Verizon now saying 4G LTE rollout will be complete by mid-2013

While other carriers are still attempting to reach the milestone of 100 markets with 4G LTE, Verizon is already on its way to completing its network. Big Red’s original estimation was that the company would complete its aggressive 4G LTE rollout by the end of 2013. “Complete” would be pretty much blanketing its current 3G coverage (hint: it’s a lot) with 4G.

That in itself was an ambitious goal, but it seems Verizon is doing so well that the company may have underestimated its own capabilities. Fran Shammo, Verizon’s CFO, spoke to media this morning and told everyone that the company is now aiming to complete the network by mid-2013.

If we assume a 12 month scale from January 1st, 2013 on Big Red’s original goal, then that means a whole half a year has been shaved off the end of Verizon’s timeline. It’s an impressive feat for the carrier to be able to stretch its expectations when most companies would likely face delays of varying lengths. Verizon’s coffers are filled to the brim, though, and they’re throwing a crap ton of money at advancing its network.

The focus on building its 4G LTE network out in a timely fashion is important because the company has committed to putting  4G LTE inside all its smartphones and tablets from the beginning of 2012. Sprint and AT&T seem to be doing the same in that regard, and while their rollout efforts are admirable it doesn’t seem like anyone will be able to catch up to Verizon at this break-neck pace.

[via Fierce Wireless]

Source : androidtabletblog[dot]com

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Sprint buys Midwest customers and spectrum from US Cellular for $480 million

US carriers Sprint and US Cellular have announced a spectrum sale between the two that will see the former selling key Midwest spectrum to the latter for $480 million. For that price, Sprint will take control over the PCS spectrum in areas like Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. The Midwest is US Cellular’s biggest breeding ground so it’s a very significant deal to behold.

Sprint is also said to be receiving US Cellular’s customer base in those areas, though how many new contracts they’ll be snapping up isn’t being disclosed at this time. The deal is expected to close at some point in 2013, and there doesn’t appear to be any worry about resistance.

This is good news for Sprint which is banking on a “network vision” movement that will deliver a vast LTE network to its consumers by 2013′s end, and will also have considerable impact on the performance of its current 3G and voice networks.  Considering how bad the network has gotten for many users in this region I’d say this purchase couldn’t have come at a better time.

Sprint will apparently pay cash for the deal, and will assume any liabilities that may come with it. The company no doubt has the assets to do so considering it was just bought out by SoftBank Corp. last month for $20.1 million, and received $3 billion out of that last month.

Cash flow was never a huge concern for Sprint even before this network vision project took off so there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the carrier can complete it now (and within the time frame that was originally promised). More details have yet to roll in, but we won’t need them until it’s confirmed whether or not the deal will close at some point next year.

[via Business Week]

Source : androidtabletblog[dot]com

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