Verizon Acquires Alltel, G1 Security Snafu, Sprint // Idle Bites - November 7

// VerAlltel? Allizon? Veritel? to become largest carrier in North America

The FCC has approved Verizon’s $28 billion purchase of Alltel, provided they honor Alltel’s existing roaming agreements for the next 4 years. The Department of Justice also asked that Verizon divest itself of 22 states to maintain the competitive landscape in about 100 local markets.  Sorry, Ma Bell, welcome to #2.

// All sorts of OS updates promised this week

After a mere 2 weeks with the G1 out to market, some people over at modmygphone have figured out how to get full read and write access. 3 days later, Google fixes up Android’s security holes and releases R30, set to be updated over the air in the next few days.

In other OS news, Steve Ballmer confirmed the Motorola leak that Windows Mobile 6.5 will be released in Q1 of 2009.  This release promises a better UI,  software flow, and perhaps Zune software integration.  Windows Mobile 7 is rumored to have been pushed back to Q3 of 2010.

// It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Sprint’s had a bad week, battling a $1.2 billion class action lawsuit, a continued steady leak of customers, and Q3 losses of $326 million.  At the same time, Sprint broadcasted (phone-casted?) the first live NFL game in its exclusive 5 year deal with NFL Network. ”Live compelling content is a game changer in the mobile industry,” said Steve Gaffney, Sprint’s director of sports sponsorships.