PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Aloha Partners L.P., which claims to be the largest holder of 700 MHz spectrum in the country, reported a definitive agreement to purchase the second- and third-largest 700 MHz spectrum holders Cavalier Group L.L.C. and DataCom Wireless L.L.C. for an undisclosed amount.
Aloha said the acquisitions would provide the company with spectrum in 244 licensed markets covering 175 million potential customers-including 100-percent coverage in the nation’s 10 largest markets and 84-percent coverage in the top 40 market-and further establish its commitment to develop a nationwide 700 MHz network.
“We are very pleased that Cavalier and DataCom decided to merge with Aloha,” said Charles Townsend, chief executive officer of Aloha Partners. “With 60 percent of the U.S., Aloha has now reached critical mass and is well positioned to drive a consistent use of the spectrum, attract key strategic partners and launch associated services nationwide.”
Cavalier was founded by current CTIA board member Wirt Yerger, while DataCom was founded by TeleCorp PCS Inc. co-founder Thomas Sullivan.
Aloha announced a deal last year with Flarion Technologies to launch a market trial using Flarion’s Flash-OFDM technology in a top 100 market during the second quarter of this year. Aloha said the trial would be targeted at both public safety and first responders in urban areas as well as consumer trials.
Nextel Communications Inc. is currently winding down a market trial of Flarion’s technology using 1.9 GHz spectrum in portions of North Carolina that provided network speeds of around 1 megabit per second on the downlink and 375 kilobits per second on the uplink.
