Latest news with #cellservice
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
The One App Travel Experts Say Everyone Should Download Before Going Abroad
The One App Travel Experts Say Everyone Should Download Before Going Abroad originally appeared on Parade. When traveling abroad, especially to many different countries, it can be stressful and difficult to figure out how to get cell service. Many cellular carriers in the United States have international plans; however, they can be a bit expensive, have strict limits on amount of gigabytes used and are difficult to keep track of your usage. I used to work as a cruise ship performer, and was often traveling to different countries every single day for weeks at a time. I found that although my home cellular carrier, T-Mobile, offered an international plan, it wasn't very reliable or affordable. I would constantly get stuck with the predicament of running out of gigabytes in my cellular plan, and I'd have to roam with incredibly low-speed internet. When trying to use Google Maps to navigate around foreign cities, or attempting to communicate with my family, this became quite a problem. Related: On TikTok, @beachykj, also known as the carry-on queen, shares valuable travel tips all over her social media. From packing tips, flying hacks and app recommendations, her page is a great spot for all things travel. Averaging 75 flights a year, KJ knows what she's talking about. In one video, KJ shares her most-used app while traveling–Airalo. She shares that roaming charges can be incredibly absurd, and that she's come home to expensive phone bills after trips abroad–clearly regretting that mistake. She then introduces Airalo, which is an app that allows users to buy and download eSims onto their phones, allowing them to get cell service to their specific location. This is similar to a physical Sim card that you can place into your phone, but with this app, you can download it straight onto your device without having to insert anything into your phone. KJ continues to share that having data when she travels is non-negotiable, and she uses it constantly for navigating maps, social platforms, working and communicating with others. It can be deceiving how quickly data gets used up, and Airalo tends to be a cheaper option than any offerings from American cell service lines. Related: When getting an eSim through the Airalo app, you can start by choosing the country or region that you are traveling in. There are local eSims, where you can choose one specific country to get your coverage in. Then, there are regional eSims, which give you a more generalized area–like Europe, Caribbean Islands, or Oceania. You can also choose a global eSim, which gives you global service. Within each of these categories, you choose which eSims you want based on gigabytes used. The wider the range of your location, the more expensive the eSim. For example, the local eSims are the cheapest, while the global eSims are the most expensive. Related: I've used just about every type of eSim on the Airalo app while traveling, and the type that I've used always depended on how many countries I was visiting within a given amount of time. One thing that I found incredibly useful in the app is that you can easily track how much data you've used. This way, you have an idea of when you'll need to purchase more coverage. Another great reason to use Airalo is that it finds the best cell service provider in the area that you're in. When I was traveling onboard cruise ships, I would often toggle between my eSim and my home T-Mobile plan, which gave me a small amount of International coverage every month. In the top corner of my phone, I would always see what cell service company my phone would be connected to. Many times, the one that T-Mobile would connect to would be different from the one Airalo connected to, and 9 times out of 10, the service through Airalo was much faster. Lastly, a great perk with using the Airalo app is that if you share it with a friend, and they download the app using the link that Airalo creates for you, you will get Airmoney added to your account. This is a balance that can go towards future eSims, helping you save money as well. With every referral, Airalo sends $3 to the friend who uses your code, and you get $3 added to your account in return. Ultimately, I find that the Airalo app takes away a lot of stress when it comes to traveling and having access to the internet, and saves me money while doing so. Sources: One App Travel Experts Say Everyone Should Download Before Going Abroad first appeared on Parade on Jun 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Yes, more and more celebrities are entering the phone business. Here's why
