ericdabbs

I get that there is still backlash on Mark's article about the alleged LTE markets which spread like wildfire to other tech blogs reporting the false news. I thought that the idea of prepaid customers getting 4G but of the Wimax flavor to help offload the 3G network and found the article interesting. We should all really hope that it does come to fruition because that would seriously help Sprint offload more customers data off of Sprint's 3G network onto Clearwire's 4G network for those that live in the Wimax footprint.

According to Technobuffalo, Virgin and Boost prepaid may be getting some 4G love but of the Wimax flavor as soon as June. At first glance I thought, why would Sprint give 4G capability to prepaid since their plans are so cheap already until it hit me. I think its a very good idea that Sprint is doing this.

Not only would it bring the Virgin and Boost customers to increase their data speeds with the introduction of 4G Wimax but I think Sprint is making this move primarily to help relieve capacity on its 3G network. This benefits not only Sprint but Clearwire as well for the following reasons:

1) Helps Sprint offload 3G data to 4G WiMax in markets that have Clearwire service that will help relieve tower capacity for the 3G network for not only postpaid but also prepaid customers as well. Since Sprint and Clearwire have a contract until 2015 to provide Wimax capability why not take advantage of it.

2) Helps Clearwire maintain a steady stream of revenue from Sprint prepaid customers to replace the hopefully huge exodus of the postpaid EVO and current out of contract customers fleeing to LTE phones.

3) Possible increase ARPU on Sprint's prepaid customers by increasing prices to help subsidize the Clearwire network. Not sure if they will charge the full $10 extra for the 4G service but I think Sprint should.

http://www.technobuffalo.com/mobile-devices/phones/virgin-mobile-and-boost-making-the-move-to-4g-via-sprints-wimax-as-soon-as-june/

What do you guys think?

Interesting articles commenting on the proposed Verizon 700 MHz A&B block spectrum sale. I learned a few things about the 700 MHz A&B spectrum that Verizon holds.

For one thing, Verizon has mandated buildout requirements for the 700 MHz A&B blocks by mid 2013 to at least 35% of the licensed geographical regions. There are also rumors that the A block may have interference problems with TV broadcasters on channel 51 which complicate the chance of it being used for LTE service. Also since the 700 MHz C block that Verizon has nationwide is so unique in that the downlink and uplink frequencies are flipped, it would be very costly for Verizon to implement additional antennas and filters on its handsets to account for the 700 MHz A, B and C blocks for LTE. Verizon would have add a new chip to use the A&B blocks of which Verizon was not going to front the money up for it.

It seems like Verizon had zero intention of ever deploying 700 MHz in the A&B blocks which further confirms what the RCA has been saying that Verizon has been warehousing or hoarding "beachfront spectrum" from the competition. In addition the RCA believes that the sale of the 700 MHz A&B is NOT sufficient enough to approve the cable deal which leads me to believe that further divestitures are required or a denial by the FCC. In addition the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) also confirms what they have been accusing Verizon of warehousing "beachfront" spectrum and even question if there is truly a spectrum crisis.

Bottom line is that Verizon's antics are up to no good and more of the reason why this deal should not be approved. I posted quotes from each article below that were relevant to confirm what I have learned.

Fiercewireless:

http://www.fiercewir...trum/2012-04-18

CNET:

" Who will want Verizon's 700MHz spectrum?

http://news.cnet.com...able-after-all/

ComputerWorld

"Verizon billed the proposed sale as an effort to "rationalize" its spectrum holdings, but representatives of television broadcasters and small carriers were quick to accuse the nation's largest carrier of hoarding spectrum while at the same time lobbying federal authorities to make more of the airwaves available under the pretense of scarcity.

"Today's proposal by Verizon to sell reallocated broadcast TV spectrum involves airwaves in the largest urban markets in America that it purchased more than four years ago," Dennis Wharton, executive vice president of communications for the National Association of Broadcasters, said in a statement. "The fact that it has warehoused this 'beachfront property' raises the fundamental question of whether a spectrum shortage actually exists."

The Rural Cellular Association, a trade group, also weighed in with concerns about Verizon's proposed sell-off, echoing both the broadcasters' accusation of spectrum hoarding and the advocacy groups' warning about the anti-competitive implications of the cable deal.

"This announcement confirms what RCA has said: Verizon has developed a spectrum warehouse exceeding its needs," RCA President and CEO Steven Berry said in a statement."

"Selling its Lower 700 MHz A and B block licenses is not sufficient to resolve competitive concerns in the industry," Berry added. "Further, Verizon's announcement increases RCA's concerns with the pending cable transactions, including access to usable, LTE-ready spectrum and access to commercially reasonable roaming and backhaul arrangements. These deals require strict scrutiny, enforceable conditions helping to restore the competitive marketplace, and divestiture in markets where the transfers are not in the public interest."

http://news.idg.no/c...3A5D715A0715F99

I hope the Photon 2 will be based off of the Snapdragon S4 chip. It seems like Motorola is stepping away from the Tegra and OMAP series for now which I think is a good move. I would love to have HD voice in the Photon 2.

