Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Sell Spectrum to Verizon

SpectrumCo, LLC, a joint venture between Comcast Corporation, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, is selling Verizon Wireless its 122 Advanced Wireless Services spectrum licenses covering 259 million POPs for $3.6 billion. What might be noteworthy is the strategic change of direction. The cable companies purchased the AWS spectrum at least in part as a potential foundation for wireless service.

The sale, and the agreement by the owners to resell Verizon Wireless services instead, suggests the cable operators once again have decided that they could not create independent wireless operations.

Moreover, given the business relationship cable companies have had with Sprint since at least 1994, the move also suggests that the cable operators are breaking with the idea of Sprint as a strategic partner. Since cable companies have been among the potential buyers of Sprint Nextel, the latest moves would seem to indicate no interest in that area.

Cable TV operators have been spending money to get into the wireless business for decades, with little success. In 1994 Sprint, Tele-Communications, Comcast and Cox Cable formed a joint venture to build a nationwide network to provide wireless service.

However in 1998, Sprint assumed control of the business and bought the cable companies' interest in the company.

In 2005 Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and Advance/Newhouse formed a joint venture with Sprint Nextel to provide a quad-play cable TV, high-speed data, landline and wireless service to their customers. But the quad-play idea never panned out and Pivot never grew beyond the initial 33 markets Sprint launched in November 2007.

Sprint said that Pivot was being hindered by provisioning issues. Time Warner later said that demand for Pivot services was "tepid." Pivot users eventually were given the option of switching to Sprint's regular service.

In 2008, Sprint and Clearwire announced that they would combine their WiMAX businesses and create a new company that would include a $3.2 billion investment from Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Trilogy Equity Partners.  Cable wireless history

Recently, Cox Communications decided to shutter its own wireless business as well.

Comcast owns 63.6 percent of SpectrumCo and will receive approximately $2.3 billion from the sale. Time Warner Cable owns 31.2 percent of SpectrumCo and will receive approximately $1.1 billion. Bright House Networks owns 5.3 percent of SpectrumCo and will receive approximately $189 million. Comcast, Time Warner Cable sell spectrum to Verizon

Verizon to double data amounts for 4G smart phones

Customers buying smart phones running on the Verizon Wireless Long Term Evolution 4G network will get double the data buckets for as long as they keep their level of service.

For example, someone who subscribes to the 2GB for $30 plan will receive 4GB instead. For $50 you can get 10GB instead of 5GB, and for $80 you can get 20GB instead of 10GB per month.

Existing customers (those who have upgraded their service or purchased a 4G smartphone within the last 14 days) will have to request the change. Verizon to double data amounts for 4G smart phones

Verizon Wireless apparently says the bigger data plans will stay in effect so long as users keep a smart phone plan.


The nice thing about a brand-new wireless network is that, at first, there aren't too many customers to clog up the pipes, allowing service providers to do these sorts of deals. 

Verizon API Will "Turbo" Mobile Broadband

Verizon will publish an application programming interface that could allow mobile consumers to "turbocharge" the network bandwidth their smartphone apps use, presumably for a small additional fee.

"I think one of the things that you could do is guaranteed quality of service," said Hugh Fletcher, associate director for technology in Verizon's Product Development and Technology team. 

"One of the things that we are right now is very democratic in terms of allocating spectrum and bandwidth to users. And just because you request a high quality of service doesn't mean you're gonna get it. [The network] will try to give it to you, but if there's a lot of congestion, a lot of people using it, it won't kick people off," said Fletcher. Verizon API To Give Apps 'Turbo'

The network optimization API will likely expose attributes like jitter, latency, bandwidth, and priority to app developers, Fletcher said. 


Despite expected complaints from some network neutrality advocates, there is a reason such an API might provide clear value to end users. Some of you might be using 3G or 4G networks, using different air interfaces, to use interactive cloud applications. If you do that often enough, on many networks, you will have discovered the experience problem caused by latency. 