NEW YORK (AP) — More and more celebrities are looking to attach their names to your phone. Or rather, wireless services that could power it. From cosmetics to snacks and signature spirits, brands launched or co-owned by high-profile figures are just about everywhere you look today. But several big names are also venturing into the market for mobile virtual network operators — or MVNOs, an industry term for businesses that provide cell coverage by leasing infrastructure from bigger, more established carriers. U.S. President Donald Trump's family was the most recent to join the list with the launch of Trump Mobile this week. Here's what to know. Which big names have entered the phone business? On Monday, The Trump Organization (currently run by the president's sons Eric and Donald Jr.) unveiled Trump Mobile. The company says this new business will offer cell service, through an apparent licensing deal with 'all three major cellular carriers' in the U.S., and sell gold phones by August. Trump Mobile marks the latest in a string of new Trump-branded offerings — which already span from golden sneakers to 'God Bless the USA' bibles — despite mounting ethical concerns that the president is profiting off his position and could distort public policy for personal gain. 'This raises a real question about a conflict of interest,' said Ben Bentzin, an associate professor of instruction at The University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. As the sitting president, Trump appoints leadership for the Federal Communications Commission — and the family's new phone venture exists under this regulatory authority. All of this sets Trump Mobile apart from other big names that have recently ventured into the wireless business. Still, its launch arrives as a growing number of celebrities tap into this space. Just last week, actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett launched SmartLess Mobile, a name that mirrors the trio's 'SmartLess' podcast. Now live across the contiguous U.S. and Puerto Rico, SmartLess Mobile runs on T-Mobile's 5G Network. Another wireless provider with ties to fame is Mint Mobile. While not launched by celebrities, Ryan Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in Mint in 2019. Mint's parent, the Ka'ena Corporation, was later acquired by T-Mobile in a deal worth up to $1.35 billion. Beyond names of famous people, well-known brands that weren't traditionally in the phone business have also got in on the action over the years — particuarly outside of the U.S., Forrester Research senior analyst Octavio Garcia Granados notes. He points to Walmart's 'Bait' mobile plan in Mexico, for example, as well as Italian soccer club AC Milan launching its own mobile SIM cards for fans. 'The MVNO market is not new,' said Garcia Granados. 'What's new is the development on how it's consumed and the (ease) for brands to launch such plans.' MVNOs have also emerged outside of high-profile brands or launch teams. Bentzin points to Straight Talk and Cricket — which are now owned by Verizon and AT&T, respectively. Still, traditional celebrity endorsements are common across the board. And in recent years, 'influencer marketing' has been 'the fastest growing area of advertising and promotion,' he notes. What are these cell services offering? Why were they launched? For Trump Mobile, the pitch seems to be all about having an 'all-American service' while also tapping into the fan base of the president. The company noted Monday that it chose to unveil Trump Mobile on the 10th anniversary of Trump launching 'his historic presidential campaign.' The name given to its flagship offer, The 47 Plan, and the $47.45 monthly fee make reference to the president's two terms. And a mock-up of the planned gold phone on the company's website shows Trump's 'Make America Great' slogan on the front screen. According to the company, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan will include unlimited calls, texts and data through partner carriers, as well as free roadside assistance and telehealth services. It also says the new phone, called the 'T1 Phone,' will be available for $499 in August — but notes that this device won't be designed or made by Trump Mobile. Still, the company emphasized that these phones will be built in the U.S. Experts have since shared skepticism about that being possible in two months. And beyond the future T1 Phone, others stress that a monthly cell service fee of just under $50 is pricey compared to other MVNO options today. 'It's not actual lower pricing. It's really trading on the fan base, if you will, of Trump,' said Bentzin. SmartLess Mobile and Mint Mobile, of course, don't carry these same political ties. And the wireless plans offered by both boast less expensive offerings. T-Mobile-owned Mint advertises 'flexible, buy-in-bulk' plans that range from $15 to $30 a month. Each option includes unlimited talk and text nationwide, but vary depending on plan length and data amount. Mint, founded in 2016, says it started 'because we'd had enough of the wireless industry's games' — and promises to help consumers avoid hidden fees. SmartLess Mobile's plans also start at $15 a month. Depending on the data amount purchased, that base fee can rise to $30 — but all of its plans similarly offer unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's network. When launching last week, SmartLess underlined that its goal is to help people stop paying for the data they don't use, noting that the majority of data used by consumers today happens over Wi-Fi. 