Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on those sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
Verizon focuses on LTE coverage, preps for VoLTE
Verizon Wireless looked to re-assert its dominance of the domestic LTE conversation reporting today that its LTE network now covered more than 298 million potential customers across 500 markets and 99% of its legacy 3G footprint. In combination with its planned launch of services next month in Alaska, the carrier said its initial LTE rollout plans are now basically completed. The push towards coverage comes as recent reports have shown superior networks speeds being provided by AT&T Mobility’s rapidly expanding LTE network. However, as AT&T Mobility’s LTE network is “newer” than Verizon Wireless’ offering and covers approximately 98 million fewer potential customers, it’s assumed that there are fewer customers fighting for bandwidth supplies and thus seeing higher network speeds. Speaking with reporters about its latest expansion, Verizon Wireless’ chief network officer Nicola Palmer, explained that the carrier was not interested in a speed race, and instead was looking to provide an LTE experience to the broadest base of customers. … Read more
FirstNet approves first spectrum lease
FirstNet yesterday approved a spectrum lease with the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS), the first of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grantees to reach agreement with the board on the use of its 700 MHz spectrum for pilot projects that FirstNet plans to use as learning tools in developing its nationwide network for first responders. LA-RICS’ proposed project is to include almost 300 wireless sites using new and existing infrastructure, fixed microwave backhaul rings and 100 miles of high-capacity fiber backbone. LA-RICS was awarded a $154.6 million BTOP grant for that project, which was suspended once FirstNet was formed so that the board could start its network with a blank slate and that funds would not be spent on projects that could not be integrated into the national project. Negotiations with six other BTOP grantees, as well as a project in Harris County, Tex. that is not BTOP-funded, are on-going. The board recently voted to extend the period of negotiations with BTOP grantees through July 12. … Read more
US Cellular unloads more spectrum to T-Mobile US
U.S. Cellular continued to rationalize its spectrum position, announcing today plans to sell 10 megahertz of spectrum in the 1.7/2.1 GHz band to T-Mobile US for $308 million. The licenses cover 32 million potential customers in 29 markets in the Mississippi Valley region, including a number of larger markets like St. Louis, Nashville, Kansas City, Memphis, Little Rock and New Orleans. T-Mobile US said the spectrum would be used to bolster its LTE network rollout, which is set to reach 200 million potential customers by the end of this year. That network is reliant on the 1.7/2.1 GHz band, also known as the advanced wireless services band, following the carrier’s realignment of its network resources. The carrier also bolstered its holdings in that band with its acquisition earlier this year of MetroPCS, which T-Mobile US said would allow the carrier to throw up to 40 megahertz of spectrum at its LTE deployment in certain markets, as well as a handful of other deals involving the AWS band. For U.S. Cellular, which replaced its CEO last weekend, the move follows the sale last year of 1.9 GHz spectrum licenses covering a number of Midwest markets to Sprint Nextel for $480 million. … Read more
Sprint chases Clearwire acquisition
Clearwire appeared to move step closer in its pending acquisition by Sprint Nextel, with Institutional Shareholder Services throwing its support behind Sprint Nextel’s recently revised offer to acquire the remaining stake in Clearwire for $5 per share. “Given the cash consideration being offered by Sprint is higher than the tender offer from Dish, and therefore the best alternative currently available to maximize value, shareholders should vote ‘for’ the proposed merger with Sprint,’ ISS noted in its June 21 report. Sprint Nextel last week increased its offer price to acquire the remaining stake in Clearwire it did not already own from $3.40 per share to $5 per share. The increased bid surpassed the pending offer by Dish Network, which had proposed acquiring at least a 25% stake in Clearwire for $4.40 per share, and was a 68% increase over Sprint Nextel’s original offer of $2.97 per share. In addition to the price-per-share increase, Sprint Nextel’s new offer includes a clause that will require Clearwire to pay a $115 million termination fee, or 3% of the equity value of the minority stake should the deal now fall apart. … Read more
Debating 600 MHz auction rules
The battle to shape the rules for the Federal Communications Commission’s planned auction of 600 MHz spectrum licenses continued late last week as T-Mobile US put forth its ideas on how the government should conduct the highly anticipated bidding process. The carrier’s plans, obviously, favor a model designed to prevent the nation’s two largest operators – Verizon Wireless and AT&T – from using their financial clout to gobble up these prized spectrum assets in favor of what it terms “dynamic market rules” that have various moving pieces. As T-Mobile US explained in its filing: “Under the dynamic market rule, the auction would first proceed with a spectrum-aggregation limit. If the commission’s revenue target is met while the limit is in place, then the auction would be able to close once there is no longer any active bidding. If the revenue target is not met, however, the limit would be gradually relaxed. Should the bidding fail to clear the revenue target once the limit is completely removed, the commission would resume the process by starting at the next lower spectrum target with the aggregation limit in place.” One of the big challenges for this auction is that the FCC will have to provide an as yet undetermined amount of the proceeds to television broadcasters giving up their rights to the spectrum, meet government needs to raise funds for the U.S. Treasury and to help fund the FirstNet public-safety network initiative. … Read more
GSA: More than 400 devices have LTE support
The push by domestic operators to rollout LTE services in the 700 MHz spectrum band has vaulted its worldwide leadership in supporting devices, according to a new study by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association. The GSA found that as of this month, 193 of the 417 LTE-enabled devices made available to consumers support some part of the 700 MHz spectrum band that is being used by Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility and a number of smaller U.S.-based operators as the basis for their LTE rollouts. The 2.6 GHz band, which is being used by operators in Europe and Latin America, has attracted 120 devices, followed by the 1.8 GHz band with 98 devices and the 800 MHz band with 90 devices. According to the GSA, there are 75 devices compatible with all three of those bands. “As LTE network rollouts rapidly develop in other regions, particularly in Europe where operators are primarily using 2600 MHz, 1800 MHz and 800 MHz digital dividend spectrum, in many cases using all three bands, manufacturers have quickly responded with products for these markets,” the GSA noted. … Read more
Ingram Micro buys BrightPoint
Supply-chain services provider Ingram Micro announced plans to acquire rival BrightPoint (CELL) for approximately $840 million in a deal that will further boost Ingram Micro’s dominance in the fulfillment services business. The deal is valued at a 66% premium over BrightPoint’s closing price last Friday. Ingram Micro noted the deal will expand its global geographic footprint and customer base in the “rapidly growing and strategically important mobility market.” The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. (Check out RCR Wireless News’ recent Feature Report on the supply-chain and fulfillment services business “Device evolution spurs supply management challenges.”) Ingram Micro has made inroads into the mobile space, including deals with Verizon Wireless and Nokia. BrightPoint has been more focused on the mobile space, having expanded both its domestic and international presence. BrightPoint generated more than $5.2 billion in revenues last year and employs approximately 4,000 people across facilities in 24 countries. The company said it handled more than 112 million wireless devices in 2011. … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News Archives for more stories from the past.
