Preferred Communication Systems, Inc. and North Sight Communications, Inc., have agreed to team up to optimize their spectrum deployment in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The two companies together hold 9.15 MHz of ESMR cellular spectrum on the Islands.
According to Barclay Knapp, Chief Executive Officer of Preferred, “The combination of our spectrum holdings has created synergies for our two companies that did not previously exist due to the prolonged FCC Consensus Plan regulatory proceedings. We are now past that and look forward to exploring opportunities to maximize our holdings.”
“The importance of operating in the 800 MHz cellular spectrum in the Puerto Rico market cannot be overstated. 800 MHz spectrum has significantly greater propagation advantages for both wide-area coverage and the penetration of concrete buildings that dominate the market area” added Wilfredo Miranda, President of North Sight Communications.
Walters & Associates, Inc. has been engaged by the pair to investigate interest in their spectrum holdings. Charles E. Walters of the firm stated “The recently concluded AWS Auction 97 demonstrated the value of cellular spectrum in the Puerto Rico market. Because the costs of deploying 800 MHz are materially smaller and the performance characteristics are materially better than AWS spectrum, we have already received some serious expressions of interest in the spectrum and are exploring these and several other options.” Mr. Walters pointed out that The Brattle Group, which recently prepared a spectrum valuation assessment for the CTIA, estimated that 800 MHz ESMR spectrum is 30% more valuable than AWS spectrum. “We look forward to working with North Sight and Preferred to meet their goals.”
For More Information Contact:
Charles E. Walters, ASA
Walters & Associates, Inc.
301-320-0628
[email protected]
About Preferred Communications Systems, Inc.
Preferred Communication Systems, Inc. (“PCSI” or “Preferred”) was formed in 1999 for the purpose of acquiring 800 MHz SMR spectrum licenses which could be operated in competitive wireless networks. The Company was successful in acquiring licenses in FCC auctions and in other transactions in several US markets including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
About North Sight Communications, Inc.
North Sight Communications, Inc.(NSC) was established in 1982 by Wifredo Miranda and by 1987 the company had deployed an island-wide UHF two-way radio network. In 1995, NSC became the first communications company to build and operate a Trunked Radio System in the Caribbean. In 1997, NSC obtained a market based SMR spectrum authority Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2004, NSC deployed an Integrated Digital Enhancement Network (iDEN) mobile communications network. Currently, NSC. operates its iDEN network along with SMR trunking systems serving major public safety clients.
