LightSquared makes LTE deal with Best Buy

By Geoff Duncan March 23, 2011

In a presentation at this year’s CTIA show in Orlando, Florida, LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja announced that mammoth electronics retailer Best Buy has signed on as a client for its pending LTE-based nationwide broadband network. Although Best Buy hasn’t specified what kinds of products it has in mind, it will buy service from LightSquared to sell under its own Best Buy Connect brand.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to Ahuja, the companies plan to start testing service in 2012, with retail products to follow.

Recommended Videos

LightSquared was launched by high-profile hedge-fund manager Philip Falcone, and aims to built out a nationwide mobile broadband network build on LTE service, and sell access to that network to wholesale clients. Ahuja also said Leap Wireless, part of the Cricket phone service, is also on board to use LightSquared services. Recent reports have had number-three mobile operator Sprint in talks with LightSquared about using LIghtSquared’s LTE network as a supplement or possible replacement for Clearwire’s WiMax-based 4G services—and those talks may be intensifying with AT&T’s just-announced $39 billion acquisition plan for number-four mobile operator T-Mobile USA.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Best Buy’s Deal of the Day is an Acer Chromebook for only $129

Acer Chromebook placed on a white background.

Parents who are searching for back to school laptop deals to prepare their children for the new academic year should take a look at Best Buy's Deal of the Day, which features the Acer Chromebook 311. From the device's original price of $199, it's currently even more affordable at only $129 following a $70 discount. There's not a lot of time remaining on this offer though, as it will expire later today at 10 p.m. PT.

Why you should buy the Acer Chromebook 311
The Acer Chromebook 311, like all other Chromebooks, is powered by Google's Chrome OS. The operating system, which is essentially a reworked version of the Google Chrome browser, heavily depends on web-based apps. This translates to low overhead, which means even with low-end components such as the Acer Chromebook 311's Intel Celeron N4500 processor, integrated Intel UHD Graphics, and 4GB of RAM, you'll still get snappy performance.

Computing

This 14-inch Asus for $110 is the cheapest laptop deal in Best Buy’s sale

Asus 14-inch Laptop on a white background.

Tired of looking high and low for back to school laptop deals? We know how daunting it can be to sift through page after page of computers that all look the same, which is why we’re always trying to track down the best markdowns on PCs we know you’ll love. That being said, we came across a terrific promo while looking through Best Buy deals:

While this offer is in effect, you’ll be able to purchase the Asus 14-inch Laptop with an Intel Celeron N4500 CPU for just $110. At full price, this PC usually goes for $180. This Asus model is the cheapest new laptop you can buy at Best Buy, and it’s a part of the company’s Tech Fest sales event, which ends this Sunday.

Computing

The best MacBook to buy in 2024

Apple MacBook Pro 16 downward view showing keyboard and speaker.

Update (11/4/24) -- Our top pick is currently on sale at B&H until November 30.

With M3 chips outfitted across the entire MacBook range, you might be wondering which is the best MacBook to buy in 2024. Figuring it out isn't always easy, and buying the newest MacBook might not be the right decision based on your needs. Apple has several tiers of performance, as well as various sizes, which can further complicate the matter.