Leap Wireless International Inc. said it will begin soliciting bids for the sale of what it termed “excess spectrum” in the Columbus, Ga., market in an attempt to raise capital. The auction, which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California, will include 15 megahertz of a 30-megahertz C-Block license Leap currently controls in Columbus. The carrier noted it would retain the remaining 15-megahertz, which it said would be adequate to continue to offer service, and that it has set a March 4 deadline for receiving competing bids. Leap made a similar deal in 2001 when it sold 15 megahertz of spectrum in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, to Cingular Wireless L.L.C. for $140 million.
Siemens AG said it has entered a contract to deliver UMTS network infrastructure for operator LuXcommunications S.A. The contract will cover both radio and core networks. The dollar amount was not disclosed. “The contract also covers the maintenance and upgrades of the network in line with the current state of the art to allow the end customer to use the latest services,” said Siemens.
Rogers Communications Inc. reported that AT&T Wireless Services Inc., which is accepting bids for a possible acquisition, has not received any notice from AWS regarding any potential sale or disposition of AWS’ 34-percent interest in Rogers Wireless. Rogers noted AWS owns class A multiple voting and class B subordinated voting shares in Rogers Wireless, which operates as Rogers AT&T Wireless in Canada, and that while there have been amendments to certain provisions of the partnership agreements provisions of the agreement dealing with a potential sale or disposition by AWS of its interest in Rogers Wireless have not changed.
Following its deal to offer content based on the “Lord of the Rings” movies, Verizon Wireless announced a package of NBA content and applications it will offer exclusively in conjunction with the NBA’s All-Star game. Verizon teamed with Jamdat Mobile Inc. to develop the content, available for $2.49 monthly access or $7.49 for unlimited use. Users will be able to vote on MVP candidates and play trivia.
