Wireless

SoftBank to Invest $20.1B in Sprint

Deal Would Give Japanese Wireless Giant 70% of No. 3 U.S. Carrier
By: Mike Farrell Oct 15 2012 - 2:03pm
Deal Would Give Japanese Wireless Giant 70% of No. 3 U.S. Carrier

As expected, Japanese wireless giant SoftBank has agreed to purchase a 70% interest in Sprint-Nextel for $20.1 billion, a deal which will pump needed capital into the U.S. telecom carrier.

LightSquared Asks FCC to Can Network Conditions

Build-Out Requirements Still on Books for Network on Agency-Mandated Indefinite Hold
By: John Eggerton Oct 12 2012 - 12:29am
Build-Out Requirements Still on Books for Network on Agency-Mandated Indefinite Hold

The FCC is seeking comment on LightSquared's request for relief from the build-out and other conditions on the wholesale terrestrial wireless network the FCC gave it a waiver to build back in 2010.

The request would appear to be something of a procedural no-brainer. The FCC has since put an indefinite hold on that waiver due to GPS interference concerns and LightSquared has since filed for bankruptcy.

Clearwire Shares Soar 70% on Sprint/Softbank Report

Wireless Carrier Could Play Big Role in Potential $12.8B Deal
By: Mike Farrell Oct 11 2012 - 4:53pm
Wireless Carrier Could Play Big Role in Potential $12.8B Deal

Troubled wireless broadband carrier Clearwire could be a key piece in Japanese mobile giant Softbank’s moves to acquire Sprint-Nextel, a role that sent its stock up more than 70% Thursday.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Softbank is in advanced talks to acquire a 70% interest in Sprint-Nextel for $12.8 billion. But a key part of those negotiations is the status of Clearwire.

Maffei: Sirius Deal Could Take 18 Months

Radio Giant Adds 446K Subscribers in Q3
By: Mike Farrell Oct 10 2012 - 5:41pm
Radio Giant Adds 446K Subscribers in Q3

New York – Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei told investors Wednesday that any future transaction with satellite radio giant Sirius XM would depend on its ability to monetize high cost shares, a move that could take at least 18 months to complete.

Comcast Could Seek Exit From Clearwire

MSO Makes Moves Toward Divesting 13% Stake
By: Mike Farrell Oct 8 2012 - 12:00am
MSO Makes Moves Toward Divesting 13% Stake

Add Comcast to the growing list of Clearwire investors looking to divest their stake in the troubled wireless company.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last Tuesday, Clearwire indicated that Comcast, which owns 13% of the broadband wireless company’s outstanding stock (and 6% of its vote), has converted its holdings to common shares. While Comcast has not indicated whether it would sell the stake, converting the stock is one step toward that end.

Comcast declined to comment.

Pennsylvania Congressfolk Back Broadcasters

Ask FCC to Inform Broadcasters ASAP about Incentive Auction Options
By: John Eggerton Oct 3 2012 - 10:02pm
Ask FCC to Inform Broadcasters ASAP about Incentive Auction Options

Add members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation to those calling on the FCC to let the agency know as soon as possible how it will re-auction and repack stations.

The FCC released its incentive auction proposal this week, but it asks lots of questions and seeks comment on the answers it does propose.

Ergen: We May Have to Sell Wireless Spectrum

But Dish Chairmam Calls it Growth Business; Labels video 'Mature,' 'Very Competitive'
By: John Eggerton Oct 3 2012 - 7:14pm
But Dish Chairmam Calls it Growth Business; Labels video 'Mature,' 'Very Competitive'

Dish Network chairman Charlie Ergen is urging the government to OK his company's wireless broadband play so he can try to replicate his satellite success in that growth market.

FCC Gets High Fives for Incentive Auction Launch

Stakeholders Weigh in on Friday's Vote
By: John Eggerton Sep 28 2012 - 2:17pm
Stakeholders Weigh in on Friday's Vote

 

In most cases, reaction to the FCC's unanimous vote to launch its broadcast spectrum incentive auction rulemaking was swift and positive. Absent from that chorus was the National Association of Broadcasters, which scheduled a news conference for later in the day to talk about the proposal.

FCC Takes Step to Free Up More Wireless Spectrum

Order Would Free Up Mobile, Fixed Broadband Spectrum
By: John Eggerton Sep 26 2012 - 5:41pm
Order Would Free Up Mobile, Fixed Broadband Spectrum

 

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski Wednesday circulated a proposed order freeing up 20 MHz of dormant spectrum in the wireless communications services band for LTE mobile broadband deployment, and another 10 for fixed and potentially mobile wireless broadband as well.

Questions Aplenty on FCC Incentive Auction Framework

Agency Vets Internal Questions, Suggestions for Upcoming Incentive Auction Framework
By: John Eggerton Sep 26 2012 - 5:37pm
Agency Vets Internal Questions, Suggestions for Upcoming Incentive Auction Framework

The FCC is going through "a whole bunch of edits and questions" from commissioners' offices on the upcoming spectrum auction framework notice of proposed rulemaking, which is scheduled for a vote Friday, Sept. 28. Those questions include the wisdom of holding simultaneous auctions, as the FCC is proposing.

According to a source familiar with the edit chain, questions include whether the FCC is setting aside too much spectrum for unlicensed use, and whether it might make more sense to do the auctions sequentially.

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