Jump to content

Shentel / Sprint LTE - (was ntelos - West & N&W Virginia)


marioc21

Recommended Posts

Affiliate was the word I should have used. An affiliate isn't necessarily a bad thing. I live in the Shentel (affiliate) market and I am impressed how well a small company can run a wireless network. I just hope ntelos can improve to be at least as good as the network is here.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Affiliate was the word I should have used. An affiliate isn't necessarily a bad thing. I live in the Shentel (affiliate) market and I am impressed how well a small company can run a wireless network. I just hope ntelos can improve to be at least as good as the network is here.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition

 

Shentel is a good affiliate. However, I think if the current nTelos management remains in place, it will more closely resemble Swiftel than Shentel...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

selling 1900 PCS to t-mobile is a fire sale price of 56 million.  Stock has fallen 40%. 

 

http://markets.financialcontent.com/prnews/quote?Symbol=NTLS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ntelos abandoning its eastern market, selling 1900 PCS to t-mobile at fire sale price of 56 million.  Stock has fallen 40%.  Says it wants to focus on western portion and its deal with Sprint.

 

http://markets.financialcontent.com/prnews/quote?Symbol=NTLS

 

http://markets.financialcontent.com/prnews/news/read/28813739/ntelos_holdings_corp._announces_strategic_refocus

 

Even at a $6 per share price that would be less than $130 million for the whole company.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This just feels like when Clearwire ditched its retail business and focused only on strategic wholesale with Sprint (and possibly others that didn't really pan out).  It just seems nTelos is headed toward a Shentel or Sprint buyout.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This just feels like when Clearwire ditched its retail business and focused only on strategic wholesale with Sprint (and possibly others that didn't really pan out).  It just seems nTelos is headed toward a Shentel or Sprint buyout.

 

I hope so. I just fear if they (Sprint/Softbank/Shentel) wait, someone else will take them whole.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope so. I just fear if they (Sprint/Softbank/wait someone else will take them whole.

 

It seems like they are reducing the cost by pumping out assets.  All the AWS spectrum over the whole footprint and the entire Eastern part of the market network and spectrum is non strategic to Sprint.  It looks like they are having nTelos get rid of all that and then they can get on with their offer.  I have no inside info.  It just appears that this is what is going on to me.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems like they are reducing the cost by pumping out assets.  All the AWS spectrum over the whole footprint and the entire Eastern part of the market network and spectrum is non strategic to Sprint.  It looks like they are having nTelos get rid of all that and then they can get on with their offer.  I have no inside info.  It just appears that this is what is going on to me.

 

Certainly could be, however I would still think nTelos is vulnerable to be sold wholesale to someone else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Certainly could be, however I would still think nTelos is vulnerable to be sold wholesale to someone else.

 

Without spectrum, nTelos no longer would be valuable to anyone except Sprint.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://ir.ntelos.com/Cache/1001192642.PDF?Y=&O=PDF&D=&FID=1001192642&T=&IID=4110676

 

this is the presentation for conference call.  Includes maps. movement of LTE equipment etc

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://ir.ntelos.com/Cache/1001192642.PDF?Y=&O=PDF&D=&FID=1001192642&T=&IID=4110676

 

this is the presentation for conference call.  Includes maps. movement of LTE equipment etc

 

That solves the mystery of Charlottesville once and for all.  It will be a part of the new core strategic Western markers.  :thx:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Without spectrum, nTelos no longer would be valuable to anyone except Sprint.

 

Unless someone needed some infrastructure to build out in that area. Plus Sprint could always use the PCS and BRS spectrum than nTelos currently has.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless someone needed some infrastructure to build out in that area. Plus Sprint could always use the PCS and BRS spectrum than nTelos currently has.

 

Yeah.  But this is low risk.  AT&T and VZW wouldn't do it.  Tmo is focusing its money on 700 build out and rural conversion.  And Tmo needs spectrum in those areas to make a real play.  If nTelos is shedding assets for a potential sale, then they likely already have a commitment from Sprint or Shentel.  A deal has likely already been figured out.  And we are seeing the results of it playing out before our eyes.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://ir.ntelos.com/Cache/1001192642.PDF?Y=&O=PDF&D=&FID=1001192642&T=&IID=4110676

 

this is the presentation for conference call.  Includes maps. movement of LTE equipment etc

 

They mention migrating existing subs (in the eastern markets) to another carrier. Hopefully Sprint is that carrier...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They mention migrating existing subs (in the eastern markets) to another carrier. Hopefully Sprint is that carrier...

 

That was my assumption.  And it doesn't seem like it's Tmo, or they would have likely mentioned it with the announcement of the spectrum sale.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah.  But this is low risk.  AT&T and VZW wouldn't do it.  Tmo is focusing its money on 700 build out and rural conversion.  And Tmo needs spectrum in those areas to make a real play.  If nTelos is shedding assets for a potential sale, then they likely already have a commitment from Sprint or Shentel.  A deal has likely already been figured out.  And we are seeing the results of it playing out before our eyes.

 

If crazy Charlie wasn't around I could probably agree with that....

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless someone needed some infrastructure to build out in that area. Plus Sprint could always use the PCS and BRS spectrum than nTelos currently has.

 

 It would be smarter for Sprint to control that spectrum.  Mountainous terrain is tough for cellular service to operate in. Leave those headaches to nTelos or Shentel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If crazy Charlie wasn't around I could probably agree with that....

