Certain InterDigital subsidiaries will receive a $375 million cash payment from Intel in exchange for handing over roughly 1,700 patents and patent applications related to 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 802.11 wireless technologies. Intel plans to use its newly acquired wireless patents to help support its strategic investments in the mobile segment, the Santa Clara chip maker said. By adding to its already large and diverse patent portfolio, Intel also puts itself in better position to avoid costly lawsuits.
Verizon Wireless has made a name for itself by being rock-solid and having a huge 3G network. Things have been a bit more rocky since its 4G LTE network started taking off. Today, Big Red is having its third nationwide data outage in the month of December. Customers across the U.S. are reporting no 4G, and often no 3G data either.
Verizon Wireless appears to be suffering from more problems on its data network all across the U.S. as customers from coast to coast complain of both 3G and 4G outages. This is the second time in less than a month that Verizon Wireless has had trouble with its data network, with no specific reason given for the last time wireless customers had to contend with spotty connectivity.
The age of unlimited mobile data on Sprint has come to a close with the introduction of new tiered mobile broadband plans. Sprint announced plans to call off the all-you-can-eat data party late last month, but at least the plans now available are better deals that those offered by the competition. Users on tablet and Wi-Fi hotspot plans will have their pick of a few different options.
It seems like some sort of crazy fever-dream. A $199 off-contract Android phone with unlimited calls, text, and data for just $19 per-month. This is what a new cell carrier known as Republic Wireless is offering, and it might just be crazy enough to work. Although, the reason it might work is that there are some caveats.
It looks like mobile broadband use is about to get a bit more pricey on what used to be the last bastion of unlimited data, Sprint. The carrier has confirmed rumors that it plans to move away from truly unlimited 4G data for its Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering plans. Most users will be subject to a 5GB cap starting in November. 
Prospective iPhone buyers have been aching to know if Sprint would be keeping its unlimited data plans in place when it begins offering the device, and the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Sprint PR has confirmed to All Things D that the existing unlimited data plans will apply to the iPhone when pre-orders begin in just a few days. Sprint is likely to use this as a selling point to lure users from AT&T and Verizon.
As the big four US carriers continue to raise prices and cap data, an increasingly competitive pre-paid market is being created. Pre-paid services like Boost and Virgin Mobile are starting to pull some more budget-minded consumers away, but T-Mobile is looking to staunch the bleeding with its new monthly 4G plan sold through Walmart.
Just four short years. That’s how long IDC says it’s going to take for mobile internet usage to surpass wired use. They base these estimates on the explosion in sales of smartphones and tablets, as well as the new innovation in mobile networks. IDC also suggests that by 2015, web access on PCs is going to begin declining. 
Don't accuse Hewlett Packard of having a case of the Mondays. The OEM woke up this morning and hit the ground running by announcing a handful of new products and services, including an ultra-thin notebook, a light and powerful laptop, a convertible tablet, a redesigned netbook, and even a pre-paid 3G mobile broadband service. More details after the jump.
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