T-Mobile Acquires 10MHz of 4G LTE Spectrum from U.S. Cellular for $308 Million
It wasn't just lip service when T-Mobile re-branded itself as the "Un-carrier," the wireless outfit is making an honest-to-goodness effort to get on par with and perhaps one day surpass the competition. For that happen, fleshing out its 4G LTE network is paramount, and T-Mobile is working on doing just that. In fact, T-Mobile just spent $308 million in cash acquiring 10MHz of Advanced Wireless Spectrum (AWS) from U.S. Cellular.
The acquired spectrum covers a total of 32 million people in 29 markets in the Mississippi Valley region, including St. Louis, Nashville, Kansas City, Memphis, Lexington, Little Rock-North Little Rock, Birmingham, New Orleans, and Louisville. T-Mobile says the additional spectrum will allow for an incremental roll-out of its 4G LTE network coverage to new markets, while expanding existing coverage in the Mississippi Valley region.
"In today’s marketplace, spectrum is gold,"said John Legere, President and CEO of T-Mobile. "This is a rare opportunity to secure precious AWS spectrum in key markets that will immediately be put to use by both T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers. This deal expands our network and capacity, allowing for a broader roll-out of 4G LTE and an even faster and more reliable 4G experience for our customers – in addition to spurring competition in the wireless marketplace."
T-Mobile merged with MetroPCS in May of this year. Earlier this month, T-Mobile said it was well ahead of schedule in making its HSPA+ and LTE networks compatible with devices available to MetroPCS customers.
The deal for the additional spectrum is subject to FCC approval and expected to close in the fourth quarter.
The acquired spectrum covers a total of 32 million people in 29 markets in the Mississippi Valley region, including St. Louis, Nashville, Kansas City, Memphis, Lexington, Little Rock-North Little Rock, Birmingham, New Orleans, and Louisville. T-Mobile says the additional spectrum will allow for an incremental roll-out of its 4G LTE network coverage to new markets, while expanding existing coverage in the Mississippi Valley region.
"In today’s marketplace, spectrum is gold,"said John Legere, President and CEO of T-Mobile. "This is a rare opportunity to secure precious AWS spectrum in key markets that will immediately be put to use by both T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers. This deal expands our network and capacity, allowing for a broader roll-out of 4G LTE and an even faster and more reliable 4G experience for our customers – in addition to spurring competition in the wireless marketplace."
T-Mobile merged with MetroPCS in May of this year. Earlier this month, T-Mobile said it was well ahead of schedule in making its HSPA+ and LTE networks compatible with devices available to MetroPCS customers.
The deal for the additional spectrum is subject to FCC approval and expected to close in the fourth quarter.
