AT&T PILOTS 911 Texting Program and 4 Telecom Titans Attracting Interest

AT&T, Inc. (NYSE:T): Mobile phone users countrywide could one day have the ability to text 911 call centers. AT&T was given approval  by the state of Tennessee to begin a trial of a Text-to-911 service across the state. Using the state’s new Emergency Service IP Network (ESInet), the test will enable AT&T subscribers to send text messages to Tennessee 911 call centers. The shares traded up $0.43 (1.17%) recently at $37.36.

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Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE:S) will launch a new 4G wireless network in the Chicago area by the year’s end as part of a broader nationwide plan to upgrade its infrastructure. The shares traded up $0.02 (0.4%) recently at $4.965.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ):  Recently, Verizon Wireless activated new 4G LTE coverage on sites in Syracuse, Auburn, Chittenango, Cortland, Fabius, Fayetteville, Jordan, Lafayette, Mandana (south of Skaneateles), as well as two sites in Mexico, which further expands coverage on the high-speed wireless data network the company launched locally during August 2011. 4G LTE allows Verizon Wireless customers to use their 4G LTE-enabled devices to surf the Web, post status updates and photos, share music, and download files at speeds up to 10 times faster than customers on 3G networks. The shares traded up $0.33 (0.75%) recently at $44.13.

Vodafone Group plc (NASDAQ:VOD):  Now, Vodafone Hutchison Australia has signed on to provide location-based emergency warnings during disaster times or national emergencies. The telecommunications company joins Telstra, who made the decision to assist in developing a national emergency alerts system in January. The upgraded alerts system will build upon the existing national emergency alert telephone warning system, but alerts have to be sent to mobile phones, including those who visiting a disaster affected region, not just landlines. The shares traded up $0.27 (0.96%) recently at $28.53.

Leap Wireless International Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP): Struggling electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. collaborated with Cricket Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International Inc. to offer no-contract wireless services from its stores countrywide. Initially, RadioShack will offer Huawei’s Mercury Ice, which is a smartphone powered by Google Inc’s. Android operating system and has a price of $149.99. The company is to also offer Huawei Pillar, which is a feature phone with full keyboard and is priced at $39.99. The shares traded up $0.23 (4.07%) recently at $5.88.

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