BROWSING: AWS

The Q&A: Jim Orr

Jim Orr is a principal network architect in the wireless market development group at Fujitsu Network Communications.Q: It seems the infrastructure market has experienced some turbulence over the past several years. How do you view the strength of the infrastructure market today?A: We are...

Leap pushes AWS spectrum with new phones

Leap Wireless International Inc. is kicking off the second quarter with the launch of two new phones that will work on the spectrum the carrier purchased during the Federal Communications Commission's Auction 66, held in 2006. Leap and its designated-entity partner, Denali Spectrum Co.,...

Report: Cable companies mull WiMAX link-up with Sprint Nextel, Clearwire: Comcast, Time Warner could put millions into new venture

Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. are in discussions with the nation's two largest cable providers -- Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. -- to fund a nationwide WiMAX venture, according to the Wall Street Journal. Intel Corp., Google Inc. and Bright House...

T-Mobile USA, Leap ready to roll out AWS markets

Almost 18 months after the advanced wireless services spectrum auction wrapped, carriers are on the verge of commercially launching networks and devices that make use of the recently cleared 1.7/2.1 GHz spectrum bands.Although the carrier hasn't launched any AWS markets yet, Leap Wireless International...

Court ruling knocks FCC’s ‘designated entity’ efforts

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the small-business bidding suit against the Federal Communications Commission remains intact, an action with potential implications for two major spectrum auctions. The 3rd Circuit, while declining to force the FCC to rule on a...

End in sight (again)?: New bids dip below triple digits in 700 MHz auction

Perhaps taking a cue from "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz auction is teasing us with the potential that it could all be over very shortly. New bids dropped to double digits during the three opening...

Infrastructure awards wrap-up: Nortel, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia Siemens Networks and more

The following list details this week's infrastructure awards for the cellular, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX industries. The contracts are broken down by transmission technology, country and vendor. The value of the contract is included when available.Cellular--Czech Republic: Telefonica O2 Czech Republic said it is upgrading...

Family Research Council calls for ‘safe’ broadband: FCC gets mixed bag of comments on how it should craft rules for AWS III band

The Federal Communications Commission's attempt to craft rules for the 2155-2175 MHz band has been met with the kind of mixed industry feedback expected in such a proceeding, with a notable exception that could provide a window into what could become a bigger policy...

Worst of the Week: Your predictions for 2008

Hello!And welcome to a special edition of our Thursday column, Worst of the Week. As 2007 draws to a close and we take stock of all the changes that have happened in the wireless industry, we can't help but wonder how things will look...

ZTE USA begins long march with regional carrier

ZTE USA, the American face of the Chinese handset and network vendor, will begin supplying co-branded CDMA handsets to MetroPCS Communications Corp., which offers service to 3.7 million subscribers in major metro areas. The deal is ZTE's second to provide devices to an American...

FCC releases full list of applicants for 700 MHz auction: Qualcomm to bid, while T-Mobile USA could sit it out

The Federal Communications Commission said it received 266 applications for the 700 MHz auction, with small and rural telephone companies dominating a field that also includes leading mobile-phone operators, Google Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C., and some surprises. Click here for complete 700 MHz auction coverage. Nearly...

DE rules challenged: Trio of DEs, Verizon Wireless question wholesale terms for 700 MHZ auction

RULES THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER for small businesses to bid for the D-Block license in the upcoming January auction are under attack from the three companies that have entangled the Federal Communications Commission in auctionrelated litigation since last year.Council Tree Communications Inc., Bethel...

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...

Satellite to sit out 700 MHz auction: Verizon Wireless questions DE rules

It is beginning to look increasingly unlikely that satellite operators will participate in the upcoming 700 MHz auction, partially due to rules guaranteeing the satellite industry a role in the deployment of a nationwide commercial-public safety broadband network in the band. The situation is...

Yes, FCC, there is an ordering clause

There's an interesting legal argument whose resolution by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could impact small-business bidding rules, last year's wireless auction and perhaps even the upcoming 700 MHz auction. Or it could be much ado about nothing.The question is this: When...

FCC relaxes requirements for public-safety spectrum

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION relaxed the small-business bidding rule for the 700 MHz national commercial/public-safety block, but the agency cannot seem to shake lingering legal challenges that have the potential to disrupt the upcoming auction-as well as last year's sale of advanced wireless services...

CTIA takes up 700 MHz challenge: Industry association moves in after VZW withdraws appeal

LITIGATION SURROUNDING RULES for auction-bound 700 MHz wireless licenses took an unexpected turn last week.Verizon Wireless filed to withdraw its appeal of the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz open-access rule, only to have cellphone industry trade association CTIA immediately fill the void by challenging...

NTIA’s Kneuer: under-appreciated, accomplished

In the past, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has managed now and then to wrestle away the spotlight (albeit temporarily) on major telecom-tech issues of the day from the Federal Communications Commission. NTIA, a Commerce Department unit that serves as the principal adviser...

CTIA replaces VZW in challenging open access: Trade group ‘does not seek to delay’ auction

Litigation surrounding rules for the Jan. 24-scheduled 700 MHz auction has taken a sudden turn. Verizon Wireless filed to withdraw its appeal of the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz open-access rule, only to have cellphone association CTIA immediately fill the void by challenging the...

T-Mobile USA, Leap move closer to AWS launches: T-Mobile USA gearing up for New York launch, Leap begins to hire in Las Vegas

Signs are popping up that carriers are getting closer to making use of the spectrum they acquired in the advanced wireless services auction last year. T-Mobile USA Inc. confirmed that it has begun offering its first 3G handset to customers in New York, although...

700 MHz proceedings get messy

THE MOBILE-PHONE INDUSTRY FINDS ITSELF ADRIFT in a sea of uncertainty as the 2008 election year approaches, with litigation, legislation and other factors casting a collective cloud over spectrum auctions critical to rollout of next-generation wireless services and the existing regulatory regime.Competition for new...

Decision delayed on DE bidding rules

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected on procedural grounds a challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's small business bidding rules, delaying for another day a ruling on the merits of a case with the potential to overturn the results of last year's...

T time

These are tenuous times for T-Mobile USA.Having spent $4.2 billion for 120 licenses in last year's advanced wireless services auction and seeing its German sister company ready to live with the iPhone, you can understand why T-Mobile USA might be getting a little antsy...

700 MHz rerun: Some want to put open access at 2155-2175 MHz

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Commission appeared poised to reject M2Z Networks Inc.'s plan to offer free nationwide broadband service on the 2155-2175 MHz band, a move likely to prompt a court challenge and refocus the campaign to integrate open-access wholesale requirements in the wireless space.Once...