WASHINGTON—NextWave Telecom, the controversial company in a battle with the government and other operators for control of U.S. wireless spectrum, said it has activated its wireless network in 60 markets and is engaged in customer trials of its wireless data service based on CDMA 1x in selected areas.
The activated markets include Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle.
NextWave said it is offering service to a community of beta-test customers equipped with palm-sized computers that can communicate using the company’s network, and expects to begin offering full commercial service in selected markets later this year.
“This is a significant step forward in the life of NextWave,” said Allen Salmasi, chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman of NextWave. “Deployment of an advanced IP-based wireless network has always been one of our primary goals, and deploying facilities and providing fully mobile wireless service to test customers represents an important milestone for the company and its investors.”
The company noted it expects to complete phase-one construction and activate its network in the remaining 35 markets where it holds personal communications services (PCS) licenses.
