• AT&T has launched a Web site containing "thousands" of streaming TV shows and movies. The carrier says the site, entertainment.att.net, is part of its strategy to make popular content available to consumers across the three screens at the center of their lives - the TV, PC and wireless phone. AT&T plans to add more TV programs and movies from other leading providers in the coming months.
• CTIA has announced that its CDMA Certification Program has been integrated into the CDMA Certification Forum's (CCF) process, providing the wireless industry a single evaluation and certification system for all CDMA2000 devices. Vendors seeking CTIA certification for devices will now apply for CCF Certification with a "CTIA Certification Market Endorsement." The endorsement will mean that the CDMA2000 device has met not only the CCF's global certification requirements, but has also met the requirements of CTIA's CDMA Certification Program.
• ABI Research has issued 29 U.S. banks a mobile banking "report card" that assesses them on the discoverability and accessibility of their mobile banking services. Banks receiving an "A" included BB&T, Eastern Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Northeast Bank, USAA and Wells Fargo.
• Alltel Wireless has launched the Samsung Freeform, a bar phone with a 2.2-inch QCIF color display and four-row qwerty keyboard. The Freeform also features customizable navigation keys, GPS, expandable memory up to 16GB, stereo Bluetooth and the ability to play individual music files or create full playlists.
• WiMAX infrastructure vendor Alvarion will work with National Grid to participate in a smart power grid (SPG) Proof of Concept with its BreezeMAX 3650 solution, as part of a technology test-bed for potential pilot projects in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The proof of concept begins this month and will provide backhaul for SPG smart meters and distribution automation devices for residences and businesses using WiMAX technology. National Grid is the second-largest utility company in the United States.
• WiChorus has been chosen by Open Range Communications to supply the 4G packet core for its wireless broadband network. Open Range is the nation's largest Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrower with a deployment that will offer service to 6 million people in 546 rural communities across 17 states.
• Sequans Communications' mobile WiMAX chip was chosen by VIA Technologies for its VIA eNote laptop. The 11.6-inch laptop incorporates both WiMAX and Wi-Fi connectivity and will be featured at Sequans' booth at 4G World show in Chicago next week.
• Frontier Communications has submitted two applications for federal broadband stimulus funds for an aggregate of $55 million to expand broadband availability and speeds in West Virginia. The funds would be supplemented by a matching contribution from Frontier, bringing the total sum for the project to $69 million.
• Network testing company Anritsu has introduced an LTE base station measurement suite for the deployment, installation and operation of LTE networks. The suite includes handheld analyzers for testing RF signal parameters, modulation quality and over-the-air (OTA) scanning.