Editor’s Note: Wireless operators are a busy bunch, and as such RCR Wireless News will attempt to gather some of the important announcements that may slip through the cracks from the world’s largest carriers in a weekly wrap-up. Enjoy!
The merger and acquisition drama playing out between Softbank, Sprint Nextel, Dish Network and Clearwire continues to dominate the domestic carrier scene, though moves made this week could see some of this situation clear up by the end of the month.
The biggest move was Dish backing away from its attempt to acquire Sprint Nextel, which is now set to be acquired by Softbank by early next month. However, Dish Network’s interest in Clearwire, which recently garnered approval from Clearwire’s “special committee,” this week received a lawsuit from Sprint Nextel attempting to stop the deal.
–While Sprint Nextel remains busy handling that affair, the carrier continues its slow progress in rolling out LTE services across its 1.9 GHz spectrum holdings. The carrier announced this week the expansion of coverage to 22 new markets, pushing its total coverage to 110 markets across the country. The carrier said it was still on track to cover 200 million potential customers by the end of the year.
—T-Mobile US reported that its planned migration of MetroPCS customers onto its HSPA+ and LTE network was ramping ahead of schedule. T-Mobile USA closed on its acquisition of MetroPCS in early May forming the new T-Mobile US.
The carrier noted that MetroPCS customers in Boston; Las Vegas; and Hartford, Conn., could now purchase three new devices compatible with T-Mobile US’ network in the LG Optimus L9, Samsung Galaxy Exhibit and Samsung Galaxy S III. The carrier also launched a bring-your-own-device program for customers in those markets as well as Dallas.
In switching to the new network, MetroPCS customers will be trading in their current coverage that is based in MetroPCS’ legacy CDMA and LTE network for broader coverage from T-Mobile US’ 2G, HSPA+-based 3G and LTE network. Customers making the switch will be able to keep their current MetroPCS rate plans.
T-Mobile US said that it will continue supporting the MetroPCS, with plans to further integrate the network capabilities that lead to 100 million more potential customers covered by MetroPCS services over the next six quarters. MetroPCS covered just over 100 million pops prior to its merger with T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile US said it expects all of MetroPCS customers to be transitioned to the new device portfolio by the end of 2015.
–Rural operator Bluegrass Cellular said it has deployed microwave backhaul systems from Exalt to support its 2G, 3G and burgeoning LTE network deployments. Bluegrass noted that the system will backhaul traffic at more than 150 cell sites back to the carrier’s core fiber network using Exalt’s all-indoor 6 GHz systems and split-mount systems in the 11 and 18 GHz frequency bands. Exalt explained the system can support backhaul speeds from T1 up to 100 megabits per second.
Bluegrass is currently operating a pair of LTE networks across its rural Kentucky markets. Those offerings include its own service dubbed GetSetGo that provides fixed mobile broadband using the carrier’s lower 700 MHz spectrum, while the other taps into the upper 700 MHz spectrum bands as part of Verizon Wireless’ LTE in Rural America program.
–Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo unveiled a new base station design that it claims is “less than one-tenth the size and less than one-fifth the weight of conventional LTE base stations.” The carrier noted that the base station supports both LTE and 3G services and is set to enter commercial operations on its network this month.
DoCoMo, which is Japan’s largest wireless operator, stated that the new base station was designed to expand coverage into low-traffic areas such as mountainous areas where there is insufficient room for conventional base stations. The base station is also designed to support up to two secondary stations as well as simultaneous LTE and 3G traffic.
As for its overall LTE coverage, DoCoMo said it plans to double the number of base stations to 50,000 units by the end of March 2014, expanding the reach of its network throughout the country. The carrier initially launched LTE services in late 2010
—Vodafone Group acknowledged that it was in talks with Kabel Deutschland regarding the possible acquisition of the company. The carrier did not provide details on the talks, noting that there was no certainty that an offer will be made.
Vodafone has recently broadened its non-wireless operations with the $1.7 billion purchase of Cable & Wireless Worldwide. CWW has an extensive cable network in Europe and Asia, which Vodafone said will strengthen its enterprise business. Vodafone also holds a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, which majority partner Verizon Communications is interested in purchasing. Rumors have been circulating that Verizon could offer more than $100 billion for Vodafone’s stake in Verizon Wireless.
–Colorado-based Viaero Wireless launched a subscription music service in partnership with Neurotic Media under the “VGroov” brand providing access to “conditional music download catalogs” from major and independent record companies. The offering is available as a native application on smartphones using Google’s Android operating system.
Viaero noted the unlimited music offering is available at no charge to customers of its Viaero2Go Unlimited Everywhere data service, or as a $10 per month add-on for customers of its Simplicity offering.
Additional carrier news can be found on the RCR Wireless News “Carriers” page.
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