'Seriously, if your phone bill knew how often you're on Wi-Fi, it would be embarrassed,' Hayes said in a statement for SmartLess Mobile's June 10 launch. What's the demand? MVNOs have proven to be attractive acquisitions to big wireless carriers over the years. But whether or not the star factor promises significant demand has yet to be seen for the market's most recent entrants. For the more established Mint Mobile, Reynolds' investment is a success story. The 25% stake that the actor reportedly owned in 2023, when the company announced that it would be acquired by T-Mobile, was estimated to give him a personal windfall of over $300 million in cash and stock. And since that deal closed, Reynolds has remained in his creative role for Mint and as the face of many campaigns — helping the brand continue to attract new customers. It's no surprise that the potential of such business returns might attract other celebrities to make similar investments, Bentzin notes. Still, newer ventures are untested. And 'as the market becomes more crowded, it could be harder and harder to pick off individual consumers,' he added. Beyond a high-profile name, quality of service and what consumers can afford is also critical. 'The competition battleground here is brand and price,' Bentzin said. Still, if the marketing is right and product meets consumer needs, experts like Garcia Granados note that MVNOs can be a profitable business, for both the brands that start them and the telecommunications giants — like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T — offering this 'wholesale' access to their infrastructure. As a result, he said, such high-profile ventures become 'a catalyst for others to follow.' ______ AP Business Writer Bernard Condon contributed to this report from New York.
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Trump family company announces next venture: a mobile phone company
NEW YORK — If Trump watches or sneakers or bibles aren't your thing, the family business just added another product to show your support for the U.S. president: mobile phones. Article content The Trump company announced Monday a new business, Trump Mobile, that will offer cell service in a licensing deal and sell gold phones by the summer. It's the latest in a string of new schemes struck despite mounting ethical concerns that the U.S. president is profiting off his position and could manipulate public policy for personal gain. Article content Article content Article content Eric Trump, the president's son running The Trump Organization in his absence, suggested the pitch is patriotism, emphasizing that the phones will be built in the U.S. and the phone service will maintain a call center in the country as well. Article content Article content The announcement follows several real estate deals for towers and resorts in the Middle East, including a golf development in Qatar announced in April. A $1.5 billion partnership to build golf courses, hotels and real estate projects in Vietnam was approved last month, though the deal was in the works before Trump was elected. Article content Trump has already used the main regulatory agency that will oversee Trump Mobile in personal disputes. The Federal Communications Commission has launched investigations of media outlets Trump dislikes and, in some cases, is personally suing. And the president himself last month criticized cell phone maker Apple, now a big business rival, because it planned to make most of its U.S. iPhones in India, threatening to slap a 25% tariff on the devices. Article content Article content Eric Trump said that consumers deserve a phone that aligns with their values. Article content 'Hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that's affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on,' he said in a statement. Article content The Trump phone deal comes as a mandatory financial disclosure report just filed with the government shows the president has moved fast in the last year to profit off his celebrity, taking in $3 million in revenue from selling 'Save America' coffee table books, $2.8 million from Trump watches and $2.5 million from Trump branded sneakers and fragrances. Article content The Trump Organization on Monday said the new, gold-colored phone available for $499 in August, called the T1 Phone, won't be designed or made by Trump Mobile, but by another company.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘We need to connect this province': Spotty cell service impacting rural Manitoba fire department
A rural fire department is sounding the alarm over spotty cell service it warns is impacting its ability to respond to emergencies. Roger Gillis, a training officer with the St. Laurent Fire Department, said he's been hearing from residents concerned about the poor reception in the area. 'They live in constant fear that they won't be able to make that 911 call when they have to,' he told CTV News. Gillis said there are massive 'dead spots' in the community and along Highway 6 where there is no service at all. He said in the rest of the area, the service is intermittent at best. All this is impacting his fire department's ability to receive and respond to calls. 'When our cell phone service is intermittent, sometimes we don't get the calls,' he said. 'We'll have members that miss calls totally and say they never got any communication at all.' The area reeve, Richard Chartrand, said residents are getting frustrated with ongoing issues. 