Texting services have been around for years – and since the beginning, they’ve allowed customers to share short codes – but no more.  Beginning March 1, 2021, mobile service providers will eliminate the use of shared short codes. Shared short codes will be replaced with a 10-digit textable number, such as 555-555-5555, exclusive to each account.  If Read more…

The FCC has made a decision to NOT allow in-flight phone calls. The proposal was first made seven years ago. The FCC explained that the proposal received “strong opposition”. They stated that even airline pilots and flight attendants were against it. One group even shared how in-flight voice calls posed a “potential for air rage” and could distract Read more…

Ajit Pai will be stepping down from his role as the FCC chairman, effective January 20, 2021. Pai made the announcement this week.  Pai joined the FCC as a commissioner in 2012. In 2017, he was appointed by Donald Trump to be its chairman. The appointment was supposed to last for five years, but Pai is cutting Read more…

Per a Metro by T-Mobile dealer, NWIDA has learned that Metro will allow dealers to unlock BYOD to be used on the Metro (T-Mobile) network. It’s not clear yet if Metro will assist the dealers in unlocking the devices or if the process will be up to the dealer. Metro will still not be selling unlocked phones, Read more…

Happy (almost) Black Friday everyone! NWIDA is offering 2 months free with any membership! Join by the end of November, and we will extend your membership for FREE!  Just click to HERE (nwida.org/jointoday) to sign up! And don’t forget to use the code BF20 for your discount!   Or, if you’re not sure about joining yet… then just join Read more…

Good move by T-Mobile – especially right before the holidays! The FCC has designated 988 as the nationwide emergency lifeline for mental health support.  T-Mobile is the first to make this number live – and they did it way before the mandated deadline of July 2022. T-Mobile announced its customers can now call 988 to get free Read more…

FOX Business is reporting that the FCC has ruled unanimously that Dish CEO Charlie Ergen improperly bid on $12 billion worth of wireless spectrum back in 2015, and received a $3-plus billion discount through a government program designed to benefit small businesses. Ergen bid on the spectrum through a company called Northstar Wireless, which he has a Read more…

  Mint Mobile users will soon be able to use eSIM.     According to a Reddit conversation with a Mint representative, they “will be offering eSIM soon” Mint co-founder Rizwan Kassim, also jumped on the Reddit thread to confirm the news.  “Before everyone goes ballistic… let the thing actually come out and I’ll share more then. =)  Whatever Read more…

According to an article on Fierce Wireless (link below), AT&T is closing 320 company-owned AT&T Mobility retail stores in November and December, affecting more than 1,600 workers.  AT&T didn’t confirm those numbers, but CWA said the closures are on top of the 250 stores that AT&T closed earlier in the year. According to AT&T, they’re part of a Read more…

Yesterday, our President – Adam Wolf – was on “Virtual Talk Back Live” with Gene G. While the interview was livestreamed, you can catch our interview below. It runs for about 30 minutes, starting at 0:30 and we talk about the T-Mobile/Metro dealer changes and a few other wireless things. Enjoy! —   NWIDA members, contact us Read more…