AT&T growth continues in first quarter

AT&T posted its seventh consecutive quarter of wireless revenue growth. Compared to the same quarter last year, the company added 1.3 million subscribers, an 8.7 percent increase, data revenue was up 21.5 percent, and total revenue was up 18.3 percent. The growth added to AT&T's total of 71.3 million subscribers. A market analyst noted that continued strong sales of the iPhone as well as the weakening presence of Sprint have helped AT&T's growth.

Skype introduces unlimited plan

Skype has introduced its first unlimited international calling plan. It will allow unlimited calls to land line phones in 34 countries and will cost $9.95 per month. The countries included in the plan are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and most of Europe. The plan also includes domestic land lines and cell phones, as well as cell phone calls to Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Skype, which is mostly used as a software application on a computer with a microphone and speakers or a headset, also offers unlimited calls in the U.S. and Canada for $3 per month, which can be expanded to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and other discounted locations in Mexico for $5.95. Skype calls from one computer to another are free.

AT&T to sell femtocells

AT&T recently signed a $500 million deal with U.K.-based ip.access Ltd. to sell "femtocells" for as little as $100 each. Femtocells are small cellular base stations designed to work in homes or businesses and provide extended and enhanced coverage in indoor environments. They transmit cell phone signals through a high-speed Internet connection and onto a wireless carrier's licensed spectrum, similar to how a Wi-Fi hotspot works. AT&T's move to sell femtocells follows Sprint, which released its Airave femtocell last September and offers a $50 monthly fee for unlimited calls over the femtocell connection.

Sprint Nextel dropping Voice Command service

Sprint Nextel announced that they will no longer be supporting Sprint PCS Voice Command as of July 1. The service allowed CDMA phones to dial two buttons and then give voice commands to place calls, and also included a Web-based address book. Subscribers were encouraged to use handset-based voice-activated dialing as an alternative. No comment from Sprint about the move was available. (Note: This is not related to Microsoft's Voice Command software.)

T-Mobile adds "Pay By the Day" plan

T-Mobile is offering a new prepaid phone plan that doesn't require the signing of a service contract. The "Pay By The Day" plan costs $1 per day for every day the phone is used. Services include free T-Mobile to T-Mobile calling all day and unlimited calling from 7:00 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. All other domestic calls are 10 cents a minute and text messages are 10 cents to send and 5 cents to receive.