Fierce

Brightspeed’s planned fiber passings top 1 million across 13 states

New broadband provider Brightspeed is now planning fiber expansion work in more than a dozen states, outlining its ambition to reach tens of thousands of new locations across South Carolina and Kansas. The operator is targeting up to 14,000 passings in South Carolina, with plans to hit an additional 36,000 passings by the end of its five-year buildout; and in Kansas, as it aims to reach 10,000 new passings and an additional 45,000 locations.

T-Mobile told to stop with its ‘Save Up to 50%’ Home Internet claim

T-Mobile has been advised to stop implying that a consumer can save up to 50% on their home internet services compared to major competitors like Verizon. The recommendation comes from the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) National Programs.

Starry, Nextlink, Resound still waiting on $1 Billion in Rural Development Opportunity Fund Support

More than a year and a half after the close of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction, fixed wireless providers Starry, Nextlink and Resound Networks are still waiting for their winning bids to be authorized. The companies have expressed confidence their subsidy money will come through. Starry, Nextlink and Resound were among the top 10 winners in the RDOF auction, collectively winning just over $1 billion. That means they account for about half of the $2 billion in remaining bids the FCC has left to process.

Dish sets sights on high power Citizens Broadband Radio Service tests

Dish Wireless is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to conduct field experiments to evaluate high power Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) operations and its impact on current operations in the band. The application is notable given that Dish was the second largest bidder in the CBRS auction in 2020 and has been lobbying for a higher power level for the band

Omnispace aims to connect 5G mobile phones to satellite network

Omnispace, based in Tysons, Virginia, wants to be the first company to deliver a global 5G non-terrestrial network with connectivity directly to mobile devices from its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The company believes the future of communications is hybrid — where satellites extend and augment terrestrial mobile networks.

Purdue's smart city microcosm includes private wireless and a neutral host fiber network

Municipal leaders worldwide are educating themselves about the potential of wireless connectivity, sensors and artificial intelligence to make their cities safer, cleaner, richer and easier to navigate. But when it comes to actually implementing new technology, many are challenged by integration with existing systems, networks and processes. This was not a problem for David Broecker, chief innovation and commercial officer at Purdue Research Foundation (PRF).

Do consumers actually want fixed-mobile bundles?

Cable and telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon have spent a lot of time talking up their ability to bundle fixed and mobile services, touting such offers as a key retention and churn reduction tool. But how much do consumers actually want to bundle their services with a single operator? Recon Analytics founder Roger Enter said bundling is far from a priority for most broadband customers. “People don’t make decisions based on the bundle, but they do make decisions based on performance and price,” he said.

Internet service providers weigh in on the true cost of fiber

With all the buzz of late about internet service providers (ISPs) doubling down on fiber builds, there’s the question of whether fiber is cost-efficient enough to bridge the digital divide. Gary Johnson, CEO and general manager at Paul Bunyan Communications, noted fiber’s front-end costs don’t compare to its long-term benefits. “When we put in fiber networks we know it’s in there for decades,” Johnson said. “We’re not going to be rebuilding it, we’re burying all our infrastructure.

Many telecom stakeholders want the Universal Service Fund ‘paused’ for now

The Federal Communications Commission will soon issue a report to Congress on the options for the troubled Universal Service Fund (USF). When it issued a Notice of Inquiry in December 2021, the FCC asked for input because the cost to consumers who support the USF has been increasing.

T-Mobile forks over $3.5 billion for more 600 MHz spectrum

T-Mobile informed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it is buying additional 600 MHz spectrum from Channel 51 License and LB License for a total cost of $3.5 billion. About $1.9 billion will be paid to 51 License, and about $1.6 billion will be paid to LB License. The licenses range from 10 MHz to 30 MHz per market and cover over 108 million points-of-presence, or about one-third of the US population. The licenses are already being used by T-Mobile through exclusive leasing arrangements with the sellers.

Starry analysis shows buildings become profitable in a year or less

Executives from fixed wireless provider Starry said that the company is performing well despite the tough macro-economic environment. The reasons it’s immune to the today’s economic climate? It’s better, faster and cheaper, said Starry co-founder and CEO Chet Kanojia, adding that because the company’s fixed wireless access (FWA) service is positioned well is because it is prepaid and therefore has minimal bad debt exposure.