 

Yeah, but I don't think you get what I'm saying.  I believe nTelos and Sprint or Shentel already have discussed and worked out the framework to a buyout.  And you are likely seeing the first part of the deal...shedding non strategic assets.  Sprint doesn't want to pay for assets it has no need of, and then try to go through the trouble of selling them.  And possibly messing with the spectrum screens.

 

Get an agreement worked out, get them to do all the grunt work.  Get the price down after the assets are sold.  Then buy out the company.  The existing nTelos network is not worth much and it really is not a prize to anyone.  I don't even see DISH going after it.  He needs a national player.  

 

So being worried that Sprint is not buying out nTelos is nothing.  That's probably already happening.  And if not, nTelos is getting less valuable by the day to anyone else as nTelos gets completely dependent on Sprint.  And also, Sprint likely has first right to refusal for any nTelos purchase.  Stop freaking out.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It Sprint does buy them, I would want them to do it right, ie not western PA -- which is really only 3G.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it is the investors who are freaking out -- stock down more than 50%

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

nTelos is going to ditch its Tidewater markets in Virginia (divesting the spectrum to T-Mobile) and concentrate on its more profitable "Western Markets" where it also operates its Sprint wholesale network.

 

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/ntelos-exit-markets-eastern-virginia-sell-pcs-spectrum-t-mobile/2014-12-02

 

Positioning for a buyout by Sprint or Shentel?

Edited by WiWavelength
Migrated from a redundant, locked thread.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it is the investors who are freaking out -- stock down more than 50%

 

That's what Sprint wants.  Drive down the price.  The assets are worth more than the cash in the long run.  Without those assets, the value of nTelos drops accordingly.  So the stock price is going down.  Investors know that their long term investment in nTelos is now hindered with just a network only Sprint service agreement.  It will probably drop more as they announce the selling of their towers and possibly more spectrum sales.  Making the price much more palatable to Sprint for purchase.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

selling 1900 PCS to t-mobile is a fire sale price of 56 million.

 

Honestly, this is a head scratcher.  Why T-Mobile?  Why not Sprint?  Per my spreadsheets, both Richmond and Norfolk are PCS A-F block 20 MHz markets, which have little flexibility in spectrum refarming for additional LTE carriers.  Only $56 million would have been chump change for Sprint to shore up its spectrum situation in the Tidewater region.

 

AJ

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • large.unreadcontent.png.6ef00db54e758d06

  • gallery_1_23_9202.png

  • Posts

    • Excuse my rookie comments here, but after enabling *#73#, it seems that the rainbow sim V2? requires n70 (I turned it off along with n71 - was hoping to track n66) to be available else it switches to T-Mobile.  So this confirms my suspicion that you need to be close to a site to get on Dish.  Have no idea why they don't just use plmn. To test, I put it into a s21 ultra, rebooted twice, came up on T-Mobile (no n70 on s21).  Tried to manually register on 313340, but it did not connect (tried twice). I am on factory unlocked firmware but used a s22 hack to get *#73# working.  Tried what you were suggesting with a T-Mobile sim partially installed, but that was very unstable with Dish ( I think they had figured that one out).  [edit: and now I see Boost sent me a successful device swap notice which says I can now begin to use my new device.  Sigh.  Will try again later and wait for this message - too impatient.]
    • Hopefully this indicates T-Mobile hasn't completely abandoned mmwave and/or small cells? But then again this is the loop, so take that as you will. Hopefully now that most macro activity is done (besides rural colo/builds), they will start working on small cells.   
    • This has been approved.. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fcc-approves-t-mobiles-deal-to-purchase-mint-mobile/  
    • In the conference call they had two question on additional spectrum. One was the 800 spectrum. They are not certain what will happen, thus have not really put it into their plans either way (sale or no sale). They do have a reserve level. Nationwide 800Mhz is seen as great for new technologies which I presume is IOT or 5g slices.  T-Mobile did not bite on use of their c-band or DOD.  mmWave rapidly approaching deadlines not mentioned at all. FWA brushes on this as it deals with underutilized spectrum on a sector by sector basis.  They are willing to take more money to allow FWA to be mobile (think RV or camping). Unsure if this represents a higher priority, for example, FWA Mobile in RVs in Walmart parking lots working where mobile phones need all the capacity. In terms of FWA capacity, their offload strategy is fiber through joint ventures where T-Mobile does the marketing, sales, and customer support while the fiber company does the network planning and installation.  50%-50% financial split not being consolidated into their books. I think discussion of other spectrum would have diluted the fiber joint venture discussion. They do have a fund which one use is to purchase new spectrum. Sale of the 800Mhz would go into this. It should be noted that they continue to buy 2.5Ghz spectrum from schools etc to replace leases. They will have a conference this fall  to update their overall strategies. Other notes from the call are 75% of the phones on the network are 5g. About 85% of their sites have n41, n25, and n71, 90% 5g.  93% of traffic is on midband.  SA is also adding to their performance advantage, which they figure is still ahead of other carriers by two years. It took two weeks to put the auction 108 spectrum to use at their existing sites. Mention was also made that their site spacing was designed for midrange thus no gaps in n41 coverage, while competitors was designed for lowband thus toggles back and forth for n77 also with its shorter range.  
    • The manual network selection sounds like it isn't always scanning NR, hence Dish not showing up. Your easiest way to force Dish is going to be forcing the phone into NR-only mode (*#*#4636#*#* menu?), since rainbow sims don't support SA on T-Mobile.
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...