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Ofcom's opening up more spectrum to cope with UK mobile data demands
While Ofcom is busy soliciting opinion on whether it should open up more 4G spectrum to carriers, it's already taking the necessary steps to ease mobile data congestion in the UK. The regulator today announced that it will open up the 700 MHz spectrum, allowing mobile networks to enhance their data services for lower cost. With its longer wavelength, the 700 MHz band is particularly well suited for data. It can travel longer distances without degrading but also penetrate further into buildings, meaning it's useful in both rural and urban environments. It also helps that the UK isn't alone in wanting to utilise the frequency, with France, Sweden and Finland all announcing plans to use band. Ofcom plans to make spectrum available by 2022, but will first need to reallocate digital TV and wireless event communication signals to let carriers tap it for mobile broadband. Luckily, you won't need to do anything until 2019 at the very latest, and even then you'll probably only need to retune your television.
FCC head chastises Verizon for throttling unlimited data plans
Not happy that Verizon is going to throttle unlimited LTE data plans? You're not alone. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has just sent a letter to Verizon Wireless CEO Dan Mead criticizing the carrier for the new policy. He's "deeply troubled" by the move, and suggests that the arbitrary slowdowns may be violating the open access rules that Verizon said it would obey back in 2008. The FCC defines "reasonable network management" in terms of technology-related issues (like congestion and security) rather than service plans, Wheeler says. To him, Big Red is abusing a "loophole" in order to boot customers off of unlimited data and wring out more profit -- Mead may have to do a good job defending the decision if he wants to avoid a regulatory fight.
T-Mobile wraps up deal that promises LTE in more places
After champing at the bit for months, T-Mobile has finally closed its deal to buy $2.4 billion in wireless spectrum from Verizon. The UnCarrier now has the all-clear to roll out LTE data on the 700MHz band, which will help it upgrade its 2G-only areas to 4G speeds; you won't have to settle for pokey mobile internet access just because you're visiting friends in the countryside. The expanded wireless support is also coming to big urban centers like New York and Los Angeles, so existing LTE users should see more consistent coverage both indoors (where lower frequencies excel) and in otherwise patchy places. T-Mobile has already said that all its network should have LTE by mid-2015, but you may notice improvements by the end of this year.
Rogers' widened LTE support gives Canadians speedier data indoors
Canada got LTE relatively quickly, but that fast data currently has a big catch: since it doesn't run on low frequencies like in the US, you sometimes drop to 3G when you head indoors. Thankfully, those slowdowns won't be an issue for much longer. Rogers has officially switched on its 700MHz network in parts of Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, bringing LTE to your basement and other places where it was previously off-limits. It may help American travelers, too, since AT&T customers (who already have 700MHz support) can roam on Rogers' airwaves.
T-Mobile to upgrade all of its 2G markets to LTE by mid-2015
Happy birthday, T-Mobile LTE! It's been exactly one year since the UnCarrier launched its next-gen network, and it's taking advantage of the occasion by announcing further expansion. T-Mobile plans to flip the LTE switch in every market that currently has a 2G/EDGE connection -- in other words, everywhere else on the coverage map that isn't enjoying fast data right now. While the massive expansion is scheduled to be "substantially" complete by the middle of next year, many customers will notice a change before then, as 50 percent of the expansion is expected to take place by the end of 2014.
T-Mobile promises better coverage after spending $2.4 billion on spectrum from Verizon
T-Mobile has just made a big move to improve its coverage by purchasing a large swath of 700MHz A-Block spectrum from Verizon for nearly $2.4 billion in cash. The UnCarrier -- which has been in a buying mood lately -- said the deal will will help improve its coverage for 158 million people in 21 of the top 30 US markets, including New York, LA, Atlanta and Dallas. It added that the low-band spectrum (which has a greater range than high-band frequencies) will be particularly useful in city suburbs. As part of the deal, it'll also transfer $950 million worth of spectrum to Verizon in several markets, mostly in northern California and Atlanta. Don't get excited about having better 4G coverage just yet, though -- the deal's still subject to approval from the FCC and DoJ, which move at their own speed.
FCC rubber-stamps use of select AT&T LTE bands by smaller US carriers
Last month, AT&T agreed to let smaller US carriers use its 700MHz LTE spectrum, and now the Federal Communications Commission has rubber stamped the company's interoperability plan. With the approval in place, the way is paved for punier providers -- often in rural areas -- to support 4G devices built for Big Blue's network, and potentially leverage roaming over the particular waves. However, there's no word on how quickly other outfits will be able to take advantage of the fresh frequencies, even with the agency's blessing. Regardless, Uncle Sam is pretty optimistic about the deal, as the FCC says it will "improve wireless availability and competition, spur investment in and build out of the networks in the Lower 700MHz band, and result in significant savings to the consumer." Sure, congress still hasn't confirmed Tom Wheeler as the commission's head honcho, but acting chairwoman Mignon Clyburn seems to be warming his chair quite nicely.