TI is taking too long with the OMAP 5 and should have released it already and they need to get into gear on that. Nvidia is taking too long with providing built in LTE support from the start. I really hope the Tegra 4 has built in LTE capability.

Perhaps so-- Government needs to stay out of it and let the market decide. Once a monopoly gets too comfortable, an innovator with a better product and /or price will come forth-- necessity is the mother of invention... and when it does, the customers quickly vote with their wallets. Always have faith in the consumer-- as long as he is well-informed!

Completely disagree with your statement. There are huge barriers for entry in the wireless carrier space of which your statement does not apply which is why the government and the FCC needs to become involved. I don't care if someone came up with a new invention in wireless to be more spectrally efficient because at the end of the day they will still need spectrum. Without spectrum this new invention is going to be mean diddly squat because it would be all gobbled up by Verizon and AT&T. This crap happened before with the Ma Bell situation and had to be broken up. Without checks and balances, Verizon and AT&T could easily form a duopoly which is bad for the consumer. I always laugh when I hear people do not want competition like its a good thing.

In the grocery market sector, I am glad I see Walmart and Target offering produce and deli (in Walmart at least) to compete with the supermarket chains like Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Ralphs, Stater Bros. I always felt that the supermarkets chains were usually a rip off and I find myself buying a lot of stuff from Walmart and Target just because I have choice. Choice is always good for the consumer just like it is in the wireless space.

DIdn't sprint pay something like 38 Billion for nextel? That would have been enough to buy every license for both the AWS and 700mhz auctions which brought in a total 33 billion

I believe Sprint paid 36 billion for Nextel. Keep in mind that the spectrum is done through auctions and if Sprint participated in them, they would not be able to buy up every license for both AWS and 700 Mhz. Im sure Verizon and AT&T would have loved to have done that and use their financial muscle to choke the competition of spectrum.

I have compiled a spreadsheet of the Lower 700 MHz A/B block licenses that VZW may open up for sale.

 

https://docs.google....amdUZV9QX3RvdlE

 

AJ

I would love to see MetroPCS and USCC scoop up the majority of the 700 MHz.

Well I guess time will tell. The only good thing out of this merger so far will be the access to the 800 MHz. If you think about it even the nationwide 1900 MHz 'G' block that was granted to Sprint was as a result of the 800 MHz rebanding because of Nextel PTT.

Right now Sprint LTE is deployed entirely on "Nextel" spectrum because of the 1900 MHz 'G' block and the next planned 5x5 carrier is on the 800 MHz spectrum. I believe even Sprint's 2.5 GHz spectrum was originally owned by Nextel as well before the merger. So I guess you can say has played a key role in Sprint's 4G strategy and without the vast amount of Nextel spectrum it would be very hard for Sprint to deploy its own LTE network.

On the other hand, I think a lot of people will argue that had they not merge with Nextel, that they would have had funds to participate in the AWS and 700 MHz spectrum auctions in 2006 and 2008.

Robert, not sure if this thread should be merged with the one below. Maybe close this thread and move the responses to the thread below.

http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/786-verizon-to-sell-spectrum-if-cable-deal-approved/

I don't think it would be enough spectrum to let it pass the FCC. They should be forced to add some of the C block to make it nation wide and at least 5x5.

Verizon will not sell the 700 MHz C block since they already have customers who are using the LTE service. Verizon can not just disrupt services like that without a nice transition plan. With all the first generation LTE phones in 2011 that only support the C block that won't happen.

To be honest, the 700 MHz C block is not enough of a divestitures to get the deal done. What the smaller carriers need is divestitures from Verizon on all of their current AWS spectrum. Tmobile, Cricket, MetroPCS and US Cellular all use AWS spectrum for their LTE and voice service. Since the cable company deal will grant Verizon a 20 MHz block of AWS spectrum that is nationwide, there is no need for Verizon to hold onto its current AWS spectrum assets and could be used by the smaller carriers to bolster their coverage. Cricket and MetroPCS both have a coverage gap in the central to east coast regions which could really use the AWS divestitures.

I'm with you on that eric. I want them to divest their current AWS spectrum plus their 700MHz A&B before they're allowed to purchase the SpectrumCo licenses. I would also put a stipulation that the licenses be sold to small players before AT&T has a chance.

Yeah putting a priority to smaller players for both the 700 MHz A&B and AWS spectrum would have to be the condition. If Verizon is serious about trying to get both the FCC and the RCA on approval with this deal they would need to do perform these divestitures at a minimum. I would also love to see Verizon have to divest some PCS for Sprint's sake but then it would then get into greedy territory.