Where older GPRS or EDGE data networks featured round-trip latencies in the 600 millisecond to 700 msec. range, LTE networks feature round-trip latencies in the 50 msec. range. 


One of the important elements of a cloud-delivered application experience is latency performance, even though we most often think of "bandwidth" as being the key "experience" parameter. 


Some might say the key benefits will be for gaming apps, but many of us can assure you that other interactive apps, even those not intrinsically dependent on "real time" protocols, can suffer from mobile latency. Latency issues

Sprint Details LTE Plans As Clearwire’s Decline Accelerates | mocoNews

To say there is a bit of instability in much of the U.S. mobile backhaul market would be an understatement. After announcing it would buy about $20 billion worth of Apple iPhones, whether it can sell them or not, Sprint announced that it would expedite the building of its new Long Term Evolution network this summer, with completion by the end of 2013, a breath-taking time table. $20 billion worth of iPhones


Sprint also said it would no longer sell WiMAX devices after 2012, a clear indication Sprint intends to wean its customers off the Clearwire network. Clearwire and Sprint equities both tanked on the news. 

Sprint executives say LTE devices would be available for its network in the summer of 2012. Sprint LTE plans


Clearwire insisted it wasn’t dead, and remains essential to Sprint's 4G plans. Investors clearly aren't so sure. But with LightSquared still facing serious objections to its own LTE launch plans, that means three national networks now face a bit of uncertainty about how much capacity they will be needing, and perhaps none of the three companies can provide complete assurance of financial success in the future, as independent entities. 


Nor, for that matter, can any of the three completely shake concerns about bankruptcy. Three national networks that might not exist in the future is quite a lot of potential backhaul business that could evaporate. 


Of course, Dish Network also says it wants to build a national LTE network, so add a fourth element to the dynamic situation. 

Verizon to Announce Additional 4G LTE Cities This Week

Verizon Wireless earlier this year identified 59 markets that will 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network service by the end of 2011.

These newly named areas, added to the 39 initial markets launched in December 2010 and 49 markets announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2011, mean that consumers and businesses in at least 147 U.S. cities will have access to the fastest, most advanced 4G mobile network in America.

We are told to watch for the latest set of cities with service on April 21, 2011. http://twitter.com/VerizonWireless/status/59968063570837504

Verizon Announces Additional 4G LTE Cities for 2011, 145 Markets by the End of the Year

Apple iPhone: 2 better than 1

Apple says "Two is better than one." Better for Apple; better for consumers; better for all the suppliers of iPhone components; better for mobile app providers working in the Apple ecosystem; arguably better for Verizon Wireless; not good for AT&T; still bad for Sprint and T-Mobile USA.

That sort of illustrates the conundrum mobile service providers now face, and that fixed-line providers have faced for some time, notably that value in both ecosystems has shifted in the direction of devices and apps.

That isn't to say "access" lacks definite value. Spending time someplace with no broadband access, or with poor access, will quickly illustrate the point. Of course, contestants in the apps and devices parts of the ecosystem would say they face significant competitive pressure as well.

But the fact remains: people might "love" their apps and devices. They rarely have any emotional attachment to their "access." Of course, it is much harder to develop a true brand preference for an intangible product, compared to something tangible such as a device or a favored application.

From Apple's point of view, two is better than one. But the ad indirectly points out yet again where value is shifting in the communications business.

No Need to Depict iPhone, Verizon Wireless Believes

Some might wonder, in this Verizon Wireless ad for the iPhone, where the iPhone is. Of course, some might ask who in the potential audience does not know what an iPhone is, or what it looks like, or what it can do. In that case, there isn't so much value showing the device, is there?

Verizon Wireless Offers $200 Trade-In for an iPhone

Current Verizon customers who purchased and activated new smartphones, feature phones or certified pre-owned phones between Nov. 26, 2010, and Jan. 10, 2011, are eligible to receive up to a $200 Visa debit card when they purchase an iPhone 4 at full retail price by Feb. 28, 2011 and return their existing phone.

