The head of Google Payments, Ariel Bardin, addresses attendees at the Electronic Transaction Association’s 2014 tradeshow in Las Vegas. CNET/Marguerite Reardon LAS VEGAS — It’s been a bumpy ride for Google Wallet since its launch nearly three years ago, but in spite of the obstacles the company has faced, Google head of payments Ariel Bardin …

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler addresses broadcasters at the NAB 2014 trade show. CNET/Marguerite Reardon LAS VEGAS — Federal Communications Chairman Tom Wheeler has a plan to save the broadcasting industry, he said during a speech Wednesday at the National Association of Broadcasters meeting here. But it may not be the solution broadcasters were hoping for. Wheeler — whose appearance at …

LAS VEGAS — The broadcasting industry’s top lobbyist said he’s tired of his industry playing second fiddle to broadband in the eyes of the Federal Communications Commission. And he called on the agency to show its support for the industry through policies that promote the future of TV broadcasting. NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith NAB Speaking at the NAB’s …

Is Google really considering taking on the wireless industry? According to The Information, the company has talked to Verizon and Sprint about leasing wireless capacity to launch a mobile service. Earlier this week, the blog cited unnamed sources who claimed Google has had talks with Verizon and Sprint over leasing access to their mobile networks in markets where Google has …

The dream of taking any mobile device to any wireless carrier may soon become a reality. The wireless market is going through a massive technological shift right now, one that will eventually make it possible to take your smartphone from one network and use it another. The switch to 4G LTE technology and the use of more spectrum bands to …

The FCC commissioners (left to right): Ajit Pai, Mignon Clyburn, Tom Wheeler (chairman), Jessica Rosenworcel, and Michael O’Rielly. FCC The Federal Communications Commission isn’t making it easy for TV broadcasters to do business. But perhaps that is the point. On Monday, the FCC voted and approved two orders that change how broadcast stations share resources and how they can jointly …

On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission took a big step toward alleviating congestion and improving the speed on Wi-Fi networks with a vote that will free up an additional 100MHz of wireless spectrum for unlicensed use. During its open meeting Monday, the Commission voted unanimously to open up the airwaves that are part of the lower part of the 5GHz …

Softbank CEO and Sprint chairman Masayoshi Son rallies competitive carriers to take on AT&T and Verizon at the Competitive Carrier Association conference in San Antonio. Marguerite Reardon/CNET SAN ANTONIO — Softbank CEO and chairman of Sprint Masayoshi Son said without a big merger in the US market AT&T and Verizon will choke off the rest of the industry. “We need …

James Martin/CNET Sprint is teaming up with rural carriers to create a virtual 4G LTE wireless network in a move that will help them compete more aggressively against AT&T and Verizon. T-Mobile is considering a similar move. On Thursday, the Competitive Carrier Association will announce at its conference in San Antonio, Texas the launch of a new Data Access Hub, …

SAN ANTONIO — Sprint wants to take its 4G LTE network to every corner of the US. And it has formed two separate initiatives to achieve this goal. On Thursday, the company will make two announcements that will help it make this ambition a reality. The first thing it’s doing is joining the Competitive Carrier Association’s Data Roaming Hub, a …