CTIA Wireless 2010 Scorecard: Devices

Whose profile is rising? 4G phones

Both LTE and mobile WiMAX were hot topics at the CTIA Wireless 2010 conference--and so were the devices launched for the network technologies. Although it was telegraphed prior to the show, Sprint Nextel's launch of the HTC Evo 4G, its first mobile WiMAX phone, was nonetheless one of the most noteworthy announcements of the conference.

To say that the device packs a punch is a bit of an understatement. Built around a massive 4.3-inch touchscreen display, the device has an 8-megapixel camera on the back, a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front, HD video capture, Android 2.1, HTC's Sense UI, Qualcomm's 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, support for Adobe's Flash technology in the browser and a hotspot capability allowing it to broadcast a WiFi signal for up to eight devices.

Sprint and HTC have not discussed how they will set the phone apart from its 3G brethren, though Sprint is sure to push the phone's high-def video capabilities (it even sports a kickstand for protracted viewing). It's also unclear how much they'll charge for the gadget itself or the device's hotspot functionality. Despite the unknowns, the phone's top-of-the-line hardware is Sprint's clearest opportunity yet to fully demonstrate the capabilities of Clearwire's mobile WiMAX network. Sprint has made 4G a core priority this year, and it's swinging for the fences with this device. It may well be a home run.

"The EVO 4G isn't perfect and Sprint still has enormous challenges, but the EVO 4G gives it a new and compelling story to tell consumers," wrote Current Analysis' Avi Greengart in a recent note to clients.

Meantime, MetroPCS also made a 4G phone announcement, of sorts. In addition to trickling out a few more details about its planned LTE network, the flat-rate carrier said it will launch a dual-mode CDMA/LTE handset from Samsung later this year, the SCH-r900. The companies did not release photos or specifications for the device, but it appears that MetroPCS is going to beat Verizon Wireless to market with a 4G handset--nothing to scoff at. (Verizon has hinted at a 2011 LTE handset.) The Samsung device, like the Evo, will give carriers a platform to show off the speeds of their next-generation networks.

Whose profile is falling? Femtocells

AT&T Mobility made a splash at the CTIA Wireless show by taking its femtocell gambit nationwide. The company's 3G MicroCell, a mini base station users connect to their home broadband connection to improve cellular coverage, will cost $149.99. Voice calling minutes used through the MicroCell will affect only the account of the phone making the call--there is no requirement to purchase separate service for the 3G MicroCell. However, AT&T will offer MicroCell customers the option to purchase unlimited calling via the MicroCell for $19.99 per month. Consumers who select that plan will be eligible to receive a $100 mail-in-rebate toward the purchase of a 3G MicroCell.

Despite the launch, the U.S. femtocell market remains weak, and it's unclear whether AT&T's device will do anything to boost the space. Both Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless offer 2G femtocells for CDMA200 1X services but have so far stalled on 3G femtocells. Indeed, AT&T's launch might actually cause other carriers to hold back--after all, which carrier wants to be seen as needing a femtocell product to boost home coverage?

"There doesn't appear to be a customer incentive to stay with AT&T if they need to shell out $150 on hardware in order to get enhanced coverage," wrote William Ho, an analyst at Current Analysis, in a recent research note on the topic. "While there may be customers who may be willing to pay, consumer mentality argues that the coverage should be there in the first place without a customer needing to spend anything extra."

Concluded Ho: "The product will not stimulate switchers or not be compelling enough to stave off churn."