KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Sprint Corp. last week announced it created a new organization that will be responsible for building a broadband fixed wireless network in markets where Sprint has acquired licenses.
The Broadband Wireless Group will focus on building fixed wireless facilities and developing high-speed Internet services for homes and small businesses that will compete with cable data offerings, incumbent local exchange carrier xDSL services and CLEC data offers, said Sprint.
Sprint is waiting for final approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its planned purchase of five multichannel multipoint distribution service licensees, including Peoples Choice TV, American Telecasting Inc., Transworld Telecommunications Inc., Videotron USA and WBS America. The licenses will give Sprint up to 200 megahertz of spectrum in more than 65 markets nationwide, covering about 30 million households, said the company.
Sprint named Timothy Sutton, formerly the company’s vice president of technology and corporate development, president of the new group, which will be part of Sprint’s National Integrated Services division.
In addition to deploying a fixed wireless network, the group also will work with Sprint’s Consumer Services Group, Sprint Business and other NIS groups to roll out Sprint’s Integrated On-Demand Network, called Sprint ION, over the wireless infrastructure.
“To make the most of our significant investment in broadband spectrum, we must get to market and begin winning customers as soon as possible,” said Kevin Brauer, president of NIS and Sprint Business. “This new organization is designed to retain the entrepreneurial culture and ability to move quickly that the companies we are purchasing bring to us, while at the same time leveraging Sprint’s existing resources.”
