4GHoward

No. Because LightSquared planned to piggyback on the Network Vision platform, Sprint's footprint would have dictated much, if not all of LightSquared's footprint. The idea that LightSquared was going to bring cheap, terrestrial based wireless broadband to many rural areas was a fantasy of LightSquared supporters. In truth, LightSquared was going to rely on satellite broadband to serve those largely rural areas.

 

If the general extent of Sprint coverage does not suit your needs (or your ego), then you would be wise to find a different carrier with coverage that does.

 

AJ

Robert already answered the question in the above post.

I suppose. The biggest difference is that Clearwire only covers 70 cities and Sprint covers over 1,000. But I guess there are similarities.

 

Robert

What if Sprint still had a deal with LightSquared? Would it mean anything for Sprint about a coverage expansion?

This is a nonsensical argument. Sprint will only add service where they spend more in roaming fees to other carriers than they would if they just installed service themselves. Sprint is not in a pecker contest to see who's is bigger. They are not trying to have the biggest network. Sprint is in no position to add service anywhere right now. They are losing money. And riasing roaming limits has a direct impact on increasing roaming fees. That's not going to happen.

 

Sprint also does not move customers over to roaming because the network is slow. Sprint customers only roam when they do not have Sprint coverage.

 

Sprint will not be adding any significant native coverage before the conclusion of Network Vision with additional sites. They cannot afford to. The only additional sites you can expect are ones that pay for themselves because of roaming fees are excessive in the area.

 

Robert

It is almost like Clearwire Strategy where they are not going to expand their coverage, but instead they are just working on adding more capacity to existing towers.

Why would they spend $60 Million (to use CS's numbers) in redundant coverage in the area, when they already have a mutually beneficial relationship with C Spire, including the possibility of LTE roaming? Also, C Spire would not welcome a competitor setting up shop all over their service area. C Spire and Sprint would have a completely different relationship if Sprint wanted to set up service side by side as a direct threat/competitor. This does not make sense at all.

 

Sprint wants to Network Host for other companies who need a fast deployed nation wide network. They are not looking for someone to regionally host them. This is so far out of bounds for their plans. It's not even on the radar.

 

Robert

So what is the point of having off-network roaming usage limits if Sprint won't expand? For example, Sprint doesn't want customers to be using another network just because their network is slower. I don't see a reason why Sprint should have all these off-network roaming usage limits if their network is slow in certain areas.

Howard, I am sorry. But if you cannot offer anything in response other than vapid questions, then I cannot help you any further.

 

AJ

If C Spire happens to make an arrangement with Sprint, Sprint might as well expand their coverage in that area instead of having to pay roaming cost. There might be more competition, but it might be a good benefit for those people since Sprint already has more coverage nationwide compared to C Spire.

Why would Sprint expand its network into podunk areas of Mississippi just to provide Network Vision hosting where C Spire already has native coverage? Why would Sprint ever do that? Why would C Spire ever ask Sprint to do that?

 

AJ

If you happen to travel in that area, would it be a good idea to have native coverage in that area instead of roaming?

Howard, how can Sprint provide Network Vision "Strategy" to C Spire where Sprint has no native coverage?

 

AJ

Can a partnership like that make Sprint expand their network since they are being forced into a market from a Network Vision Arrangement?

How would Sprint use this as an opportunity to expand its network? Explain. And please do not answer in the form of another question.

 

AJ

They will get money from C Spire to be part of Sprint Network Vision Strategy. Therefore, Sprint can use that money for multi-mode equipment that will work for C Spire and Sprint. Sprint will have to enter the market to expand.

Are you asking me to speculate whether C Spire will spend more or less than $60M on its deployment, or whether C Spire would spend less for Sprint to host their network?

 

If it's the latter, Sprint cannot host their network. C Spire has many more sites in its coverage area than Sprint.

 

Robert

You did not answer my questions but posed yet another question.

 

AJ

Do you see this as an advantage for Sprint to expand their network?

Network hosting where? In what markets? In and around Mississippi, C Spire has far more extensive coverage than Sprint does.

 

AJ

Can you see it benefiting Sprint in anyway?

C Spire is welcome to do deals with both Sprint and Tmo. I cannot think of any limitation why they wouldn't try to work out LTE roaming deals with both carriers. It's not like they are only allowed to do a deal with one or the other. I think the FCC would really frown on any deal with an exclusivity clause. The AlcaLu point is irrelevant, really.

 

Robert

Do you expect it to cost more or less? C Spire is planning to invest $60 million for its initial phase of LTE Deployment.

It's possible. If they both have deployments in the same band, then it is possible. Is there any will for that? I have no idea. It's going to be awhile before Tmo has a LTE network launched anywhere though.

 

Robert

Would it be a better idea if C Spire entered a network hosting agreement with Sprint since Sprint is already using Alcatel-Lucent for Network Vision?

I have seen Sprint correspondence where they are talking about coordinating LTE roaming deals with wireless carriers who have or will deploy LTE in Band 25. Never any mention of names. C Spire could very well be among them. Makes sense.

 

Robert

Do you know if it is possible for T-Mobile?

It is possible...

 

AJ

Will it also be possible if T-Mobile can roam off of C Spire's LTE 1700 MHz AWS Spectrum?

Is it possible if Sprint will be able to roam off of C Spire's LTE 1900 MHz PCS Spectrum when C Spire complete its LTE Deployment with Alcatel-Lucent?

Source: http://www.fiercewir...trum/2012-07-06

There is a Beltway 8 and Loop 610 in Houston.

wireless internet

Mickey Mouse

Willy Wonka

Are there any news about the Facebook Smartphone?

dead end

I wonder if Boost Mobile will start offering Mobile Broadband like Virgin Mobile.

International Festival

As Chad said, no way, no how, not going to happen. I don't care if they share the same building, Sprint is not going to let Clearwire out of their grasp. They need Clearwire for urban offloading. And Sprint has enough stake in the company to block any sale or merger.

Does anyone cares about LightSquared anymore?

I just do not see sprint letting that spectrum go to a competitor unless it is because FCC wants them to divest once they buy out clearwire. Sprint needs that spectrum to stay competitive. Sprint would be in the worse position when it comes to spectrum if they lose it. And from what Robert explains on sprint's capacity plans, it seems heavily relied on that spectrum.

 

I also do not see a Sprint/Tmobile merger passing the FCC or DOJ. They seem pretty much dead set on having at least 4 national competitors. Maybe a Metro/Tmobile or Metro/Sprint would work, but not a deal that would consolidate the big 4. Plus Tmobile has already made plans to use 1700mhz for LTE and 1900mhz for HSPA+, while Sprint is using 1900 for LTE.

Surprisingly, Clearwire and T-Mobile are both headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. If they do happen to merge with each other, it should be an easy transition to move most of the existing Clearwire Employees to T-Mobile Headquarters.

I remember when Sprint bought Nextel that it was a hard transition because both companies were in two different states. They did a lot of moving and relocating.