Wind Mobile to participate in Canada's 700MHz wireless auction (update: more providers)
Wind Mobile apparently isn't worried that it has to fend without Verizon's help: the carrier has confirmed to MobileSyrup that it will participate in Canada's 700MHz wireless auction. While the provider doesn't have much more to share at this stage, it sees the LTE-friendly spectrum bid as proof of a "long-term commitment" to the country. The company will still have to win spectrum to better compete with Bell, Rogers and Telus, but its entry should assuage Canucks worried that only the incumbents can afford to buy more bandwidth. Update: EastLink and Public Mobile are also committed to the auction. Mobilicity, however, has yet to reveal its plans; if it doesn't announce its participation in the auction before noon today, it's out of the running.
AT&T agrees to LTE interoperability with smaller US carriers
Numerous regional US carriers have called for AT&T to support their 700MHz bands, which would give them the LTE devices and roaming coverage they need to compete with national rivals. These networks may soon get their wish: as part of an FCC-led deal, AT&T has agreed to support LTE on the 700MHz A Block frequencies held by smaller providers. While AT&T is short on details, it's already modifying its network to support the additional bands. Compatible devices will arrive in a "reasonable time frame," the telecom giant says. The commitment doesn't address LTE interoperability problems with Verizon and other major US networks, but it should help at least a few tiny carriers stand a fighting chance in the 4G era.
AT&T finalizes $1.9 billion spectrum purchase from Verizon, deal will improve LTE service in 18 states
It's taken almost eight months, but AT&T has at last finalized its deal to purchase $1.9 billion worth of spectrum from Verizon. The agreement, first announced back in January, allows Verizon to unload a good chunk of its 700MHz spectrum, which AT&T will in turn use to improve its LTE service for 42 million customers across 18 different states. And that's all she wrote, folks. If you're curious to see whether your state is covered, all 18 of them are listed in the press release below. Be warned, though: you'll also need to watch AT&T do a victory lap over how fast its network is.
Verizon shelves Wind and Mobilicity acquisitions, ponders Canada's 700MHz auction
Verizon's insatiable appetite for spectrum is legendary. The company's most recently been eyeing Canada's valuable 700MHz airwaves and even shown interest in acquiring troubled carriers Wind Mobile and Mobilicity. (Especially after the CRTC rejected Telus's attempt to purchase the latter.) The Globe and Mail now reports that VZW's chosen to delay its potential acquisitions of the two carriers until after next year's 700MHz auction and that the US company is considering a bid for the spectrum directly. It's unclear if Verizon is attempting to buy time, trying to push the price of the struggling operators down or simply losing interest in the Canadian market. One thing's for sure -- if the company bids in the auction it won't be able to negotiate any deals with other applicants until next year. [Image credit: Andrew Currie, Flickr]
Verizon reportedly offers more than $600 million to buy Wind Mobile
Verizon's curiosity about entering the Canadian market could represent more than just a brief fascination: Reuters claims that Big Red has made a "tentative" bid for Wind Mobile. While the exact price would depend on what Verizon finds in Wind's accounting books, the estimated value ranges from $600 million to $800 million. Neither party is commenting on the rumor, although Verizon may still be open to alternative deals -- it supposedly approached Mobilicity about a potential acquisition. Verizon will likely need permission from both the Canadian government and Vodafone to make any takeover attempt official, but the reported bidding suggests that the company is willing to brave the gauntlet for some 700MHz spectrum and a presence up North.
Verizon reportedly considers purchasing Canada's Wind Mobile (updated)
Competition in the Canadian cellphone space is on shaky ground when Wind Mobile faces an uncertain future. If The Globe and Mail's sources are accurate, however, Wind may get a lifeline from an unexpected source: Verizon. The US carrier has reportedly held "exploratory" talks for a possible takeover of Wind that would help the Canadian firm bid in the upcoming 700MHz auction, improving its chances against local giants Bell, Rogers and Telus. Mobilicity is also a potential acquisition target following Telus' failed buyout, according to the tipsters. None of the involved parties are commenting at this stage, although Verizon couldn't just walk into the Canadian market. The provider would have to deal with foreign ownership rules as well as the investment limits of its Vodafone partnership -- and neither obstacle is likely to disappear overnight. Update: The answer is "maybe:" Verizon CFO Fran Shammo has confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that his company is exploring an entry into Canada, but won't say if that involves Wind or another existing carrier.
