Social Power and the Coming Corporate Revolution

TextNow brings its all-IP mobile service to the Galaxy SIII and LTE TextNow became the first all-IP mobile operator in the country in August when it started selling a $19 plan and two Android phones that relied solely on Sprint’s data networks to deliver voice and messaging services. But a month later it has improved upon its initial offer. On Thursday it began selling the Samsung Galaxy SIII embedded with an LTE chip, giving it access to much faster data speeds a much better mobile VoIP experience. The refurbished Galaxy SIII costs $200, which may seem steep for a previous-generation device, but like other prepaid mobile virtual network operators, TextNow isn’t subsidizing the phone, which keeps its service costs low. The biggest initial limitation of the service was that it was confined to Sprint’s 3G networks and WiMAX where available. TextNow, which is owned by Waterloo, Ont.,-based Enlick, isn’t the only company trying to create an all IP-mobile carrier.