This offer is only available on consumer accounts with five lines or less, who are purchasing iPhone 4 through Verizon Wireless retail stores, telesales, or through verizonwireless.com.

iPhone 4. Verizon. It Begins

Projecting iPhone's Effect on Verizon's 2011 Wireless Revenues - Seeking Alpha

By one survey conducted by Compete, about 8.7 percent of Verizon Wireless customers are waiting for a specific phone model before upgrading to a smartphone, and most assume that means the Apple iPhone.

According to Verizon’s third-quarter 2010 financial statement, only 23 percent of Verizon’s 82 million post-paid subscribers currently had a smartphone. This means that there is a potential pool of some 63 million post-paid cellphone owners that Verizon can convert to the iPhone, without stealing away a single new net add.

If the 8.7 percent of existing Verizon's customers who are waiting for a specific phone choose to upgrade to an iPhone, Verizon could enjoy a spike of more than 5.4 million new iPhone customers in 2011.

Even if just three million existing non-smartphone Verizon Wireless subscribers upgrade to the iPhone, Verizon Wireless could earn more than a billion dollars in additional data revenue over a two-year period, assuming new monthly data plan revenues of $15 a month and two-year contract lengths.

That does not even account for net customer gains Verizon might pick up as customers from AT&T and other service providers move over to Verizon Wireless to use the iPhone on the Verizon network.

Projecting iPhone's Effect on Verizon's 2011 Wireless Revenues - Seeking Alpha

How Will AT&T Respond to Verizon iPhone?

Verizon Launches iPhone: Video

"Speed" Not an Issue for Verizon Wireless iPhone

Verizon Gets Apple iPhone, Now the Questions Begin

How many AT&T customers using iPhones will depart for Verizon, and at what rate? How many current Verizon Wireless customers will switch to iPhone, and what will the retention impact be? Will Verizon Wireless get the right to sell the iPad, with native 3G connections?

Will Verizon Wireless get the right to sell a 4G version of the iPhone, and when? Same question for the iPad on the 4G network.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/iphone.jsp

How Will Verizon's Network Handle the iPhone?

Expect a spate of commercials and ads claiming that the iPhone works better on either AT&T's network, or Verizon's network. I suspect few consumers are going to be swayed, one way or the other, by such ads.

Verizon Could Bring Apple Millions of iPhone Users

Opinions are split on how many iPhone customers Verizon could take away from AT&T. Charles Golvin, an analyst at Forrester Research said he believes initial sales will mostly involve Existing Verizon customers who want to upgrade to the iPhone and Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA customers who weren't willing to switch to AT&T because of its poor network reputation might drive most of Verizon Wireless iPhone sales, some believe.

AT&T also has launched promotions to lock in existing iPhone customers on its network in advance of the Verizon iPhone launch. AT&T recently launched a promotion offering $49 3GS phones as well as easier upgrades to the iPhone 4. Many other iPhone owners are on the carrier's family or business plans, making it trickier to switch.

Many observers predict sales of nine million to 12 million iPhones on the Verizon network in 2011.

Verizon Could Bring Apple Millions of iPhone Users - WSJ.com (subscription required)

Verizon Finally Lands the iPhone

The Apple iPhone is finally coming to Verizon Wireless, and among the big questions are whether the move leads to a significant exodus of customers from AT&T to Verizon Wireless, or not. We have five iPhones in use in the immediate family so I will be anxious to see what happens. It already appears that half the accounts are in no danger of any provider shifts. But three of the devices are used mostly in New York and Los Angeles, and there are significant reliability issues for at least one or two of those accounts, fairly regularly.

If I had to guess, I'd say two of the lines could shift. If that is replicated across the whole iPhone user base, it would be a big deal. I think I'd be surprised if three of five shifted to Verizon. That would be a really big deal.

Verizon Finally Lands the iPhone - WSJ.com (subscription required)

What Impact on AT&T Revenue from Verizon iPhone?