Canada's 700MHz auction pushed to January 2014, Telus denied Mobilicity spectrum transfer
Oh, Canada. Just one day after we received word of the CRTC's new wireless code, Industry Canada -- its government's equivalent of the FCC -- announced further postponements of the country's pending 700MHz spectrum auction. Already delayed from the first half of this year to November, IC is pushing the auction back yet another two months to January 14th, 2014, while the application deadline has been reset for September 17th of this year. The main reason for the setback? This morning, the government denied Telus' request to transfer AWS spectrum from Mobilicity -- one of the most important factors in the potential merger of the two networks. As a result, IC decided to allow more time for the affected companies to figure out what to do next; more than likely, Telus will need the extra two months to pull an AT&T and rethink its acquisition strategy. Read the release below for a few more details behind the rationale.
US and Canada reach border spectrum sharing deals for broadband
Wireless use along the US-Canada border can be problematic: when there isn't direct interference, there's sometimes a fight over which devices get dibs on given frequencies. Don't worry that the countries will rekindle their old disputes, though -- instead, they've just struck interim deals to share more of their spectrum. Along with harmonizing 700MHz public safety networks, the pacts address AWS (1,700MHz and 2,100MHz), PCS (1,900MHz), 3.7GHz wireless broadband, mesh networks and even WiFi hotspots. When possible, both sides will use contention protocols to automatically resolve any conflicts. While the deals aren't yet final, they should be strong enough to maintain some semblance of peace on the northern airwaves. [Image credit: National Film Board of Canada. Photothèque / Library and Archives Canada]
Canadian government sets November 19th as date for 700MHz auction
Well, it's not the first half of 2013 as originally promised, but the Canadian government has now set a specific date for the country's first 700MHz spectrum auction: November 19th of this year. Alongside that bit of news, Industry Minister Christian Paradis also detailed a set of rules that he says will help provide consumers with "more choices and more access at better prices." That includes what the government describes as extended and expanded requirements for carriers to allow roaming on their networks, as well as a more general goal to have at least four competitors in each region of the country. Paradis also says the government is tightening its rules to increase cellphone tower sharing, a move aimed to both increase wireless coverage and "reduce cell tower proliferation." You can find his full statement after the break.
Verizon wraps up 700MHz spectrum sales to three rural telecom firms
While Verizon wasn't quick to start selling 700MHz blocks to live up to the terms of its AWS purchase, it's clearly willing to up the tempo. The carrier says it just finished deals this week to sell lower B-block 700MHz airwaves in Texas to already announced customer Nortex Communications as well as Oklahoma's Panhandle Telecommunication Systems. We're also learning that Verizon quietly signed off on a deal in mid-January that transfers A-block spectrum in Houston to Colorado Valley Communications. The agreements might not provide the interoperability with Verizon's C-block that some crave, but they could still help level the playing field for smaller telecom outlets.
AT&T to buy $1.9 billion worth of 700MHz spectrum from Verizon
Verizon has made a number of deals with smaller carriers lately to unload its 700MHz spectrum, and it's now struck a deal with a big one. AT&T announced today that it's buying a large swath of spectrum in the 700 MHz B band from Verizon for $1.9 billion in cash and AWS spectrum licenses. That spectrum covers some 42 million people across 18 states, including some areas that aren't currently covered by AT&T. Expectedly, the switchover won't happen overnight -- AT&T expects the deal to close sometime in the second half of 2013, assuming it gains the necessary regulatory approval. You can find the full list of states covered by the spectrum in the press release after the break.
Clear Talk latest beneficiary of Verizon's 700MHz spectrum fire sale
After horse-trading with the FCC and DOJ to gain AWS spectrum from cable venture SpectrumCo in exchange for its 700MHz A and B bands, Verizon has found another taker: Clear Talk, who just signed an agreement to purchase 10 lower B-block licenses. That follows an agreement with Nortex in Texas along with Panhandle Telecom in Oklahoma, and will cover Clear Talk's markets in Maryland, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico. Big Red is evaluating other bids for its lower 700MHz licenses and is also leasing upper C-block frequencies to 20 operators in order "to jumpstart the delivery of 4G LTE in rural areas." Verizon's tat for that tit will be that it can wholesale its services to cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner, making it well worth the company's while, we can imagine.
Verizon signs first deal to sell lower 700MHz spectrum following the AWS handover, acts on its promise
Verizon used the prospect of selling lower-block 700MHz spectrum as a carrot to lure in the US government: it would share the wireless wealth only if it was cleared to buy cable company spectrum in the AWS bands. Now that the DOJ and FCC have greenlit the cable purchase, the carrier is living up to its end of the bargain. Verizon has just signed a related deal that sells B-block 700MHz access to Nortex Communications, a rural phone company operating northwest of Dallas. While it's not Verizon first pact for the lower 700MHz space, it's the first directly resulting from the carrier's promises during the AWS frequency grab and shows the company being true to its word. We're not expecting the Texas agreement to suddenly level the balance of power when Verizon wasn't even using those airwaves for LTE; still, it's good to know that the provider isn't waiting around to give smaller competitors a break.