'They would like to see somebody do something, and that's what we're trying to do,' he said. There are two cell towers that service the community. Chartrand said the RM is working with an Ontario-based company, SLI, which builds cell towers and leases them to telecom companies. 'They keep saying that they're trying to deal with the issue, but they seem to be hitting roadblocks as well,' Chartrand told CTV News. He said SLI has the land ready to go to build the new towers, but so far, no telecom companies will agree to lease them. Chartrand said the situation has left residents feeling like their concerns are going unanswered – both literally and figuratively. These issues aren't unique to St. Laurent. 'The lack of connectivity throughout the province is a real public safety issue,' said Kathy Valentino, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. Valentino, a city councillor in Thompson, said she knows firsthand how unreliable cell service can be in rural and northern areas of the province. She said the association has been calling for the provincial government to do a comprehensive connectivity strategy to see where exactly the gaps exist. This information could then be brought to the CRTC. 'We need to connect this province. It's time.' Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Ian said the province is advocating for action from the federal government. 'We want to be able to have that discussion as to how we can encourage, how we can incentivize, and how we can really bring the telecom companies to the table with the Feds as well,' he said.
CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
T-Mobile Is Feeling Generous, Gifting Customers a Free Premium iPhone 16 Pro
Most major cell service providers require you to sign a multi-year contract, so choosing the right one is a big decision. You'll want to consider factors like the coverage in your area and how many lines you're looking to add, but most carriers also offer some serious deals that could sway your decision one way or another. And there are some excellent T-Mobile deals you can take advantage of right now that make it a pretty competitive pick -- especially for fans of Apple looking to upgrade. T-Mobile has some bargains up for grabs, including free lines and streaming services. But one highlight worth noting is the chance for you to snag yourself the top-rated iPhone 16 Pro for free. The language on some of these offers can be a little confusing, so we've broken down how T-Mobile's current deals work below. Also note that there aren't any set expirations for these offers, so they could vanish at any moment. We wouldn't wait too long if you're hoping to take advantage of these savings. Apple/CNET Free iPhone 16 Pro The premium iPhone 16 Pro is one of the absolute best phones of 2025, but it also comes with a premium $1,000 starting price. So a chance to pick one up for free is a pretty serious bargain. To take advantage of this iPhone deal, you'll need to switch your existing number over from another carrier and activate a new line on an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan. This discount will then be applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. See at T-Mobile T-Mobile/CNET Up to $800 to pay off current contracts T-Mobile is offering some serious savings if you're looking to switch carriers. Port in your existing number from a major competitor (including AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular and more) and it will give you up to $800 to help pay off your current device. Though it's important to note that this is a rebate offer, which means you'll have to pay off the phone yourself first, bring in a copy of your most recent bill and then you'll get the cash back in the form of a virtual prepaid MasterCard. This offer is valid for up to four lines. See at T-Mobile T-Mobile/CNET 5-year price guarantee When you're signing a multi-year contract, you'll want to make sure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. That's why T-Mobile is offering a five-year price guarantee on its Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. This means that the monthly costs for all "on-network talk, text, and 5G data." Though note that select taxes and fees are exempt from this promise. See at T-Mobile T-Mobile/CNET Save 20% on family plans vs. competitors T-Mobile is offering one of the best phone plan deals in the game right now for those adding multiple lines. Those on an Essentials, Experience More or Experience Beyond plan can add a third line completely free. That means you can get coverage for as little as $30 per line per month, which saves you up to 20% compared to similar plans at AT&T or Verizon. The Experience plans also come with tons of other benefits like free streaming services, unlimited texting in over 200 countries, a one-year AAA membership and more. See at T-Mobile Why these deals matter You more or less need a phone with reliable coverage these days, but costs can add up quick. Whether you're looking to upgrade your mobile device or shopping for the best family plans out there, these T-Mobile deals can help save you some serious cash each month.
