AT&T, T

A common enemy can do wonders for bringing people and groups together, and the robocall plague has now done just that. On Wednesday AT&T and T-Mobile announced that they have begun rolling out a call authentication system to help protect their users from the annoying spam calls. 

Following the FCC-recommended STIR/SHAKEN protocol, the system works by having a caller’s network send out a digital signature to signify that its number hasn’t been spoofed or faked which the receiver’s network then verifies.  An icon will then be displayed on the recipient’s screen to indicate that the call they are receiving has been verified to be from an actual person, not a robocall service. 

Caller Verified T-MobileCaller Verified T-Mobile

An example of what a verified caller screen looks like on a T-Mobile phone. 


T-Mobile

T-Mobile has already deployed the protocol for calls made within its network and AT&T has previously teamed up with Comcast for calls made between the two respective providers’ digital home phone services (as well as offering the service within its own mobile network). Wednesday’s announcement marks another big step, bringing two wireless companies together. 

There still are, however, some limitations. 

The service won’t block the calls, it will just give people better knowledge about the calls they are receiving. On T-Mobile, you will need to have one of 12 Samsung and LG devices at T-Mobile and Metro with T-Mobile to see the verification today, with the company saying that there will be “more to come in the near future.” AT&T hasn’t announced which devices will have the SHAKEN/STIR displays.

AT&T’s Call Protect, which works to block calls in the background, will also begin learning from STIR/SHAKEN to improve its service today. 

The announcement follows comments made in February by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who said that companies should get the systems installed by the end of 2019 or the FCC will consider “regulatory intervention.”


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AT&T, T

AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint are working with Samsung to kill off your Galaxy Note 7. But they’re going to let you enjoy Christmas first.

The wireless carriers on Friday said they will issue software updates from Samsung that will prevent Note 7 devices from charging and will “eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices.” Samsung earlier in the day announced plans for the update to make sure the remaining seven percent of Note 7 owners turn in their phones.

T-Mobile’s update will come December 27, while AT&T will release the update on January 5. Sprint will push out the new software to its users on January 8.

“We always want to do the right thing and make sure our customers are safe, so on December 27 we will roll out Samsung’s latest software update, which is designed to stop all remaining Note 7 devices from charging,” T-Mobile said in a statement provided to CNET. “T-Mobile customers who still have a Note 7 should immediately power down and stop using the device, and bring it back to a T-Mobile store for a full refund and a replacement device.”


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And Sprint said, “Customer safety is our highest priority. Sprint customers with Samsung Galaxy Note 7 should immediately power off the device and discontinue using it. Sprint is honoring the replacement of all Sprint Samsung Note 7 devices to any other device, regardless where or when it was purchased, condition and return policy.”

AT&T on Friday started sending text messages to customers to let them know about the update. The SMS said, “As of 1/5/2017, Samsung’s software update to prevent the Galaxy Note 7 battery from recharging will be pushed to your Note 7. The battery will no longer recharge. This Note 7 was recalled and is banned on all flights in both checked and carry-on luggage. Your safety is our priority, please return your Note 7 to the place you purchased for an exchange. For more details go to att.com/note7.”

Verizon Wireless, the biggest carrier in the US, earlier Friday said it won’t issue Samsung’s software update because it could harm consumers.

“Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note 7 users that do not have another device to switch to,” the company said in a statement. “We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.”

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Samsung said in a statement that “this software update is intended to remove the remaining Note 7 devices from the market to ensure the safety of our customers.” In the US, 93 percent of recalled Note 7 devices have been returned to the carriers and Samsung.

The Note 7, which hit the market in mid-August, was expected to solidify Samsung’s lead in the mobile market after a strong showing with its Galaxy S7. The company had just begun to regain its swagger after stumbling the previous year with lackluster products.

