Latest news with #mobileService
Phone Arena
5 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Google Fi's latest upgrade doesn't involve signal bars, but it might save your phone
Google Fi is Google's own mobile service that runs on T-Mobile's network and it comes with some pretty cool perks. For one, Google Fi doesn't throttle your data during busy times, so your speeds stay steady. Plus, it switches between multiple networks to keep you connected whether you are traveling around the US or abroad. Now, Google is leveling up device protection, too. Following what we saw earlier this year with Pixel Preferred Care, Fi's own protection plan just switched providers – from Assurant to Asurion. Yep, if your device is shipped on or after July 14, 2025, Asurion is your device protection provider. That is the same Asurion that already works with Verizon, AT&T and Samsung, so Google is clearly going with an experienced partner. The plan itself is getting a small but very welcome improvement, too. You now get up to two claims for loss, theft or physical damage in a rolling 12-month period (except in New York). Previously, that was just one. And of course, the plan still covers up to two cases of accidental damage – like screen cracks or spills – plus unlimited coverage for mechanical breakdowns. That applies to phones and smartwatches bought through the Google Fi for pricing, it varies depending on your device. For example, the latest Pixel Watch 3 or the brand new Galaxy Watch 8 will run you $4 per month, while phones are pricier – think $12/month for the Pixel 9 Pro and $14/month for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. There's also a deductible. For example, cracking the screen on your Galaxy Ultra and getting it repaired in-store would cost you about $29. Samsung's Ultra model is typically among the priciest to insure. | Image credit – PhoneArena Other carriers offer similar protection plans, too. T-Mobile , for instance, works with Assurant – Google's former partner – and has its own plan called Protection 360. It covers loss and theft up to five claims a year (which is a lot), unlimited accidental damage, and even includes $0 screen repairs. But it'll cost you more: anywhere from $7 to $25 per month, depending on your device. If you've got something like the Galaxy S25 Ultra , you are looking at the top tier – around $18 to $25 a yeah, Google Fi's updated protection plan actually stacks up pretty well. You are getting solid coverage, a trusted provider in Asurion and pricing that feels fair. Sure, you get fewer loss or theft claims compared to T-Mobile , but two per year is still reasonable – unless you are constantly misplacing your phone, in which case… maybe a strap's not a bad idea. Jokes aside, if you are someone who tends to drop, crack or lose your phone often, having extra coverage – no matter the provider – is just smart. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
County Tyrone: Rural phone signal issues impacting community
"Unforeseen technical issues" have been causing continuing mobile phone service issues in some rural areas of County Tyrone for almost a representatives say it has mostly been affecting Mid Ulster's Torrent electoral district in areas such as Coalisland and of the community say that areas, which already had poor reception, were in some cases, "complete blackspots with no signal".The problems have been linked to planned upgrade works on a service site that is hosted by O2, but is also used by a number of other mobile phone companies. O2 said the upgrade works in the area were to ensure "fast and reliable connectivity to customers". An O2 spokesperson said, due to "unforeseen technical issues" the work had taken longer than planned. In a statement on its website on Friday evening O2 said it had "completed some improvement work" in the area and that it would continue to "keep a close eye on the network to make sure everything's working as it should".SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn lives in the Washingbay area of County Friday night he said that while he welcomed confirmation of improvement works, he still had reports of network problems in the said: "It is clear from speaking to residents across my area that many people - particularly those living in more rural and isolated areas - are still experiencing persistent problems with poor or unreliable mobile signal."In 2025, it should not be too much to ask for people to have consistent access to calls and data, no matter where they live." It is understood the issues were first reported at the end of was raised at a meeting of Mid Ulster District Council last month by independent councillor Dan called for a meeting with the different major mobile the meeting council chief executive, Adrian McCreesh, stated: "I've [heard] from a number of members around this chamber in recent days about the behaviour of some of our companies, and the lack of ability for people to get connected."Mr McCreesh confirmed he would be organising a meeting with some of the mobile phone companies operating in the areas of Mid Ulster that had continuous reports of poor signal. 