2019 was the year that 5G cellular networks started to appear. By the end of 2020, 5G was present in around 100 U.S. cities. But presence hasn’t necessarily translated to the same levels of coverage and performance 4G networks currently offer. Coverage in both urban and non-urban areas is just over 30% with some carriers.
Topics: Technology, wireless, 5G, 4G, cellular
If you’ve ever returned a high-ticket item like a TV or video game console, the seller may have charged you a restocking fee. According to Consumer Reports, restocking fees typically represent 15% to 20% of the item’s original purchase price. However, some companies may charge more or less depending upon individual policies.
Topics: wireless, restocking fees
From conspiracy theories to the possibility of self-driving cars, 5G continues to inspire both controversy and intrigue. While many major U.S. carriers are promoting 5G networks, this doesn’t mean that 4G networks have been or are going to be completely replaced soon. While 5G can deliver faster speeds, fewer delays, and higher capacities, these networks will continue to rely on and run alongside 4G LTE technology.
Topics: smartphone, wireless, 5G, mobile, 4G
Guest Blog by Gloria Thomas (byline at end of article)
Cybersecurity has been a major point of emphasis in the modern world for quite a long time now. As we’ve grown more dependent on technology, we’ve also become more aware of the need for strong digital protection.
Topics: Technology, security, wireless, cybersecurity
Most wireless carriers offer multiple unlimited plans, making it difficult to determine which one is the best for your needs. Even prepaid and contract-based unlimited plans are becoming more difficult to distinguish. It’s easy for unlimited plans to look the same between carriers and within an individual wireless provider’s offers.
Tablets share similarities with laptops, desktops, and smartphones. The first release of the iPad in 2010 created initial excitement, but that enthusiasm has waned as smartphone screens have become larger and 2-in-1 laptops have gained ground.
Topics: tablets, wireless, remote learning
The sticker prices of modern flagship smartphones may be shocking, but when we take a look back at the history of cell phones’ retail prices, it reveals today’s costs may not be entirely out of line. When new or advanced technology is introduced, higher prices often compensate for the efforts and costs that went into developing that technology. Like the cell phones that were first introduced in the early 1980s, modern flagship phones integrate new technology to expand what a cell phone can accomplish.
Topics: cell phones, smartphone, wireless, price
The meaning of unlimited data can be confusing for cellular subscribers since you’re not always able to use high-speed unlimited data. Even though a plan may use the term “unlimited,” there could be restrictions related to speed, amount of use, video streaming quality, and hotspot data. The scope of what’s included in “unlimited” plans can vary widely between carriers, especially when cost and value are taken into account.
CNBC reports that American smartphone owners are hanging on to their phones for longer. In 2016, the average time users kept their phones was 22.7 months. As of 2018, the average was up to 24.7 months. Some of the top reasons why we’re becoming more reluctant to upgrade our smartphones as often include:
With average smartphone prices up 52% in the last three years and with high-end models now $1,000 or more, consumers are finding it less affordable to upgrade. They also want to get the most use out of a more expensive phone. One of the ways that wireless carriers are helping to make the cost more affordable is by extending average contract lengths.
Topics: smartphone, wireless, mobile, contract
Have you ever wondered what others around the globe pay for the data they use on their smartphones? You might be surprised to find out that North American countries pay some of the highest rates on average. As reported by Niall McCarthy with Forbes, the average cost per gigabyte of data in the United States is $12.38. Despite these higher averages in the U.S., residents of Zimbabwe pay the highest rates in the world at $75.20 per gigabyte.
Topics: data, smartphone, wireless, mobile