Then came the battery problems, which caused some units to overheat and catch fire. Samsung issued a global recall of the popular device in September. But then some replacement units started having the same problem. That caused Samsung to issue a second recall in mid-October and permanently stop production of the device. It’s offering Note 7 owners $100 to exchange the device for another Samsung phone.

In November, Samsung said it would start limiting the Note 7’s charging abilities in the US, preventing the devices from charging beyond 60 percent. It also issued a reminder pop-up notification every time a consumer charged, rebooted or turned on the screen of their Note 7 device.

In other markets around the globe, like New Zealand, Samsung already has cut off access to wireless networks for customers still using their Note 7 devices.

Update at 1:55 p.m. PT to add Samsung statement.Update at 2:15 p.m. PT to add Sprint statement and info about AT&T.

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AT&T and T-Mobile are currently offering limited-time, buy one, get one promotions centered around the Samsung Galaxy S7.

With seemingly all eyes on Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2016, the Galaxy S7 is readily available from both tier-one and prepaid carriers. So, in order to lure new customers (or keep existing ones), service providers turn to deals and discounts. If you’re in the market for the current “all-around phone to beat,” now’s the time to buy.

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AT&T was first to announce its promotion, which is more or less an update to the one started last month. Both new and current customers can snag the buy one, get one deal, however there’s a few hoops to jump through, first.

For starters, both phones (Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge) must be purchased via an AT&T Next installment plan with the second line being new and on a Next 24 plan (30 payments). Moreover, the two phones must be added to a qualified plan; customers will pay sales tax on the two phones at the time of purchase.

As for the free aspect, AT&T will credit up to $695 over the span of 30 months. Subscribers who leave AT&T before the full amount is credited will be responsible for the remaining balance.

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T-Mobile’s approach is more simplified. Customers who purchase two Galaxy S7’s on an equipment installation plan will get the full retail price of the second device back in the form of a prepaid debit card. Also worth noting, T-Mobile is extending the deal to the Galaxy S7 Edge.

In addition to the buy one, get one free promo, T-Mobile is offering several other incentives. Customers who buy the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge before March 18 will receive one year of Netflix as well as a Samsung Gear VR headset with a six-game bundle.

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AT&T, T

AT&T and T-Mobile, the two GSM carriers in the U.S., have turned on a database designed to cut back on smartphone theft.

The database went live yesterday and allows either AT&T or T-Mobile to block a device from being used on either network. In order to do that, the companies ban a device’s IMEI number — a unique identifier that tells networks what the device is and who owns it — and effectively stop it from being able to place calls.

In the past, stolen smartphones were blocked by eliminating the use of a SIM card. However, in the GSM world, a phone can be used with any SIM card. So if a thief stole a device and popped in a new SIM card, it would still work. By targeting the IMEI number, that’s no longer the case.

The database initiative was announced in April as a joint plan between the carriers, the wireless industry group CTIA, and the Federal Communications Commission. At that time, the organizations said that the GSM service would be up and running on October 31, followed by a CDMA option for Verizon and Sprint soon after.

All four major carriers are expected to merge their databases a little over a year from now, allowing any of them to turn off devices that have been identified as stolen.

The CTIA yesterday celebrated the database initiative, but cautioned that consumers shouldn’t believe it’s the final step in protecting them.

“While the GSM and CDMA databases are important, consumers also play a key role in protecting their information and preventing smartphone theft,” CTIA CEO Steve Largent said in a statement. “By using passwords or PINs, as well as remote wiping capabilities, consumers can help to dry up the aftermarket for stolen devices.

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“Today’s average wireless user stores a lot of personal information on a mobile device, such as pictures, video, banking and other sensitive data,” he continued. “It’s important consumers know that by taking simple precautions, such as downloading a few apps, they can protect their information from unauthorized users.”

The CTIA’s warning highlights the key driving factors behind smartphone theft. Some steal devices to have the latest and greatest handset without needing to pay for it. Others steal devices to take sensitive data. The database initiative won’t solve the latter issue.

(Via IDG News Service)

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