MetroPCS signs up Alcatel-Lucent for new markets

MetroPCS Communications Inc. inked a three-and-a-half year contract extension with Alcatel-Lucent, which covers the buildout of the flat-rate carrier’s AWS spectrum holdings in seven major metropolitan areas. Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.
MetroPCS scored the new markets through the Federal Communications Commission’s advanced wireless services auction last year.
The contract will see Alcatel-Lucent’s CDMA infrastructure put to use in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Los Angeles. Alcatel-Lucent will provide MetroPCS with a range of base stations in new and existing markets, and will also provide maintenance and other services for network optimization, design and engineering.
“Our customers want the most value for their dollar and our unlimited flat-rate service offers a compelling value proposition, which is evident by the remarkable continued growth of our subscriber base,” Metro Chairman and CEO Roger Linquist said. “Alcatel-Lucent has been a valued and trusted partner in the evolution of our network since the launch of our initial markets. We look forward to continuing that relationship and for Alcatel-Lucent to provide us with the technology and solutions we need to further evolve and grow our network.”
MetroPCS announced that it will also deploy Alcatel-Lucent’s AnyPath Messaging System in its network to integrate existing call answering and voice messaging capabilities with a variety of applications.
The announcement comes just a few weeks after the carrier beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations in spite of weak customer numbers, which sent the stock soaring nearly 13%.