WRAL Tech Wire

 NetZero launches free wireless broadband service

To take advantage of the offer, consumers will need to buy a $50 antenna stick that plugs into a laptop, or a $100 "mobile hotspot" that allows any Wi-Fi equipped device to connect to the Internet. Plus, data is limited.

 Homless 'hotspot' stunt causes furor at tech conference

BBH Labs gave 13 people from Austin's Front Steps Shelter mobile Wi-Fi devices and T-shirts that announced "I am a 4G Hotspot." The company paid them $20 up front and a minimum of $50 a day for about six hours work during the South By Southwest conference.

Homeless recruited for stunt at SXSW event

 Dish steps up satellite broadband plans with two deals

The Federal Communications Commission approved the transfer of wireless licenses to Dish this month, but it deferred decisions on whether Dish could use the spectrum more broadly to offer broadband service that is primarily ground based. For now, devices using the spectrum must be able to access satellite signals as well. That excludes the types of smartphones and tablet computers popular today.

 Verizon Wireless launching broadband service for homes

Called HomeFusion, the wireless broadband offering can support more than 20 devices in a residence.

 FCC to kill proposed satellite broadband network

Virginia-based LightSquared's technology would in some cases jam GPS signals, tests show. However, the company says it will still try to build the network and disagrees with findings.

 AT&T expands wireless broadband network to Durham

The so-called 4G high-speed data service is now available across the Triangle as the telecommunications firm builds on $1.8 billion in network upgrades over the past four years.

 New Hanover County lighting up commercial Wi-Fi

Friday's scheduled launch in Wilmington represents the first time the public has been able to access a commercial broadband network carried on TV White Space frequencies.

 FCC infographic warns about 'spectrum crunch'

Citing the exploding use of mobile devices, the FCC chairman calls for "voluntary incentive auctions" as a means to provide additional airwave capacity.

Top portion of FCC graphic

 Broadcast coalition offers alternative to FCC spectrum auction

The group, which is supported by WRAL parent Capitol Broadcasting, offers a technological alternative to allow mobile carriers to utilize airwaves used by TV stations rather than the FCC taking away spectrum and selling it to wireless carriers.

 Wireless advances could mean no more cell towers

As cell phones have spread, so have large cell towers. Now the wireless industry is planning a future without them, or at least without many more of them. Instead, it's looking at much smaller antennas, some tiny enough to hold in your hand.

 Virginia firm wins FCC OK for wireless broadband

LightSquared receives FCC waiver to offer high-speed data service using spectrum reserved for backup satellite connections.

 Feds propose shifting airwaves to broadband

Federal officials looking for more airwaves to deliver wireless broadband services are recommending that the government reallocate a sizeable chunk of radio spectrum currently used for weather satellites and naval radar systems.

 Verizon says fast 4G wireless coming to 38 cities

Verizon Wireless said Wednesday that its new 4G wireless broadband network will be live before the end of the year in the cities on the Boston-to-Washington stretch as well as in Charlotte, California, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle and other areas.

 FCC approves former TV spectrum for 'super Wi-Fi'

The five-member FCC voted unanimously Thursday to allow the use of so-called "white spaces" between TV stations to deliver broadband connections that can function like Wi-Fi networks on steroids.

 FCC moving to open up vacant TV airwaves for broadband

A new, more powerful version of Wi-Fi technology – “Wi-Fi on steroids” – could emerge after FCC vote on Sept. 33. Wilmington, N.C. already has a project underway.

 Obama administration wants FCC to make more wireless spectrum available

 Big Mac, fries and free Wi-Fi through AT&T

 Holiday cheers and jeers – AT&T, Verizon squabble over ads in court

AT&T and Verizon, two offspring of Ma Bell, are getting more aggressive in their marketing, though it's not clear how much they are spending. Verizon and AT&T are both pulling away from their smaller rivals, so instead of competing with Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA, they're increasingly focused on each other.

 Google pays $750 million for mobile ad network AdMob

 Sprint, Clearwire plan November 4G wireless rollout for Triangle, Triad, Charlotte

N.C. will be a battleground for emerging mobile broadband services. Time Warner and AT&T also are targeting Tar Heel state markets.