DALLAS-MetroPCS Communications Inc. said it awarded Lucent Technologies Inc. a three-year contract for third-generation CDMA2000 equipment, valued at up to $500 million.
MetroPCS said it plans to deploy Lucent equipment to build out new markets in Dallas, Detroit and Tampa/Sarasota, Fla. MetroPCS paid $230 million for licenses in Detroit and Dallas as part of Cingular Wireless L.L.C.’s required divestiture tied to its acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services Inc. The carrier picked up Florida licenses from NextWave Telecom Inc. for $43.5 million. MetroPCS said it also plans to increase capacity and coverage in Miami; San Francisco; Atlanta; Sacramento, Calif.; and Tampa.
The agreement includes Lucent’s CDMA2000 1x and 1x EV-DO technology. In addition, Lucent Worldwide Services will provide maintenance and professional services including network optimization, design and engineering. Lucent has been MetroPCS’ exclusive supplier since 2001.