Verizon Wireless is getting the right to sell the Apple iPhone, it seems clear enough. All of that has financial analysts modeling the potential impact on AT&T.

Estimates from industry analysts of the resulting number of defections to Verizon from AT&T range from one million to six million. John Hodulik, an analyst at UBS Securities comes in somewhere in the middle. He predicts that AT&T will sell 8.8 million iPhones in 2011, down from 15.6 million in 2010.

Of the 13.3 million Hodulik expects Verizon to sell in 2011, about 2.3 million will be to AT&T refugees, he predicts. An additional 10 million will be current Verizon subscribers who upgrade from other devices, and the rest will come from other carriers.

 If six million of its customers defect, the $6 billion in lost annual revenue would amount to about 10 percent of AT&T's wireless sales in 2011 and 4.8 percent of total revenues of $126 billion in 2011, according to UBS projections.

On the other hand, while AT&T has reason to worry about losing the lucrative iPhone arrangement it has enjoyed since Apple introduced the device in 2007, the damage may not be as severe as many anticipate, for a number of reasons, mostly related to financial barriers to switching.

Despite the well-reported call dropping and other service issues in some cities and neighborhoods, many iPhone users do not report unusual levels of call dropping beyond what might be expected from any carrier, at some times, and therefore presumably do not have overwhelming incentives to change carriers. Churn possibly will be highest in New York and San Francisco, for example.

There are financial barriers as well. Contract termination fees, though pro-rated, could run up to $325 for a consumer at the start of a new contract. About 15 million of 23 million iPhone customers appear to be on such contracts.

Devices used on Verizon's network will not multitask, supporting both a phone conversation and Web usage, for example. For many customers, the cost of service on the Verizon network might be more than they have been used to, on the AT&T network.

AT&T says its 3G network is faster than Verizon's 3G network, and one does not hear Verizon disputing that in public.

Perhaps most significantly, many iPhone users are on family plans. Switching every user on a plan because one or two iPhone users want to migrate could pose barriers as well. Also, many users might want to switch, but then discover that Verizon Wireless prices are higher than AT&T's, in many cases. Whether that makes a difference is tough to determine at the moment.

Rethinking the iPhone Threat to AT&T - BusinessWeek

Apple Expects to Ship as Many as 21 Million iPhones, as Early as Q2 2011

Apple is telling component suppliers it wants 20 million gto 21 million iPhones for the first quarter of 2011, DigiTimes reports.

Shipments don't equal sales, so it's not a perfect comparison, but for some context, Apple sold 14.1 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Piper Jaffray has a pretty conservative estimate of 12 million iPhones sold for the first quarter of 2011.

Of the 20-21 million phones Apple is ordering, five million to six million will use CDMA, which means they could run on Verizon's network. That gives you some idea of how many Apple believes Verizon Wireless will sell, possibly as early as the second quarter of 2011.

Apple Puts In Order For 20-21 Million iPhones For Q1 2011

Verizon Wireless to Sell iPhone: Only Issue is How Many

Among the longest-running "dramas" in the mobile business has been the question of when the Apple iPhone would be for sale by a second U.S. mobile provider. The betting generally has been that it would be Verizon Wireless. Here's a discussion of the potential differences, based in part on the different air interfaces and networks AT&T and Verizon Wireless operate.

Expand Your 3G Network: Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender Now Available

Verizon Wireless now is selling its "Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender" femtocell, boosting 3G signal reception locally for both voice and data, and supporting as many as six Verizon Wireless devices.

The typical application is to boost signal strength within a home.

Customers can use My Verizon (www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon) to set up a list of preferred users who will have access to their Network Extender. Customers do not need to update their plans or add minutes and will incur no additional monthly charges for using the Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender.

The Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender replaces the original "Verizon Wireless Network Extender," which was introduced in 2009. The Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender can be purchased online at www.verizonwireless.com or by calling 1-800-256-4646. The price is $249.99 plus local taxes.

Expand Your 3G Network: Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender Now Available