in a special box that can connect standard phones, fax machines, or alarm systems. It includes a 24-hour emergency backup battery.
• AT&T's efforts to replace copper cables with modern infrastructure, citing an 82% decrease in landline service in California over the past decade.
• The service starts at $45 per month plus equipment costs.

4. Advancements in Audio and Accessibility:

• Android Integrates Auracast for Bluetooth Hearing Aids: 
• Auracast enables multiple Bluetooth audio devices to connect to a single audio source, with rollout expected in public spaces.
• Google is adding a feature to Pixel phones to scan QR codes for joining local Auracast streams and has included Auracast location information in Google Maps.

5. Integration of Generative AI into Google Assistant:

• Gemini AI to Replace Google Assistant: Google is planning to integrate its Gemini generative AI model into Google Assistant across virtually all devices where Assistant is currently available.
• This includes older mobile devices, table

Thank you for listening!
-Mario Mejia