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Today’s topics include the addition of three Samsung models to AT&T’s smartphone lineup, Mitel and Dragon’s partnership to develop 5G wireless technology, Sprint customers can now use their data plans to access Amazon Prime entertainment and cloud services and an Accenture study indicated that smartphone users want mobile carriers to improve the privacy and security of their services.
AT&T is adding three more Samsung smartphones to its offerings, including two prepaid, no-contract GoPhones and another model that will be available on an AT&T Next 24 installment plan.
The phones, announced April 1, include the $130 Samsung Galaxy Express Prime GoPhone, which is available immediately, the $80 Samsung Galaxy Express 3 GoPhone and the $170 Samsung Galaxy J3, which will be available on an AT&T Next 24 installment plan.
Mitel officials in February launched an initiative to help develop 5G wireless connectivity. The communications technology company this week took another step in that direction, partnering with DragonWave to help with the technology development effort.
As part of the partnership, Mitel will bring its software and mobile networking skills, while DragonWave—which makes carrier-grade point-to-point packet microwave systems—will contribute its outdoor networking expertise and packet wireless backhaul systems focused on small cells.
Amazon Prime video and music streaming, as well as two-day Prime package shipping, are now available to Sprint mobile customers under an $11-a-month add-on option for new and existing customers.
The new service, which Sprint announced March 31, allows customers to sign up on a month-to-month basis so they can stream unlimited Amazon Prime video and music using their Sprint mobile data plans.
Also included is Amazon’s Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, unlimited photo storage and early access to Amazon discounted Lightning Deals. To add the new service to their accounts, Sprint customers can visit a special Website, call 1-(800)-SPRINT1 or visit a Sprint store to sign up.
More than half of smartphone users surveyed by Accenture for a 2016 report titled the “Screenager Report” are dissatisfied with their mobile experience and are ready to switch mobile providers.
Even though 80 percent of consumers surveyed own a device, the majority of smartphone owners are unhappy with their mobile service. A full 60 percent said they would switch providers because they are dissatisfied with their connectivity and user experience.
Meanwhile 83 percent said they are unhappy with mobile advertising interfering with their experience. The study also found that 47 percent of smartphone users are concerned about privacy and security issues. The lack of service quality is also causing user frustration.