'Something needs done' Brian Kerr owns a barber shop in the Clonoe Village Business said: "It's all the customers who come into the shop this past while have been talking about, the fact that the phone signal has somehow managed to get worse, and it was already poor."At my own house, you have to leave the house and go to the top of the driveway to get any signal at all and even then it's patchy."He added: "Something needs to be done about it long-term, because it's affecting a lot of people, not only socially, but they rely on decent phone signal for their businesses as well." Linda Dillon is a Sinn Fein MLA who lives in the Clonoe area and is calling for the issue to be said: "Signal problems have lasted a month, and it's caused problems with parents looking to contact their children when they're out and things like that."A big part of the problem is trying to get information from the phone companies, the communication to the people on the ground and elected representatives has been very poor, which is bad from communication companies."She added: "Unfortunately there are places in this area, like Derrylaughan, that always have had poor signal, but this time it has been more widespread."At the end of the day it is an equality issue, rural areas should have access to phone signal the same as people living in urban areas."In 2021, three mobile phone networks agreed a deal to build and share masts to improve 4G in rural parts of Northern project was part of the UK government's £1bn Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, external, aimed at improving rural internet access. The issue of phone signal has been in the news recently following a series of arson attacks on 5G masts in west a recent debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly about the attacks, DUP MLA Deborah Erskine condemned the incidents but also pointed to the phone signal issues that impact rural communities all year in the assembly, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: "I would love to have 4G in my area, never mind 5G, and to see improvements made to masts and infrastructure."Such improvements are needed, not just in west Belfast, but throughout Northern Ireland."In a statement about the connectivity issues in County Tyrone, O2 said: "While these upgrades will lead to improvements in the longer term, we apologise to customers who may have experienced intermittent service issues whilst the works are completed."Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Vodafone said: "We're sorry to our customers who are affected by issues with their services."Our infrastructure partner is aware of the network issues due to planned work on a mast in the area and is working hard to restore services."
The Verge
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Even Klarna is launching a mobile phone service now
Klarna, the buy-now-pay-later service, is launching a mobile phone service. The $40 per month phone plan is launching in the US in the 'coming weeks,' offering unlimited 5G data, calls, and texts on AT&T's network — making it yet another MVNO in an increasingly crowded space. MNVOs, or mobile virtual network operators, are companies that sell phone service on another carrier's network. They've become more popular in recent years, and include brands like Mint Mobile, Visible by Verizon, Cricket Wireless, Xfinity Mobile, and now the Trump Organization's new phone service. Klarna says its service is powered by Gigs, a firm that's supposed to make it easier for companies to launch their own MVNOs. Users can sign up directly from the Klarna app with no contracts or hidden fees. Customers can also transfer their phone number to the service or get a new one with 'instant eSIM activation.' Klarna's primary business is its buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) service, which lets customers split purchases into four separate payments. A study from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from earlier this year discovered that frequent BNPL users have more debt than people who don't use the services at all, while a recent survey from LendingTree found that 41 percent of BNPL users said they paid late in the past year. Last month, the Trump administration dropped the CFPB's plan to subject BNPL companies to stricter rules. But with the launch of a mobile phone service, it's clear Klarna wants to move beyond just offering BNPL. On Wednesday, Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski told CNBC that he wants the app to serve as a 'digital financial assistant' that uses AI to detect when you're overpaying for services and 'offer you both a suggestion of a better price model, but also with a click, implement that and make it a reality.' For now, users in the US can join the waitlist for Klarna's mobile phone service. It's planning to launch the service in the UK, Germany, and other countries 'soon.'
Tahawul Tech
18-06-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Secure Cloud Migrations Archives
"I don't see much impact from Trump mobile as half of it's market is negated by political parties, and this industry already has a lot of stickiness to current providers". Learn about the @Trump Organization's new venture below. #TrumpMobile #tahawultech
Tahawul Tech
18-06-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
European Cloud Data Archives
"I don't see much impact from Trump mobile as half of it's market is negated by political parties, and this industry already has a lot of stickiness to current providers". Learn about the @Trump Organization's new venture below. #TrumpMobile #tahawultech