What Verizon is doing with its current proposal of selling just the 700 MHz A&B blocks doesn't help the smaller carriers one bit except for AT&T since smaller carriers mainly use AWS spectrum. The last thing I want to see is both AT&T and Verizon become stronger by dominating the AWS spectrum as well as the cable companies enforcing more dominance over the TV airwaves.

Posted similar story here.

http://s4gru.com/ind...-in-cable-deal/

I would need more details on how much spectrum is given up first. But on first impression I am still not sold. There are not or if any small regional carriers that use 700 MHz for LTE. We know that MetroPCS, Cricket, Tmobile, US Cellular are the other major carriers that rely primarily on AWS spectrum that could really use the central to east coast coverage that Verizon currently holds. I would much rather have Verizon divest some its PCS and all of its current AWS spectrum holdings. Verizon can keep the A and B blocks of 700 MHz.

I know that both MetroPCS and Cricket have a coverage gap in the central to east coast region that could really use the AWS spectrum from Verizon.

It appears that Verizon is trying to make some concessions by selling its A and B blocks of 700 MHz spectrum in order to try to persuade the FCC to grant the cable company deal for the AWS spectrum. What do you guys think? Personally I would like to see how much spectrum Verizon is willing to give up in exchange for the AWS spectrum. Unless its a lot more than what Verizon is gaining in the AWS deal then I say no deal. I don't really know of any carrier besides AT&T that really deploys LTE at 700 MHz anyways.

http://www.slashgear...ctrum-18223439/

Hopefully AJ can chime in on this but if Verizon were to sell its A and B blocks of 700 MHz spectrum, what frequencies are we looking it becoming available to carriers and how much spectrum?

Does that mean T-Mobile will repurpose their PCS holdings (which is significant), for HSPA+?

Yes Tmobile is planning to repurpose most of its PCS holdings for HSPA+

Differential Equation

In regards to the Nextel tower shutdown, correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that they would decommission sites that were built to enhance network capacity, which for a total user base of 4.1 million, is overkill x100. I'm also assuming the equipment located in those sites is duct-taped together and has to get the hamster spinning the wheel replaced monthly.

I don't think we know what Sprint plans to do with the base tower equipment in the immediate future of these decommissioned Nextel sites. I would assume that they would have to remove the cabinets from the location at some point.

AT&T is also rolling out a 10x10 configuration in markets that they can thanks to the acquisition of the Qualcomm 700 MHz spectrum. Everywhere else AT&T plans to launch a 5x5 configuration at 700 MHz.

Tmobile is planning to rollout LTE in 2013 and they are planning on a 10x10 configuration on their AWS spectrum in their top 25-50 markets. I would assume for the rest of the markets it would use a 5x5 configuration.

Hurt Locker

Has anyone swung by a Sprint store to confirm if they have yanked the iDEN products from their shelves? According to the article this should have happened this past sunday, 4/15.

I agree with you on past samsings. But looking at the FCC numbers, the LTEVO isn't looking great with reception either.

 

Hoping the numbers for the Galaxy 3 come out soon also.

 

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah but this is in theory. Until people start to try out the HTC Evo 4G LTE phone in real world settings, I am going to give HTC a pass. Samsung however has been proven to have a bad track record so far consistently.

Until Samsung starts improving their radios and GPS chips, I will stay away from Samsung and their phones. Also I am not a fan of the Exynos processor and would much rather have a TI OMAP or Qualcomm Snapdragon SOC chip anyday. The GSII and Nexus have reception issues.

I try to follow any thread that is Network Vision related as well as any thread that are concerning Sprint or Clearwire.

This video is super old. At first blogs were somewhat giving credit to this guy but later revoked it. In one of the videos, he mentioned he was using a Huawei hotspot device which we know is not the hotspot device that will be released in May. I would take this guy's youtube video with a grain of salt and wouldn't put too much credence on his claims.

I wonder if Clearwire ever intends to max out their spectrum holdings for LTE-Advanced. They have ~140MHz per market, maybe do a full blown 20+20+20+20+20 config(since LTE-A Rev.10 only supports up to 100MHz).

Imagine the speeds...

I don't see Clearwire maxing out their spectrum holdings initially for LTE-Advanced. I can see them deploying at launch next year at least two ...maybe three 20 MHz carriers for its LTE network. Until Clearwire can claim those Lightsquared customers, there is just no need to deploy four to five 20 MHz carriers when there is not enough demand for it. Its better for Clearwire to have some reserve spectrum to use for future expansion as oppose to going all out initially.

Keep in mind that the speeds don't need to go dramatically higher to satisfy customers. I am sure most of us would be happy with a consistent 10-15 Mbps LTE connection in most places we go to.

Im thinking its gonna come out on apr 22nd or the 29th. I think Sprint is trying to push out the Gnex launch as long as possible without making it irrelevant so that it gives all the 3 vendors as much time as they can to deploy as many NV towers as possible before people start expecting to use LTE on it despite warnings that LTE coverage is very scarce.